Home of The Forge Sound and Guard!
 2008-2009
 Established 1999
 

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Courses
Wind Ensemble Symphonic Band Jazz Ensemble Percussion Ensemble Marching Band
  Wind
Ensemble

1 Credit		 Grades 10 - 12 or by permission of the band director  
    Pre-Requisite One or more years of band at the High School level is required. Students will be required to pass a proficiency audition with the band director which will include all twelve major scales, chromatic scale for the full range of the instrument, a prepared selection and sight reading.
    Description Wind Ensemble is an advanced-level course. Emphasis is on traditional and contemporary works for concert band and wind ensemble at the Grade V - VI level. In addition, students are required to participate in Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) sponsored events such as All-District Band auditions, Solo & Ensemble Festival, District Concert Festival and All-County Band auditions. Small ensemble and solo work as well as scales, etudes, music theory, ear training, sight-singing/reading and music history will be components of this course. The class is based on the size of a traditional Wind Ensemble and is limited in size to the instrumentation needs of the group. This class is for students who are serious about the study of instrumental music. Private lessons, while not required, are very strongly encouraged for members of this ensemble. This is a performance-based class and involves participation in concerts and other performances and rehearsals outside of class time.
  Symphonic
Band
 
1 Credit		 Grades 9 - 12    
    Pre-Requisite One or more years of band at the Middle School level is required. Students will be required to pass a proficiency audition with the band director within the first month of school which will include seven major scales (Concert Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, G, C and F) a chromatic scale, a prepared selection and sight reading.
    Description Emphasis is on mastering the skills necessary for the performance of Grade IV - V band literature. Students will participate in Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) sponsored events such as All District auditions and Solo & Ensemble Festival. Concerts of traditional and contemporary band works at the Grade IV and V level will be prepared and performed. Small ensemble and solo work as well as music theory and history will be components of this course. Students are expected to practice an average of 30 minutes per day. This is a performance-based class and involves participation in concerts and other performances and rehearsals outside of class time.
  Jazz
Ensemble

1 Credit		 Grades 10 - 12 or by permission of the band director
    Pre-Requisite One or more years of band at the High School level is required. Students will be required to pass a proficiency audition with the band director which will include all twelve major scales, a selection of jazz scales, chromatic scale for the full range of the instrument, a prepared selection and sight reading.
    Description Jazz Band is an advanced-level course. Emphasis is on performance techniques unique to jazz music and the history of jazz through the study of traditional and contemporary works of jazz music. In addition, students are required to participate in Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) sponsored events such as All District Band auditions, Solo & Ensemble Festival and the District Jazz Festival. Some emphasis will be given to music theory as it relates to improvisation. Students will be involved in solo work and small ensembles. This class will be based on the traditional size of a jazz band and is limited in size to the instrumentation needs of the group. Private lessons, while not required, are very strongly encouraged for members of this ensemble. This is a performance based class and will require participation in concerts and other performances and rehearsals outside of class time.
  Percussion
Ensemble

1 Credit		 Grades 9-12  
    Pre-Requisite One or more years of band at the Middle School level is required.
    Description This class is designed to meet the unique needs of the percussion student at the high school level. Emphasis is on mastering the techniques required for playing the full spectrum of percussion equipment including drums, mallet instruments, timpani, and the various handheld "trap" instruments. Special emphasis is placed on the Percussive Arts Society list of 40 rudiments, keyboard proficiency, note and rhythm reading skills, music theory, music history, ear training and sight-reading. Students are required to provide appropriate drum sticks and practice pad for this class. Students are expected to practice a minimum of 30 minutes per day. Select students in Percussion Ensemble will accompany the Symphonic Band and or Wind ensemble in concert performances. This is a performance-based class and requires participation in concerts and other performances outside of class time
  Marching Band

no course credit		 Grades 9 - 12  
    Pre-Requisite Instrumentalist should have at least one year of middle school band experience. Auxiliary members (Color Guard, etc.) audition for positions in May of each year and must attend summer camp.
    Description The “Forge Sound and Guard”, Colonial Forge High School’s marching band, have established themselves as one of the premier performing groups in Stafford County. This dynamic group of young musicians performs regularly at all home and selected away football games.

The Forge Sound and Guard also competes in field show competitions and parades during the fall season, representing Colonial Forge across the state of Virginia . The group has earned numerous awards and honors in competition, including the prestigious “Virginia Honor Band” title for the 2001-2002 season.

Membership in the Forge Sound and Guard is open to any student enrolled in a band class. In addition, the pageantry of the band is enhanced with the help of our award-winning Color Guard, which is open to any student at Colonial Forge. Auditions for this exciting group are held in May of each year.

Colonial Forge’s marching band provides a venue for the marriage of musical and visual performance in a well structured, learning environment and provides life long lessons in teamwork and responsibility.