Focus

The focus of the Normal West Band program is to enhance each student’s musical experience. The program begins each year with the placement of students in one of four concert bands. However, in and effort to expose students to a wide variety of experiences, the Normal West program encourages participation in “extra” performing groups, such as:

• Marching Band
• Jazz Band
• Percussion Ensemble
• Indoor Drumline
• Pep Band
• Orchestra Winds
• Musical Pit Orchestra
• Brass Choir
• Flute Choir
• Clarinet Choir

All of these “extra” performing groups meet outside of the regular school day.

“Musical activities provide children with important experiences that can help them develop physical coordination, timing, memory, visual, oral, and language skills. When they work to increase their command of music and exercise musical skills in the company of others, they gain important experience with self-paced learning, mental concentration and a heightened personal and social awareness.”

Frank R. Wilson, M.D.; Associate Clinical Professor of Neurology - University of California School of Medicine in San Francisco; AMC 1998 Publication "Music and Your Child."