The Wind Ensemble is an audition-based group for select students in grades 10 – 12 that meets daily during 1st period in the large ensemble rehearsal room.  This group is the culmination of all prior musical training and the most elite ensemble in the district’s band program.  The Wind Ensemble has scheduled performances on the following dates:

November 7, 2023 Concert at 7:00 p.m. in the MHS auditorium 

December 2023 Seasonal lunchtime performance in the MHS commons (date/time TBD)

January 2024 rehearsal/clinic with the BRMS 8th grade band (date/time TBD)

March 20, 2024 Concert at 7:00 p.m. in the MHS auditorium

April 16-18, 2024 NYSSMA Major Organization Evaluation (date/time TBD)

May 27, 2024 Town of Pittsford Memorial Day Ceremony (following 10:00 a.m. parade)

June 4, 2024 Final Band Concert at 7:00 p.m. in the MHS auditorium

June 6, 2024 Final Orchestra Concert at 7:00 p.m. in the MHS auditorium (select WE members with full orchestra)

June 22, 2024 Graduation Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. in the RIT Gordon Field House

These performances are formal presentations of our work and, with any formal occasion, our students are expected to present themselves in a formal way through their demeanor and their attire.  This directly reflects each students understanding of Pittsford’s curricular goal of quality performance presentation.  Students are expected to wear the following in performance:

Students will need to purchase formal black separates (top & bottom) options.  Orders will be taken in September.

In preparation for these performances, it is expected that students demonstrate a desire to succeed.  This desire becomes evident in each student's daily contribution to rehearsals, attitude and openness to constructive criticism, weekly preparation and skill reinforcement, and musical growth in lessons.  Students will receive grades on their lesson preparation and progress weekly.  In addition, students will be evaluated on performance and written skill assessments every 2-3 lessons.  It is expected that students will attend regularly scheduled lessons weekly, however make up opportunities will be available should conflicts arise.  Enrichment opportunities are also available (see link). 

School owned instruments, mouthpieces and accessories that are borrowed for the year are expected to be returned in the same condition that they were when assigned to the student.  Maintenance due to normal wear and tear will be paid for by the school, however the cost of damage due to neglect or carelessness must be paid for by the borrower.  A record of the item borrowed (including brand and serial number as well as the condition in which it was assigned) is kept each September for comparison.

I would highly encourage the advanced musicians of the Wind Ensemble to share their talents with other musical organizations (jazz groups, pit orchestra, pep band, solo festivals, all-county and all-state festivals) to broaden their experience and expertise.

Each student’s commitment to their own personal excellence makes them a valued member of the Wind Ensemble.  Pooling these individual talents and striving for collective mastery of musical skills creates a deeply meaningful artistic experience and provides cherished memories for a lifetime.