The band & orchestra programs at Phillip O. Berry are designed to teach basic and advanced fundamentals of wind, brass, strings and percussion instruments. The ensemble and solo activities are designed to develop elements of musicianship including tone production, technical skills, intonation, music reading skills, listening skills, analyzing music and music history.
Our Current Programs
Concert Band
Concert Band is the instrumental ensemble dedicated to the excellent performance of Level 4 advanced literature including classical, pop, and movie bands. Special emphasis is placed on musicianship and musical style. The culminating experience for the ensemble is the annual Spring Concert. Membership is open to all music students. The Concert Band rehearses during the school day on an A day B day schedule all school year. Students receive 1 elective credit for taking the class.
Jazz Band
The award-winning Jazz Band provides academic, instrumental and vocal instruction. it is focused on the development of knowledge and skills necessary in jazz instrumental and vocal performance. Targeted instruction is offered in jazz theory and improvisation. The Jazz band performs different genres of music such as swing, blues, latin, bebop, funk and jazz ballads. Jazz Band rehearses during the school day on an A day B day schedule all school year. Students receive 1 elective credit for taking the class.
Marching Band
The Marching Cardinals, also known as “The Force of Phillip”, are a 50-member unit that includes instrumentalists, the Scarlet Divine Auxiliary team, and the Sticks of Fury Drum Line. The Marching Cardinals strive for excellence in every performance, classroom, and in their community. Membership is open to all students, however, auditions are required for Scarlet Divine and Sticks of Fury. Rehearsals are after school daily during the school year. this program is an extracurricular activity.
orchestra.
The Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology has had an orchestra since the school first opened in 2002. Mr. Thompson joined the faculty at POB as the Orchestra Director in 2013. We are fortunate to have two performing orchestra ensembles:
The Concert Orchestra at the Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology is a freshman and sophomore class for students who have previously taken orchestra in middle school. This class is designed to teach advanced fundamentals of string instrument performance. Students are provided with frequent and challenging performing opportunities while being introduced to some of the staples in the classical cannon. Students will learn three octave scales, use more advance bowing techniques, and learn to play in 3rd, 5th, and 7th position. Students will be required to perform in all school concerts and will be given additional opportunities to audition for CMS All-District Honors Orchestra.
The Chamber Orchestra at the Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology is comprised our most experienced orchestra musicians. The Chamber Orchestra has performed at the Levine Museum of the New South, the Harvey B. Gantt Center, the Oasis Temple, and multiple times at Johnson C. Smith University and Harding University High School. We have had many on campus visits from the string faculty from UNCC, members of the Charlotte Symphony, on campus performances of the UNCC Opera Department, field trips to Charlotte Symphony Orchestra performances, and so forth. In addition, we are very fortunate to have students that successfully audition for All-District Honors Orchestra each year.