Concert Band (Intermediate Band): The CONCERT BAND is a performing ensemble for all wind students. The group will perform several concerts during the year and will emphasize the study of basic musicianship skills and improvement of fundamentals. The CONCERT BAND class meets every school day (for credit). Opportunities for playing in small groups and solos will also be available. After school rehearsals are sometimes one day every week in the Winter/Spring semester. Students in this ensemble are REQUIRED to attend all major events, such as (but not limited to): LGPE and Concerts.

Symphonic Band (Advanced Band): The SYMPHONIC BAND is open to winds who have achieved a specific level of playing ability. Admittance to this class is based on auditions and demands the highest commitment to a performing ensemble. In addition to the performance of modern wind literature and transcriptions, the fundamentals of wind performance such as breathing skills, embouchure strength and flexibility, finger strength and speed, and articulation ability will be emphasized. The SYMPHONIC BAND is a class that meets (for credit) every school day and performs several concerts and festivals each year. After-school rehearsals are required one day every week in the spring semester. Students in this ensemble are REQUIRED to attend all major events, such as (but not limited to) concerts, LGPE, Invitation Performances.

Percussion (Intermediate/Advanced Instrumental Ensemble): The PERCUSSION CLASS is open to students who wish to study percussion instruments in the band department. The class meets every school day (for credit). Students will learn fundamentals to advance playing skills on a variety of percussion instruments. During the Fall semester students sometimes work on the marching portion of the band. In the Spring semester students will focus on percussion ensemble literature and music for the ensemble that they play with. There are required after school rehearsals each semester with the ensemble they perform with. Students in this ensemble are REQUIRED to attend all major events, such as (but not limited to): concerts, LGPE, percussion ensemble events, drumline Performances, Invitation Performances.

Color Guard (Ethic Music Studies): The COLOR GUARD CLASS is required for students who audition and earn a spot on the Thundering Herd Color Guard team. The class meets each school day (for credit). Students will learn fundamentals in dance, flag, rifle, and sabre. During the fall semester, students utilize class time to learn and write routines, clean marching band choreography, and maintain equipment. During spring semester students will continue learning basic and more advanced dance techniques and work on group/team projects.

Thundering Herd: The “Thundering Herd” is the combined forces of the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Percussion Class and Color Guard. The purpose of this organization is to provide entertainment for football games, pep rallies, band festivals, parades, and concerts. It is an integral part of the instrumental music education curriculum at East Forsyth High School. All members are expected to devote TOTAL DEDICATION and MAXIMUM EFFORT and INVOLVEMENT in all aspects of marching, playing, and performance.