Welcome
Welcome to the De Soto Junior High School Band Program. On behalf of the directors, we are so excited your young musician is part of an incredible band program!
7th and 8th Grade Concert Bands
The 7th and 8th grade concert band classes meet daily at De Soto Junior High School. We believe the decision for a young student to join band is one the most rewarding decisions of their life. Band goes well beyond notes and rhythms. While teaching music is the focus of the class, students learn and develop most from the behind the scenes work they do. When the newness of band wears off, self-discipline and responsibility become the pillars of music education. Despite any level of natural ability, hard work is inevitable. In a world where instant gratification becomes more prominent every day, mastering an instrument only comes with determination, practice, and time. Through this process we hope our students gain an appreciation for all types of music and a passion to perform. We also hope that above all, the students truly enjoy band and their band directors.
Welcome to the De Soto Junior High School Band Program. On behalf of the directors, we are so excited your young musician is part of an incredible band program!
7th and 8th Grade Concert Bands
The 7th and 8th grade concert band classes meet daily at De Soto Junior High School. We believe the decision for a young student to join band is one the most rewarding decisions of their life. Band goes well beyond notes and rhythms. While teaching music is the focus of the class, students learn and develop most from the behind the scenes work they do. When the newness of band wears off, self-discipline and responsibility become the pillars of music education. Despite any level of natural ability, hard work is inevitable. In a world where instant gratification becomes more prominent every day, mastering an instrument only comes with determination, practice, and time. Through this process we hope our students gain an appreciation for all types of music and a passion to perform. We also hope that above all, the students truly enjoy band and their band directors.
Our directors focus on developing skills such as leadership, teamwork, confidence, discipline, sustained work ethic, and craftsmanship within students so that they are well positioned for future endeavors in all aspects of life. The
Marching Band / Color Guard
The “Dragon Pride Marching Band” is comprised of students from the entire band program. The purpose of this first semester daily class is to provide students with unique performance opportunities while improving their musical skills, building individual confidence, responsibility and social skills. Through practice and performance at football games, competitions and concerts, each student will experience and be expected to demonstrate contemporary marching styles while performing related memorized music. Performances include all home varsity football games, Homecoming and parades, band competitions, and other performances as approved. Since this is a performance based class, students must be present and punctual to succeed. A large portion of the student’s grade will be based on attendance.
Concert Band (Concert/Symphonic)The high school concert bands are for all woodwind, brass and percussionists interested in advancing their skills as instrumentalists and participating in a performing ensemble working toward excellence. Participation in Concert Band is open to all instrumentalists regardless of experience. Participation in Symphonic Band is by audition, and is the most advanced band at the high school. Private lessons are highly recommended for all band musicians who desire to advance their skills to perform at a higher level.
Jazz Ensemble
With a comprehensive study of styles and history, the De Soto High School Jazz Ensemble has multiple opportunities to participate in festivals and concerts throughout the school year. The Jazz Ensemble is a high school class that meets daily, and is created through an audition process that encourages participation regardless of a student's experience in this genre. Jazz Ensemble auditions take place in April for the next school year.
Other Opportunities
East Central Junior High Concert and Jazz Bands
The East Central Junior High Concert Band and Jazz Band are comprised of the best junior high band students in the East Central District #7 music conference. All 7th and 8th grade students are encouraged to audition. At the high school level students must successfully audition into one of these groups to be eligible for the All-State Ensemble auditions. It is to our young musicians’ advantage to participate in as many auditions as possible before entering high school. It is an honor to make this group. We are proud of the students who have been selected in the past and look forward to having many of our students represent the De Soto School District in the future.
Solo and Small Ensemble
Solo and small ensemble is one of the most valuable performance opportunities offered to young musicians. This gives any student or group of students a chance to choose their own piece of music to perform and be critiqued and rated by very experienced adjudicators. We highly recommend that your 7th or 8th grade student participates in this important event. This is another event that includes an All-State level festival in high school.
Marching Band / Color Guard
The “Dragon Pride Marching Band” is comprised of students from the entire band program. The purpose of this first semester daily class is to provide students with unique performance opportunities while improving their musical skills, building individual confidence, responsibility and social skills. Through practice and performance at football games, competitions and concerts, each student will experience and be expected to demonstrate contemporary marching styles while performing related memorized music. Performances include all home varsity football games, Homecoming and parades, band competitions, and other performances as approved. Since this is a performance based class, students must be present and punctual to succeed. A large portion of the student’s grade will be based on attendance.
Concert Band (Concert/Symphonic)The high school concert bands are for all woodwind, brass and percussionists interested in advancing their skills as instrumentalists and participating in a performing ensemble working toward excellence. Participation in Concert Band is open to all instrumentalists regardless of experience. Participation in Symphonic Band is by audition, and is the most advanced band at the high school. Private lessons are highly recommended for all band musicians who desire to advance their skills to perform at a higher level.
Jazz Ensemble
With a comprehensive study of styles and history, the De Soto High School Jazz Ensemble has multiple opportunities to participate in festivals and concerts throughout the school year. The Jazz Ensemble is a high school class that meets daily, and is created through an audition process that encourages participation regardless of a student's experience in this genre. Jazz Ensemble auditions take place in April for the next school year.
