Core Band Classes
Concert Band is a non-audition, intro level band class intended for freshmen who were in beginning or intermediate band as an 8th grader, or any high school student that would like to learn to play an instrument (or relearn to play an instrument after taking some time off). Concert Band is a year-long course, but students may be moved up to Symphonic at the semester. Concert Band participates in about four concerts a year.
Symphonic Band is our mid-level band class and enrollment is based on director recommendation. The Symphonic Band is a year-long course. This band performs at about four concerts a year and travels to one competition during spring semester. The Symphonic Band also participates in the stands as the pep band at home football games in the fall and a small number of basketball games in the winter (no after school practices are required for these events).
Wind Ensemble is an audition-only band for students in grades 9-12 who play at the highest level. Students in this class are encouraged to take private lessons and participate in many music opportunities. This band performs at about 5 family concerts and travels to about four competitions each year. Students in Wind Ensemble are required to audition for All-State and All-City (but not required to participate in the groups if it does not work with your schedule). The Wind Ensemble also forms the pep band for home football games and a small number of basketball games. Students in the Wind Ensemble are encouraged to participate in Solo & Ensemble Festival and mentor our younger musicians at Claggett Creek and Whiteaker Middle Schools when possible. Students inthe Wind Ensemble must be able to double block the class with either the Advanced Symphony Orchestra or the Percussion Ensemble class. Occassional C-TEC waivers are rare but may be provided in certain situations. Wind Ensemble is a full year course.
Advanced Symphony Orchestra is co-taught by Mrs. Hering and Mr. Willaims. All Wind Ensemble woodwind and brass students must enroll in ASO. This course covers both Symphonic Orchestra literature AND Wind Ensemble literature. The ASO performs together as a Symphony at about 2 family concerts and 3 competitions each year. ASO is a full year course.
Percussion Ensemble is a class intended for any student currently in band, orchestra, or choir who would like to study percussion-specific literature and technique. Drumline students are required to take percussion ensemble in the fall so that drumline sectionals may be held during class. Wind Ensemble percussionists are requried to take Percussion Ensemble for the full year. Any other student who would like to learn and perform percussion ensemble music may take the class for one or both semesters. The percussion ensemble performs at the band concerts at McNary and participates in Solo & Ensemble Festival.
Band Elective Classes:
Marching Band is a summer/fall class that is open to any student enrolled in a core band class. The Marching Band is considered a "late-bird" or 9th hour class, is held during the fall semester only, and allows students to earn a grade and P.E. credit. The Marching Band begins in mid-August with a day camp at McNary (required). Once school starts, the Marching Band meets Monday nights and Thursday afternoon and performs at all home football games. Thanks to SIA Grant funding, there is no fee to participate in the McNary Marching Band!
Jazz II is an intro level jazz band open to students in a core band or orchestra (rhythm section) class. Jazz II meets first hour and participates in all family concerts at McNary as well as three or four competitions or other jazz-specific events during the school year. Students interested in Jazz should direct questions to the jazz director, Mrs. Welterlen.
Jazz I is an advanced level jazz band open to students in a core band or orchestra (rhythm section) class. Jazz I an early bird class that meets zero hour and at for an hour after school on Thursdays (after marching season ends). Jazz 1 participates in all family concerts at McNary as well as 4-6 competitions or other jazz-specific events during the school year. Students interested in Jazz should direct questions to the jazz director, Mrs. Welterlen.
Extra-Curricular (non-credit) Band Opportunities:
All-State (and All Northwest) Bands The All State Bands are made up of the best musicians in Oregon (PNW) and held in Eugene over a weekend in Janaury each year. McNary Student participation in All State is supported financially by our boosters. 2023 Audition information can be found here.
All City Band: The SKPS All City Ensembles are a time-honored tradition and often the highlight of the year for many of our young musicians. Auditions are in January and All City events happen in February.
WIBC is an honor band held near Seattle each fall. Students who wish to audition can use their All State auditions. Participants are required to provide their own transportation and funding for this honor band.
Pit Orchestra is open to students enrolled in a music class and performs for the all-school musical. Students are generally chosen via chair placement as there are a limited number of spots available.
Chamber Music groups are encouraged. Students may peruse our chamber music library and use the band rehearsal spaces before and after school as long as one of the directors is at school. Chamber Music students may perform at concerts and Solo & Ensemble festivals.
