Concert

Throughout the district band instruction begins in sixth grade at each of the elementary schools meeting twice per week in heterogeneous groupings. Directors team teach and are woodwind, brass or percussion specialists and are paired accordingly. Approximately 730 new students join the instrumental program each year at the elementary level.

At each junior high two directors team teach two or three 7th and two 8th grade bands. A 7th and 8th grade jazz band are offered each semester through audition. All groups meet five days per week at each school. There are two freshman concert bands and two jazz ensembles for Lakota East.

In the fall of 1997 Lakota East high school opened its door and had one 87 member class B concert band, a 96 member marching band and after school jazz band. The director of bands was Mr. William Thomas, the assistant director was Mr. Robert Tanis.

Today Lakota East (10th-12th grades) has three year-round concert bands (Symphonic Winds – Class AA, Symphonic Band – Class A, and Concert Band – Class B), three year-round jazz bands, and a 200+ member Marching Band. Concert and Jazz bands meet daily the entire school year.

At the high school level students audition and are placed into one of the three concert bands based on their ability and musical maturity. All high school bands have consistently received superior ratings at both OMEA District and State events. The Marching Band is a co-curricular class which is voluntary and meets three days per week after school in the fall.

Each summer our instrumental staff offers a week long day-camp for band students in 6th-8th grades. Students participate in full band rehearsals, sectionals, and private/small group lessons. Camp is concluded with a concert directed by the high school directors.

We pride ourselves at Lakota for offering a wide range of quality instrumental experiences with the concert program being the foundation of our instrumental program. District-wide we have approximately 2,500+ students actively involved in our instrumental program in grades 6-12. Our mission is for every student to enjoy, appreciate and perform music to the best of their abilities and to realize that playing a musical instrument can last a lifetime.

OMEA District 13 Honor Band

Lakota East band members audition to participate in the OMEA District 13 Honor Bands. We encourage and recommend each student experience the process of preparing and auditioning for the OMEA Honor Bands.