High School Offerings
Our Offerings
Band
Welcome to Waunakee Community School District Bands!We are located just north of Madison, Wisconsin, and we carry a strong tradition of academic excellence and significant community support for our schools. Our bands play a considerable role in developing well-rounded musicians. The opportunity to participate in our bands help our students be part of a team, think critically, and ensure success past high school - regardless of career path choice.
Curricular course offerings include both concert and jazz bands, and additional elective courses. You will find the Waunakee Band at various sporting events throughout the year, and we are also an active member in the Wisconsin Music Association with participation in Solo/Ensemble.
Concert Bands
Concert AttireStudents should wear all black formal wear for concerts. This implies black socks, black shoes, black dress pants, black dresses or skirts. Jackets, bowties, and ties are optional but encouraged. It is not acceptable to wear black jeans, sweatpants, or leggings alone.
Concert BandConcert Band is our freshman only band. Students in concert band study class C and class B music literature. All concert band students participate in marching band, which performs in combination with the rest of the band students. This begins with summer rehearsals (band camp) and performances (Waunafest Parade, football games, other parades) The marching band unit will focus on marching basics, parade music, learning to read marching drill, and pep/stands music. From mid-October through the end of the school year, students will perform in 3 formal concerts, attend small group instruction once every six school days, both of which are part of their band grade. Each year, a guest conductor is invited to work with and critique the band.
Symphonic BandSymphonic band is composed of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students in symphonic band study class C and class B music literature. All symphonic band students participate in marching band, which performs in combination with the rest of the band students. This begins with summer rehearsals (band camp) and performances (Waunafest Parade, football games, other parades) The marching band unit will focus on marching basics, parade music, learning to read marching drill, and pep/stands music. From mid-October through the end of the school year, students will perform in 3 formal concerts, attend small group instruction once every six school days, both of which are part of their band grade. Each year, a guest conductor is invited to work with and critique the band.
Wind EnsembleWind Ensemble is our audition-based ensemble. Students wishing to be in Wind are required to perform an audition when marching band season is over. This usually takes place during mid-October. Wind Ensemble studies advanced band literature that is selected from the class A (most difficult) literature. The ensemble is generally composed of juniors, and seniors, although there are occasions where sophomores and freshmen make it in. All wind ensemble band students participate in marching band, which performs in combination with the rest of the band students. This begins with summer rehearsals (band camp) and performances (Waunafest Parade, football games, other parades) The marching band unit will focus on marching basics, parade music, learning to read marching drill, and pep/stands music. From mid-October through the end of the school year, students will perform in 3 formal concerts, attend small group instruction once every six school days, both of which are part of their band grade. Each year, a guest conductor is invited to work with and critique the band.
Co-Curriculars
Co-Curriculars
Co-Curricular opportunities are available to all students. This includes jazz band, jazz combo, Warrior Band, and pit orchestra. All students will participate in a Solo Ensemble unit. Every student will perform in a large ensemble (required) and have the option to learn a solo, duet, trio or quartet (not required).
Warrior Band
All band members are encouraged to be a part of Warrior Band. The Warrior Band plays at selected home boys and girls basketball games and hockey games during the winter sports season. Post-season tournaments will be considered on a case by case basis. Students who sign up for Warrior Band are expected to commit to and attend ALL performances. Each Warrior Band season runs from mid-December to mid-February and consists of 8-10 performances. The Warrior Band schedule will be available sometime during late October or early November.
Jazz Ensemble
Historically we offer two jazz ensembles for students and in years with large numbers we’ve offered three. All Jazz Ensembles rehearse on Monday evenings from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. and one morning a week (varies for each group) from 7:15 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Jazz ExpectationsAttendance is required of all rehearsals and performances. The teachers reserve the right to dismiss a student in these ensembles after three (3) unexcused absences. Work, club teams, homework, shopping, and/or outside school sports related activities and considered unexcused absences. Get to rehearsals early to get set up and warm up. Any questions or concerns should be directed towards the teacher of that ensemble, either Mr. Caloud or Mr. Gill. If a student must miss, an email or phone call is expected as soon as possible.
