Schechter’s outstanding band program provides a wonderful opportunity for students to develop a musical talent, participate in a group activity, and experience the thrill of performing. 

Students are able to grow and progress in all areas of instrumental music — musical performance, tone quality, reading music, technical facility, intonation, balance and blending as a musical group, as well as following the conductor.  They are exposed to both Judaic and secular music and learn about composers, styles, and musical forms. The band program also strives to help students build positive self-esteem and understand the connection between music and other subject areas, such as history, math, science and vocabulary.

The Band Program consists of five bands for students in grades five through eight: 5th Grade Beginning Band, 6th Grade Wind Ensemble, 7th and 8th Grade Symphonic Band, Middle School Jazz Band and Musical Band.

The 5th Grade Beginning Band rehearses twice each week (once during the school day and once before or after school). Students learn to read music and play a band instrument step-by-step from the very beginning. They also learn discipline and cooperation and develop a love of music. No prior experience is necessary or expected. Students may choose from the following instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, cornet, french horn, trombone, bells, and concert snare drum. The beginning band performs twice during the school year and students have an opportunity to learn a solo or ensemble composition to perform at one of the two concerts.

The Wind Ensemble is comprised of 6th grade students who have completed the 5th grade band program and perform more advanced concert band compositions. Students rehearse twice each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays; they are also offered an opportunity to receive a small group lesson once each week. As middle school students they are also eligible to join the Jazz Band or participate in the Musical Band.

The Symphonic Band is comprised of 7th and 8th grade advanced band students. Although they perform together the students rehearse with their grade. The Symphonic Band also rehearses twice each week during the school day and they are also offered the opportunity to attend a weekly small group lesson.
Since the Symphonic Band students are more accomplished, they perform more often during the school year, including performing for a day school in another state during our annual band trip.

The annual band trip occurs the day before Spring conferences and the first day of conferences. Our students have the opportunity to share their tremendous talent with other day schools, explore activities in another State, and interact with other day school students. It is one of the highlights of their band experience.

The Jazz Band meets after school on Tuesdays from the middle of October until winter break and then the rehearsals resume in April after the middle school musical. All middle school band students are eligible to participate providing they attend the after school rehearsals. There are no auditions for this group and it is wonderful opportunity for the students to learn a new genre of music and to rehearse and perform together with students from other grades.

The Musical Band is a select group of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students who accompany the vocalists in our annual Middle School Musical. The students who participate in this band are invited into the group and rehearse two days a week from January through March. Since they will need to learn approximately 20 pieces of music in a short time, the students are selected based on their ability to learn the required music, their attitude, their skill level, and their availability. Any student who is not chosen to participate in this performance group but is interested has the ability to audition for a spot in the band.