The Upper School Band Program is a composite of the concert band, jazz ensembles, woodwind ensemble, and jazz combos. Its members perform at school and community functions, as well as national and local competitions. Various combinations of students provide a wide range of concerts throughout the school year. Members of the Upper School band are encouraged to study privately with woodwind, brass, and percussion specialists. Many participate in select state and local honor groups, including the GMEA All-State Bands and Orchestra, GISA All-Select Band, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Atlanta (Emory) Youth Wind Symphony. Members of the Ellington Jazz Ensemble are chosen by audition and enter the international Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition each year.
Ellington Jazz Band Calendar
The Middle School Bands perform numerous times throughout the year, including a Christmas concert, the annual Prism Concert, the Six Flags Band Festival, and at local retirement homes. Students perform concert band literature, and in seventh and eighth grade begin a curriculum of jazz studies. The Middle School Bands have received superior ratings, sweepstakes honors, and outstanding soloist awards at numerous band festivals, as well as invitations to perform at the state music convention. They also have produced many All-State band students. Last year’s Seventh and Eighth Grade Concert Band received superior ratings and second place Honors at the Music in the Parks Festival, held at Six Flags Over Georgia. The Eighth Grade Jazz Ensemble received a superior rating and the Seventh Grade Jazz Ensemble received a superior rating.
The Seventh and Eighth Grade Jazz Ensemble members are selected by audition and rehearse every Thursday during their regularly scheduled band period. The class examines basic swing, rock, and Latin styles, as well as beginning improvisation. The Lovett Middle School Jazz Ensembles have earned superior
ratings for the last 10 years at the Music in the Parks Festival, as well as winning numerous outstanding soloist awards and sweepstakes honors.
The Sixth Grade Band are comprised of both beginning and experienced players. These ensembles meet three times each week with an emphasis on technical skill development, as well as comprehensive musicianship. They perform in school concerts during the year and at a local retirement home in May.
The Lower School Bands offer a unique experience for the first-time instrumentalist. Students begin their musical training in the fourth and fifth grades. The bands perform three concerts each year, including the holiday performance in December, the spring Prism Concert, and the final concert for the Lower School in May.