Father Ryan proudly participates in the following organizations:
We would like to express gratitude to the following companies for their affiliation with the Band Program:
Links of Interest:
Band Programs & Music Classes
For Music Classes please click here.
The Band Program at Father Ryan consists of a number of performing opportunities including Concert Band, Jazz Band, Private Instrumental Instruction, Brass & Percussion Ensembles, Winter Drumline, and the Marching Band.
Concert Band
Concert Band is offered for those students with at least one year of experience on a band instrument. This group rehearses during the regular school day, and the student receives one credit for the year.
** To participate in the following ensembles, the student must first be enrolled in the appropriate section of Concert Band class that is double blocked. (Color Guard is the only single block exception.) **
Jazz Band
Jazz Band is offered during the winter months of the school year. This group rehearses after school and performs at the annual Jazz Night Concert as well as various jazz festivals.
Private Instrumental Instruction
Private Instrumental Instruction is offered during the regular school day. The student receives 1/2 credit for two semesters of private instruction. The instruction consists of one thirty-minute lesson per week and is available for all band instruments.
Brass Ensemble & Winter Drumline
Brass Ensemble & Winter Drumline are offered during the winter months of the school year. These groups rehearse after school and perform at various competitions.
Marching Band
The largest of the bands is the Father Ryan High School Marching Band. The Marching Band performs for all of the Father Ryan home football games and travels to various locations for band competitions. This group meets after school in the fall months of the year and the student receives 1/2 credit.
** If you are a musician with previous band experience, no audition is necessary except for members of the drumline, guitar, and piano. If you have had no previous experience, you can learn to play an instrument. We have several school-owned instruments and offer an extensive private lesson program. You must be enrolled in the Concert Band class. **
Music Classes
The following music classes are offered at Father Ryan:
Band I
This course, for the beginner, places emphasis on the development of technique and the opportunity to learn a band instrument. A freshman is allowed the opportunity to "test up" to Band II.
| Grades 9-12 | Elective | 2 Semesters | 1 Credit |
Band II, III
Students will learn intermediate and advanced listening, playing, and reading techniques on the instrument of their choice. They will be permitted to perform in activities including Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Pep Band. (Jazz Band by audition only)
| Grades 9-12 | Elective | 2 Semesters | 2 Credits (double-blocked) |
| Prerequisites: | Preceding Band Course | ||
Band IV, V
Students continue to practice intermediate and advanced listening, playing, and reading techniques on the instrument of their choice. They will be permitted to perform in activities including Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and musicals. At the conclusion of these courses, the student should be prepared to continue with musical performance at the college level. (Jazz Band and musicals by audition only)
| Grades 11-12 | Elective | 2 Semesters | 2 Credits (double-blocked) |
| Prerequisites: | Preceding Band Course | ||
Honors Wind Ensemble
This course is an extension of the music performance groups that can expand the scope of music learning for each student. It enables the advanced musician to move at a quicker pace while motivating all levels of musicians to become part of this prestigious ensemble. Each student will be selected through a structured system of auditions and must be enrolled in a private lesson program either through the school or a school approved instructor. All students will be required to audition for the Mid-State Honors Band program as well as at least one other honors band program, and will be required to sign a contract agreeing to these stipulations prior to enrollment in this course.
| Grades 10-12 | Elective | 2 Semesters | 2 Credits (double-blocked) |
| Prerequisites: | Selection by audition | ||
Percussion Studies
Students will learn intermediate and advanced listening, playing, and reading techniques on percussion instruments. They will be permitted to perform in activities including Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Pep Band.
| Grades 9-12 | Elective | 2 Semesters | 1 Credit |
| Prerequisites: | Permission of the instructor | ||
Music Theory I
In this course the student will achieve a solid foundation in music literacy, as well as music composition skills. The student will learn to write his/her own musical composition using contemporary and traditional musical forms. This course is designed for the student who already has a solid background in music.
| Grades 10-12 | Elective | 2 Semesters | 1 Credit |
| Prerequisites: | Consent of the instructor | ||
Advanced Placement Music Theory (AP)
The music theory advanced placement course follows the syllabus of the College Board. It is a technical course stressing the basic components of music. Emphasis is placed on basic pitch and rhythmic notation, scale structures, chord structure, part-writing, ear training, harmonization, and music composition. Students will be required to take the advanced placement examination, which is comprised of both a written segment and a sight-singing segment.
| Grades 11-12 | Elective | 2 Semesters | 1 Credit |
| Prerequisites: | Music Theory I | ||
Class Guitar
This course offers group instruction in which the student will learn to read musical notation and how to play basic guitar chords, arpeggios, and some familiar folk songs. At the conslusion of this course the student should be able to perform basic melodic and chordal music on the guitar. (Each student must have an acoustical guitar.)
| Grades 10-12 | Elective | 2 Semesters | 1 Credit |
| Prerequisites: | None | ||
- Music Control -
Now Playing - "Blue Shades" as performed during the 2008 Spring Concert.