Every Student Finds Their Stage

SYMPHONIC BAND

The Symphonic Band calls upon the most complex musical training. We are devoted to providing concepts that allow our students to become artists and in turn become responsible for their own learning and artistic discovery. This premier concert ensemble focuses on advanced classical and contemporary wind band literature.

CONCERT BAND

Students in the Concert Band meet during the school day throughout the spring semester. This ensemble focuses on developing core musicianship, technical proficiency, and ensemble skills while performing a wide variety of engaging concert band literature.

Marching Patriots

The Marching Patriots are the most visible ensemble of our organization. Whether they are performing at Pep Rallies, Football Games, and Parades our marching band is the proud ambassador of the Crystal Coast and West Carteret High School. This performance ensemble provides a “society” and “family” to which all band students can belong. It is a place where they learn values and standards, where they can learn to depend on one another in their pursuit of excellence. They frequently acquire a stronger base for their adult life than any other avenue open to them.

JAZZ ENSEMBLE & JAZZ BAND

There are two Jazz Bands at WCHS. These groups rehearse voluntarily during the 2nd semester, before or after school – depending on the ensemble. Students involved with the jazz program perform at both school concerts and often throughout the community at civic events, exploring swing, latin, funk, and modern jazz styles.

Winterguard

The Color Guard, or “Auxiliary”, combine dance, artistry, and performance – with the manipulation of flags, sabers, and rifles. Color Guard is one of the most popular activities in the high school curriculum. This outstanding performing group is an intricate part of the fall season Marching Band program. In the winter and spring seasons, students perform in a number of official Winter Guard appearances and dance recitals. The Winter Guard often travels to venues across the state and region in pageantry theater competitions incorporating a wide range of visual performance arts and choreography.

Indoor Percussion

The members of this ensemble have the opportunity to explore numerous percussive instruments and various styles, techniques and performance venues. Students who make up the Percussion Ensemble are a vital element of the Percussion Ensembles, Marching Band, Concert Band and Indoor Percussion programs.

Students in the Percussion Ensemble study under the direction of dedicated percussion instructors. The West Carteret program is privileged to have a variety of traditional and nontraditional percussion and mallet instruments on which the students learn and perform. From marimbas to timpani, to vibraphones and marching drums this ensemble enables our percussionists to become well-rounded musicians through a wide variety of performance venues.

Middle School Feeder Programs

Building the foundation for future Patriots in our local middle school band programs. These programs introduce students to the fundamentals of music, instrument care, and ensemble performance, ensuring a strong transition into the high school bands. We work closely with our middle school directors to foster a love for music early on.