Concert Bands
Wind Ensemble – comprised of students in grades 10-12. This is the premier ensemble, with the top musicians of each instrument participating in this group. This ensemble goes Group 1 as ISSMA Concert State Qualifiers and received a “with Distinction” recognition in Spring of 2023.
Symphonic Band – comprised of students in grades 10-12. This is our second 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 onto the Wind Ensemble.
Concert Band – comprised of primarily 9th grade students. This class is separated during the school day into 2 classes: Brass/Percussion, and Woodwinds. This gives students the opportunity to start the transition to High School Band being in a class that is comprised 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 the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band.
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 received a Gold rating with distinction in Spring of 2023. This group was also invited to perform at the IMEA Conference in Fort Wayne in January of 2024.
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, 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. This past year, our Winter Guard went into Scholastic Open class and was recognized in the Top 10 in the State! For more information, contact Tim Patton at dpatton@perryschools.org.
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. This past year, our Winter Percussion received the Bronze medal in IPA and competed in Scholastic A Class at WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. 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.