In the 2016/17 school year, DHS boasts a Grade 9 Concert Band of 44 musicians, a Senior Concert Band (Symphonic Winds) of 100 musicians, and three Jazz Ensembles. In addition to numerous local and regional performances, groups from Didsbury High School have travelled to Moose Jaw, Whistler, Victoria, Seattle, Edinburgh, London, Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia and Barcelona to perform and participate in festivals. The Music Program is a tremendous source of pride for the students, school and community.

Didsbury is incredibly fortunate to have strong band programs right from Ross Ford Elementary School with Teena Wilks, through Westglen Middle School with Heather Biggin, both offering programs that feed right into Mr. Wassmer’s award-winning high school bands.

Band 9 (Concert Band)

Prerequisite: grade 8 music or the ability to play instruments.

This course allows you to study music as part of a group. Three areas will be emphasized - the development of the individual's performing and music reading abilities, techniques of ensemble playing (intonation, blend, balance, phrasing, etc.) and the exploration and performance of a wide spectrum of musical literature. Students in this class form the DHS Grade 9 Concert Band.

Instrumental Music 10 - 5 credits

Prerequisite: grade 9 music or permission of the DHS Music Department.

This course offers the student an opportunity to study instrumental music in a group setting. The class will focus on individual and ensemble playing techniques, musical literacy, team work and group effort, and the rehearsal and performance of wind music in a variety of genres. Students in this class form the Didsbury High School Senior Concert Band.

Instrumental Music 20 - 5 credits

Prerequisite: Music 10 or permission of the DHS Music Department.

This course is similar to Music 10. Technique and finger dexterity will be advanced. Students in this class form the Didsbury High School Senior Concert Band.

Instrumental Music 30 - 5 credits

Prerequisite: Music 20 or permission of the DHS Music Department.

Music 30 continues to focus on the continued development of instrumental proficiency. Students in this class form the Didsbury High School Senior Concert Band.

Music 15 - Instrumental Jazz - 5 credits

Prerequisite: Students must be concurrently enrolled in Concert Band. Admission is based upon standard jazz ensemble instrumentation and/or audition.

This course offers the student an opportunity to study Jazz in an instrumental group setting. In addition to rehearsing and performing works in a variety of jazz styles, students will also learn historical and theoretical concepts specific to the jazz idiom. The topic of improvisation will also be introduced. Students in this course will be members of the Didsbury High School Jazz Ensemble. Note: This course meets outside of the regular timetable, not necessarily on alternate days.

Music 25 - Instrumental Jazz - 5 credits

Prerequisite: Students must be concurrently enrolled in Concert Band. Admission is based upon standard jazz ensemble instrumentation and/or audition.

As per Music 15 - Instrumental Jazz. Students in this course will be members of the Didsbury High School Jazz Ensemble. Note: This course meets outside of the regular timetable, not necessarily on alternate days.

Music 35 - Instrumental Jazz - 5 credits

Prerequisite: Students must be concurrently enrolled in Concert Band. Admission is based upon standard jazz ensemble instrumentation and/or audition.

Music 35 is a continuation of the first two sections of the Instrumental Jazz program. Students in this course will be members of the Didsbury High School Jazz Ensemble. Note: This course meets outside of the regular timetable, not necessarily on alternate days.

General Music 10/20 - Guitar - 3 credits

Prerequisite: All students will provide their own instrument, which must be approved in advance by the instructor.

This course is intended for students wishing to learn to play guitar. Various styles and techniques of playing will be covered. Students will also be given the opportunity to explore an area of particular interest to them. Topics to be covered include: fundamental guitar technique; musical literacy (traditional notation, chord symbols and tablature); various musical styles (classical, folk, ragtime, blues, rock); ear training; techniques of ensemble playing and performance; and guitar maintenance and repair.

Didsbury Pioneer, October 26, 1910, Page 10
A well attended meeting was held on Monday night in the Fire Hall to reorganize the Didsbury Silver Band. Mr. Geo. Liesemer acted as provisional chairman of the meeting and Mr. A. Weber, Secretary.
It was decided to ask Mr. W. M. Thompson to act as leader of the band and Mr. Weber was authorized to purchase music under Mr. Thompson's directions.
It was decided that another meeting should be held on Tuesday night next in the Fire Hall and the Secretary, Mr. Weber, will be pleased to hear from all players in Didsbury who would like to join.
The membership fee was placed at $2, and all those present subscribed this amount.
It is hoped that the townspeople generally will give the band their support in their efforts and help to make it a success.

Didsbury Pioneer, November 2, 1910
The Didsbury Silver Band held another meeting in the Fire Hall on Tuesday night when the committee on by-laws brought in their report and other work.

Didsbury Pioneer, November 7, 1910, Page 1
Didsbury Silver Band
The Didsbury Silver Band is putting in its best licks these days at practice and it was very much of a surprise to a few visitors who heard them at practice one night this week to hear what progress they had made in so short a time. It is expected that, as soon as skating commences, the band will supply more. The town Council should help the boys by making them a small grant to pay a few other incidental expenses which they have to incur. Following is a list of players who now belong to the band. Al Weber, leader; Geo. Liesemer, Geo. Harnock, Ed Weber, H. Gabel, Herb Liesemer, Ed Fisher, Bert Shantz, Ed Perschabacker, M. Moyer, R. Clemens, G. Reading, R. Shantz, J. Burkett, A. Coutsley, E. Shantz, E. Sexsmith.

Didsbury Pioneer, February 15, 1911, Page 8
Band Matters
Editor Pioneer:
Allow me a little space in your valuable paper in regard to the Didsbury musical society or rather the Didsbury Silver Band.
As an onlooker for the last two month I have noticed this society struggling for an existence only, and they have not worked in vain as they proved to us at the rink on Thursday night last.
"It was so nice to have a band" they all say. While there is an interest lacking among some of the bandsmen, it is nothing compared with the merchants and general public, but 'oh' how they do like to hear the band play.
I think the merchants and contractors, and others could help this society considerable, not only financially, but in hiring help of any kind they could at the same time hire bandsmen and then close their stores early enough to let those bandsmen get to practice.
I would like the public generally to take an interest in music for what would this world be without it.
INTERESTED ONLOOKER

Didsbury Pioneer, February 22, 1911, Page 3
A letter appeared in our last issue relative to band matters, in which the writer make a plea to the merchants and contractors to do their little part in upholding the band by hiring bandmen for any help they may need and also by closing their stores earlier to allow the bandsmen to get to practice. Both these requests are reasonable. The town clerk, Mr. J. M. Reed, received a request from a gentleman who is a carpenter, and who has had considerable experience as a bandsman, a few days ago to see if there was an opening for him in Didsbury. He has had twelve years' experience in the 48th Highlanders' band of Toronto, besides being in other bands, and is a lead clarionet player, so he would be a great addition to our band if something would be found for him. Then, again, the early closing movement should be taken up, not only because of the bandsmen, but in justice and mercy to the large number of clerks who are employed in the stores from early morning until late at night, and whose physical well being is undermined through long hours ... the employers thus losing out in.