Welcome to the LMHS Band Family!
First of all, thank you for taking the time to check us out! We are always excited to add new people to our family.
Below, I’ve listed some overarching ideas about band at Lake Mary HS and some of the most frequently asked questions from incoming families. If this information does not answer your questions, please feel free to contact me at my email address, langstjl@myscps.us. I look forward to meeting you!
Josh Langston, Band Director
Intro
The LMHS Band Program is dedicated to helping students grow as musicians, leaders, and members of the community.
Through rehearsals, performances, and teamwork, we create opportunities for students to build their skills, connect with others, and experience the joy of making music together.
Above all, we aim to inspire a lifelong love of music while fostering pride and unity within our school and beyond.
Mantra
Aspire. Prepare. Perform. Repeat.
Lake Mary Band students aim high. In this program, we believe in reaching beyond what is familiar or easy. Growth comes from challenge. Students are encouraged to set goals that push them forward as musicians, as teammates, and as individuals.
Great performances begin long before the audience arrives. We take preparation seriously. This includes how we rehearse, how we manage our time, and how we carry ourselves day to day. Being ready is not just about notes and rhythms. It is about consistency, focus, and showing up with purpose.
When it is time to perform, we represent more than ourselves. Every performance, whether on the field, on the stage, or in the community, is a chance to share what we have worked for and who we are becoming. We perform with intention, with pride, and with the understanding that the quality of our performance is a direct reflection of our preparation.
Ensembles & Courses
Lake Mary currently offers the following ensembles for student performance:
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Wind Ensemble is the advanced auditioned concert band.
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Symphonic Band is the intermediate to advanced non-auditioned concert band.
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Percussion Ensemble is the class that is specifically for percussion students, specializing in drum line, front ensemble, and concert percussion ensembles.
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Beginning Band is a course designed for students that would like to either start an instrument from scratch or have dedicated class time to learning a secondary instrument.
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Jazz Band is the advanced auditioned jazz ensemble.
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Jazz Combo is the intermediate to advanced jazz class with a dedicated focus on the learning of improvisation.
- To be enrolled in either jazz class, students must be part of the appropriate concert band class.
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Eurythmics is course devoted to training and preparing the members of the Marching Rams Color Guard.
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The Marching Rams are the combined forces of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Percussion ensembles. All students enrolled in these ensembles are part of the Marching Rams.
Commitment
Being part of the LMHS Band is a meaningful and rewarding experience, and it requires a strong commitment from each student and family. Our success depends on consistent effort, mutual accountability, and shared responsibility.
During marching season, students attend two weekly after-school rehearsals and perform at Friday night football games, in addition to other various scheduled events. Once the concert season begins, rehearsals are typically held once per week after school. Students are also expected to practice individually and attend all scheduled performances.
Band fees generally range between $325 and $400, which help cover the cost of instruction, equipment, uniforms, transportation, and other essential expenses. We work closely with families to provide support, fundraising, and payment plans as needed, and we never want cost to be the reason a student cannot participate.
Joining band means joining a team. The time, energy, and resources you invest will be returned in growth, friendships, pride, and unforgettable experiences.
Calendar
The LMHS Band operates on a year-round calendar that includes rehearsals, performances, competitions, and special events. Each season—marching, concert, and jazz—comes with its own set of responsibilities and opportunities.
We make every effort to provide families with an accurate and up-to-date calendar in advance. While most major events are scheduled well ahead of time, some adjustments may occur based on school activities, district events, or community needs.
Students and families are expected to regularly check the calendar, stay informed, and plan accordingly. Clear communication and advance notice help us maintain a well-organized and successful program for everyone involved.
Lake Mary HS Band Calendar link
FAQs
How are classes structured at LMHS?
Brass and woodwinds are combined to make up the concert band classes (Wind Ensemble & Symphonic Band). Wind Ensemble students are selected by audition. All other wind students are part of the Symphonic Band.
All percussion students are put into the same class to facilitate the learning of marching percussion skills. In the 2nd semester, percussion students meet with their respective bands at weekly after school rehearsals.
All members of the concert band and percussion classes are part of the Marching Rams.
Beginning Band includes any wind or percussion student at a beginning level of performance skill.
Jazz Bands include saxophone, trombone, trumpet, guitar, piano, bass guitar, and drum set. Jazz combo can include other wind instruments that are not part of traditional jazz instrumentation. Neither jazz class can accommodate students who are beginners on their instrument. All jazz band students must be part of a concert band class. We teach students how to play their instruments in the concert band class, and we teach them how to play jazz in the jazz class. The only exceptions to be made in this respect are for students that play only guitar, bass, guitar, or piano.
Is marching band mandatory?
For members of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Percussion classes, yes.
Marching band is the foundation of our band program during the first semester. It provides essential musical instruction, builds ensemble skills, and ensures balanced instrumentation so the group can perform successfully. Students who do not participate miss critical learning and often struggle later in the year. While we understand the time and financial commitment, full participation allows every student—and the band as a whole—to succeed.
Is band camp required?
To have a spot in the halftime show, yes. The show drill (formations) is written for a specific number of spots on the field. That number is based on band camp attendance. Students not at band camp will still be part of the marching band, but serve as an alternate to fill in spots of students who are sick or otherwise not at an activity.
Also, are marching fundamentals are taught at band camp. These are very difficult to build without this intense, focused training period.
Can I rent an instrument from the school?
Instrument rental is available for some instruments for $100 per semester.
The following instruments are available for rental from the school: tubas, baritones, French horns, bass clarinets
- As part of their rental, tubas, baritones, and French horns will also be assigned the marching band version of their instrument.
A limited number of the following instruments are also available: oboe, bassoon, tenor sax, trigger trombones
All percussion students rehearse and perform on school instruments, so pay for instrument rental.
How much after school rehearsal is there? Is it required?
Band is a co-curricular course, so after-school activities are part of a student’s grade.
Rookie Camp is 3 days in the summer.
Band Camp is 5 days in the summer, from 9AM-9PM.
Marching Rehearsals are Tuesdays, 6-8:30PM and Thursdays, 2:45-5PM.
Friday game days include a 2:45-3:45PM performance run-through, followed by a 4:30-5PM call time for game prep (depending upon if the game is home or away). Students are typically done around 10PM on home games and 11PM on away games.
Concert Rehearsals begin after marching season and are once a week for each student, Symphonic Band on Tuesdays and Wind Ensemble on Thursdays, 2:45-4:30PM.