Des Moines Lincoln High School Marching Band
The Lincoln High School 2014Marching Band is performing "Les Miserables"
The Railsplitter Marching Band is the main band activity during the first eight weeks of the school year. The marching band is open to any student who plays a wind or percussion instrument. Students learn basic music skills as well as marching fundamentals. Students perform for all home football games beginning in late August. They also perform at three or four Saturday band contests and parades during September and October. The marching band rehearsal schedule is a big time commitment for each member, but the end result is a marching show that everyone can be proud of. The rehearsal schedule of the Lincoln High School Marching Band is outlined below:
- Band camp begins two and one half weeks prior to school starting.
- Early morning rehearsals start at 7:15 a.m. beginning the first full week of school, and continue until the middle of October.
- Other “extra” rehearsals may be scheduled throughout the fall.
Students are expected to participate in all scheduled rehearsals. Attendance is not optional. The yearly band calendar is sent home in May for the following school year. Every effort must be made to avoid all conflicts. During the marching season the band will learn one marching show consisting of three to four tunes. This marching show will be used at all home football performances and fall contests. In addition to the marching show the band will also learn a short pre-game routine which is performed at every home football game.
Each marching season the band will take several trips to local and state marching band festivals. The contest season usually begins during the last weekend of September and continues until the middle of October. All of the marching band festivals take place on Saturdays.
Every four years the marching band travels to Florida for a week during spring break. Fund-raising projects are provided through the LHS Band Boosters to assist students in raising funds for trips and other band related expenses.
Des Moines Lincoln High School Band
Concert Band, and/or Wind Ensemble, begins after the marching season is finished. These groups are the essential musical training ensembles of our program. These groups are designed to develop basic to advanced fundamentals, technique, and musicianship skills.
Through this experience all students will be given the knowledge and skills needed to appreciate and perform music, not only in high school but throughout their life. Each member of the band participates in one of these groups and is seated by an audition consisting of prepared etudes and scales. After each band member has been auditioned the directors will split the students into two ensembles.
Through this experience all students will be given the knowledge and skills needed to appreciate and perform music, not only in high school but throughout their life. Each member of the band participates in one of these groups and is seated by an audition consisting of prepared etudes and scales. After each band member has been auditioned the directors will split the students into two ensembles.
Wind Ensemble
The Lincoln Wind Ensemble is comprised of the top musicians in each section and is Lincoln’s top performing group. This band performs more advanced literature usually from grade 4 to 5. The wind ensemble also participates in several contests and festival throughout the year. Periodically guest clinicians are brought in for extended periods to clinic the band.
Concert Band
The Lincoln Concert Band is comprised of all the band students that are not in the wind ensemble. This band performs literature usually in the area of grade 2.5 to 3. The concert band is designed for the development of basic fundamentals such as instrument technique, rhythm, tone production, articulation, and dynamics.
Concert Band/Wind Ensemble rehearsals are held during the first period of the day. Periodically throughout the year students will be required to attend sectional rehearsals before school. These sectionals are only scheduled a few times during the second semester as the bands prepares for contest
Jazz I
Jazz I and Jazz II are combined to form the Lincoln High School Pep Band. The pep band plays at pep assemblies at Lincoln, as well as at all home varsity girl/boy doubleheader basketball games in December, January, and February. Pep band gives the students the opportunity to support the basketball program while performing more “pop” and “rock” songs. Student performances at the games are in a more “laid back” atmosphere. A full schedule of pep band dates will be given to the students in late October.
Des Moines Lincoln High School Jazz Bands
The jazz bands at Lincoln High School are designed for musicians interested in learning elements of jazz music. Emphasis is placed on development of swing, blues, Latin, and rock styles of repertoire and performance. Students will also learn basic jazz theory and improvisational skills. Members of the Lincoln Jazz Bands must be enrolled in first period band with the exception of piano and guitar players. Lincoln has two jazz bands and a jazz combo.
Jazz I
Membership into Jazz I is by audition only. Jazz I rehearses at 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday mornings before school. Other rehearsals are scheduled as needed throughout the year. Students enrolled in Jazz I receive ¼ credit per semester.
Jazz II
Jazz II is a training organization for Jazz I. Membership is open to any band student playing a jazz instrument. Membership into Jazz II has two options. Students may enroll in Jazz II during third period. This class meets Maroon or "A" days during block 3. Students enrolled in this class receive ¼ credit per semester. Other students wishing to join Jazz II attend rehearsals once a week after school but receive no credit for participation.
Jazz Combo
For the more serious jazz musicians a jazz combo class is offered during the second semester. This class gives students the opportunity to experience playing in a smaller group setting. Much of the emphasis is geared towards improving the students improvisational skills. The jazz combo usually meets once a week after school. All of the jazz groups perform several times throughout the school year. Jazz I travels to several contest and festivals both in-state and out of state. They also perform at many school and community functions. Jazz I, Jazz II, and the Jazz Combo perform at school concerts and the BLH Pancake Breakfast in late January.
Students in jazz band are also eligible for audition for All-State Jazz Band. Summer camps and clinics are also available to serious students interested in further developing their skills in improvisation and technique.
Pep Band
Jazz I and Jazz II are combined to form the Lincoln High School Pep Band. The pep band plays at pep assemblies at Lincoln, as well as at all home varsity girl/boy doubleheader basketball games in December, January, and February. Pep band gives the students the opportunity to support the basketball program while performing more “pop” and “rock” songs. Student performances at the games are in a more “laid back” atmosphere. A full schedule of pep band dates will be given to the students in late October.
Although not mandatory, most students performing in pep band purchase a hockey jersey to be worn during the games. The jerseys are maroon, white, and gold and have the LHS Pep Band logo screenprinted on the front. Students also can have their names put on the back and numbers printed on the sleeve. Jersey orders will be taken in late October.
