About Us

ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY

Lancaster, Ohio, with a population of approximately 40,000, is located on US 33, twenty-five miles southeast of Columbus. The Lancaster City School District has a total enrollment of nearly 6,000 in grades K-12, with 400 students participating in the instrumental music program in grades 6-12. The district is comprised of five elementary schools, two junior high schools, and one high school.

ABOUT THE LANCASTER BAND PROGRAM

ORIGINS

The Lancaster band program dates back to September 17, 1921, when a group of twenty-five Lancaster High School students formed a marching band to perform at the Lancaster-Logan football game. Since that time, the band program has been an integral part of our school and community.

BEGINNING BAND

Elementary students have the opportunity to learn about, try, and select an instrument in the spring of their fifth grade year.

Instrumental music instruction begins in sixth grade, with daily band classes taught by one percussion, one woodwind, and one brass specialist.

SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE

At the junior high level, students participate in bands upon grade level.

The seventh and eighth grade bands meet daily, typically as a full ensemble. These bands perform several times a year, including a holiday concert and a spring concert. Students also have the option of participating in an annual solo and ensemble adjudicated event.

HIGH SCHOOL BANDS

At Lancaster High School, over 120 students in grades 9-12 participate in a variety of performing groups. Freshman Band, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band form the core of the high school band program. All ninth grade band members participate in Freshman Band, where students work with all of the directors regularly. Students in grades 10-12 are placed in one of the other two bands, by skill level.

Lancaster High School’s Marching Band, the Band of Gold, is a valuable part of our students’ instrumental music experience. The Band of Gold has had a long tradition of success in the state of Ohio, including participation in OMEA State Marching Band Finals every year since 1981.

In addition to curricular offerings, there are a variety of extracurricular groups offered to students who wish to further their skills, including Percussion Ensemble, Swinging Gales, Pep Band, a variety of chamber ensembles, and Winter Guard.

The goal of the Lancaster high school band program is to prepare students for life-long participation in music. To accomplish this goal, great emphasis is placed on understanding and appreciating quality music, developing a great work ethic, becoming independent musicians, and strengthening leadership skills.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

The Lancaster band program has a prominent and irreplaceable role in our city. Throughout the year, the band gives back to our community by performing at parades, athletic games, and community events.