Emerald Brigade
Hover over picture for more info
Scroll Down for FAQ
Information for new members
Joining the Band program at Granite Bay is a decision you shouldn't take lightly. However, if you do choose to be part of our team you are in for an incredible experience. Here's what you can look forward to:
Learning about music and being a great performer
Making life long friends
Being part of a hard working team of champions
Learning
The band program at GBHS is of the highest caliber and has earned the distinction as one of the best bands in Northern California . The Marching Band and Color Guard have competed several years with an undefeated NCBA season and have been the WBA CHAMPIONS in our division. The Emerald Brigade consistently earns top scores in all aspects of competition. The Concert Band has performed at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. In addition to performing with the Emerald Brigade, the students are still able to accomplish great things.
GBHS Band students have:
-
Average GPA: 3.77
-
24 people have a GPA over 4.0
-
65 people have a GPA over 3.5
-
56 people reported taking at least one Honors or AP course
-
Of those 56 people, the average number of honors and AP courses taken is 4.88 with a low of one and a high of fifteen.
Cheat Sheet for Freshman Classes
It is sometimes confusing to sign up for classes as a freshman, so here is a little primer.
4x4 block schedule means you schedule 4 classes each semester
8 classes per year
10 classes if you are in band since Marching Band is zero period
When you fill out your class request for your freshman year it should look like this:
Percussion Ensemble OR Wind/Brass Ensemble OR ColorGuard (Fall classes)
English 9 – required, one semester
PE 9 - required, one semester
Health and Safety- required, one semester
Marching Band (zero period Fall)
Band (zero period Spring)
Symphonic Band (Spring freshman year only unless you audition and make jazz band)
Three Classes to fill as you need
-
What Classes Do I sign up for?It depends on what you play. See below: Wind players sign up for Marching Band (Fall) , Wind/Brass (Fall) and Band (Spring) and Symphonic Band (Spring) Percussion sign up for Marching Band (Fall) AND Percussion (Fall) AND Symphonic Band (Spring) Colorguard sign up for Marching Band (Fall) AND Colorguard (Fall and Spring) Marching Band and Band are 0 period classes and do not count towards your required schedule. They are in addition to periods 1-4 in the school day.
-
I can't wake up for Zero PeriodZero period allows band kids to stay in band all year and we get to miss the horrible traffic every morning. Not to mention the amazing sunrise we get to see everyday.
-
You can't do sports and band?We have many students who do sports and band including: Football, Volleyball, golf, swimming, la Crosse, Mtn. Bike team and baseball to name a few. It just takes good time management.
-
You basically can't do anything but band??YAgain NOT TRUE !! With good time management we have students that participate in many other things including: Choir, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, equestrian, engineering, Rock bands, cheerleading, Film and media, Student Government, Church Activities and others
-
Is it really worth it?We truly believe the answer is a resounding YES!!! You will learn time management, work towards goals and emphasize the value of hard work. In our band program you will get a great music education, but you will gain life skills that will stay with you far after high school.
-
If I ask any band kid what they like most, what are they going to say?"Spending time with your friends....and of course the food.
-
I'm doing IB so that means I can't do band right?WRONG !! Band kids take IB classes but just don't get a full IB diploma. The band students have found that many colleges would rather see AP classes so they mix and take AP as well as IB classes.
-
It's too hard, I can't do it."We believe in the value of hard work and some things in life are hard. It is something we teach that you should never doubt you can do something if you haven't even tried it.
-
What is colorguard and why should I do it?Colorguard is basically a dance class with equipment. You learn dance and movement techniques with choreography and spin a flag, rifle or sabre. Because the dance classes at GBHS are so huge and impacted, most guard members enjoy having a smaller class to lear better.
-
I still have questionsPlease contact Mrs. Lewis at Granite Bay High School for more info. LLewis@rjuhsd.us