Jazz One
Jazz One is our top jazz band and is our only audition-based jazz group. Students in this ensemble learn and perform very challenging, oftentimes professional level jazz literature. Outside of ensemble-based learning, members of Jazz One are expected to develop the skill of improvisation and use this during performances. Jazz One reed players are expected to learn doubles, which includes flute and clarinet. Each year Jazz One competes in the Essentially Ellington National Jazz Competition, participates in the Sun Prairie and WSMA Jazz Festivals, performs at our March concert, and maintains a vibrant community performance schedule. On top of the rehearsals stated above, Jazz One students are required to meet once a week for independent sectionals. Wind Players are required to be a part of our band program while guitar, piano, and drum set players are not. Mr. Gill is the director of Jazz One.
Jazz II
Jazz II is a less experienced ensemble consisting of generally freshman, sophomores, and juniors. This ensemble studies class B jazz literature. Jazz II members maintain a less rigorous performance schedule than Jazz One, but also participate in the Sun Prairie and WSMA Jazz Festivals as well as our finale March concert. Wind Players are required to be a part of our band program while guitar, piano, and drum set players are not. Mr. Caloud is the director of Jazz II
Jazz Combo
Jazz Combo is a small ensemble that focuses on improvisation and arranging. Skill level has no bearing on acceptance into the group. Students in this ensemble will learn about the basics of improvisation and apply those skills to performing and live improvisation. Composing and arranging are highly encouraged skills for students to explore. Jazz Combo members will minimally perform at the finale jazz concert in march as well as any other performances as the director sees fit. Mr. Gill directs Jazz Combo.
Solo Ensemble - Independent Study
Although all band students will experience solo ensemble in a large ensemble setting, students have the choice to learn a solo, duet, trio or quartet as well. These are referred to as “independent studies”. Students who choose to pursue an independent study are required to attend a once a week, after school coaching session (15 minutes) as well as perform at our Solo ensemble assessment night in front of a judge (critique only). Soloists will be assigned a piano accompanist and will be required to adhere to a rehearsal schedule as well as perform with the accompanist at the district solo ensemble festival, which is usually the first Saturday of March. Any students who received a 1*(one star) rating (class A events only) at the district festival will have qualified to perform at the state solo ensemble at UW - Platteville. The festival is always the last Saturday of April.
Marching Band
Marching Band InformationMarching performance dates can be found on the WCSD website under the “Performing Arts” Calendar.
Marching Band OutlineAll students in the high school band participate in marching band, which lasts until the end of the football season. Marching band members are required to perform during the first half and halftime of home football games during the regular season. The marching band does not perform for the playoffs. If the football team should make it to the state finals, the marching band would travel with and perform for the entirety of that game.
Marching Band Uniform and ShoesStudents are expected to dress and look professional. This means students are to remove all jewelry, watches, wristbands, etc. so the ensemble looks uniform. Long hair needs to be up in a bun and off the collar so it fits inside the shako (marching hat).
Students should wear black socks that minimally come up to the calf, ALL black shoes, and no excessive clothing underneath the uniform that will be exposed during a performance. The black shoes should not have any stripes, decorations, or any colors of any sort on them. A great marching shoe to purchase can be found here: Dinkles
All students should purchase a lyre and flip folder before school starts. The lyre is for holding the flip folder and both are what hold the music on the students’ instrument. These can be found at local music stores (Ward-Brodt or Heid) as well as on websites such as Amazon. It is a good idea to take your instrument with you so the lyre makes a proper fit.
General Music
Students have the option of taking two semester classes- Music Theory and Composition or Music History. Units in Music Theory and Composition include elements of music, scales, instrument ranges, acoustics, and transposition. The class includes learning music software to compose music. Students should have a strong music background prior to taking this 10-12 grade course. Students can submit their final projects to the WSMA composition project. Music History is open to students from all backgrounds. It is an introductory survey of music fundamentals, music history, world music, Native American music, theater, film music, and music technology. Music study ranges from medieval to modern, jazz, pop/rock, and blues as they relate to major historical events, social movements, and cultural trends.
Orchestra
Theatre
Vocal Music
Welcome to Waunakee Community School District Vocal Music!
Our Ensembles
Chorale
CHORALE #2240-2241
Special notes/Requirements: Open to all
Course Description: Chorale is an ensemble consisting of beginning and intermediate vocalists who have an interest in improving their musicianship through the rehearsal and performance of standard choral literature. This is a course for all singers who are interested in developing their skills in vocal technique, sight reading, and overall music knowledge. Students will prepare music for 4-5 concerts as well as the opportunity to participate in solo & ensemble. Students receive small group instruction on a 6-day rotating schedule. No Prerequisite.
