Course Descriptions
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is the premier instrumental group at Westfield High School. The WHS Wind Ensemble is a full year course designed primarily to provide advanced students (grades 10-12) with an opportunity to perform technically and musically challenging repertoire, and to develop their musical knowledge and artistry at the highest-level. It builds upon the knowledge and technical skills acquired in previous instrumental ensembles. Prior instrumental music experience is required. Students are assessed to determine proper placement in the high school band program. The course will continue developing technical skills applicable to their respective instrument. The Wind Ensemble, although designed as a performance-oriented class, provides the students with an in-depth study of music literature coupled with rehearsal technique leading to performance. This group will participate in concerts and adjudicated activities suitable for high school musicians. Students in this ensemble are highly encouraged to study privately.
In 2014, the WHS Wind Ensemble performed in the National Band and Orchestra Festival at
Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in New York City and in 2016 the Wind Ensemble performed at Philadelphia's Kimmel Center, home to the Philadelphia Orchestra. The WHS Wind Ensemble has received a Superior Rating at the State Concert Band Festival every year since 2011 and received invitations to the New Jersey State Band Gala in 2017, 2019, and 2022 as one of the top 6 ensembles in the state. In 2018 the Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the New Jersey Music Educators State Conference and in 2019 the Wind Ensemble received an invitation to perform at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, IN.
In 2014, the WHS Wind Ensemble performed in the National Band and Orchestra Festival at
Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in New York City and in 2016 the Wind Ensemble performed at Philadelphia's Kimmel Center, home to the Philadelphia Orchestra. The WHS Wind Ensemble has received a Superior Rating at the State Concert Band Festival every year since 2011 and received invitations to the New Jersey State Band Gala in 2017, 2019, and 2022 as one of the top 6 ensembles in the state. In 2018 the Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the New Jersey Music Educators State Conference and in 2019 the Wind Ensemble received an invitation to perform at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, IN.
Symphonic Band
The WHS Symphonic Band is a sequential continuation of Concert Band. It is designed primarily to provide ninth through twelfth grade students with all aspects of reading, playing and understanding music at a level higher than Concert Band. It builds upon the knowledge and technical skills acquired by the student through the Concert Band experience. Prior instrumental music experience is required. Students are assessed in the spring to determine proper placement in the high school band program. Symphonic Band students are expected to have reached a proficiency level on their instruments conducive to playing level III ½ music. The course will continue developing technical skills applicable to their respective instrument. Band literature will continue at the III ½ - IV level. The course enables students to make informed critical and aesthetic judgments, build self-assessment skills, and understand the historical and cultural influences of music. The goal of Symphonic Band is to continue developing the artistically informed student, knowledgeable of musical terminology, symbols, history, and to further develop technical skills on his/her instrument, self-assessing his/her own progress and performance.
Concert Band
The WHS Concert Band is a full year course designed primarily to provide intermediate ninth and tenth grade students with a foundation in all aspects of reading, playing and understanding music. It builds upon the knowledge and technical skills acquired by the student up to the ninth and/or tenth grade. It enables students to make informed critical and aesthetic judgments, build self-assessment skills, and understand the historical and cultural influences of music. Prior instrumental music experience is required. Students are assessed in the spring of their eighth grade year to determine proper placement in the high school band program. Ninth and/or tenth grade band students are expected to have reached a proficiency level on their instruments conducive to playing level III music. The course will continue developing technical skills applicable to their respective instrument. Band literature will continue at the III- III ½ level. The goal of Concert Band is to develop an artistically informed student, knowledgeable of musical terminology, symbols, history, and to help him/her become technically competent on his/her instrument, self-assessing his/her own progress and performance.