Band Program

On this page you'll find information about the Stanwood High School Concert Wind Bands, Percussion Studio, Jazz Big Band, and Spartan Athletic Bands.

Make sure to check the Calendar of Events for performances and key dates. Information, links, and resources on each ensemble appears below.

Band Policy Packet & Syllabi

• Band Policy Packet & Syllabus
• Wind Bands Syllabus
• Percussion Syllabus
• Jazz Syllabus 

Ensembles

Symphonic Band

The Symphonic Band is the upperclassman band open to all in grades 10-12, with high expectations for musicianship. This group performs for Q1 athletic band for football, the three main concert cycles, competes at MPMEA Festival, and graduation performance cycle each year. Symphonic Band currently serves as the elite wind band at SHS while a future auditioned Wind Ensemble is being explored.

Concert Band

Concert Band is the dedicated freshman ensemble, focusing on a successful transition into the Spartan Band Program. Students perform in Q1 athletic band for football, the three main concert cycles, and graduation performance cycle each year. Students may progress to Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble based on their development, instrumentation needs, and the audition process.

Percussion Studio

The Percussion Studio is a comprehensive lab-style course for all percussionists in 9-12th grades. All percussion performing groups and percussion parts for other ensembles are sourced from this group of musicians. We study all major percussion instrument families (Snare, Mallets, Timpani, and Auxiliary Percussion) and perform in multiple styles and sizes of ensemble (athletic percussion, concert band percussion, large-small mixed percussion ensembles and solo performance). Performances for this group include Q1 athletic band for football, the three main concert cycles, and graduation performance cycle each year. We attend Festivals as part of other ensembles and our own Percussion Festival.

Jazz Band

The Spartan Marching Band performs at game day activities for the fall football season. All Stanwood HS Band students perform as part of the game day performances. These performances include: The Spartan Band Pregame Show, in-game band shout outs and songs, and some halftime entertainment when the field show is not performed. All Stanwood band students start the year at a short (2 day) band camp in August to prepare for these general game day performances.

Students may register in spring to participate in the "drum corps style" Field Show each year to be performed at games. This is a powerful artistic showpiece for the band featuring dance, drill, music, props, and theatre elements. This group will attend camp for a longer timeframe in August (2 weeks) and have 2 rehearsals per week through marching season to prepare this show for performance at games and competitions.

Regular season football band typically runs until the end of October or early November. Post season appearances may be arranged, if the Spartans qualify.

Pep Bands (Basketball)

During basketball season, students perform with the Spartan Pep Band. Selected games are required performances and others are on a volunteer basis. Students will be sorted into one of multiple bands for assignment of specific games for basketball season. Typically we will have different game assignments for the Red Band and the Grey Band in order to cover a larger segment of the basketball season. Playoff appearances may be added and it is generally a select group of those who have attended the most games in the regular season that are selected for the basketball travel band for playoffs.

Solo Performance and Chamber Groups

Students are offered regular opportunities in class to explore accompanied solos or chamber ensemble repertoire to expand their musicianship skills. All students are encouraged (not required) to register for the MPMEA Solo & Ensemble Festival (February). At this event, students may qualify for the State Solo & Ensemble Festival (April). Stanwood is developing a tradition of sending students to compete at this prestigious event.

Additional opportunities include ad-hoc chamber groups based on student interest and leadership,  and All-State honor bands (auditions typically Sept–Oct).

Wind Ensemble (to be auditioned for 2026-27 Performance Season)

The Wind Ensemble is the elite auditioned wind band of the program, drawing members by audition from grades 10-12. This group performs with the highest expectations for musicianship and leadership of the program. The Wind Ensemble performs in the Q1 athletic band for football, the three main concert cycles, and graduation performance cycle each year. Wind Ensemble members are expected to contribute leadership in all seasons of band performance and are encouraged to take private lessons on their instrument(s).

Expectations

Philosophy & Purpose of Rehearsal

The Spartan Band Program is designed to challenge and develop musical skills. Rehearsal is a musical end in itself — concerts are a byproduct of strong rehearsal. We explore new concepts and composers’ intent while developing ensemble skills.

Student Expectations of the Conductor

1. Respect students’ time and musicianship.
2. Provide and follow a rehearsal plan.
3. Be fully prepared; scores studied to make music — not just fix errors.
4. Select repertoire with musical/educational value at appropriate technical levels.
5. Advocate for the composer and the spirit of the piece.
6. Hold the ensemble to the standard the music requires.

Conductor Expectations of Students

1. Be ready to rehearse (music/folder, instrument, pencil) two minutes after the bell.
2. Prepare for success during personal practice; learn parts outside of ensemble time when possible.

Preparation: The Ladder Toward Success

Purpose of Practicing: Learn your part and build optimal habits through a focused warm-up routine.

Purpose of Sectionals: Blend within/between sections; address balance, blend, and pitch not easily solved in full ensemble.

Purpose of Rehearsals: Learn everyone else’s parts to understand the whole work and perform expressively. Rehearsals succeed when individual prep is done.

