Rockhurst Instrumental Music Department


Welcome to the webpage for the Rockhurst High School Instrumental Music Department. Here you will find information related to all the curricular and co-curricular Instrumental Music ensembles offered at RHS. We are proud to offer a program that includes a variety of opportunities for all levels of student musicians and we work to serve all students through meaningful music making. We believe that the Performing Arts are an integral part of a student’s holistic education. To that end, we seek to instill a high standard of personal character as well as achieve a high level of musical performance. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate these qualities in performances at a variety of school functions and community events throughout the year.

Concert Band I & II
This course is offered both semesters (Concert Band I - Fall, Concert Band II - Spring) and is primarily composed of Freshmen woodwind and brass players. Students will develop their musicianship in this course through study of varied Concert Band repertoire. Students will perform at school concerts throughout the year. Most students in this course participate in the Pep Band and can also participate in music for school masses.
 
Jazz Lab I & II
This course is offered both semesters (Jazz Lab I - Fall, Jazz Lab II - Spring) and is intended for intermediate level students who have completed Concert Band I/II. This is a jazz combo group with woodwinds, brass, guitar, bass, drumset, and piano. Students will learn the basics of Jazz/Commercial style and improvisation, as well as continue to refine their musicianship, through study of varied Jazz, Rock, and Latin repertoire. Students will perform in a few community events throughout the year in addition to the school concerts. Most students in this course participate in the Pep Band or Drum Line and can also participate in music for school masses.

Jazz Band I
This course meets for the entire year and is intended for advanced students who have completed Concert Band I/II and Jazz Lab I/II. Some underclassmen are also admitted to the Jazz Band based on need and ability level. This is a full jazz big band with saxophones, trumpets, trombones, guitar, bass, drumset, piano, and vibraphone. Students will continue their study of Jazz/Commercial style and improvisation and work to develop advanced technical skill on their instrument through performing advanced Jazz Band repertoire. Students in this ensemble are encouraged to audition for the All-District and All-State Band/Jazz Band in the Fall and to participate in District and State Solo and Ensemble Festival in the Spring. Students will perform in community events, jazz festivals, tours, and school concerts throughout the year, as this ensemble is intended to be the “flagship” of the Instrumental Music Program. Most students in this course participate in the Pep Band or Drum Line and can also participate in music for school masses.

Percussion I & II
This course is offered both semesters (Percussion I - Fall, Percussion II - Spring) and is composed of percussionists from Freshmen through Seniors. Students develop technique on Drum Line for the 1st quarter and then transition to Percussion Ensemble (Keyboard Percussion, Concert Snare and Bass Drum, Latin Percussion, Auxiliary Percussion, Drumset, etc.) for the rest of the year. Students develop their musicianship through varied Marching Percussion and Percussion Ensemble repertoire and gain experience on a variety of instruments. Most students in this course participate in the Drum Line and can also participate in music for school masses. Students perform at home football games, pep rallies, community events, Spring Solo and Ensemble Festival, and school concerts throughout the year.

Orchestra I & II
This course is offered both semesters (Orchestra II - Fall, Orchestra II - Spring) and is composed of string players from Freshmen through Seniors. Students will develop their musicianship in this course through study of varied Orchestral repertoire. Students perform at school concerts and events throughout the year, as well as help provide music for school masses.

Intro to Piano 
This course is offered both semesters and is composed of beginning to intermediate pianists, Freshmen through Seniors. No prior knowledge of music is required to enroll in this course, and successful completion will allow students to enroll in other music classes with instructor’s permission. Students study basic piano technique and music theory. Students will gain performance experience playing for their peers in class, however no outside of the school day commitments are required.

Pep Band
This is a co-curricular ensemble that meets during Activity Period during the school day for the 1st quarter. Pep Band is composed of woodwind, brass, piano, guitar, and bass students from all of the curricular ensembles, but any student who plays any of these instruments is welcome to join. The Pep Band performs at Pep Rallies and Home Varsity Football games during the 1st quarter, and those who are enrolled in a music class are required to attend select football games. Students perform varied Rock and Pop song arrangements for Band.

Drum Line
The Drum Line is Rockhurst High School's premiere percussion ensemble. Membership is by audition and only after attending the Drum Line camp during the 1st week of August. The Drum Line performs at all the varsity home football games.

Be sure to check out our audition page for more information on what to prepare for auditions, which will take place during the first day of our Drum Line mini-camp during the first week of August. Also, please remember to enroll in the Drum Line.  

For more information contact Austin Barnes at abarnes@rockhursths.edu
Website: https://sites.google.com/rockhursths.edu/rockhurstdrumline/home

Enrollment
Contact Cameron Akagi at cakagi@rockhursths.edu for details regarding enrollment in an Instrumental Music course. Parents will need to communicate prior experience their student has with music to find the best fit for that student.

Summer Music Camp
All students enrolled in an Instrumental Music Course are expected to attend the weeklong Summer Music Camp, held in early August. Students are expected to attend either the morning or afternoon session, depending on their instrument. More info to come.

Contact
Cameron Akagi, Director of Instrumental Music - cakagi@rockhursths.edu
Austin Barnes, Assistant Director of Percussion - abarnes@rockhursths.edu