The Garnet Valley High School Band Program is a welcoming, active place for students to make music, grow their skills, and enjoy a high school experience they will remember. Students of all experience levels have a place here, whether they are continuing from middle school, returning to an instrument, or ready for a new challenge.

Band is about much more than playing an instrument. Students perform fun, exciting, and beautiful music, spend time with friends, travel to performances and events, and take part in experiences that create lasting memories. Along the way, they build confidence, teamwork, leadership, resilience, and friendships that extend far beyond the rehearsal room and performance stage.

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Our Core Classes

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CONCERT BAND, WIND ENSEMBLE, and PERCUSSION CLASS are at the heart of the GVHS Band Program. These curricular classes meet during the school day and give students daily opportunities to develop their musical skills and perform in concerts throughout the year.
 

- CONCERT BAND is our regular-level curricular ensemble for woodwind and brass students. It welcomes students of all experience levels and gives them daily opportunities to strengthen their individual skills while learning how to perform as part of a full concert ensemble. Students perform a wide range of concert band music, from classical works and popular styles to music from around the world, movie themes, and more. Concert Band performs at concerts throughout the year and is a great place to make music with friends, build confidence, and continue growing as a musician.

- WIND ENSEMBLE is our honors-performing ensemble for students in grades 10–12 who have developed advanced musical skills and successfully complete an audition. Wind Ensemble raises the level of challenge through more demanding music, a higher level of individual preparation, and an increased focus on musical expression and ensemble performance. Students perform a varied and exciting concert band repertoire, including classical works, contemporary music, popular styles, music from around the world, and film music. The ensemble performs at concerts throughout the year, along with additional performances and adjudications as scheduled.

PERCUSSION CLASS (ENSEMBLE) is the curricular class for entry-level and developing percussion students in the GVHS Band Program. Students rehearse separately so they can focus on the many skills and instruments that percussionists use in a concert band setting, including snare drum, bass drum, timpani, marimba and other keyboard instruments, drum set, and auxiliary percussion. Percussionists join Concert Band for dress rehearsals and concert performances throughout the year.

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Beyond the School Day

Growing out of these core classes, students can take part in a variety of co-curricular ensembles and activities. Many students participate in more than one, while also balancing sports, clubs, jobs, and challenging academic schedules.

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MARCHING BAND brings students in grades 9–12 together for football games, festivals, parades, community events, and band camp. It is a high-energy experience filled with music, travel, friends, cheering crowds, and shared traditions.
 

JAZZ BAND includes two jazz bands and a jazz combo. These ensembles perform at community events, competitions, festivals, and our annual Garnet Valley Jazz Night.

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INDOOR DRUMLINE carries the energy and style of marching band into the winter and spring seasons. Students in the battery and front ensemble combine movement, percussion, and pit instruments to create a dynamic, exciting competitive show. The season includes performances and competitions, culminating in a trip to finals in Wildwood, New Jersey.

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INDOOR COLOR GUARD continues the energy and performance style of marching band through the winter and spring. Students combine dance, movement, flags, and other spinning equipment with music to create meaningful, visually exciting shows. The season includes rehearsals, competitions, and performance trips.

Indoor Percussion and Indoor Color Guard are competitive winter ensembles that rehearse and perform from January through May.

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SMALL ENSEMBLES give students additional opportunities to rehearse, perform, and share their music in the community.

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Select an ensemble below to learn more about its opportunities, schedule, and how to get involved.