Concert Band (WS, & CB)
The Waterloo West Band Program has three concert bands: Wind Symphony and Concert Band. Wind Symphony is comprised of the 10th-12th grade players. Concert Band is comprised of all 9th grade students and focuses on building fundamental musical and performance skills.
In the case that an audition is necessary (if we return to both Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band) are determined by the directors based, but not limited to, the following criteria:
The Wind Symphony rehearse daily during 1st Period at West High School. Concert Band rehearses daily during 2nd Period at West High School. Additional or extended rehearsals may be scheduled as needs arise. This information will be posted on the calendar.
Each band will perform at concerts are held in Kersenbrock Auditorium at West High School in December, February, and April with the Concert Band giving an additional concert in October. All ensembles also participate in the IHSMA State Large Group Festival in May at Cedar Falls High School. The year will end with a Pops Concert at the Riverloop Amphitheater in Downtown Waterloo in May. All 10th and 11th graders will perform at the West High Graduation in May.
In the case that an audition is necessary (if we return to both Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band) are determined by the directors based, but not limited to, the following criteria:
- Lesson Attendance and Preparation
- Rehearsal and Performance Attendance
- Playing Diagnostics
- Playing Ability
- Attitude
- Experience
The Wind Symphony rehearse daily during 1st Period at West High School. Concert Band rehearses daily during 2nd Period at West High School. Additional or extended rehearsals may be scheduled as needs arise. This information will be posted on the calendar.
Each band will perform at concerts are held in Kersenbrock Auditorium at West High School in December, February, and April with the Concert Band giving an additional concert in October. All ensembles also participate in the IHSMA State Large Group Festival in May at Cedar Falls High School. The year will end with a Pops Concert at the Riverloop Amphitheater in Downtown Waterloo in May. All 10th and 11th graders will perform at the West High Graduation in May.
Jazz Band (I & II)
The Waterloo West Band Program has two jazz ensembles: Jazz Band I and Jazz Band II. The instrumentation for Jazz I is: 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, 1-2 baritone saxophone, 4-5 trumpets, 3-4 trombones, guitar, piano, bass, and drums. Jazz II has an unlimited number of openings on all instruments.
Jazz Band I is made up of the most advanced jazz players; every student in the ensemble will be expected to improvise. Jazz Band II is made up of experienced jazz players and will continue to develop improvisation skills and explore jazz styles.
Auditions occur in mid-October near the end of the marching band season and are an assessment of the students’ current jazz skills. The specific expectations and requirements for these auditions will be posted prior to the end of the marching band season, but students can expect to be asked to sight-read, play scales, and improvise.
Jazz Band I is made up of the most advanced jazz players; every student in the ensemble will be expected to improvise. Jazz Band II is made up of experienced jazz players and will continue to develop improvisation skills and explore jazz styles.
Auditions occur in mid-October near the end of the marching band season and are an assessment of the students’ current jazz skills. The specific expectations and requirements for these auditions will be posted prior to the end of the marching band season, but students can expect to be asked to sight-read, play scales, and improvise.
Marching Band
The “Wahawk” Marching Band is a highly successful competitive marching band. The band performs for all West High home football games as well as four to six competitions across the state. The ‘Wahawk’ Marching Band routinely performs at:
Students rehearse periodically throughout the summer with rehearsals scheduled by directors, marching band staff, or section leaders. A Freshman Orientation and Band Open House is held the Friday prior to Band Camp starting to kick off the Fall Season. Band Camp begins the first week of August/last week of July with rehearsal from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 6:00PM – 9:00PM, Monday – Friday. At Band Camp, students learn and memorize music, drill, and marching fundamentals so that future rehearsals can be used to clean and refine the marching band show.
During the school year the ‘Wahawk’ Marching Band rehearses daily from 7:10 AM through Period 1 and on Mondays from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (may be Tuesday if no school on Monday. See Calendar). Rehearsals during the school day occur at West High School. Evening rehearsals occur at Memorial Stadium at Central Middle School.
- Linn-Mar Marching Band Festival – Linn-Mar High School, Marion
- Bands Across the Prairie – Prairie High School, Cedar Rapids
- Five Seasons Marching Invitational – Kingston Stadium, Cedar Rapids
- IHSMA State Marching Band Festival – Memorial Stadium, Waterloo or Dubuque, IA
- ValleyFest Showdown – Valley Stadium, West Des Moines
- Mid-Iowa Band Championships – Ankeny High School, Ankeny
Students rehearse periodically throughout the summer with rehearsals scheduled by directors, marching band staff, or section leaders. A Freshman Orientation and Band Open House is held the Friday prior to Band Camp starting to kick off the Fall Season. Band Camp begins the first week of August/last week of July with rehearsal from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 6:00PM – 9:00PM, Monday – Friday. At Band Camp, students learn and memorize music, drill, and marching fundamentals so that future rehearsals can be used to clean and refine the marching band show.
During the school year the ‘Wahawk’ Marching Band rehearses daily from 7:10 AM through Period 1 and on Mondays from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (may be Tuesday if no school on Monday. See Calendar). Rehearsals during the school day occur at West High School. Evening rehearsals occur at Memorial Stadium at Central Middle School.
Pep Band (A & B)
The Wahawk Band actively supports the West High Basketball teams by performing at ten to different home games. Students are assigned by the directors to one of two different pep bands that perform at these home games. These assignments are to ensure proper instrumentation and experience level in both ensembles. Students are expected to perform or find a substitute of the same instrument for each of their pep band’s five performances. Band points will be awarded to students who perform beyond their required five performances.
Symphony Orchestra
Wahawk Band students have the opportunity to perform with the Symphony Orchestra at West High. This ensemble is a combination of the best instrumental musicians (strings, winds, and percussion) that West High has to offer. This ensemble will meet during the 1st period of the day as determined by the directors. The orchestra and band directors will students as the need arises for wind players. This need is determined by the literature selected to be performed.