Instrumental Music

Each student in the Totino-Grace instrumental music program receives individual lessons on their specific instrument from instructors who specialize in the instrument. This ensures individualized instruction for the specific needs of the student, a key reason to the success of the program.

There are four band concerts throughout the year which feature a variety of music from classical to pop. The jazz program has their own concert series, including public performances. Jazz Ensemble I has also been selected as a top ensemble in the state of Minnesota to perform at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival.

Company of Singers Combo (the select band that accompanies the varsity show choir) has had national acclaim on their own; with the Company of Singers they won the national title in 2010.

Students have been placed in the MN All-State Bands and Orchestra, an auditioned and highly select ensemble from vocal students throughout the state.

Individual performers (in solos and small ensembles) have received numerous Excellent and Superior ratings, including many "Best-At-Site" awards.

The bands have performed across the country and globe, including Portugal, Norway, Canada, Ireland, Germany and Austria.

Instructors, in addition to their teaching responsibilities, are also professional performers, guest clinicians and adjudicators locally and nationally.

Through active participation in both classroom study and group ensembles, Totino-Grace students have the opportunity to learn and grow as instrumentalists. Our curricular offerings include Symphonic and Concert Bands, and an honors level Symphonic Band. Our Instrumental Music Department features numerous co-curricular opportunities for students to perform and compete. 

Symphonic Band
An ensemble consisting of 10 – 12 grade students enrolled in band. This group meets every day, rehearses and performs, and works at a very high difficulty level and in many varying styles. 

Honors Symphonic Band
This group is part of the Symphonic Band, with additional emphasis on music theory, composition, and history. Honors Symphonic Band is open to seniors only.

Concert Band
This ensemble is made up of all freshmen band members. They meet every day and perform an extremely wide variety of music to expose them to as many styles as possible. 

Additional information can be found in the music section on the academic departments webpage. 

A focused percussion group made up of anyone in the music program. Rehearses once a week and performs a wide variety of percussion specific literature.

These co-curricular ensembles rehearse once a week, plus weekly sectionals. They prepare a variety of swing, big band, blues, rock and Latin pieces. They perform at Totino-Grace Jazz Department concerts, jazz festivals, the "18th and Vine" Swing Dance and other events in the Twin Cities.

These are small groups that rehearse once a week, focusing on jazz improvisation and jazz soloing abilities.

This ensemble features trumpets and french horns, focusing on brass literature written specifically for these instruments.  They rehearse once a week and perform on major concerts.

An ensemble of varying instrumentation that performs for the fall musical production at Totino-Grace, and are consistently recognized by the Hennepin Theatre Spotlight awards for Outstanding Student Orchestra.

An ensemble of varying instrumentation that plays for the Totino-Grace school masses.

A 7-10 piece group with rhythm section and varying instrumental that accompanies the 3 Show Choirs.  Company Combo, a highly awarded and recognized ensemble, performs with the varsity show choir 'Company of Singers', Encore Combo performs with the JV show choir 'Encore Singers', and the E-Jams performs with the all-male show choir 'The T-Tones'.

This ensemble features trombones and focuses on brass literature written specifically for trombone.  They rehearse once a week and perform on major concerts.

An ensemble made up of woodwind players (flutes, oboes, clarinets, and saxes) from the two curricular bands. They rehearse once a week and perform on major concerts.