The Monroe Area High School Instrumental Music Department provides students the opportunity to develop their abilities and express themselves through music. We believe that students should enhance their individual potential to understand music as an art form, promote the use of music as a form of self-expression, and value music as an aesthetic experience.

The band program provides instruction which focuses on a sequential program of skills development while encouraging academic excellence, strong character, leadership, and a strong sense of team in a caring and supportive environment. The MAHS Band, most importantly, does not lose sight of its PRIDE: Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, and Excellence!

The Marching Canes are the most visible performing group at MAHS. This is a volunteer co-curricular activity. Membership requires previous band experience, and all members of the Marching Canes (excluding color guard) must be enrolled in band class unless you have director approval. Sign-ups take place in March/April for the following school year. Band camp takes place at the end of July. The Marching Canes rehearse after school three days a week, play at all home and away football games, host a marching competition, and compete in 2-3 competitions each season. Every band member is encouraged to participate if possible as marching band is a tremendous opportunity to grow as a musician and develop life-long friendships. 

The symphonic band is comprised of 10th-12th grade students and is our top concert ensemble. Students must have previous band experience in order to be in this group. The Symphonic Band performs four concerts per year (October, December, February, and May). They also participate in the Georgia Music Educators Large Group Performance Evaluation in March each year as well as other adjudicated events in the Spring. This ensemble works to perform at a high level on both standard wind band literature as well as new works. 

All 9th grade students are automatically placed in Concert Band. This group serves as the student's transition into high school band. The concert band performs four concerts per year (October, December, February, and May). They also participate in the Georgia Music Educators Large Group Performance Evaluation in March. This ensemble is designed to continue to build on the fundamentals learned in middle school band and prepare the students to handle the more difficult literature performed in the Symphonic Band. Unlike the middle school, we have a very limited number of school owned instruments. We provide tubas, euphoniums, horns, and double reeds. All other students will need to obtain an instrument for this course. We have a number of options for students to obtain quality instruments including programs that are need based for those with financial concerns. Parents are strongly discouraged from purchasing instruments online as they are often poorly made, do not play well, and break easily.

Students in any grade who have not had previous band experience or students who only did one year of middle school band can sign up for beginning band. This class meets at the same time as concert band. The first semester beginners spend their time working through a method book with the director, practicing independently, and sitting in with the concert band. By the end of the first semester, students are "caught up" with the rest of the class and second semester are full members of the Concert Band. 

Our Jazz program is an extracurricular extension of the band department. Our Jazz programs begin in late October/early November when the marching season begins to wind down. The premier group is the MAHS Big Band which is open to Trumpets, Trombones, and Saxophones as well as pianists, guitarists, drummers, and vocalists. Other instruments may also be utilized. Membership is by audition/director selection and is open to all grade levels. Wind players are expected to be enrolled in a band class, but rhythm section members and vocalists are not. If enough students are interested, a second big band may also be formed. In addition, there is opportunity for students to participate in Jazz Combos. These are open to all instruments and ability levels. Participation in the jazz programs require afternoon and evening rehearsals and performances. Students must be able to commit to both in order to participate.  

Members of the band program are eligible to audition for the all-state and district honor bands.  Auditions for District Band are held in December and serve as the first round of all-state auditions with the final round being held in January.  Students register for auditions in September. A full list of requirements for the auditions can be found at https://www.gmea.org/asb-information.. 

Some students will have an opportunity to apply for the UGAJanfest Band Festival. Students are nominated by the director. If accepted, students will spend two nights and days at the University of Georgia in an honor band setting.  Students will have an opportunity to perform with students from all over the state as well as work with some of the best band directors in the country.