Ensembles

Highlander Marching Band

 The Baldwin band has been invited to perform in the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade, the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington DC, the NAMM Convention in Anaheim, CA, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Although participation in a band course is encouraged, anyone is welcome to participate in the Highlander Marching Band, regardless of their experience level or ability to schedule a band class.  Instrumentalists who play traditional woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments are welcome. Auditions for the Highlander Marching Band Colorguard take place each March.

Symphonic Band  

The Baldwin High School Symphonic Band is a curricular performance ensemble for woodwind and brass players of all skill levels.  Symphonic Band meets daily during the school day throughout the year.  Students need not participate in Marching Band in order to participate in Symphonic Band. Students will learn music fundamentals through a variety of performance repertoire.  Symphonic Band performs in two to four concerts each year.

 

Concert Percussion Ensemble

The Baldwin High School Concert Percussion Ensemble is a curricular percussion ensemble open to percussionists of all skill levels.  The Concert Percussion Ensemble meets daily during the school day throughout the year. Students will have the opportunity to learn a variety of percussion instruments and techniques including snare drum, mallet percussion, timpani, and auxiliary percussion.  The Concert Percussion Ensemble performs at two to three annual concerts, performing percussion ensemble literature and functioning as the percussion section for the Symphonic Band.  Students need not participate in Marching Band in order to participate in Concert Percussion Ensemble. 

String Orchestra

 The Baldwin High School String Orchestra is open to students of all skill levels   who play the traditional stringed instruments of the symphony orchestra: violin, viola, cello and string bass.  The String Orchestra is a curricular ensemble that meets daily during the school day throughout the year.  Students will learn music fundamentals while studying a varied repertoire of music including both classical and modern selections.  String Orchestra students perform at two to three annual concerts each year.  

Wind Ensemble

The Baldwin High School Wind Ensemble is an auditioned performance ensemble that meets after school one to two times per week during the months of November, December, April and May.  Students are selected through a competitive audition consisting of scales, etudes, excerpts and sight reading,.  Limited positions are available.  The Wind Ensemble performs at two to three annual concerts, is evaluated at a PMEA adjudication each spring and has a standing engagement at the PPG Wintergarden in downtown Pittsburgh each December.  

Stage Band

The Baldwin High School Stage Band is a traditional big band-style jazz ensemble selected by audition each school year.  The Stage Band meets daily during the school day throughout the year.  Students who play the traditional instruments of the big band (saxophone, trumpet, trombone/baritone, drum set, piano, bass, guitar) may participate in a competitive audition for a limited number of positions in the ensemble.  The Stage Band performs at an annual winter concert and hosts a "Jazz Night" each spring at Harrison Middle School modeled after a professional jazz club and featuring guests artists from the Pittsburgh jazz community.  Musical selections reflect a variety of styles including swing, rock, Latin, and funk.

Indoor Colorguard

The Baldwin High School Indoor Colorguard is an auditioned group that meets weekly in the afternoon/evening from November through April.  Students prepare a competitive indoor show, utilizing equipment work and movement similar in style to the work done by the Highlander Marching Band Colorguard. The Indoor Colorguard competes in several competitions each spring culminating in TIA Chapter Championship in April.  

Indoor Drumline

The Baldwin High School Indoor Drumline is a percussion ensemble modeled after the battery and front ensemble of a corps-style marching band.  The Indoor Drumline meets weekly in the evening from November through April. Students build their performance skills through the preparation of a show which is performed three to four times at local competitions during the spring including a performance at the TIA Chapter Championship in April each year.

Musical Pit Orchestra

The Baldwin High School Pit Orchestra supplies musical accompaniment for Baldwin High School's Spring Music. This auditioned group begins rehearsals in January, meeting two to four times a week leading up to performances in April.  Learn more about the BHS Spring Music by visiting their website at http://bhsmusical.bwmusic.net.

Intro to Guitar

Intro to Guitar is a beginning guitar course designed for musical novices with no prior experience.  Students need not own a guitar to participate.  Popular songs serve as a vehicle for students to learn performance skills and gain knowledge which will enable them to continue to grow as guitarists after completion of the course.  Chord/lead sheets and guitar tab are both utilized during the course and the History of Rock & Roll is touched on a frame of reference for our song selections throughout the year.