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Ensembles
There are three major ensembles in the Cactus High School Instrumental Program. It is highly encouraged that all instrumental music students do both semesters if they want to do music in future years of high school. All ensembles are open to Cactus students of any level, no audition required. Please reach out to Mr. Simmons if you have any questions about any ensemble.
Cobra Regiment (Fall Only)
The Cobra Regiment is the largest band ensemble at Cactus. It consists of winds, percussion, and color guard. Students in the Cobra Regiment perform at every football game, multiple marching competitions, and other events throughout the semester. Percussion/Guard will be in a separate section from Winds. Drumline requires audition. Register for 2024 HERE.
Course Title: Marching Band (14100)
Concert Band (Spring Only)
The Concert Band is the spring concert wind ensemble. Students will learn fundamental music skills, perform in multiple concerts, and travel for festivals. Percussion/guard will be in a separate class. Music will be supplemented by the percussionists in the percussion ensemble. This group rehearses once a week on average.
Course Title: Concert Band (14101)
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Percussion Ensemble (Spring Only)
The Percussion Ensemble is the spring percussion class where students will learn specific skills applicable to percussion. Students in this class will learn percussion music, supplement the concert band, and continue to prepare marching percussion skills.
Course Title: Concert Band (14101)
Course Requirements
All students in the Peoria Unified School District need a minimum of 28 credits to graduate. Relevant required credits for all PUSD students are 1 credit of PE, 1 credit of fine arts, and 12 credits of various electives. Our courses can count towards these requirements in the following ways:
Cobra Regiment
- Happens in the fall ONLY
- Grants 1 credit towards:
- PE or,
- Fine Arts or,
- One of twelve required electives
- Each semester only counts towards ONE of these categories, not multiple, per semester
- Repeatable all four years
- Grants required PE Credit
- Grants required Fine Arts Credit
- Grants 2 out of 12 required Elective Credits
Concert Band / Instrumental Ensemble
- Happens in the spring ONLY
- Different course name for winds vs percussion, but functionally the same
- Grants 1 credit towards:
- Fine Arts or,
- One of twelve required electives
- Each semester only counts towards ONE of these categories, not multiple, per semester
- Repeatable all four years
- Grants required Fine Arts Credit
- Grants 3 out of 12 required Elective Credits
Band All Four Years
- If a student does band every semester, they will be granted the following credits towards graduation
- 1 out of 1 Required PE Credit
- 1 out of 1 Required Fine Arts Credit
- 6 out of 12 Required Elective Credits
Learn more about the benefits of band HERE.
Staff
Mr. Joshua Simmons
Band Director
Mrs. Dominique Garcia
Woodwind Caption Head
Richie Brennan
Brass Caption Head
Hunter Deguisne
Drumline Caption Head
Jake Krejsta
Front Ensemble/Sound Design/Composer
Selena Ryan
Visual Caption Head