About Us
The Calico Rock Pirate Band is a growing program, spanning grades 6-12 with three ensemble groups. The Advanced Band participates in many activities throughout the year, including Pirate Pep Band, All-Region, Concert Assessment, Region Solo & Ensemble, State Solo & Ensemble, ASU Mid-South Honor Band, and ASBA All-Star Band. The band stays involved in the community by participating in events such as Living Windows and Tour D’ Art, as well as trips to surrounding universities such as the University of Central Arkansas and Arkansas State University. The band recently had three participants in the All-Region Band, two participants in the ASU Mid-South Honor Band, two participants in the ASBA All-Star Band, one participant at State Solo & Ensemble, and received an overall Superior rating at Concert Assessment. We’re looking forward to increasing these numbers as our overall program grows!
Ensembles
ElementaryElementary Beginning Band is for 6th grade students. Beginning Band currently takes place after 6th grade specials during recess/basketball time. Beginning Band members extend their basic music skills by learning to read and apply time signatures, key signatures, rhythmic values, pitches, and musical elements. The Beginning Band participates in the Christmas and spring concerts, as well as Solo & Ensemble in the spring. Any 6th grade student can join beginning band as long as they have tested on an instrument by the end of their 5th grade year or within the first full week of school their 6th grade year.
See the resources tab for a full calendar and list of events. |
IntermediateIntermediate Band, a class for second year band students, is designed to bridge the gap between a 20 minute beginning band class to a full 45 minute advanced band class with mixed grade levels. Students advance their musical skills by learning more complex rhythms and techniques, as well as extending their range as they prepare to enter the advanced band. Intermediate Band students also have the opportunity to earn a spot in the Pirate Pep Band by passing off six selected scales and four selected pep band tunes.
Intermediate Band students currently participate in the Christmas and spring concerts as well as Solo & Ensemble. A new Intermediate Band Handbook is under construction. |
AdvancedAdvanced Band is for 8-12th grade students who have met the requirements of Intermediate Band. The Advanced Band performs four concerts a year - Fall, Christmas, Spring, and End of the Year. Each concert is unique as they all feature different types of repertoire. Students also participate in the Pirate Pep Band during the fall basketball season and region concert assessment in the spring. Advanced Band members are required to take weekly private lessons with the director.
Scroll down to see all of the events the Advanced Band participates in throughout the year. See the resources tab for a full calendar and list of events. |
Activities
Pirate Pep Band
The Advanced Band will perform at all home basketball games played by the senior teams. Students will be asked to arrive approximately 30 minutes before the senior games start and will stay until the last game is over. Students will have 3rd quarter off.
Pep-Rallies
These take place during the school day and will be announced throughout the year. Students will wear their band shirt.
Concession Stand
Coach Whiteaker will allow the band to work the athletic concession stand for approximately 4 games. The band profits from these nights; therefore, students are required to work during these games. Students will sign-up for shifts/games when we have the dates.
All-Region
Students in grades 8-12 will prepare audition music for All-Region. Students who are fully prepared will be required to audition by the discretion of the director.
Living Windows
During the Christmas season, a small ensemble chosen by the director will perform Christmas carols downtown during Calico Rock’s Living Windows.
Concerts
We will have four concerts, one at the end of every quarter. Concerts are in the elementary auditorium.
Pre-Assessment
We will participate in Pre-Assessment at Southside High School in Batesville in preparation for Concert Assessment. During the pre-assessment clinic, we will receive ratings for our performance and work with a clinician on both our concert repertoire and sight-reading skills.
Concert Assessment
Concert Assessment is an individual band competition. Each band in our region has the opportunity to perform three selections for a panel of judges which consist of current and retired musicians and directors. The judges provide constructive feedback and rate the band on its performance. These comments and ratings are an important assessment of our band’s growth. The band will most likely have the opportunity to participate in a Pre-Assessment clinic to help us prepare.
Region Solo & Ensemble
Solo & Ensemble is an individual competition that provides an opportunity for students to showcase their skills through the performance of a solo or by playing in a small ensemble. Students are graded on their performance and receive medals. All students will participate.
State Solo & Ensemble
Students at the senior high level (10-12) may compete at the state level for Solo and Ensemble. In order to qualify, the student must prepare a solo from the state list and receive a 1-Superior rating at the region level.
ASBA All-Star Honor Band
This clinic is hosted by the Arkansas Small Band Association and is a one day clinic similar to the All-Region experience. This clinic is more accessible to small schools because the audition material is a cut version of the all-region material and placed later in the school year. Senior High (10-12) only.
ASU Mid-South Honor Band
This one day clinic is a similar experience to All-Region. Instead of auditioning for a spot in the band, student names are submitted by directors and then chosen based on their character and accomplishments. All students (7-12) are eligible.
Band Camp
Band Camp does not take place until summer, but it is never too early to start saving up! Here are two of Arkansas’ best band camps:
The Advanced Band will perform at all home basketball games played by the senior teams. Students will be asked to arrive approximately 30 minutes before the senior games start and will stay until the last game is over. Students will have 3rd quarter off.
Pep-Rallies
These take place during the school day and will be announced throughout the year. Students will wear their band shirt.
Concession Stand
Coach Whiteaker will allow the band to work the athletic concession stand for approximately 4 games. The band profits from these nights; therefore, students are required to work during these games. Students will sign-up for shifts/games when we have the dates.
All-Region
Students in grades 8-12 will prepare audition music for All-Region. Students who are fully prepared will be required to audition by the discretion of the director.
Living Windows
During the Christmas season, a small ensemble chosen by the director will perform Christmas carols downtown during Calico Rock’s Living Windows.
Concerts
We will have four concerts, one at the end of every quarter. Concerts are in the elementary auditorium.
Pre-Assessment
We will participate in Pre-Assessment at Southside High School in Batesville in preparation for Concert Assessment. During the pre-assessment clinic, we will receive ratings for our performance and work with a clinician on both our concert repertoire and sight-reading skills.
Concert Assessment
Concert Assessment is an individual band competition. Each band in our region has the opportunity to perform three selections for a panel of judges which consist of current and retired musicians and directors. The judges provide constructive feedback and rate the band on its performance. These comments and ratings are an important assessment of our band’s growth. The band will most likely have the opportunity to participate in a Pre-Assessment clinic to help us prepare.
Region Solo & Ensemble
Solo & Ensemble is an individual competition that provides an opportunity for students to showcase their skills through the performance of a solo or by playing in a small ensemble. Students are graded on their performance and receive medals. All students will participate.
State Solo & Ensemble
Students at the senior high level (10-12) may compete at the state level for Solo and Ensemble. In order to qualify, the student must prepare a solo from the state list and receive a 1-Superior rating at the region level.
ASBA All-Star Honor Band
This clinic is hosted by the Arkansas Small Band Association and is a one day clinic similar to the All-Region experience. This clinic is more accessible to small schools because the audition material is a cut version of the all-region material and placed later in the school year. Senior High (10-12) only.
ASU Mid-South Honor Band
This one day clinic is a similar experience to All-Region. Instead of auditioning for a spot in the band, student names are submitted by directors and then chosen based on their character and accomplishments. All students (7-12) are eligible.
Band Camp
Band Camp does not take place until summer, but it is never too early to start saving up! Here are two of Arkansas’ best band camps:
- Dixie Band Camp at UCA: http://www.dixiebandcamp.net/History.html
- Tech Band Camp in Russellville: https://www.atu.edu/bands/bandcamp/