CONCERT BAND at Ewa Makai is for students who have been playing their instrument for at least one year or more (on schedule will be intro/inter) and meets during 4th period this year. This ensemble is our “top” band and is comprised of 7-8 graders in the same class period. Students in this group are expected to perform and practice at a higher level of musical ability and achievement than intro band members.

Students in this ensemble learn at a much quicker pace than when they were in intro band, and begin to master their instrument, music theory concepts, and are challenged within the ensemble to strive for excellence in their musical repertoire.

The EMMS Concert Band members are also frequently asked to play at events throughout the year at Ewa Makai as well as in the O’ahu Band Festivals and Concerts within the community- YES! meaning we take field trips throughout the year!

We have two major concert opportunities that are required for this group- one in December for our Holiday Music Showcase and one in May for our Spring Music Showcase, both held at EMMS in the Performing Arts Amphitheater.

INTRO BAND at Ewa Makai is for all Year 1 Students in 6-7-8 grade. This year we have three larger beginning bands meeting during periods 1, 3, & 6. These groups will decide on their instrument within the first month of school and begin learning the basics of how to play their instrument, music theory concepts (how to read music!), and how to become a part of the ensemble with their instrument.

The EMMS Intro Band members will be meeting 1 x per week, from 2-3 pm after school (outside of regular class time) with their sectionals to rehearse with other members of other class periods who are also in intro band.

We have two major concert opportunities that are required for these groups (playing together as one large intro band) - one in December for our Holiday Music Showcase and one in May for our Spring Music Showcase, both held at EMMS in the Performing Arts Amphitheater.

The EMMS TIGER JAZZ BAND is an ensemble that meets once a week on Mondays from 2:05 - 3:05 pm. This ensemble plays music at a more accelerated pace than any other ensemble at EMMS- and requires students to practice their music repertoire at home/outside of the school day. It is not a requirement for students to be apart of this ensemble as a 7/8 grader, nor is it an auditioned group, but highly encouraged for our top motivated students to participate! 🙂

We play genres of POP music, Funk, PEP BAND music, and of course JAZZ!

Tiger Jazz Band members are also frequently asked to play at events throughout the year at Ewa Makai as well as in the O’ahu Band Festivals and other exciting concert opportunities within the community- we take these students every year to “TOUR” our surrounding feeder elementary schools to recruit and promote the band programs at EMMS- YES! meaning we take SEVERAL field trips throughout the year!

We have two major concert opportunities that this group also participates in- one in December for our Holiday Music Showcase and one in May for our Spring Music Showcase, both held at EMMS in the Performing Arts Amphitheater.

EMMS Percussion Ensemble meets once a week after school on Frida s from 2:05-3:00 pm during UPLINK tutorial. Students in the percussion ensemble have an opportunity to have focused time with other percussionists from other classes to advance in their rudiments, mallet techniques, and learn PERCUSSION ONLY musical repertoire to perform on the fall and spring concerts.

We highly encourage all of our percussionists that are in intro and concert bands to be in the percussion rehearsals to keep motivated and learning outside of regular class time all of the instruments that they need to play as a percussionist.