Concert Bands
Chamber Winds – comprised of students in grades 10-12. This is the premier ensemble, with the most advanced PMHS musicians of each instrument participating in this group. This ensemble covers a wide range of wind band, chamber, orchestral, and world music repertoire throughout the year. This ensemble typically performs advanced high school/collegiate level music of grade 4-5 in difficulty.
Wind Ensemble – comprised of students in grades 9-12. This is our second advanced ensemble, welcoming musicians of each instrument to this group. This ensemble typically performs advanced high school concert band repertoire of grade 3.5-4 in difficulty. Incoming 9th graders have the opportunity to audition into this ensemble before their Freshman year.
Symphonic Band – comprised of students in grades 9-12. This is our third skill-based ensemble that features students who are still continuing to grow as a musician or for students who enjoy playing their instrument but may not be ready to move into an advanced band. This ensemble typically performs standard high school concert band repertoire of 2.5-3 in difficulty. Incoming 9th graders have the opportunity to audition into this ensemble before their Freshman year.
Concert Winds – Non-auditioned band comprised of 9th grade students and those who might be new to the band experience. This helps to give students the opportunity to start the transition to High School Band being in a class that is made up of fellow freshmen to make the transition from Middle School as easy as possible.
Percussion Ensemble – comprised of students in grades 10-12. This ensemble has 2 responsibilities: Performing as its own ensemble that performs specific percussion repertoire to push towards individual percussionist progress, and covering the percussion parts for Chamber Winds and Wind Ensemble.
Jazz Bands
Meridian Street Blues – comprised of students in grades 10-12. This is our curricular Jazz Ensemble that meets during the school day. This is the premier jazz ensemble at Perry Meridian and has received multiple Gold ratings with distinction at ISSMA Jazz Contest. This group also performed at the IMEA Conference in Fort Wayne in October 1982 and January of 2024.
Falcon Jazz Collective – comprised of students in grades 9-12. This is our second curricular Jazz Ensemble that meets during the school day. This group was established in the Fall of 2024 and performs at Jazz Festivals across the state and all Perry Meridian Band Jazz Ensemble performances.
Jazz Labs – open to students of all grades. This is an extracurricular ensemble that meets after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from November to May. This ensemble is comprised of students of any primary instrument who are interested in learning and playing jazz music, as well as students who are interested in learning a secondary jazz instrument for their own education or to eventually join the Meridian Street Blues. There is no cost to this ensemble.
Extracurricular Ensembles
Marching Falcons – open to students of all grades. The Marching Band performs at all home football games, various area parades & contests, college band days, Mid-States contests, Bands of America events, and ISSMA marching events. All events are considered performances and are an expectation for continued participation in the ensemble. Members of the Marching Band are required to be registered for band class. If there is a scheduling conflict, please see Mr. Richardson. Attendance is mandatory at all rehearsals and performances.
Winter Guard – open to students of all grades. This is an extension of our Marching Band Color Guard that meets and performs from November to March each year. Students will perform in gymnasiums across the state to compete against groups from all over.
Indoor Percussion – open to students of all grades. This is an extension of our marching band drumline and front ensemble that meets and performs from November to April each year. Students will perform in gymnasiums across the state and country to compete against group from all around the country. For more information, contact Hunter Wheatcraft at hwheatcraft@perryschools.org.
Pep Band – The “Falcon” Pep Band performs at 10 basketball games per year (5 boys, 5 girls) as well as pep rallies and other events. Marching & Pep Band participation is an important part of the Perry Meridian Band curriculum and fulfills a vital community role for the band program. Members of the Pep Band are required to be registered for band class. If there is a scheduling conflict, please see Mr. Richardson. Attendance is mandatory at all rehearsals and performances.
Pit Orchestra – open to students of all grades. Students apply each year for a position in this ensemble, and students are selected on a need basis, in regards to the instrumentation needed for the specific musical. For more information, contact Christina Crawford at ccrawford@perryschools.org.
Saxophone Ensemble – This ensemble was established in the Fall of 2022 and is an invitation-based ensemble for students who play the saxophone. This ensemble, and all small ensembles that stem from this group, perform at ISSMA Solo and Ensemble, of which the full ensemble and both quartet sub-ensembles received a Gold Rating.