Fee: $200

All students in a concert band are also a part of our award-winning marching band. This group rehearses in the summer and through the first third of the school year. Performances include home football games, regional competitions, and our annual season-ending Indoor Concert. 
In addition, students may choose to audition for Color Guard. Color Guard is open to all students. Students do not have to be in a concert band to audition for this group. The Color Guard performs and travels as an integral part of the marching band. 

The core of the program consists of two bands which meet daily during the school day. Concert Band focuses on building fundamental skills of individual and ensemble playing, while Symphonic Band hones these skills and applies them to more challenging music. These ensembles are open to all students.

Fee: $200

Students in band may choose to audition for Show Choir Band. This group accompanies the O’Gorman Show Choirs in their performances and competitions. This group rehearses once a week on Thursday evenings. 

Students are also able to participate in Jazz Band, which focuses on playing standard jazz genres (swing, funk, etc.) with traditional big band instrumentation (trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, bass, guitar, drums). Jazz I is an auditioned group with a limited size. Jazz II is open to all students. Students do not need to be in a concert band to participate in either jazz band, though participation is highly encouraged. Jazz bands meet daily for a  short amount of time, with one longer rehearsal per week before school.

The O’Gorman Brass Choir is open to all students who play or wish to learn a brass instrument. This group primarily focuses on holiday music, and performances include various concerts around the city, as well as performances with the concert bands and with the O’Gorman Choral Program. This group rehearses two days a week after school when in season. 

Students in a concert band also provide entertainment at winter sporting events, primarily basketball. The Pep Band plays a majority of home games and contributes to the exciting atmosphere by supporting our student-athletes and our home cheering section. 

Students in band may choose to audition for the Pit Orchestra which performs as part of our annual spring musical production. This ensemble is reserved for advanced students. 

Fee: $40

Girls Chorus is a full year non-auditioned choir open to girls in grade 9 who demonstrate an interest in the development of singing.  This is the only chorus open to 9th grade girls.  Concerts and special rehearsals are a required part of the curriculum.

Fee: $40

Mixed Chorus is a full year course open to all singers in grades 10-12 and 9th grade boys who demonstrate an interest in the development of singing.  This is the only chorus open to freshmen boys.  This is a non-auditioned choir.  Concerts and special rehearsals are a required part of the curriculum. Students pay a $30 participation fee.

Fee: $40

Concert Choir is a full year course open by audition only to singers in grades 11 and 12.  Students must demonstrate strong music reading skills, mature tone quality, commitment, teamwork and a desire to work for personal growth.  Private voice instruction is strongly encouraged. 

Fee: $40

Chamber Choir is an auditioned ensemble of 12—16 SATB singers in grades 10—12 that meets daily for 25 minutes opposite their lunch. This group will sing a variety of music including, but not limited to, vocal jazz, madrigals and chamber choir literature.  This group performs extensively in the community especially during the Christmas season. Students purchase their Chamber Choir costume ($40-60).  Students receive 1/4 credit with a pass/fail grade. Students must be a member of a large chorus to participate in chamber choir.   Auditions take place in February/March for participation in the following school year.

Ovation! meets every day opposite the student’s lunch period.  Students receive 1/2 credit for yearly participation with a pass/fail grade. Ovation! is actively involved in state & regional competitions during February and March. Students must be a member of a large chorus to participate in show choir.  Students in grades 10, 11, and 12 are eligible to audition.  Auditions take place in March for participation the following year. Members pay a $350 costume rental and prop fee.  There are several fundraising opportunities to help defray costs.

_{Special Considerations:
In addition to class time, students must attend one three- hour rehearsal each week in the evening from August through March.  Two weekend retreats to learn choreography are also required.  Additionally, students must commit to participation in five major competitions during February and March.}

Ensembles are an extension of the choral program.  To be a member of a small group, you must first be a member of a large choir.  All auditions take place in the spring of the year for membership the following fall.  Most groups rehearses opposite the student’s lunch period each day for 25 minutes.