Instrumental Groups

Wind Ensemble   The Wind Ensemble is Good Counsel’s premier band.  The group performs challenging works from the traditional as well as popular library of concert band music.  The Wind Ensemble performs four times each year at scheduled concerts at the school as well as numerous performances at local schools, and public arenas. The group also participates in adjudicated festivals sponsored by the Catholic schools of the Washington Archdiocese, county, state, and national festivals throughout the year.  The Wind Ensemble travels each year to a performance festival out of state.  In past years we have traveled to Chicago, St Louis, Montreal, Toronto, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Orlando and many other locations. Symphonic Band The Symphonic Band is Good Counsel’s intermediate level band.  Along with multiple performances throughout the school year, members of the group continue to hone their skills on their instruments as well as develop skills necessary to perform in a large ensemble.  In addition to our regular concert schedule, the Symphonic Band performs in the Washington Archdiocesan Music Teachers Council annual band festival in December and travels each spring to a performance festival out of state. Advanced Percussion Students in the Advanced Percussion class serve as the percussion section for the Wind Ensemble as well as function as a percussion ensemble.  When not in rehearsal with the band, these percussionists learn advanced skills on timpani, mallet, snare drum, and auxiliary percussion instruments. Marching Band The Marching Falcons, under the direction of Mr. Brett Taylor ’93, were formed in 2004 to enhance the atmosphere at varsity home football games and boost school spirit.  The group performs a pregame show before every game and plays popular selections in the stands throughout the game.  In addition to home football games, the Marching Falcons attend home playoff games, the WCAC Championship Games if Good Counsel participates, and the annual Olney Days Parade in May.  No audition is required to play a wind instrument in the Marching Falcons. Drum Line The Drumline is the heartbeat of the Marching Falcons.  The provide cadences and stand beats at all Marching Band performances.  The drumline is comprised of up to sixteen musicians and membership is determined by audition. Pep Band The Falcon Pep Band is an extension of the Marching Falcons.  This group plays at varsity home men’s and women’s basketball games.  The basketball season typically begins in late December and runs through mid-February.  Jazz Ensemble The Jazz Ensemble performs music primarily from the big band repertoire spanning from the great standards to contemporary compositions.  Styles range from  swing and bebop to latin and rock. The group rehearses from 3:15pm to 4:30pm every Tuesday and Thursday.  Students must enroll in the group for credit and will receive a grade for the class.  The Jazz Ensemble performs at the school four times each year and also seeks opportunities to perform outside of the school.   String Ensemble The String Ensemble is made up of students who play violin, viola, cello, and string bass.  The ensemble performs music in a variety of styles from classical to popular and performs at liturgies, as part of the pit orchestra for the school musicals, and regularly scheduled concerts during the school year.  The String Ensemble represents the school in community performances as they become available throughout the year.