The primary goal of the Ooltewah High School Band is to foster the development of a life-long relationship with music in every student, regardless of whether the student pursues a career in music, becomes a lawyer or a doctor who continues to perform in a community band, or simply remains a music fan throughout their life. Through performing, teambuilding, fellowship, and leadership, we aim to cultivate a lifelong love of the sublime art of music. We are not in the music business; we are in the people business. In addition to our musical goals, we aim to develop our students’ interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.
In band, there is no bench. There are no second-string players. All members are vital to the program’s success. Each student – from the drum major down to the last-chair player – plays an important role in the quality of the band and the experiences it provides. We provide and encourage positive interactions and personal growth through the art of music. The journey towards accomplishing these goals is challenging, but it is also extremely rewarding. Only through the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in the band can true excellence be achieved. Every student is different, with varying levels of individual playing ability, musical sensibilities, formative experiences, and leadership skills. Students must maintain helpful decorum and a positive attitude as we work together toward personal growth, skill development, and performance readiness. Students will be evaluated on the basis of progress from their own starting point.
During the fall season, our nationally recognized marching band is extremely active. Performances for the marching band include home and away football games and exhibitions as well as participating in nationally televised events that have millions of viewers. In 2013, we were honored to be marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for our 2nd time.
The Ooltewah High School Symphony Band is the cornerstone activity for our entire program. The Symphony Bands will perform at regional and state events during the winter and spring term. Also, during these terms, individual band members are provided opportunities to participate in state, regional, and collegiate honor bands to showcase their individual achievement. The Ooltewah High School Band enjoys a national reputation for musical excellence. The Ooltewah Band consistently receives Superior ratings in all facets of the band activity including Concert, Marching, and Solo/Ensemble contests and festivals. The awards received at contests/festivals are too numerous to individually list. However, the most prestigious marching band awards are those received at the Bands of America events.
