OBHS Instrumental Ensembles
Marching Band
The Berlin Bears Marching Band is the largest and most visible ensemble in the band program. We are a high-energy, high-stepping, show-style band. We perform at every Berlin Football Friday Night, various non-competitive band festivals throughout the state, as well as several parades and other events in the central Ohio area. Our annual "Under The Lights!" indoor performance is a one-of-a-kind show at the end of each marching band season.
Symphonic Band & Concert Band
These ensembles perform multiple concerts each school year and are open to any OBHS student. An audition at the end of the first semester will determine a student's placement in either ensemble. Symphonic Band performs the most challenging concert repertoire and has earned Superior Ratings at OMEA Large Group events. Concert Band focuses more on developing musicians while still preparing and performing challenging pieces throughout the year.
Jazz Band
Berlin's Jazz Band performs at multiple concerts and events throughout the school year. This group plays many different styles from classic swing to latin to rock, pop, and funk. Jazz Band is a small ensemble consisting generally of typical "big band" instrumentation: Saxophones, Trumpets, Trombones, Guitar, Bass, Drums, and Piano. Other instruments are able to be added on an individual basis. Students will be expected to perform solos or in small combos throughout the year.
The Berlin Bears Marching Band is the largest and most visible ensemble in the band program. We are a high-energy, high-stepping, show-style band. We perform at every Berlin Football Friday Night, various non-competitive band festivals throughout the state, as well as several parades and other events in the central Ohio area. Our annual "Under The Lights!" indoor performance is a one-of-a-kind show at the end of each marching band season.
Symphonic Band & Concert Band
These ensembles perform multiple concerts each school year and are open to any OBHS student. An audition at the end of the first semester will determine a student's placement in either ensemble. Symphonic Band performs the most challenging concert repertoire and has earned Superior Ratings at OMEA Large Group events. Concert Band focuses more on developing musicians while still preparing and performing challenging pieces throughout the year.
Jazz Band
Berlin's Jazz Band performs at multiple concerts and events throughout the school year. This group plays many different styles from classic swing to latin to rock, pop, and funk. Jazz Band is a small ensemble consisting generally of typical "big band" instrumentation: Saxophones, Trumpets, Trombones, Guitar, Bass, Drums, and Piano. Other instruments are able to be added on an individual basis. Students will be expected to perform solos or in small combos throughout the year.
Non-Performing Music Courses
AP Music Theory
This class is designed to prepare future college musicians and to challenge any student interested in expanding their knowledge of how music is composed and analyzed. This course requires either a pre-requisite of Intro to Music Theory or approval from an ensemble director. This fast-paced course explores 2-4 part writing, chord construction, analyzing full scores, musical dictation, and sight singing, among many other topics. This course is a full year course.
Intro to Music Theory
This class is designed to give beginning performers or non-performers the skills to be music literate. We explore basic pitch identification, rhythms, dynamics, articulations, and other basic music ingredients. We also explore different scales, key signatures, and basic chord construction. This course is a semester course.
Music Appreciation
Designed for students who wish to learn about different musical genres and styles, this course explores the evolution of modern music from its classical beginnings. A brief overview of music history and a more in-depth look at the relationships between styles of popular music highlight this course. We discuss all forms of musical styles from 1920's Jazz to Rock & Roll in the 50s & 60s to the beginnings of Hip Hop in the 80s & 90s. This course is a semester course.
This class is designed to prepare future college musicians and to challenge any student interested in expanding their knowledge of how music is composed and analyzed. This course requires either a pre-requisite of Intro to Music Theory or approval from an ensemble director. This fast-paced course explores 2-4 part writing, chord construction, analyzing full scores, musical dictation, and sight singing, among many other topics. This course is a full year course.
Intro to Music Theory
This class is designed to give beginning performers or non-performers the skills to be music literate. We explore basic pitch identification, rhythms, dynamics, articulations, and other basic music ingredients. We also explore different scales, key signatures, and basic chord construction. This course is a semester course.
Music Appreciation
Designed for students who wish to learn about different musical genres and styles, this course explores the evolution of modern music from its classical beginnings. A brief overview of music history and a more in-depth look at the relationships between styles of popular music highlight this course. We discuss all forms of musical styles from 1920's Jazz to Rock & Roll in the 50s & 60s to the beginnings of Hip Hop in the 80s & 90s. This course is a semester course.