About Our Program

  • Who can join band at VHS?
    • Any VHS student who wants to experience the joy of music in a positive, supportive environment can join band. Students sign up for band as an elective class during the school day. Instruments include flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion. 
  • Who can join Choir at VHS? When does it meet?
    • Any student who wants to learn how to sing can join choir!!  Our concert choir is a large mixed (SATB) ensemble for grades 9-12. Concert Choir is an elective class within our school day at VHS, therefore, it meets the same amount of time as any other academic class offered at VHS.
  • Can I do Band and Chorus?
    • Absolutely! Please! Band and Choir are elective classes that meet during the school day. You can sign-up for these classes just like any other academic class you will choose to take at VHS.
  • Can I take other electives beside band or chorus?
    • Yes. Over the course of your four years at VHS you will have opportunities to take a variety of electives.
  • Do I have to do marching band?
    • The VHS Concert Band and Marching Band are one and the same. All students in the VHS Band participate in marching band during the fall. For many students this is a highlight of the year as they perform at VHS football games, band festivals, and the Magic Kingdom at Disney World, and more. In late October/early November the marching band transitions into concert band. Students perform in concert band from November through the end of the school year.
  • Can I play a sport and do band?
    • Yes! Many students participate in sports and band. They are busy in the fall, but they learn to handle multiple commitments and most students thrive on the experience. VHS music teachers work with sports coaches to make sure students can participate. Marching band ends in early November, so winter and spring sports are not affected.
  • When does band meet? What is the time commitment?
    • Band at VHS is a class during the school day. During the marching band season (Sept-Oct) there are rehearsals on Tuesday nights and optional sectional rehearsals on Thursdays (Thursdays are mandatory for percussion and color guard). The band also performs at VHS football games and participates in up to 5 marching band festivals on Saturdays.
    • After November band only meets during the school day. The only exceptions are concerts and three special evening rehearsals for concert band to prepare for special performances such as Carnegie Hall and the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. There is also a summer program to learn music and maintain skills (see below).
  • When are summer band rehearsals? Are they mandatory?
    • The VHS Band has practices during the summer on Wednesday evenings minus a three-week “shut down” period from late July to early August. Students who are out of town at camp or on vacation are excused from these rehearsals. Students who are in Verona are expected to attend.
  • Can I join the Jazz Band?
    • Verona Jazz & Beyond is the jazz band at VHS. Membership is by audition and is for any student in the band or choir. It is also open to students taking music theory who play piano, bass, or guitar. Rehearsals begin after the conclusion of the marching season and are held two nights per week.
  • What is Band Camp?
    • Band Camp is a week-long series of all-day rehearsals at the end of August. Attendance is mandatory for all band students since this is when you learn the entire marching band show. VHS teachers coordinate with sports coaches throughout the week to accommodate students’ schedules. In addition to learning their music, guard work, and drill movements, students form lasting friendships and freshmen get a head start on their experience at VHS.
  • What is the Color Guard? Who can join?
    • The VHS Color Guard is a group who performs choreographed dances and routines to enhance the music of the marching band show. They use equipment such as flags, non-functioning wooden rifles, sabres and other props. They perform with the marching band at football games and marching band competitions, providing the main visual element of the show. Students who join must sign up for band for the first marking period and attend rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.. 
  • Can I do Color Guard and also be in Concert Band?
    • Yes. For Marking Period 1 color guard members meet in band class. After MP1 they can either choose to play an instrument in Concert Band or take a study hall.
  • Can I miss marching band rehearsals/performances?
    • Because of the synchronized nature of Marching Band, all rehearsals and performances are mandatory. We have a one-absence policy for the year for significant events (ex. family wedding).