Our Ensembles
Concert Band
Concert Band is the entry-level ensemble of the Villa Rica Band Program. The ensemble is comprised of mostly freshmen; however, enrollment is not limited to freshmen. This ensemble groups students homogeneously by instrument, allowing for a more intensive progression of skills. The focus of the Concert Band is on individual fundamentals and strengthening ensemble performance skills. Through improvement, most students will progress to the next tier ensemble in the program.
Concert Band students will perform at least two or three concerts during the school year and participate in the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) event. Participation in this ensemble fulfills the prerequisites for participation in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities such as marching band, jazz band, and percussion ensemble.
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band features the most advanced musicians in the Villa Rica band program. The Symphonic Band is comprised of mostly 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. The Wind Ensemble performs the finest wind band literature while maintaining the progression and extension of technical prowess.
Symphonic Band will perform at least four concerts during the school year including GMEA LGPE event. Participation in this ensemble fulfills the prerequisites for participation in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities such as marching band, jazz band, and percussion ensemble.
Jazz Band
The Jazz Band is an auditioned ensemble that performs at least three of four times during the school year. This ensemble provides a rich opportunity for students to explore the jazz, funk, rock, and blues idioms. Jazz band rehearsals begin in November and continue throughout the spring semester. The VRHS Jazz Band also participates in the GMEA-sanctioned Jazz Performance Evaluation.
Don't miss our Annual Jazz Dessert Concert in the sping!
Marching Band
Marching Band is the most visible ensemble within the VRHS Band Program. The VRHS Marching Band is well-known for developing and performing contemporary show concepts. This ensemble has a long history of earning superior and excellent ratings in all performance captions. The marching band is competitive and participates in mostly GMEA-sanctioned contests at least twice annually. Other performance opportunities include half-time shows, local parades, and pep rallies.
Color Guard (Fall)
Colorguard members enhance the overall visual performance and effect for the marching band. Members of this ensemble utilize contemporary guard equipment (flags, rifles, sabers), modern dance, acting skills, and a wide variety of props. Colorguard ensemble is an auditioned based component of the band program.
Winter Guard (Winter)
The Villa Rica High School Winterguard has a strong dedication to excellence. Winterguard is an auditioned based component of the band program.
This ensemble had a fresh start in 2019 competing in Novice at the beginning of the season. With hard work and determination, they rose from the bottom of the class to second place, then first, and followed with a promotion to Scholastic Regional A in which they competed at the SAPA Championships.
Winterguard is an indoor performance ensemble that utilizes contemporary guard equipment (flags, rifles, sabers), modern dance, acting skills, and a wide variety of props. Unlike traditional colorguard, the winterguard performs in gymnasiums or arenas. This ensemble performs with a recorded music track rather than a live ensemble.
The VRHS Winterguard ensemble participates in the Southern Association for Performing Arts (SAPA) and the Winterguard International (WGI) competition circuits. These local, regional, and international competitions are adjudicated by reputable individuals using criteria developed by WGI and SAPA. The competitive season begins in January and culminates with circuit championships in April. Training and development begins as early as November of each year.
Chamber Ensembles
Individual musical development is an integral component of our band program. In addition to large ensembles, we offer a wide variety of chamber ensembles for students to develop and enhance individual skills. These ensembles include, but are not limited to the following:
Flute Choir
Clarinet Choir
Saxophone Quartet
Saxophone Sextet
Trumpet Choir
Brass Choir
Brass Quintet
Percussion Ensemble