Music

The Basketball Pep Band is a student-led organization and performs for many of the varsity home games. The high school group is led by senior band members and works closely with the Athletic staff and cheerleaders to support the teams and to boost school spirit at the games. It is a volunteer ensemble and is open to any high school student who plays an instrument, regardless of participation in the Marching or Symphonic Band programs.

The Fifth Grade Band meets twice each week and is designed to be an instructional class rather than a performance ensemble. The students are introduced to the woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments, and much time is spent in helping the student choose the instrument best suited for him/her. The course focuses upon basic fundamentals of music and playing skills. Although performing is not a primary objective, the Fifth Grade Band performs on the Grand Parents Day program each spring.

The Sixth Grade Intermediate Band rehearses twice each week. This band is designed as an instructional class rather than as a performance ensemble. The focus of this course is upon instrumental fundamentals and playing skills and upon music theory fundamentals and even composition. Although performing is not the primary objective of this group, the students do have several performance opportunities both individually and as an ensemble. The sixth grade students participate in Elementary and Middle School District Honor Bands, Instrumental Solo and Ensemble Festival, and perform for various school assemblies.

Our Symphonic Band begins rehearsals in October and remains active throughout the remainder of the school year. This ensemble has received numerous Superior Ratings at the GMEA Festivals, as well as other Concert Festival events. Among the awards received by this ensemble is a Sweepstakes Award for the Music Showcase Festival in Atlanta and the coveted Grand Sweepstakes Award in 1998, which is a national award given to the band that received the highest score at any of the Music Showcase Festival events for that year. Many individual members of the Symphonic Band are selected each year for participation in the GISA All-Select Band, the GMEA District Honor Bands, the All Region Bands, and the GMEA All State Bands.

The "Spirit of Stratford" begins rehearsal in the summer with a two week camp, during which time the instrumentalists and color guard members learn the marching show. The ensemble performs at half-time at the varsity football games and competes in two Marching Band Festivals/Competitions. The band and color guard consistently receives superior ratings, and has received numerous Sweepstakes Awards for straight superior ratings in all captions.