Middle School Band Program
Band Directors
Middle School Performing Ensembles:
Symphonic Band
The Viking Symphonic Band is made up of all 7th and 8th grade musicians who have played at least a year and have met the playing requirements set by the director, Mr Boswell. The band performs between 5 and 6 times during the school year and tries to participate in at least 2 contests each year. It is a performance based group that will perform a difficult selection of music, challenging each young musician to play at their highest level.
Concert Band
The Concert Band is composed of sixth grade students and is directed by Mr. Eikenberry. For most of them, it is their third year of playing. By now, they know most of the fingerings on their instruments. It is also a time to introduce more low brass and low woodwinds, to expand the instrumentation of the group. This band performs between 5 and 6 times per year and participates in the North Chicago Band Festival.
Marching Band
The Viking Marching Band is made up of all 7th and 8th grade band members. The marching season begins in late July with our Gurnee Days Rehearsals and ends in late September or early October with our performance in the Warren Homecoming parade and the Warren HS Marching Festival. Drum major and color guard try-outs are held in May and are open to 8th graders.
Jazz Ensemble
The Viking Jazz Ensemble is a select group of 7th and 8th grade musicians interested in performing big band jazz music. This group of 22-25 students will play several “gigs” each year ranging from a school pep assembly to performances at local nursing homes. We have a goal of playing around 20 charts over the course of a school year. This group rehearses Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:00-7:25 AM in the Viking band room and is directed by Mr. Boswell and Mr. Eikenberry
Jazz Band
The Viking Jazz Band is a lab ensemble with a single focus. Take the young musicians at Viking who aren’t in the Jazz Ensemble and give them an opportunity to experience playing jazz music. All middle school students are welcome in this group. Curriculum deals with the very basics of playing in the jazz style. They will perform a few times during the year. This group meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:00-7:25 AM in the Viking band room and is directed by Mr. Eikenberry and Mr. Boswell.
Follow the band on Twitter
6th, 7th and 8th grade @D56VikingBand