West Salem Band

Ensembles Overview

Most ensembles have fair share fees associated with them so we can provide the very best experiences for students above and beyond what the district can provide.  These can be completely raised through our various fundraising events with active participation.   

Marching Band

The marching band is one of the most visible ensembles at West Salem High School. The Marching season starts with workshops and camps in June and August then finishes with the NWAPA championships in early November. Performances in the stands only may continue after championships if the football team makes the play-off's. During the competitive season, this ensemble performs at local and regional competitions. Highlight DVD Order Form

Wind Ensemble

The wind ensemble is the top performing ensemble within the band department. Students explore and perform the highest quality of wind band literature. This ensemble is auditioned in the spring and most students who are selected take private lessons. This ensemble performs at various wind ensemble competitions around the state as well as the OSAA state band championships in the spring. Wind Ensemble is a year-long course. Students in Wind Ensemble must be enrolled in Symphony Orchestra concurrently.

Symphony Orchestra

The Symphony Orchestra is a high-level performing ensemble within the band and orchestra departments. Students explore and perform the highest quality of symphonic orchestra literature. This ensemble is auditioned in the spring and most students who are selected take private lessons. This ensemble performs at various symphony orchestra competitions around the state as well as the OSAA state full orchestra championships in the spring. Symphony Orchestra is a year-long course. Students in Symphony Orchestra must be enrolled in Wind Ensemble concurrently.

Advanced Band

The Advanced Band is another outstanding ensemble comprised of mainly upper older students. Students explore and perform a wide variety of intermediate to advanced wind band literature. Concert Band students have the opportunity to advance to this ensemble their sophomore year unless they have already auditioned into another ensemble. This ensemble performs at local concerts and 1-2 intermediate band festivals in the spring. Advanced Band is a year-long course.

Concert Band

The Concert Band is the entry level ensemble mainly comprised of incoming freshman. Students explore a wide variety of intermediate wind band literature as well as fine tune skill sets through the development of fundamentals and overall individual technique. All incoming freshman woodwinds and brass enroll for this course unless they audition into one of the other ensembles in the spring. This ensemble performs at local concerts and 1-2 intermediate band festivals in the spring. Concert Band is a year-long course.

Percussion Ensemble

All percussionists grades 9-12 enroll in this course. Students explore and perform a wide variety of wind band literature and percussion ensemble music. Students develop intermediate to advanced percussion techniques on all of the percussion instruments through a comprehensive curriculum. Percussionists who are selected to perform with the Wind Ensemble also enroll for one period of Wind Ensemble. Percussion Ensemble is a year-long course. 

Jazz Ensembles

We currently offer two jazz ensembles at West Salem. Jazz Ensembles are advanced groups that explore and perform advanced jazz band literature. Entry into one of these ensembles is by audition or director permission only. These ensembles perform at various local and regional jazz band competitions. Both Jazz Ensembles are year-long courses, but the schedules are before school and modified throughout the year.

Basketball Band

Basketball Band is a volunteer ensemble that performs pep-band music at 8-10 home basketball games in January and February. All instruments are welcome, but students must be enrolled in an appropriate ensemble during the school day. 

Chamber Percussion

Starting in December, students form percussion ensembles that perform and compete at various district and state chamber ensemble competitions. This is a competitive performing ensemble that meets after school as needed during the winter and spring months.

High School Winter Guard

Starting in December, students can elect to participate in the Winter Guard ensemble. This is a competitive performing ensemble that meets after school two days a week and performs at local and regional events. See the calendar for meetings and registration nights. 

Middle School Winter Percussion

Starting in December, students can elect to participate in the Middle School Winter Percussion ensemble. This is a competitive performing ensemble that meets after school and performs at local and regional events. See the calendar for meetings and registration nights.

Middle School Winter Guard

Starting in December, students can elect to participate in the Middle School Winter Guard ensemble. This is a competitive performing ensemble that meets after school two days a week and performs at local and regional events. See the calendar for meetings and registration nights.

Ways To Raise Funds

Fundraising events benefit your student band account and/or the booster account. The boosters cover 1/2 to 2/3 of all band costs, it is very important to support booster fundraisers as they lower your fees. 

Yearly fundraisers for students and families:

• Music Day
• Winter at West
• Jazz Festival
• Winterguard competition

These are large events that require many hands and result in a large amount of funds for the boosters. All booster funds are spent directly on supplies, materials, and professional staff directly related to the west salem band program. 

Monthly Can/Bottle Drive

Set up an account at your local BottleDrop. (BottleDrop location finder)

Duplicate the Can/Bottle Flier as needed. Leave the flier and your green Bottle Drop plastic bag on the doorsteps of friends and neighbors a week or two before your selected pick-up date. Be sure to remember to pick them up on the date listed. Return the green Bottle Drop bag to your local Bottle Drop location. Once the money is in your BottleDrop account you can transfer it by choosing "give" and search for West Salem Band Boosters or go straight to this LINK. 

Ongoing and Yearly Fundraiser Events

See Calendar tab on this page for events.  Look for "FUN" events.