Other Opportunities
East Central Junior High Concert and Jazz Bands
The East Central Junior High Concert Band and Jazz Band are comprised of the best junior high band students in the East Central District #7 music conference. All 7th and 8th grade students are encouraged to audition. At the high school level students must successfully audition into one of these groups to be eligible for the All-State Ensemble auditions. It is to our young musicians’ advantage to participate in as many auditions as possible before entering high school. It is an honor to make this group. We are proud of the students who have been selected in the past and look forward to having many of our students represent the De Soto School District in the future.
Solo and Small Ensemble
Solo and small ensemble is one of the most valuable performance opportunities offered to young musicians. This gives any student or group of students a chance to choose their own piece of music to perform and be critiqued and rated by very experienced adjudicators. We highly recommend that your 7th or 8th grade student participates in this important event. This is another event that includes an All-State level festival in high school.
De Soto School District #73 Band Program
The De Soto School District #73 offers an active band program for its students. Formal band instruction begins in 7th grade. Students will be given the chance to try out several band instruments at the beginning of the school year. The music staff helps each student select an instrument on which to begin instruction. The 7th-grade band rehearses during school in two groups, the Beginning Woodwinds and Beginning Brass/Percussion. The 7th Grade Beginning Band performs two or three concerts during the school year.
In 8th Grade, students join the DJHS Concert Band. This group meets as one large ensemble and also rehearses during the school day Monday-Friday. Students will perform 3-4 concerts throughout the year and take part in Music in the Parks at Six Flags, St. Louis. More opportunities are opened up to the students to take part in after school ensembles and groups once they are in 8th Grade. On top of the DJHS Concert Band, 8th graders are able to stay after and learn to Jazz improvisation skills in the De Soto Jazz Lab Band that rehearses in the JH band room. Additional opportunities include playing in small ensembles, performing a solo, and trying out for regional honor bands. In the Fall, the 8th graders are invited to perform with the DHS Dragon Pride Marching Band at Homecoming.
The High School Band offers numerous performance opportunities for students. The Dragon Pride Marching Band is an auditioned ensemble that performs in local civic parades, home football games, and several local and regional competitions. Students performing in this group also perform as the Symphonic Band following the fall season. The De Soto High School Symphonic Band serves as the premier performance ensemble at DHS. The Symphonic Band often performs at regional and local festivals and also performs annual concerts. Students in Symphonic Band are eligible to perform a solo or ensemble at District and State Contests and are prepared for the college-level performance. The HS Band program also offers the De Soto Concert Band. This group is made up of students 9-12 and serves as a preparatory music course for students to further their musical ability. Members of the HS band program make up the Pep Band. This group provides musical entertainment at several sporting events playing a mix of new music and classic pep tunes.
The high school program also offers two jazz bands. The DHS Jazz Ensemble is the top Jazz band in the program and performs in multiple festivals each year. The De Soto Jazz Lab Band is made up primarily of HS students but is also open to 8th graders. This ensemble focuses on building a basic understanding of Jazz concepts. Students in the jazz program perform in multiple concerts and local events.
In 8th Grade, students join the DJHS Concert Band. This group meets as one large ensemble and also rehearses during the school day Monday-Friday. Students will perform 3-4 concerts throughout the year and take part in Music in the Parks at Six Flags, St. Louis. More opportunities are opened up to the students to take part in after school ensembles and groups once they are in 8th Grade. On top of the DJHS Concert Band, 8th graders are able to stay after and learn to Jazz improvisation skills in the De Soto Jazz Lab Band that rehearses in the JH band room. Additional opportunities include playing in small ensembles, performing a solo, and trying out for regional honor bands. In the Fall, the 8th graders are invited to perform with the DHS Dragon Pride Marching Band at Homecoming.
The High School Band offers numerous performance opportunities for students. The Dragon Pride Marching Band is an auditioned ensemble that performs in local civic parades, home football games, and several local and regional competitions. Students performing in this group also perform as the Symphonic Band following the fall season. The De Soto High School Symphonic Band serves as the premier performance ensemble at DHS. The Symphonic Band often performs at regional and local festivals and also performs annual concerts. Students in Symphonic Band are eligible to perform a solo or ensemble at District and State Contests and are prepared for the college-level performance. The HS Band program also offers the De Soto Concert Band. This group is made up of students 9-12 and serves as a preparatory music course for students to further their musical ability. Members of the HS band program make up the Pep Band. This group provides musical entertainment at several sporting events playing a mix of new music and classic pep tunes.
The high school program also offers two jazz bands. The DHS Jazz Ensemble is the top Jazz band in the program and performs in multiple festivals each year. The De Soto Jazz Lab Band is made up primarily of HS students but is also open to 8th graders. This ensemble focuses on building a basic understanding of Jazz concepts. Students in the jazz program perform in multiple concerts and local events.
Band Philosophy
The De Soto band program takes great pride in providing every student with high-quality music education. It is our goal to provide students with an environment where they can learn, grow, and succeed. The program provides the opportunity for students to develop the technical performance skills, knowledge, and understanding of music necessary to make music a part of their lives. Students will develop the critical thinking skills at every level of band education, which will enable them to appreciate music on an independent level throughout life. The critical thinking developed through band training will enhance the development of thinking skills needed in other academic areas. The band program assists students in developing knowledge of our musical heritage, which is necessary to become a discerning listener and/or performer. Students learn to make knowledgeable and discriminating judgments about the music that they hear.
