Ensembles
In-School Ensembles
Beginning Band
Cadet Band
(BND710-31)
This class is for beginning band members who have never played an instrument before. Students will have the opportunity to learn one of the following band instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, or tuba. There are no prerequisites for beginning band. Students are encouraged to take private lessons and practice daily.
GRADES 7-11
Cadet Band is for students who have 1-2 years of experience playing an instrument. Cadet Band is not an audition-based class. This class begins with Standards of Excellence Book Two and continues into music Gr. 0.5-1.5 as the students’ progress
and mature. Students are encouraged to take private
lessons and practice daily.
GRADES 7-8
Concert Band
(BND110A/B-51 and 720-51)
Symphonic Band
(BND130 A/B-41)
Concert Band focuses on honing skills learned from Beginning Band and Cadet Band. This ensemble plays music Gr. 1.5-3 with a focus on continuing to build ensemble skills. Concert band performs at state festivals on and off campus. Playing music from diverse composers and beginning level classics. Concert Band is not an audition-based class (except for 7th grade). Students are encouraged to take private lessons and practice daily.
GRADES 7-12
Symphonic Band is the premiere wind band on Casteel’s campus. This ensemble performs on and off campus for festivals, touring, and recruiting events. Comprised of the best wind players and percussionists on campus. Performing music of Gr. 3-5, this ensemble strives to play music that is new and cutting edge
as we go deeper into the 21st century as well as classic
wind band literature. Students also can audition into the
Arizona Southwest Regional Band and All-State Band, along
with various Honor Bands. Students are highly encouraged
to take lessons and practice daily.
GRADES 8-12
Intermediate Percussion Ensemble
(BND180 A/B-11)
Advanced Percussion Ensemble
(BND190 A/B- 21)
Intermediate Percussion Ensemble is for students with 1-2 years of percussion playing experience. The group works on ensemble building skills in a chamber percussion setting. Students receive the opportunity to play snare drum, bass drum, timpani, mallet instruments, piano, etc. Performing music Gr. 1-2. Students are encouraged to take lessons and practice daily.
GRADES 7-10
Advanced Percussion Ensemble is for students who play percussion instruments with advanced ability and technique. This class not only continues to play chamber percussion works but also play percussion parts for the Concert Band and Symphonic Band. Students continue to work on their musicianship and percussion playing skills. Students also can audition into the Arizona Southwest Regional Band and All-State Band,
along with various Honor Bands. Students are highly
encouraged to take lessons and practice daily.
GRADES 8-12
After School Ensembles and Clubs
Marching Band and Color Guard
(BND100-1)
The Casteel Colt Marching Band is the most recognized ensemble on campus. Playing at Friday evening football games
followed by Saturday afternoon AzMBA/ABODA/BOA competitions the CCMB is one of the hardest working and involved groups
at Casteel. Marching band can fulfill a students’ HS fine arts credit and a physical education credit requirement. Band camp
typically starts in July before the school year begins. Color guard auditions are held in May before the next season.
GRADES 9-12
Casteel Indoor Percussion Ensemble
Color/Winter Guard
(BND170B-1)
CIPE is the premiere competitive indoor percussion ensemble at Casteel. They start right after marching band and perform all the way until April. Competing against other high schools in Arizona and across the country. This group is for students who want to home in on their marching percussion skills. Out of state travel opportunities are available for CIPE.
CLUB FOR GRADES 7-12
Winter guard is our competitive indoor color guard. Starting after marching band this group competes in the spring semester. While not required, students typically are a part of marching band color guard in the fall and leads into winter guard. Instrumentalists interested in color guard MUST march on their instrument in the fall and can participate in color guard in winter/spring. Out of state travel opportunities are available for winter guard.
GRADES 7-12
Casteel Jazz Band
Casteel Jazz Band is still in its infancy but will focus on all aspects of jazz (big band, swing, Latin, funk, Afro-Cuban, fusion, etc.). Students will be able to also explore
the basics of improvisation and the “gigging” lifestyle. Rhythm trios and combos
are also opportunities within the CJB.
CLUB FOR GRADES 7-12