Ensembles

There are currently seven bands within our Band Department which continues to grow every year.

Beginner Band

The Beginner Band consists of students that are often in their first year of band studies. There is no prerequisite for this class. Even if a student has had no previous music experience, they could still take this course. This group performs in many concerts at school and is an on-timetable course. Click here for the Beginner Band Course Outline.

Junior Band

The Junior Band is level higher than the Beginner Band and consists of mainly grade 8 and 9 students who have played for at least one year. They participate in the VSB Band Festival and in a number of concerts at school and in the community. Each year this band goes on a trip to Camp Squamish or a town close by (ex. Powell River 2001). Junior Band is an on-timetable course. Click here for the Junior Band Course Outline.
Here are the term playing test descriptions for Junior Band

Intermediate Band

The Intermediate Band concentrates on many of the same elements as the Junior Band but, at a slightly higher level. The students are primarily grades 10 to 12 and have two or more years of band experience. They participate in the VSB Band Festival and in a number of concerts at school and in the community. Each year this band goes on a trip to Camp Squamish or a town close by (ex. Powell River 2001). The Intermediate Band is an on-timetable course. Click here for the Intermediate Band Course Outline.

Here are the term playing test descriptions for Intermediate Band

Senior Band / Wind Ensemble

The Senior Wind Ensemble is the highest level concert band at Lord Byng. Entrance to this band is by audition only. This course is designed for a serious music student who will feel challenged by advanced musical repertoire. This group of talented individuals has received excellent adjudications whenever and wherever they have performed and are regularly asked to play throughout the lower mainland. Since 2003, they have received Superior ratings in each festival entered at the 400 and 500 levels.

The Senior Wind Ensemble goes on a major trip every second year. So far, we have traveled to: China (2011), Great Britain (2009), Italy (2007), New York City (2005), Austria and Germany (2003), Hawaii (2001), Southern California (1999), in major trip years; and the Okanagan, Vancouver Island, Cariboo, Calgary, and the West Kootenays in small trip years.

This school year, we will travel to France and Belgium in March 2013.

Click here for the Senior Wind Ensemble Course Outline.

This ensemble meets off-timetable and is a full credit course.

Here are the term playing test descriptions for the Senior Wind Ensemble

Section Leaders of the Senior Wind Ensemble

Junior Jazz Band

This is a group of beginner and junior jazz students who have had at least one year of study on their instrument. They concentrate on the same genres of music as the Senior group which includes Jazz/Swing, Funk, Blues and Pop music. They rehearse off-timetable and this is a full credit course. Click here for the Junior Jazz Band Course Outline.

Intermediate Jazz Band

New for 2005 / 2006. This intermediate level group builds on the knowledge gained from Junior Jazz and acts as a great step to the Senior Jazz Band. They rehearse off-timetable and this is a full credit course. Click here for the Intermediate Jazz Band Course Outline.

Senior Jazz Band

Lord Byng's Senior Stage Band focuses on Jazz/Swing and Pop music. This auditioned group participates in the VSB Jazz Festival and performs in several concerts at school and in the community. The Senior Stage Band also hosts Lord Byng's annual big band dance, Swyng with Byng.

Students must be concurrently in another band class, but may play a different instrument from that played in a concert band. This ensemble meets off-timetable and is a full credit course. Click here for the Senior Jazz Band Course Outline.

Junior Symphony Orchestra

Unique to Lord Byng, the Lord Byng Junior Symphony consists of the top junior students from both String and Band programs. This group performs concerts of full symphonic repertoire throughout the school year. Please check the Calendar of Events for concert dates this season.

Click here for the Junior Symphony Course Outline

Senior Symphony Orchestra

Unique to Lord Byng, the Lord Byng Symphony Orchestra consists of the top students from both String and Band programs. This group performs separate concerts of very challenging repertoire throughout the school year. Please check out the LBSO's web-page at www.LBSO.ca for more info about concerts and subscriptions.

Click here for the LBSO Course Outline