Instrumental Music Courses
Under the direction of Ms. Brandi Jason, the Instrumental Music Program at Liberty High School currently offers six ensemble credit courses – Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble and Orchestra.
The Concert Band is open to any Liberty High School student who wishes to enroll in a wind band class. No audition is required. Students study grade level 2 music, and the main emphasis is on developing skill and individual technique. Students are also introduced to the fundamentals of music theory, on which an exam is given for the semester and final exam.
The Honors Symphonic Band is an upper-level wind band that performs challenging music of a diverse and varied repertoire at grade level 3 and 4. Members are music enthusiasts who wish to further develop individual musical skill through the study of more challenging works. Enrollment is by audition only. An honors music theory exam is given for the semester and final exam.
Honors Wind Ensemble is the highest level of wind band offered at Liberty High School. This group studies a wide variety of challenging literature comparable to that of a college wind band, performing grade level 4, 5, and 6 music. Many members participate in honor bands, outside music programs, and/or take private lessons. Some go on to study music in college.
The Wind Ensemble performs annually at the Carroll District Band Festival, earning superior and excellent ratings, and has been invited to perform many times at the Maryland State Band Festival. Enrollment is by audition only.
The Honors Jazz Ensemble is an upper-level group dedicated to the study of jazz from Dixieland, Blues, Big Band, Swing, Bebop, Latin, Funk, to more popular selections. The group performs a diverse and varied repertoire of music of grade level 3, 4, and 5. Members are jazz enthusiasts who appreciate the rich history, unusual compositional styles, and unique music theory elements associated with the genre. Members are also introduced to improvisation and soloing techniques. Enrollment is by audition only.
The Percussion Ensemble is a class devoted solely to percussionists at Liberty High School. Students enrolled in the ensemble study percussion ensemble music as well as wind band music. A competitive audition is held in September to determine which students will be assigned to the three levels of band (Concert, Symphonic, or Wind) based on skill level on snare, timpani, and keyboard percussion. No audition is necessary.
The Orchestra is open to any string musician at Liberty High School who wishes to develop musical skill through challenging orchestral literature of grade levels 3 and 4. Students are introduced to standard orchestra classics as well as modern string compositions and popular selections. The orchestra performs annually at the Carroll District Orchestra Festival, earning excellent and superior ratings, and has been invited to perform at the Maryland State Orchestra Festival. No audition is necessary.