Ensembles and Performing Groups
Marching Band
The West Johnston Marching Band is, in many ways, the face of our school during the fall season. The group consists of winds, percussion, and guard members who perform throughout the fall at athletic events and parades, as well as local and regional marching competitions. The West Johnston Marching Band marched at the Inaugural Parade in 2005, the Macy's Day Parade in 2008 and the McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago in 2018, down Main Street in Walt Disney World, and often at Bands of America competitions.
After initial contract signings and camps in May and early June, the season traditionally begins in late July with leadership and rookie marching camps, before full Summer Band Camp in early August. Competitions begin in mid-September and finish around early November. The group occasionally performs at other local events throughout the year.
Marching Band is especially good for incoming freshman students because Band Camp gives students the opportunity to be a part of a group in high school a month before the school year even begins. Freshmen who join Marching Band enter school on the first day with a support system of friends already in place!
Wind Ensemble
The West Johnston Wind Ensemble, our highest caliber concert ensemble, rehearses during 4th block and consists mostly of juniors and seniors, along with a few outstanding freshmen and sophomores. This group performs Grade 4-6 music throughout the year, which is performed at concerts in the WJHS Auditorium. Auditions for this group occur in late fall/spring for the following semester.
Symphonic Band
The West Johnston Symphonic Band is the school's second concert ensemble, consisting mostly of freshmen and sophomores. The band meets during 3rd block and also performs throughout the year. Expectations are just as high for this ensemble, just with music on a slightly lower level of sophistication. This group is open for all who have played an instrument before to sign up.
Concert Band
The West Johnston Concert Band is the school's third concert ensemble, consisting mostly of freshmen and sophomores. The band meets during 2nd block and also performs throughout the year. Expectations are just as high for this ensemble, just with music at a beginning level. This group is open for all to sign up, focused those that have never played an instrument before! Options are flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, and percussion.
Jazz Ensemble
The West Johnston Jazz Ensemble is currently Johnston County's only touring high school big band. Consisting of traditional big band instruments, the group performs throughout the year for in-house concerts, other schools, retirement homes, local venues and jazz festivals. This is a high intensity ensemble where every student learns to improvise, and develops performance in a large variety of styles from swing, bebop, funk, rock, ballad, Latin, and more. Jazz Auditions occur during the first week of school; and, rehearsals begin shortly after and run the rest of the year.
Fine Arts Collaboratives and Musical Pit
The West Johnston Band also partners with our amazing Fine Arts Department throughout the year to present cross-arts experiences for our students. This includes a Christmas Collaborative in December and our professional-level musical in April. These groups are selected from our finest musicians; and, perform as live background music and are featured with our Chorus and Dance Departments.
Winter Guard
The Winter Guard program consists of both Varsity and JV competitive groups that perform during the winter season through Atlantic Indoor Association competitions. Winter Guard combines dance, movement, theatrical performance, and equipment work including flag, rifle, and saber into a choreographed indoor production set to music.
The Varsity Guard is designed for advanced performers who demonstrate strong technical skills, performance quality, and commitment, while the JV Guard focuses on developing performers and strengthening foundational skills in a competitive environment. Both groups emphasize teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship, confidence, and artistic expression while representing the program throughout the season.
The winter season typically runs from November through March, with rehearsals, performances, and weekend competitions leading up to championship events. Together, the Varsity and JV groups provide students with opportunities to grow as performers, leaders, and teammates while building pride in the program and school community.
Winter Percussion
While the percussion section is a critical part of the marching band during the fall season, winter is when these students have a season entirely focused on them. Our Winter Percussion program, consisting of both a Drumline and Front Ensemble, follows a schedule similar to our Winter Guard program and competes throughout the season in both the Atlantic Indoor Association (AIA) and Winter Guard International (WGI) circuits.
Winter Percussion is primarily made up of year-round percussionists; however, some wind students also choose to expand their musical abilities by learning percussion instruments and participating in the Front Ensemble. The Drumline, also known as the "battery," typically includes snare drum, bass drum, and tenor drums. The Front Ensemble, often referred to as the "pit," may include marimbas, vibraphones, xylophone, bells, synthesizer/piano, rack (auxiliary percussion instrument), as well as specialty instruments that may be required by the show design.
Winter Percussion provides students with an exciting opportunity to continue developing their musical performance, teamwork, discipline, and competitive experience beyond traditional marching season.