ℹ️ About the Kaegebein Bands
About the Kaegebein Bands
The Kaegebein Elementary Bands have a long and proud tradition of excellence, dating back to the opening year of our school (1952). The Kaegebein Bands consist of the following performing ensembles, all of which are still active during the pandemic:
Concert Band
Jazz Band
Beginning Band
Elementary Band
Fourth Grade Band
Chamber Ensembles
The Kaegebein Concert Band is the main performance ensemble of our band program. It is open to all second-year band students, and advanced first-year students. The Concert Band rehearses after school on select Tuesdays and Thursdays, and performs three concerts during the school year (in November, March and May). Since 2008, the Concert Band has participated annually in a NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Major Organization Festival, earning Gold or Gold With Distinction ratings each year. Concert Band students actively participate in the ECMEA (Erie County Music Educators Association) Solo Festival each January, with several students achieving All-County honors. Concert Band students also participate in NYSSMA Solo/Ensemble Festivals each spring.
The Kaegebein Jazz Band is a jazz ensemble that is open to experienced students who play traditional jazz ensemble instruments (saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, bass, and drum set), plus any other concert band instrument. The Jazz Band plays jazz literature in swing, rock, ballad and Latin styles. The Jazz Band meets before schools on Tuesdays, with a few additional morning rehearsals throughout the school year, and performs two concerts during the school year (in November and March). The Jazz Band participated in a NYSSMA Major Organization Festival in 2010, earning a Gold With Distinction rating. Since 2009, the Jazz Band has participated in the Springville Pageant of Bands each May, and has received outstanding ratings each year, earning an average aggregate score of over 97. Jazz Band students participate in NYSSMA Solo/Ensemble Festivals each spring, performing jazz literature.
The Kaegebein Beginning Band is the performance ensemble for all first-year band students. The Beginning Band meets after school on selected Tuesdays and Thursdays, and performs two concerts during the school year (in December and May). The Beginning Band performs literature for complete band as soon as possible. Students in the Beginning Band who perform exceptionally well are invited to also join Concert Band during the school year. Many students in Beginning Band participate in the ECMEA and NYSSMA Solo Festivals.
The Kaegebein Elementary Band is the ensemble for every band student in our school. Each spring (every-other year), approximately 100 band students rehearse together on four separate Tuesday/Thursday dates after school. The Elementary Band performs two complex pieces at the spring concert each May. This ensemble is a wonderful cooperative learning and mentor/mentee experience for all band students.
The Kaegebein Fourth Grade Band is comprised of all fourth grade band students, and meets at selected times in June during the school day to prepare music for the Fifth Grade Moving Up Day. The Fourth Grade Band performs the standard "Pomp and Circumstance" march, in addition to prelude and recessional music. The Fourth Grade Band is an outstanding vehicle for keeping our returning students engaged in music performance until the final day of school.
The Kaegebein Chamber Ensembles are open to all interested band students. Students are invited to form their own chamber groups (any size and any instrument combinations). In addition, participating students form the following groups: Flute Choir, Clarinet Choir, Saxophone Choir, Double Reed Choir, Woodwind Choir, Trumpet Choir, Low Brass Choir and Brass Choir. Many chamber ensembles continue their associations and participate in a spring NYSSMA Solo/Ensemble Festival.