Arts & Culture

The Concert Band welcomes all wind, brass, and percussion students who are joining band for the first time at Saint Francis. Concert Band participates in the Winter and Spring Concerts, one CMEA festival, and Lancer Marching Band. This ensemble is the prerequisite course for entry into Symphonic Band. 

The Symphonic Band  premiere wind ensemble at Saint Francis High School. One year experience in Concert Band is required for entry into this ensemble. In Symphonic Band, music theory, history, aural skills, and performance are explored at greater depth through performance. This ensemble hosts three concerts annually, performs locally at colleges and community events, participates in CMEA festivals, and are members of the Lancer Marching Band.

Concert Band and Symphonic Band are classes and meet during the school day. Both ensemble classes fulfill graduation requirements.

All members of Concert Band and Symphonic Band are eligible to travel on our yearly tours. We have toured in Scotland, Los Angeles, Seattle, Austria and the Czech Republic, Hawaii, and to many more locations! 

The Lancer Marching Band is the oldest campus organization, dating back to the founding of the school. It is the largest performing ensemble on campus and the most easily recognizable! Saint Francis High School is the only WCAL school with a competitive field show band and has received many accolades in its long and proud history.

All members of Concert Band and Symphonic Band are required to participate in the Lancer Band as part of their study of music. The Lancer Band performs at football games, school rallies, community parades, and campus events. As a competitive marching band, this ensemble attends competitions and showcases each year.

The Lancer Band is a co-curricular ensemble and meets weekly on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays through mid-November. Band camp is hosted annually at the beginning of August for all students.

The award-winning Saint Francis Lancer Color Guard is the primary visual element of the Lancer Band and Color Guard, using dance choreography, flags, prop rifles, and prop sabers. This dynamic group combines the grace and athleticism of dance and rhythmic gymnastics into one unstoppable performance! Color Guard meets weekly with Marching Band Wednesday evenings and Saturdays during the fall. 

Winter Guard brings the excitement of a marching band show indoors and features guard front and center. With more props, beautiful costumes, and a custom floor, winter guard is the winter sport you’ve always wanted to be a part of! Rehearsals are held twice weekly from December to April.

Color Guard and Winter Guard are activities and travel to competitions with Marching Band and to independent competitions in the winter and early spring. As a part of the Lancer Band, Color Guard attends band camp in August. No prior experience is necessary to join.

The Saint Francis Jazz Band is a group of musicians passionate about jazz and performance. This ensemble focuses on improvisation, music theory, performance, and a more detailed portrait of jazz history in the United States. Jazz Band performs at many community events throughout the school year, travels to festivals, and participates in CMEA adjudication.

Auditions are required for placement in Jazz Band. All students wishing to be in Jazz Band must be enrolled in Concert Band, Symphonic Band, or a Choir class.

Jazz Band rehearses weekly in the evening.

What makes a musical a MUSIC-al? The pit! Pit orchestra is a small group of musicians who play for the spring musical each year. Instrumentation varies from show to show and auditions are held in December. All students are welcome to audition and must have significant experience playing their instrument.