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Ensembles Overview

The South Mecklenburg High School Instrumental Music Department is made up of many diverse groups of learners and musicians.   These individuals are placed across three major ensembles, including the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble.   Students are placed in the above ensembles based on musical excellence, talent, knowledge and performance.  

Students may audition for the Jazz Band in the Spring semester for the following year.  

Other ensembles that are part of South Mecklenburg Bands are the Marching Sabres, Pep Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Winter Guard.

Concert Band

The Concert Band has been established to serve as a bridge between the 8th grade ensembles and high school band.   The ensemble will perform musical literature ranging in difficulty from Grade III to Grade IV.   Fundamentals will be an integral part of the ensemble and each student is expected to practice a minimum of 3 hours each week.   The Concert Band is expected to play a maximum of three (3) concerts throughout the year.   Students are encouraged to take private lessons.

Symphonic Band

The Symphonic Band serves the more advanced musicians.   The band is composed of 10th through 12th graders.   As expected, the Symphonic Band will perform more challenging musical literature than the Concert Band, ranging in difficulty from Grade IV to Grade V.   Chair placements are determined by audition.  

All students are expected to practice a minimum of 5 hours each week.  

The Symphonic Band is expected to play a maximum of three (3) concerts throughout the year.   Students are encouraged to take private lessons.

Wind Ensemble

The Wind Ensemble is composed of the most advanced group of musicians at South Mecklenburg.   The ensemble is composed of 9th through 12th graders and an audition process held each spring to determine the make-up of the ensemble.   The Wind Ensemble will perform the most challenging music of all the ensembles, ranging from Grade V to Grade VI.   A rigorous audition process determines chair placement and eligibility for the ensemble.  

The Wind Ensemble is expected to perform a minimum of four (4) concerts throughout the year.   All students are expected to practice a minimum of 7 hours a week and are strongly encouraged to take private lessons outside of school.

Jazz Band

The Jazz Band is perhaps the most prolific group of all the ensembles.   The band consists of 10th through 12th graders and an audition process held each spring determines the make-up of the ensemble.  

The ensemble is expected to perform a minimum of three (3) concerts throughout the year, not including numerous public performances.   The ensemble will perform many different styles of jazz including, but not limited to, blues, swing, and big band.

Marching Sabres

Marching Band, although not a requirement of all band students at South Mecklenburg, has quickly become one of the greatest traditions in quality of the overall band program.   All hard-working and dedicated students are encouraged to participate in this ensemble.  

This award-winning ensemble performs at all home football games and select competitions.   The band and guard rehearse after school three times a week.  

Pep Band

The pep band has been established to play at some of the away football games.

Percussion Ensemble

The South Meck Percussion Ensemble is open to anyone with a desire to explore the diverse world of percussion music.   Students are given the opportunity to expand on their skills on a wide range of instruments.   Music choices range from classic arrangements such as Bach or Debussy, to bizarre and experimental music such as John Cage, as well as exciting original pieces composed specifically for the ensemble.

Fall/Winter Guard

This is a precision flag and weapons corp composed of grade levels 9-12.   Participants are selected through a rigorous audition process including the manipulation of equipment, dance, and performance skills.  

During marching band season, they perform as an integral part of the Marching Sabres.  

When the marching season comes to a close, they continue to train and hone their skills with a specially designed competition piece.   The Winter Guard training begins in the month of November and competitions begin at the end of January and continue through April.   The Winter Guard is a member of the Carolina Indoor Performance Association and the group goes to several competitions within this circuit.