Concert Band is a non-audition, intro level band class intended for freshmen who were in beginning or intermediate band as an 8th grader, or any high school student that would like to learn to play an instrument (or relearn to play an instrument after taking some time off). Concert Band is a year-long course, but students may be moved up to Symphonic at the semester. Concert Band participates in about four concerts a year.
Symphonic Band is our mid-level band class and enrollment is based on director recommendation. The Symphonic Band is a year-long course. This band performs at about four concerts a year and travels to one competition during spring semester. The Symphonic Band also participates in the stands as the pep band at home football games in the fall and a small number of basketball games in the winter (no after school practices are required for these events).
Wind Ensemble is an audition-only band for students in grades 9-12 who play at the highest level. Students in this class are encouraged to take private lessons and participate in many music opportunities. This band performs at about 5 family concerts and travels to about four competitions each year. Students in Wind Ensemble are required to audition for All-State and All-City (but not required to participate in the groups if it does not work with your schedule). The Wind Ensemble also forms the pep band for home football games and a small number of basketball games. Students in the Wind Ensemble are encouraged to participate in Solo & Ensemble Festival and mentor our younger musicians at Claggett Creek and Whiteaker Middle Schools when possible. Students inthe Wind Ensemble must be able to double block the class with either the Advanced Symphony Orchestra or the Percussion Ensemble class. Occassional C-TEC waivers are rare but may be provided in certain situations. Wind Ensemble is a full year course.
Advanced Symphony Orchestra is co-taught by Mrs. Hering and Mr. Willaims. All Wind Ensemble woodwind and brass students must enroll in ASO. This course covers both Symphonic Orchestra literature AND Wind Ensemble literature. The ASO performs together as a Symphony at about 2 family concerts and 3 competitions each year. ASO is a full year course.
Percussion Ensemble is a class intended for any student currently in band, orchestra, or choir who would like to study percussion-specific literature and technique. Drumline students are required to take percussion ensemble in the fall so that drumline sectionals may be held during class. Wind Ensemble percussionists are requried to take Percussion Ensemble for the full year. Any other student who would like to learn and perform percussion ensemble music may take the class for one or both semesters. The percussion ensemble performs at the band concerts at McNary and participates in Solo & Ensemble Festival.
Band Elective Classes:
Marching Band is a summer/fall class that is open to any student enrolled in a core band class. The Marching Band is considered a "late-bird" or 9th hour class, is held during the fall semester only, and allows students to earn a grade and P.E. credit. The Marching Band begins in mid-August with a day camp at McNary (required). Once school starts, the Marching Band meets Monday nights and Thursday afternoon and performs at all home football games. Thanks to SIA Grant funding, there is no fee to participate in the McNary Marching Band!
Jazz II is an intro level jazz band open to students in a core band or orchestra (rhythm section) class. Jazz II meets first hour and participates in all family concerts at McNary as well as three or four competitions or other jazz-specific events during the school year. Students interested in Jazz should direct questions to the jazz director, Mrs. Welterlen.
Jazz I is an advanced level jazz band open to students in a core band or orchestra (rhythm section) class. Jazz I an early bird class that meets zero hour and at for an hour after school on Thursdays (after marching season ends). Jazz 1 participates in all family concerts at McNary as well as 4-6 competitions or other jazz-specific events during the school year. Students interested in Jazz should direct questions to the jazz director, Mrs. Welterlen.
Extra-Curricular (non-credit) Band Opportunities:
All-State (and All Northwest) Bands The All State Bands are made up of the best musicians in Oregon (PNW) and held in Eugene over a weekend in Janaury each year. McNary Student participation in All State is supported financially by our boosters. 2023 Audition information can be found here.
All City Band: The SKPS All City Ensembles are a time-honored tradition and often the highlight of the year for many of our young musicians. Auditions are in January and All City events happen in February.
WIBC is an honor band held near Seattle each fall. Students who wish to audition can use their All State auditions. Participants are required to provide their own transportation and funding for this honor band.
Pit Orchestra is open to students enrolled in a music class and performs for the all-school musical. Students are generally chosen via chair placement as there are a limited number of spots available.
Chamber Music groups are encouraged. Students may peruse our chamber music library and use the band rehearsal spaces before and after school as long as one of the directors is at school. Chamber Music students may perform at concerts and Solo & Ensemble festivals.