Recently, the Jonathan Alder High School Band underwent a major change. During marching band season, all band members comprise a single band. Now, however, moving into concert band, they have been split nearly down the middle into two different bands.

    Music for concert bands is rated in difficulty on a scale of one to six, six being the most difficult. Wind Symphony will play music higher in difficulty, while Symphonic Band will play music that leans more towards the middle of the difficulty scale. Band members are able to challenge the person in the ranking directly above them for a chance to claim a higher seat number after the first concert.

    Why do we have two bands? Justin Hennig, the band director for both ensembles, compares the situation to how there are different levels of math and different levels of foreign languages. Hennig said, “Using that logic, two levels of band makes sense. And just because they’re different doesn’t mean it’ll be any less fun or fantastic!”

    Both bands will have their concerts on the same days, just at different times. This will only improve Jonathan Alder’s concert bands for years to come!