Mount Desert island Instrumental Music
Mount Desert Island High School offers many different instrumental offerings for its students.
Ensembles
Symphonic Band
Our largest and primary instrumental ensemble is our Symphonic Band which is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of instrumental music, ensemble performance, music theory, and music history. Our goal is to provide opportunities to create music in a safe and exciting environment. Students will develop their technical proficiency on their chosen instruments while working collaboratively to create outstanding musical performances. Through rehearsals, performances, and classroom activities, students will gain a deeper appreciation for music as a form of artistic expression. Students will also gain the skills necessary to work as a team while growing as individuals who are responsible, self-directed, and willing to take a responsible risk inside and outside of the classroom.
Orchestra
Orchestra give students the opportunity to learn a string instrument in a safe and fun environment. From classical music, fiddle music, and even popular music their is something for everyone. Whether you have played before or have never bowed a string in your life there is something for everyone. The course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of instrumental music, ensemble performance, music theory, and music history through the use of string instruments. Students will develop their technical proficiency on their chosen instruments while working collaboratively to create outstanding musical performances. Through rehearsals, performances, and classroom activities, students will gain a deeper appreciation for music as a form of artistic expression. Students will also gain the skills necessary to work as a team while growing as individuals who are responsible, self-directed, and willing to take a responsible risk inside and outside of the classroom.
Extracurriculars
Pep Band
Mount Desert Islands High School provides an opportunity for students to take part in the culture and traditions of not only the high school but of the Mount Desert community. It is our most outward facing ensemble performing for hundreds of people each year playing at most home MDIHS Football and Basketball games as well as other school and community event. Pep band is an extracurricular activity that is open to any current symphonic band members or any member of the pep band from the past (that includes Alumni).
Jazz Band
Jazz Band provides an opportunity for students to not only grow their jazz knowledge, but allows for students to compete across the state at State Jazz Competitions. Students will grow to explore their creativity through improvisation and team work as they strive for excellence. Jazz Band provides two different opportunities including Big Band and Combos.
Electives
Rock Band
Rock Band is a Semester long course open to any students. During the first half of the course students will gain experience on the 4 traditional rock band instrument including (Drum Set, Guitar, Bass Guitar, and Keyboard). The second half of the course then turns into "The Jam" where students work as a band to create a set list, practice the set list, market their band, and work on stage present to put on a performance at the end of the semester.
Music Technology and Song Writing
Music Technology and Song Writing is a semester long course which provides students the chance to learn the skills and techniques that will allow you to create their own music. Explore different ways of creating music while using today's technology to bring your songs to life. We learn different musical concepts such as melody, harmony, and rhythm through the use of primarily Logic Pro, but the course may dabble in other programs such as Musescore, Audacity, and any other program that may help us grow musically.
Music Technology will also explore non-computer-based technologies such as microphones, speakers, amplifiers, and soundboards.
Ensembles
Symphonic Band
Our largest and primary instrumental ensemble is our Symphonic Band which is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of instrumental music, ensemble performance, music theory, and music history. Our goal is to provide opportunities to create music in a safe and exciting environment. Students will develop their technical proficiency on their chosen instruments while working collaboratively to create outstanding musical performances. Through rehearsals, performances, and classroom activities, students will gain a deeper appreciation for music as a form of artistic expression. Students will also gain the skills necessary to work as a team while growing as individuals who are responsible, self-directed, and willing to take a responsible risk inside and outside of the classroom.
Orchestra
Orchestra give students the opportunity to learn a string instrument in a safe and fun environment. From classical music, fiddle music, and even popular music their is something for everyone. Whether you have played before or have never bowed a string in your life there is something for everyone. The course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of instrumental music, ensemble performance, music theory, and music history through the use of string instruments. Students will develop their technical proficiency on their chosen instruments while working collaboratively to create outstanding musical performances. Through rehearsals, performances, and classroom activities, students will gain a deeper appreciation for music as a form of artistic expression. Students will also gain the skills necessary to work as a team while growing as individuals who are responsible, self-directed, and willing to take a responsible risk inside and outside of the classroom.
Extracurriculars
Pep Band
Mount Desert Islands High School provides an opportunity for students to take part in the culture and traditions of not only the high school but of the Mount Desert community. It is our most outward facing ensemble performing for hundreds of people each year playing at most home MDIHS Football and Basketball games as well as other school and community event. Pep band is an extracurricular activity that is open to any current symphonic band members or any member of the pep band from the past (that includes Alumni).
Jazz Band
Jazz Band provides an opportunity for students to not only grow their jazz knowledge, but allows for students to compete across the state at State Jazz Competitions. Students will grow to explore their creativity through improvisation and team work as they strive for excellence. Jazz Band provides two different opportunities including Big Band and Combos.
Electives
Rock Band
Rock Band is a Semester long course open to any students. During the first half of the course students will gain experience on the 4 traditional rock band instrument including (Drum Set, Guitar, Bass Guitar, and Keyboard). The second half of the course then turns into "The Jam" where students work as a band to create a set list, practice the set list, market their band, and work on stage present to put on a performance at the end of the semester.
Music Technology and Song Writing
Music Technology and Song Writing is a semester long course which provides students the chance to learn the skills and techniques that will allow you to create their own music. Explore different ways of creating music while using today's technology to bring your songs to life. We learn different musical concepts such as melody, harmony, and rhythm through the use of primarily Logic Pro, but the course may dabble in other programs such as Musescore, Audacity, and any other program that may help us grow musically.
Music Technology will also explore non-computer-based technologies such as microphones, speakers, amplifiers, and soundboards.