Let me be the first to welcome you to East Wake High School and to the EWHS Band & Orchestra Program! I am very excited that you will be joining us next year, and I want to welcome you to the next chapter of your musical journey.
Your past few years in middle school have given you your first musical experiences and have laid the foundation for your growth as a student, a musician, and a performer. As you begin the next chapter of your musical journey, many exciting opportunities await for you to continue your growth and provide unforgettable experiences, memories, and skills that you will carry beyond your time with us.
This page explains your opportunities in the EWHS Instrumental Music Program as a rising 9th grader.
For Rising Band Students
EWHS Symphonic Band The EWHS Symphonic Band is the curricular band which meets daily as a regularly scheduled class for one credit. This ensemble performs at concerts and other musical functions. All incoming students should register for Instrumental Music: Band Beginning. Registering for this course does not mean that you are a beginning band student; it means that you are new to band at the high school level.
EWHS Blue Spirit Marching Band In addition to the Symphonic Band, students are often most excited about participating in the co-curricular Marching Band at EWHS. The EWHS Blue Spirit Marching Band is one of the most popular co-curricular activities at East Wake. The band performs at parades, football games, community events and competitions all over the state of North Carolina and beyond! The band practices after school or in the evening and performs on most Saturdays during the month of October. Unfortunately, it is not possible to participate in fall athletics since rehearsals and performances conflict. The marching band season kicks off with band camp (July 31th - Aug 4th). Band Camp is required for all marching band members. A detailed schedule of the entire marching band season will be available on the Band & Orchestra website prior to the end of the school year.
In addition, participation in the marching band enhances musical growth and success in the concert bands. Marching band also provides leadership opportunities that other high school classes, activities, and organizations cannot. All marching band members (with the exception of color guard) must be in a band class. Marching Band registration will take place later in the spring through the band website, not during the time of class registration.
Parents and Boosters There are lots of ways for parents to be involved with supporting their students! The boosters are an extremely active and vital part of our program, and we would not be able to accomplish many of the things we do without them! Check out our booster page for more information.
For Rising Orchestra Students
EWHS Sinfonietta The Sinfonietta is the newest program at EWHS which began in the 2020-2021 school year. The Sinfonietta is the curricular orchestra which meets daily as a regularly scheduled class for one credit. This ensemble performs at concerts and other musical functions. All incoming students should register for Instrumental Music: Orchestra Beginning. Registering for this course does not mean that you are a beginning band student. Rather, it means that you are new to orchestra at the high school level.
Some rising 9th graders are intimidated about going into the high school program because of the success and reputation of the EWHS Band & Orchestra program. Please keep in mind that every year many freshmen participate and do very well! A special program of instruction, help, and encouragement will prepare you for the skills you will need. Participating in the EWHS Band & Orchestra program is a great way to make friends and become comfortable in the high school setting. Our instrumental music programs offer students the opportunity to learn and perfect their musical craft. We have multiple performances per year in all ensembles. Our musicians are the face of community outreach at East Wake High School and involve not only the highest academic achieving students but also the most well-rounded leaders of our school community. Students involved in music:
Get higher grades
Score higher in math
Have higher test scores
Have higher graduation rates
Do better with foreign languages
Benefits of Music Education:
Make new friends and become part of a community!
Learn to read music and play an instrument - an activity that is a lifelong pursuit!
Many national studies have proven that instrumental music helps increase students’ math and reading scores!
Playing in an ensemble helps develop life skills like teamwork, self-discipline, and responsibility!
A great opportunity for social-emotional learning and development!
Be creative and express yourself!
Having FUN together during the school day learning to find the joy in hard work and collaboration!
There are other opportunities that begin in the second quarter of the year such as jazz ensembles and small ensembles. In order to be in these groups you must be enrolled in a Band or Orchestra class. In addition to the above, we also have a very active Winter Guard, Percussion Ensemble, and Pep Band that anyone can be involved in!
Band and Orchestra Course Registration Band and Orchestra classes at EWHS are year-long courses. Incoming freshmen should register for either "Instrumental Music: Band Beginning" or "Instrumental Music: Orchestra Beginning". This classification does not mean that students are starting back at the very beginning. Rather, this is a starting point for students who are new to the Instrumental Music experience at the high school level. The "Instrumental Music: Band Beginning" course is the Symphonic Band. There are no prerequisites and no auditions required.
The "Instrumental Music: Orchestra Beginning" course is the Sinfonietta. There are no prerequisites and no auditions required for this class either.
Students should plan to participate in these course for the duration of the school year. It is possible for students to take Band & Orchestra courses all four years and fit in other rigorous courses (Honors, AP, etc.) needed to be competitive for college. An example high school schedule is provided below!
WCPSS High School Four Year Plan (for Four-Year College-Bound Students)
This is only an example. Some students start different course pathways in different years. Courses may be in different semesters (but you pick which year).
Recommended Courses are based on what NC 4-year colleges are looking for
Music All 4 years would be 8 of the 17 electives, less than half (if you are not sure, take music in 9th grade, that counts as two if you decide to move on in 10th grade)