The Foss Band Program
The Henry Foss Band Program is organized in three tiers. Each tier is devoted to developing each student's abilities in order to play in the Symphonic band. The first tier is Cadet band, which is a band for entering freshmen. The second is Concert band where student development continues. The third is Symphonic band, which is our finest performing band. The requirements for entering Symphonic band are: the fluent playing of all 12 major scales from memory, the fluent playing of all 12 major arpeggios from memory, the passing of rhythm exercise 58. Any student passing those requirements may transfer to Symphonic band.
Although the band program is rigorous, Mr. Byrnes patiently and with much humor, leads each student through a program building each musician's abilities in three general areas: Instrumental Pedagogy (Learning the mechanics of playing an instrument), Rhythmic Reading, and Pitch Systems (Understanding scale systems, Chord construction, Interval Spelling, and Chord Progression Spelling). Mastery of these concepts insures that each student can read their music much faster. Due to their abilities, students also try music arranging and composition. Each year we premiere new student works.
2008-2009 Season Schedule
23 Oct 2008: Solo and Ensemble Concert, 7PM, Little Theatre
20 Nov 2008: Solo and Ensemble Concert, 7PM, Little Theatre
18 Dec 2008: Band Concert, 7PM, Little Theatre
29 Jan 2009: Solo and Ensemble Concert, 7PM, Little Theatre
19 Mar 2009: Solo and Ensemble Concert, 7PM, Little Theatre
26 Mar 2009: Band Concert, 7PM, Little Theatre
23 Apr 2009: Solo and Ensemble Concert, 7PM, Little Theatre
4 Jun 2009: Band Concert, 7PM, Little Theatre