Symphony Winds
Course Syllabus
Tim Taylor, Director
The Symphony Winds is the top-performing band ensemble at Terry High School and will
meet everyday fourth period. Entrance is by audition only. The class is designed to
develop strong musical fundamentals and work ethic. Students will be asked to
concentrate their efforts on a variety of musical tasks. Tone production, articulation,
breathing, intonation, technical ability, ensemble skills, and sight-reading are all elements
students will be required to develop.
The band will perform upper level high school and college band literature. Most of the
fall semester curriculum is focused on marching band music. The spring semester centers
on concert music. Students are required to attend sectionals and one-on-one sessions
outside of school when scheduled. Students are also required to prepare the all-region
etudes and must audition for All-Region. Students are also required to play a solo and an
ensemble at the UIL solo/ensemble contest in March. Members are strongly encouraged
to participate in private lessons.
Students are expected to be quite serious about improving their musical skills and are
therefore required to dedicate significant time to personal practice. Students may be
moved down to a lower concert band if they do not meet the requirements. The
Symphony Winds performs at most band department concerts and competes at concert
band festivals, including UIL in the Spring.
Grading Policy:
Tests (playing tests, performances) – 50%
Quizzes/Projects (sectionals) – 30%
Daily (participation, supplies) – 20%
Sectional Schedule for Symphonic Band (To Be Determined)
Wind Ensemble
Course Syllabus
Justin Poirier, Director
The Wind Ensemble is scheduled third period. The class is designed to develop strong
musical fundamentals and work ethic. Students will be asked to concentrate their efforts
on a variety of musical tasks. Tone production, articulation, breathing, intonation,
technical ability, ensemble skills, and sight-reading are all elements students will be
required to develop.
The band performs upper level high school concert band literature. Most of the fall
semester curriculum is focused on marching band music. Students are expected to
perform at the highest caliber. As a result, participation in the Concert Band is quite
rigorous and requires significant practice. Students are required to attend sectionals and
one-on-one sessions outside of school throughout the year when scheduled.
Members are required to participate in fall and spring sectionals. Concert band members
are required to play a solo and/or ensemble at the UIL solo/ensemble contest in March.
Members are strongly encouraged to participate in the All-Region Band selection process
and to get involved in our private lesson program. The Wind Ensemble performs at most
band department concerts and competes at several band festivals including UIL in the
Spring.
Grading Policy:
Tests (playing tests, performances) – 50%
Quizzes/Projects (sectionals) – 30%
Daily (participation, supplies) – 20%
Sectional Schedule for Concert Band (To Be Determined)
Symphony Band
Syllabus
Rachel Castillo, Director
The Symphony Band is scheduled second period. The Cadet Band performs mid level high
school concert band literature. The Cadet Band is a designed to focus on developing and
reinforcing fundamental wind and percussion skills. Cadet band members are required to
play a solo and/or ensemble at the UIL solo/ensemble contest in March.. Furthermore,
members are strongly encouraged to get involved in our private lesson program. Students
are required to attend sectionals and one-on-one sessions outside of school throughout the
year when scheduled. The concert band is a non-competitive band that performs at most
band department concerts. Instrumentation, eligibility, and other factors will help
determine whether the Symphony Band will participate at UIL in the spring.
Grading Policy:
Tests (playing tests, performances) – 50%
Quizzes/Projects (sectionals) – 30%
Daily (participation, supplies) – 20%
Sectional Schedule for Cadet Band (To Be Determined)
Marching Band
Tim Taylor, Director
Rachel Castillo, Assistant Director
Justin Poirier, Assistant Director
The Terry High School Marching Band is made up of students from all three concert
bands. The band performs at all Terry High School pep rallies, varsity football games,
marching contests, Fort Bend County Parade and community events. During the fall
semester the marching band will rehearse to prepare the halftime/contest show for much
of the fall semester. The rehearsal requirements are quite rigorous. There are many
events, which occur throughout the late spring, summer, and fall which pertain to the
marching band. Please view the events calendar to stay updated with the marching band
calendar.
Marching Band students are eligible to receive a physical education waiver. All students
in band are required to participate in marching band.
Jazz Ensemble
Syllabus
Tim Taylor, Director
The Jazz Ensemble is scheduled first period. The Jazz Ensemble is the only jazz group at
Terry High School. Entrance is by audition only; all students are allowed to audition.
Emphasis is strongly placed on developing proper ensemble blend and balance,
individual musical responsibility, various jazz stylistic concepts, as well as improvisatory
solo skills. Individual preparation is expected at each rehearsal. As a result, participation
in the Jazz Ensemble is rigorous and requires significant practice. Students are required to
attend sectionals and one-on-one sessions, as deemed necessary, outside of school
throughout the year. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the Jazz All-
Region/State audition process. The band performs in concert, contest, and special
engagements throughout the year.
Grading Policy:
Tests (playing tests, performances) – 50%
Quizzes/Projects (sectionals) – 30%
Daily (participation, supplies) – 20%
Sectional Schedule for Jazz Ensemble (To Be Determined when necessary)
Marching and Winter Percussion
Syllabus
Rachel Castillo, Director
The Terry High School Cluster Percussion Program consists of students from George
Junior High School, Navarro Middle School, and Terry High School. Membership into
the Terry High School Cluster Percussion program begins with 6th grade beginner classes
and culminates with the senior high school year. Studies in the percussion program
include drum line/front ensemble, Terry Winter Percussion, Solo and Ensemble, in
addition to other ensemble and solo performance opportunities.
Grading Policy:
Tests (playing tests, performances) – 50%
Quizzes/Projects (sectionals) – 30%
Daily (participation, supplies) – 20%
Sectional Schedule for Percussion Ensemble (To Be Determined when necessary)
Color Guard and Winter Guard
Syllabus
The color guard is most well known for their contribution to the marching band in the
fall. Using rifles, sabers, props, and a wide assortment of flags, the guard provides a
fantastic visual effect to the show. During the spring the guard competes on the Texas
Color Guard Circuit. Membership into the guard is by audition only and is open to all
Terry High School students. Information concerning upcoming audition information will
be posted to this page.
Grading Policy:
Tests (playing tests, performances) – 50%
Quizzes/Projects (sectionals) – 30%
Daily (participation, supplies) – 20%