Wallenpaupack Area High School Band
The instrumental music program at Wallenpaupack Area High School is one of the largest and most active in Northeast Pennsylvania. Our program serves students in grades 9-12, and includes:
Marching Band - The marching band includes all WAHS Band students, grades 9-12. The Buckhorn Band and color guard performs at Wallenpaupack football games, as well as parades, cavalcades, and civic functions throughout the area. The band has also performed for Lackawanna College, Kings College, and East Stroudsburg University football games, as well as the 2018 Penn State University Blue Band Jam.
Symphonic Band - The symphonic band includes all WAHS Band students, grades 9-12. Two sections of the band are offered - during block 3 and 4 on "A" days. The symphonic band has received "superior" ratings at festivals throughout the East Coast, and has recently performed at Kutztown University, Temple University, Hershey, Boston, Virginia, and Washington DC. The Symphonic Band has also worked with a variety of guest artists, including Dr. John Milauskas, Dr. Otis French, Dr. David Romines, Chris Bernotas, Daryll Johnson II, Lawrence Loh, Brian Nivison, Jeff Tylutki, Ray Stedenfeld, the Antares Quartet, the Philos Brass Quintet, and the NU Directions Chamber Brass. Works commissioned for the WAHS Symphonic Band include "Boundless" by Chris Bernotas, published by Wingert-Jones.
Jazz Band - This auditioned, extracurricular group has received "superior" ratings at festivals throughout the East Coast. Recently, the jazz band has performed for the East Stroudsburg South and Delaware Valley HS jazz festivals, as well as the Bloomsburg and Penn State university jazz festivals. The band has also worked with a variety of guest artists and clinicians, including Charnett Moffett, Tim Warfield, Alex Meixner, Eric Doney, Pat Dorian, Jim McFalls, and Rick Hirsch. Works commissioned for the WAHS Jazz Band include "Pocono Git-Down" by Rick Hirsch, published by Hirsch Music.
Pit Orchestra - This selective small ensemble accompanies rehearsals and performances of the WAHS Players spring musical each year. Our recent productions include "Les Miserables", "The Music Man", "The Pajama Game", "The Scarlet Pimpernel", "Damn Yankees", "She Loves Me", "Beauty and the Beast", "Curtains", "Fiddler on the Roof", "Little Shop of Horrors", "Peter Pan", "The Secret Garden", "Oklahoma!", "Into The Woods", "Oliver", "Footloose", "Chicago", and "School of Rock". Our productions have won numerous Sherman Theater Spotlight Awards, including "Best Overall Production" (2008, 2011, 2012), and "Best Performance by a Pit Orchestra" (2008). In May 2014, our production of "Peter Pan" was honored with seven NEPA Stars awards, including "Best Student Orchestra" and "Best Musical".
Festivals- WAHS Band students have participated in a variety of PMEA and university honors bands, including the PMEA District Band, District Orchestra, District Jazz Band, Region Band, Region Orchestra, All-State Concert Band, All-State Wind Ensemble, All-State Orchestra, and All-Eastern Band. Our students have also participated in the Northeast Tri-County Band, Marywood University Junior and Senior Wind Band Celebrations, Susquehanna University Honors Band, COTA Cats, COTA Camp Jazz, the Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble, and the Wyoming Seminary Performing Arts Institute.