Units of Study: Basic vocal techniques will be emphasized including posture, breathing, vocal tone, vowel formation and diction in English and other languages. Music reading, listening skills and expressive singing including phrasing, dynamics, and articulation, will also be highlighted.
Vocal co-curricular activities include Solo & Ensemble Festival, Vocal Jazz, A Cappella Singers, and the School Musical (every other year).
We will explore many styles of music from multiple historical time periods (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary), as well as many cultures and traditions, as well as American styles like jazz, blues, gospel, folk and popular music.
Concert Choir
Course Description: Concert Choir consists of intermediate soprano, alto, tenor and bass vocalists who are interested in improving their musicianship through the rehearsal and performance of intermediate level choral literature. Students will prepare music for 4-5 concerts as well as the opportunity to participate in solo & ensemble. Students receive small group instruction on a 6-day rotating schedule. Prerequisite: Students must have at least one year of Chorale.
Units of Study: Expressive singing including phrasing, dynamics, and articulation, critical listening skills, expanding musical vocabulary, the use of solfege to improve sight reading skills, vocal diction in English as well as other languages, and advanced vocal techniques.
Vocal co-curricular activities include Solo & Ensemble Festival, Vocal Jazz, A Cappella Singers, and the School Musical (every other year).
We will explore many styles of music from multiple historical time periods (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary), as well as many cultures and traditions, as well as American styles like jazz, blues, gospel, folk and popular music.
Sonoro
Sonoro is an ensemble consisting of advanced vocalists who have an interest in improving their musicianship through the rehearsal and performance of challenging choral literature. Students will prepare music for 4-5 concerts as well as the opportunity to participate in solo & ensemble. Students receive small group instruction on a 6-day rotating schedule. Selection into this ensemble will be by audition and will include sight singing, scales, tonal memory, and rehearsal technique. Prerequisite: Students must have at least one year of Concert Choir and must pass the audition.
Units of Study: Expressive singing including phrasing, dynamics, and articulation, critical listening skills, expanding musical vocabulary, the use of solfege to improve sight reading skills, vocal diction in English as well as other languages, and advanced vocal techniques.
Vocal co-curricular activities include Solo & Ensemble Festival, Vocal Jazz, A Cappella Singers and the School Musical (every other year).
We will explore many styles of music from multiple historical time periods (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary), as well as many cultures and traditions, as well as American styles like jazz, blues, gospel, folk and popular music.
A Cappella Singers
A Cappella Singers is open to anyone!
You do not have to be in choir. There is no audition. First semester we will rehearse Winter Seasonal songs as a large choir and in sections. We will focus on one song at a time until you are ready to submit your own part (with the support of rehearsal tracks) to me to be compiled into a virtual choir. In addition to singers, we will need visual artists (digital design, photography, traditional art mediums) to create visual elements to be added to our songs.
By early December, the hope is that we will have a handful of videos that we can send to retirement or care facilities all over Waunakee, or really anywhere, as our school holiday postcard.
Please email Ms. Petroff if you are interested in joining us this year. Once you have been added, you will receive updates in Schoology, so check there for information.
Kee Notes
Kee Notes is an auditioned ensemble open to 10-12 grade students.
The focus of this ensemble it to study vocal jazz music. We learn about the the black musicians and innovators that created and expanded the jazz idiom, discover it's impact on popular music genres, learn the skill of singing in this style, and prepare music as an ensemble and as soloists.
Past Productions
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News and Announcements
Elementary (K-4)
Abigail Taulbee | Arboretum Elementary |
Emily Cassel | Heritage Elementary |
Christina Metzger | Prairie Elementary |
Intermediate (5-6)
Catherine Lowery | Band |
Elizabeth Zinger | Band |
Sussanah Herrick | Choir/ Music |
Michael Steen | Orchestra |
Middle School (7-8)
Jessica Spicer | Music |
Aaron Cornelio | Orchestra |
Jamie Sercombe | Band |
Rachel Zarzyski | Choir |
High School (9-12)
Ryan Caloud | Band |
Ryan Gill | Band |
Molly Petroff | Choir |
Elizabeth Heiks | Orchestra |