Over the last few years, City High’s band program has been growing, so this next year, they are going to expand to include a new band. A change to the composition of the band program has been on the table since at least two years ago.
“The main thing that has changed about band is that we are adding a 4th concert band,” Lucas Iverson Iverson ‘27, a drum major in the marching band, said. “Instead of splitting out the program across one auditioned, one non auditioned, and one freshman band, we’re adding another auditioned band to make our ensembles smaller and better balanced.”
Running more bands could provide students with more opportunities to grow as musicians.
“Having four bands is going to be a really, really, great opportunity for the program to grow and expand,” Felix Cook ‘28, a contrabass clarinet player, said. “Having an easier audition-only band will push people to challenge themselves that otherwise wouldn’t have.”
This new ensemble could also provide the opportunity to better balance ensembles. However, due to the limited number of band directors, the choice of who will direct the new band is currently up in the air.
“We’re still trying to figure out [who will conduct the new ensemble],” City High bands co-director Aaron Ottmar said. “[We are] trying to figure out a good balance because we have a lot of bands in our band program.”
The band directors are considering changing who conducts which bands in order to accommodate the new ensemble. The current band program has three bands with one for 9th graders (Concert Band), one for 10-12th graders (Symphony Band), and one audition band (Wind Ensemble).
“I think right now it’s extremely likely that Mr. Kowbel will continue to do Wind Ensemble and I think it’s extremely likely that I will continue to do symphonic band,” Ottmar said. “We’re just trying to figure out who’s going to do symphony and what concert band might look like…we just haven’t quite landed the plane on that one yet.”
Due to the addition of the new band, concerts will be divided in half to shorten the length of the concerts, as they are often held on school nights.
“For each concert, it’ll only be two bands, and that will hopefully allow for a better experience,” Ottmar said. “On the concert side of things, each of the two concerts [individually] will be a little bit shorter than our [one] concert right now.”
This new structure will allow more space for the families of the performers and enable bands to play more music.
“Say there’s a family who just wants to see their students perform, then they can go to just that concert,” Jethro Michelson ‘27, a trombone player, said. “I think it’ll be great because the concerts will be shorter and people can choose whether they want to go to just one concert or both concerts, and that will allow there to be more seats in each concert.”
2026-27 band placements were released in March. Audition materials were released in December before winter break, giving students slightly more than a month to prepare before placements. The audition required students to prepare one short piece, or etude, for the audition. Students were also able to prepare additional, optional materials, including advanced songs and scales.
“I think it’s pretty simple and well thought out,” Iverson said. “Students really have the opportunity to show as much as they can do with little pressure on trying to push themselves too hard.”
This year, some changes were also made to the process of auditioning for a band. In prior years, band auditions were in person and optional, only required for those wishing to join Wind Ensemble. Now, all freshman, sophomore, and junior students are required to complete them.
“This year, they changed it so that these auditions are submitted via video,” Michaelson said. “That allows you to record individual videos for your scales, as well as your required music excerpt and any advanced excerpts that you want to perform.”
This audition cycle is also the last for many juniors moving into their senior year. It can mark the start of their final year in the City High band program.
“I feel good about [next year],” Lucas Iverson said. “Not gonna lie, I’m a bit sad that my time here at TSTL is more in the past than in the future…. But I know I’m going to have a great final year and I’m excited about that!!”
