Band

The Dixie Band program involves students from 5th through 12th grades, consisting of the following ensembles and classes:

DMS Beginning Band

Starting in 5th grade, students have the opportunity to learn how to play a band instrument in a classroom setting. Students spend the first semester discovering and improving their skills on Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, and Percussion before performing for the first time at the Holiday Music and Craft Festival in December.

DMS 6th Grade Band

Building upon skills learned in their first year, 6th grade band students continue to hone their skills and get to perform in the fall band concert for the first time. As 6th graders, they also get the opportunity to participate in Middle School Band Night during Wee Hounds Night at a DHS football game, where they get to see what participation in marching band is like.

DMS Wind Ensemble

At DMS, 7th and 8th grade band students get to perform together in the same ensemble. This unique setup enables 8th grade band students to act as leaders for their 7th grade counterparts, and allows 7th grade band students to learn from them and improve their skills alongside them. As is with 6th grade, Wind Ensemble students get to participate in Middle School Band Night. Additionally, 8th grade band students are invited to perform in the DHS Marching Band before they get to high school.

DHS Symphonic Band

All high school band students perform together as a part of the DHS Symphonic Band. The skills learned and honed at DMS contribute to their success and provide a foundation to build upon their musical skills, allowing them to perform more advanced and musically challenging pieces. Symphonic Band students participate annually in the Ohio Music Education Association Large Group Contest as a part of District 12 where they perform for and are adjudicated by current and retired music educators.

DHS Jazz Band

During the second semester of the school year, students can participate in the DHS Jazz Band; this enables students to learn about the history and performance styles of the influential American art form and expand their musical abilities. The Jazz Band performs at the winter and spring band concerts alongside the other bands.

Music Theory

In addition to the performance ensembles, all DHS students have the opportunity to enroll in Music Theory class during the fall semester. In this class, students learn and build upon music fundamentals before diving into such topics as chord construction, functional harmony, and other topics surrounding the ins and outs of music.

The Dixie Band program takes pride in experiencing performance arts on as many levels as possible. This includes students participating in the Wright State University Honor Band Festival in February and clinics/masterclasses from local educators at the secondary and collegiate level. The 5th grade band, 6th grade band, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Band all perform at least three concerts each year. The high school Symphonic Band also performs annually on Veterans Day as a part of the community event hosted by DHS.

Our marching band thrills the football crowds every year with high-energy shows. These range from 50s rock and funk to Motown and John Williams’s movie music. Students also perform in the Preble County Pork Festival Parade, New Lebanon Holiday Parade, and NLYA Opening Day Parade in addition to marching band festivals across the Miami Valley. Participation in our marching ensemble is open to all high school and 8th grade students as an after school extracurricular activity.

The Pep Band performs at five boys and five girls basketball games each season as well as community events, pep rallies, and other exciting events.