Instrumental Music

Musical Expression

St. John’s offers a variety of levels and disciplines for instrumental music students who play woodwind, brass, percussion, or strings.

Whether they want to master the trumpet in the Wind Ensemble, learn a second instrument in Concert Band, or play Mozart in the String Orchestra, we help them meet their musical goals.

There are also smaller chamber groups, such as Scarlet and Grey Strings, that provide additional performance options.

For those who wish to explore a less classical style of music, our award-winning jazz program teaches the basics while also allowing more advanced players to excel in our competition group. Students who play piano, guitar, or electric bass are also welcome to join one of the jazz ensembles.

Instrumental Music Scholarships for Incoming Students

$500–$2,000/year for four consecutive years

Music scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate notable achievement in instrumental (woodwind, brass, percussion, and string) music. Scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000 are awarded each year, depending on a student’s audition. Auditions are held in January and may be scheduled online after the application deadline.

band auditions signup

Strings Auditions Signup

Wind Ensemble

Symphonic Band

Concert Band

This ensemble is the third level of band at St. John’s. Students in this band must have a level of playing that is beyond the beginning level but not yet ready for the challenges of the upper performing bands. Students in this band learn to improve their skills in order to be placed in the upper bands the following year. Concert Band students also have the opportunity to try other instruments in the brass class and low woodwinds.

Students practice their woodwind instruments

Beginner Band

Percussion Ensemble

String Ensemble

Beginning Strings

Music Theory and Digital Audio Production

This course is an elective for students who have been in the instrumental or vocal music program for at least two years and plan to study music after graduation. The course teaches the advanced elements of music theory as well as an introduction to producing music in the digital age. Approval from the instructor of their current performance group is required.

History of American Music

Extracurriculars

Competition Jazz Ensemble

This is our highest-level jazz band, and students are admitted by audition only. The group meets on Tuesday evenings.

Swing Band

This group is open to any student interested in performing jazz music. The group meets after school, and students do not need to be in the band program to participate in Swing Band.

Jazz Combo

This group is focused on small group jazz performances and developing improvisation skills. Jazz Combo meets after school.

Jazz Lab

The Jazz Lab meets after school and is designed for students who have no previous jazz experience.

Regimental Band

The Regimental Band is a marching band based on military band protocol. This group of students performs at the Cadet Corps Gonzaga march-on and other parades. Reg Band is comprised of Cadet Corps students who are musicians, volunteer band students who wish to continue in Regimental Band after freshman year, and all band freshmen. Rehearsals are held during homeroom on drill days.

Scarlet and Grey Strings

Composed of a small number of strings players, the group performs at various events both at St. John's and in the DC area.

TRI-M Society

Modern Music Masters (Tri-M) is an international honor society for music students. Members of the band, strings and vocal music programs who exemplify musicianship, leadership and service are invited to be inducted into Tri-M.

Competition Travel

Students in our instrumental and vocal arts programs have the opportunity to travel each year and compete against other high school ensembles, both nationally and internationally. Recent trips include competitions in Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Toronto, Virginia Beach, St. Louis, Chicago, New York, Nashville, New Orleans, and the Bahamas.

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