MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION 

One Band Program - So Many Opportunities

To visit the video archive, click here:

POPE GUARD

The Guard program is a part of the Pope Band program and consists of 3 groups:
  • Color Guard
  • Winter Guard
  • Spin Club
Color Guard uses props, along with movement, to express dynamic passages in the music accompanying the marching band show.

Winter Guard, is similar to Color Guard but is performed indoors, usually in a gymnasium or an indoor arena.  Performances make use of recorded music rather than a live marching band.

Spin Club is a program that introduces middle school aged students to the art of color guard.  They typically perform on 8th grade night and have a team of their own during Winter Guard.

View the video below to get a taste of what the sport is all about:
For more information on our Guard program click here:

How does Pope HS Band work?

Our program is broken up into three main sections:
  • Concert
  • Marching
  • Ensembles

Concert Band is a class that meets daily.  Students receive a grade for participation and perform in roughly 5-6 concerts per year. There are three bands, Concert, Symphony and Wind Symphony.  Placement is by audition.  Rising freshmen will be placed in Concert band and audition for 2nd semester placement.

Marching Band is an extra curricular activity  (like a sport or club).  Marching band has two possible levels of participation:
  • Competition Marching Band
  • Friday Night Marching Band

Competition Band has summer rehearsal, a week long summer camp and regular practices 3 days a week.  This group performs at football games on Friday nights, parades and  about 3 competitions each fall.

Friday Night Marching Band attends an abbreviated portions of summer camp, practices on friday night prior to the football games, performs at the football game and have the option of participating in parades and community performances.  They do not compete.

Ensembles are smaller performance groups the meet to rehearse 1 or 2 times a week and perform at various times throughout the year. Examples of these ensembles are jazz band, percussion ensemble, brass ensemble, clarinet choir, trombone quartet and many more.  These groups typically form after marching season.


For additional information and expanded explanations visit the "How Does High School Band Work?" page by clicking on the link below:
Musicians do better at everything.  Okay, maybe not everything, but the benefits of music education are well-documented.  Being in band gives your teen everything from a leg up on the SAT's to a decreased chance of using drugs.   
More colleges and universities are requiring a Fine Arts credit for admission.  But how do they fit it all in?  By clicking on the link below you can see a sample 4 year schedule that includes band.

Do you have questions about the Pope Band Program?

If you have any questions about anything related to the Pope Band Program, please do not hesitate to contact the band directors or our PBPA Co-Presidents.
Gary Gribble, Band Director
Joshua Rudolph, Associate Director
Karen Anderson, PBPA Co-President
Kathy Wood, PBPA Co-President

Pope Conservatory Can Help You Be Your Best

Are you looking for a private teacher to help you get to that next level of musicianship?  The Pope Conservatory has some of the best teachers in the area just waiting to help you reach your goals.  Simply fill out the request found on the "Conservatory" page for additional information and an instructor will contact you to answer your questions and give you scheduling options.  Click the link below to be directed to the "Conservatory" page.