Viper Vanguard
The Viper Vanguard is the centerpiece for school spirit and pride at Lake Buena Vista High School. The Vanguard will perform at all LBV varsity football games as well as FBA marching MPA and select contests and festivals in the state of Florida. All students enrolled in band at LBV are participants in the Vanguard. Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings and Wednesdays after school from the beginning of school until the beginning of November.
Viper Vanguard Awards and Honors
Wind Symphony
The Wind Symphony is the advanced concert ensemble in the LBV band program. Wind Symphony will meet during the school day and occasionally have after school rehearsals to prepare for concert and festival performances. Students in Wind Symphony are typically in grades 10-12. Wind Symphony will present concerts at LBV as well as participate in FBA performance assessments. Participation in Solo and Ensemble festival in February is strongly encouraged. Private lessons are encouraged, but not a requirement. Students in the Wind Symphony will participate in the Viper Vanguard in the fall.
Symphonic Band
Symphonic Band is the intermediate level ensemble in the LBV band program. Students in Symphonic Band will meet during the school day and occasionally have after school rehearsals to prepare for concerts and festivals. Symphonic Band will perform on concerts at LBV as well as standard FBA assessments and festivals. Participation in Solo and Ensemble in February is strongly encouraged. Students in Symphonic Band will participate in the Viper Vanguard in the fall.
Jazz Ensemble 1
The Lake Buena Vista Jazz Ensemble is an auditioned group of the finest musicians at LBV. The jazz ensemble will meet during the school day and focus on all elements of jazz including ensemble playing, combo playing, improvisation and more. Jazz Ensemble will perform in concerts at LBV as well as MPA and other area festivals and events.
Jazz Ensemble 2
Jazz Ensemble 2 is designed for students who are new or still developing jazz musicians. This ensemble will meet during the school day and focus on all elements of jazz musicianship including ensemble playing, combo playing, improvisation and more. Jazz 2 is perfect for students who already play an instrument but would like to learn an additional instrument. Jazz 2 will perform in concerts at LBV as well as MPA and other area festivals and events.
Percussion
Percussion at LBV is split into intermediate and advanced levels. Students in the percussion program meet in class during the school day and participate in the award winning Viper Vanguard as members of the Percussion Ensemble. The audition process for spots in the Vanguard begin in early April and run through the summer into band camp. Following marching season, percussion students will have the opportunity to perform percussion ensemble literature, participate in the LBV Wind Symphony or Symphonic Band, as well as MPAs and Festivals in the area.
Beginning Band
Beginning Band is open to any student at Lake Buena Vista High School and is offered yearly as an opportunity for students to become involved in the band program at LBV. Students in beginning band will go through a process of choosing an instrument to learn and will work through a fundamental curriculum to put them on track for membership in the program after 1 year. Students in beginning band will be responsible for the purchase of a beginning methods book ($20 typically) and the rental of a school owned or personally owned instrument. Students participating in Beginning Band participate in select band activities within the LBV Band Program.