Band Officers & Section Leader Council

Band ASB Council/Officers

• President: Ramona Reed
• Vice President: Eric Leon Mendoza
• Secretary: Avery Johnson
• Treasurer: Katherine Harriss
• Librarian: TBD
• Historian: TBD

Athletic Band Executive Officers

• Drum Major: Ramona Reed
• Percussion Captains: Eric Leon Mendoza
• Color Guard Captain: Katharine Harriss
• Field Captain: Henry Schraan

Section Leader Council 

• High Woodwinds: Chloe Shane
• Saxophones: Luna McNyset
• High Brass: Ian Hall
• Low Brass: Trinity Mihelic
• Percussion Section Leaders: Ashton Guilliaume and Grayson Morin
• Assistant Percussion Section Leader: Emily Burton

All leaders serve the band on the condition that they are an asset to the goals of the Spartan Band

Band Staff

• Director of Bands: Mr. AJ Brodin
• Assistant Director, Spartan Marching Band: Mr. Jonathan Bletscher
• Color Guard Caption Head / Choreographer: Ms. Anjali Prakash
• Music Caption Head & Chamber Group Coach: Mr. Rick Flores
• Visual Caption Head & Chamber Group Coach: Ms. Gabby Berquist
• Percussion Caption Head: (TBD) Recruiting now!
• Tech Staff: Andy Nygard, Justin Nygard, Connor Tayon, Bella Terpening
• SMB Field Show Drill Writer: Dr. Jonathan Sweet (Sweet Marching)

Interested in working or volunteering with Stanwood Bands? Email abrodin@stanwood.wednet.edu. All volunteers must complete SCSD volunteer paperwork and onboarding.

SHS Band Boosters

The Stanwood Band Boosters provide moral, social, and financial support to SHS band ensembles, directors, and staff. All parents, legal guardians, family members, and community fans are welcome to join. The Boosters support the program through promotion, attendance, and fundraising.

Affiliation: The SHS Band Boosters are part of the Stanwood AAAA Boosters, a registered 501(c)(3).

What Fundraising Supports

• Instrument and equipment purchase/maintenance
• Student travel to performances, concerts, and tours
• Shared uniform costs
• Guest clinicians and accompanists
• Grants for educational needs of students (private lessons, summer camps)

Booster Board Officers

• President: Mandy Whitaker
• Vice Presidents: Wendy Coleman
• Secretary: Lindsay Spoor
• Treasurer: Adrianna McDowell
• Volunteer Coordinator: Sabrina Guilliaume

Questions? Email abrodin@stanwood.wednet.edu.

Resources

Brass

• Horn Heaven - For the Heroic Horns!!
• Trombones - Online Trombone Journal
• Euphonium - TubaEuph.Com - Euphonium or Tuba - Great Stuff!!
• Tuba - Tuba Performance Articles

Woodwinds

• Bassoon Nirvana - Everything for the double reeded bazooka!
• North American Sax Alliance - And you thought NASA was about space exploration.......WRONG!!!
• Woodwind Fingerings! - Fingering charts for woodwind instruments. Learn some new fingerings!!! Oh....and bookmark it!!!

Drums And Percussion

• Jazz Drumset Video Lessons - Sequencial Video Lessons that take you through the basics plus more! Be patient and learn each step and you will have a great foundation! Take a look at each on in order! Music is below the video.

• Mambo on Drumset - Video Lesson on playing a Mambo

• Samba on Drumset - Video Lesson on playing a Samba

  • Conga Lesson 1 - Heel Tip

  • Conga Lesson 2 Slap Stroke - Slap Stroke

  • Conga Lesson 2/3 Martillo - Martillo Beat to be played with 2/3 clave beat.

  • Conga Lesson 3 Tumbao - Full Basic Beat for Conga

  • Conga Lesson 4 - The Rhumba Beat!

  • Conga Lesson Website!!! - Home Page for THE site for learning conga quickly!! There is a lot here so check it out!! The other lessons I linked are from this site!

  • Free Drum Lessons!! - Web site with tons of free on-line lessons for drum set and percussion. MP3s and videos of great drummers!!!

Jazz Band

• Learn Jazz Standards.com - Library of common standards and accompaniment recordings
• Essentially Ellington - Jazz at Lincoln Center's Ellington Contest Info
• JazzStandards.Com - A quick reference site for the standards jazz performers play the most!
• JazzBiographies.Com - Biographies of over 2000 Jazz Personalities!

Jazz Help

• Jazz Trumpet Solos - Transcriptions for trumpet and anyone that wants to learn to solo better!
• More Transcriptions! For all instruments - This site is in French but it doesn't stop it from being really good! Transcriptions from Hendrix, Cannonball, Pat Metheney, and tons of others!!
• Sax Shed - transcriptions,exercises and other stuff for saxophonists. This is a good site for anyone that wants to improvise!!
• Trumpet Transcriptions - More Trumpet Solos

Uncategorized

• Online Metronome - A metronome for free!!! Bookmark it and use it!!
• WMEA - Washington Music Educators Association site. Information about auditions for All-State and All-NW perfroming groups
• Arturo O'Farrill - Arturo's web site...it's cool!
• Fred Sturm - Fred Sturm's ultra cool website!! Check out the compose arranger workshop and Sturm Radio.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and Musicians

1. Be Proactive

2. Begin with the End in Mind

3. Put First Things First

4. Think Win-Win

5. Seek First to Understand... Then to be Understood

6. Synergize

7. Sharpen the Saw

Contact

Stanwood High School Bands
Director of Bands: Mr. AJ Brodin
abrodin@stanwood.wednet.edu