Ensembles

A.C. Davis Ensembles

The band officially formed as part of Yakima High School (now A.C. Davis High School) in 1927. For 96 years the band has proudly represented the Yakima Valley at local, regional, and international events. Whether you prefer traditional concert band, jazz big band, percussion ensemble, musical theater, marching band or pep band, there’s something for everyone at one of our nearly 75 annual performances. We hope you can join us!

Program Recognition

  • 2019-2020 National Band Association William P. Foster Award of Excellence for Outstanding Band Programs in Title I Schools
    • Northwest Division Winner
    • National Finalist

Wind Ensemble

Director: Mr. Beck

Established: 2000
Grade Level: Typically 11-12
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Type of Credit: Fine Art/Elective
Prerequisites: Director Approval and Audition; Private lessons strongly recommended

The Wind Ensemble is a select band that has performed a wide variety of contemporary and traditional literature. The ensemble has received superior ratings at regional instrumental contest almost every year. The ensemble has produced many outstanding musicians represented at the State WMEA Convention honor groups, WIBC, and State Solo Ensemble Contest.  This group was recently featured as a Concert Hour performing group at the NAfME All-Northwest Conference in Portland, OR. This ensemble rehearses as a wind only ensemble, and is joined in the final stages of rehearsal by members of the Davis Percussion Ensemble.

YVMEA Band Festival Results

  • Superior Rating 2024
  • Superior Rating 2023
  • 2022-Unable to attend due to COVID-19
  • 2021-Cancelled due to COVID-19
  • Superior Rating 2020
  • Superior Rating 2019
  • Superior Rating 2018
  • Superior Rating 2017
  • Excellent Rating 2016
  • Superior Rating 2015
  • Superior Rating 2014
  • Superior Rating 2013
  • Excellent Rating 2012
  • Excellent Rating 2011
  • Excellent Rating 2010
  • Superior Rating 2009
  • Superior Rating 2008
  • Superior Rating 2007
  • Excellent Rating 2006
  • Superior Rating 2005
  • Superior Rating 2004
  • Superior Rating 2003
  • Superior Rating 2002
  • Superior Rating 2001

CBC Wind Festival Results

  • No longer attending this festival
  • Gold Rating 2023
  • 2022-Cancelled due to COVID-19
  • 2021-Cancelled due to COVID-19
  • 2020-Cancelled due to COVID-19
  • Gold Rating 2019
    • Don Paul Outstanding 4A Program (Highest combined Jazz 1 and Wind Ensemble Score)
  • Gold Rating 2018
  • Gold Rating 2017
  • Gold Rating 2016
  • Silver Rating 2015

Other Honors

  • 2019 NAfME Northwest Conference Featured Performance Hour Ensemble
  • 2024 WMEA State Conference Featured Performance Hour Ensemble

Advanced Band

Directors: Mr. Beck

Established: 2017
Grade Level: Typically 10-12
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Type of Credit: Fine Art/Elective
Prerequisites: Director Approval and Audition; Private lessons strongly recommended

Students wishing to be in the Advanced Band must play a band instrument and audition for this ensemble. (Woodwind or Brass). Literature performed will be intermediate traditional and contemporary compositions for concert band. This group will perform required evening performances, as well as attend the regional band contests. This ensemble rehearses as a wind only ensemble, and is joined in the final stages of rehearsal by members of the Davis Percussion Ensemble.

YVMEA Band Festival Results

  • Superior Rating 2024
  • Excellent Rating 2023
  • 2022-Unable to attend due to COVID-19
  • 2021-Cancelled due to COVID-19
  • Superior Rating 2020
  • Superior Rating 2019
  • Superior Rating 2018

Concert Band

Directors: Mr. Beck and Mr. Howard

Established: 1927
Grade Level: Typically 9th
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Type of Credit: Fine Art/Elective
Prerequisites: Director Approval; Private lessons strongly recommended

Students wishing to be in the Freshmen Band must play a band instrument. (Woodwind or Brass). Literature performed will be intermediate traditional and contemporary compositions for concert band. This group will perform required evening performances, as well as attend the regional band contests. This ensemble rehearses as a wind only ensemble, and is joined in the final stages of rehearsal by members of the Davis Percussion Ensemble.

YVMEA Band Festival Results

  • Superior Rating 2024
  • Excellent Rating 2023
  • 2022-Unable to attend due to COVID-19
  • 2021-Cancelled due to COVID-19
  • Superior Rating 2020
  • Superior Rating 2019
  • Excellent Rating 2018
  • Excellent Rating 2017
  • Good Rating 2016
  • Excellent Rating 2015
  • Excellent Rating 2014
  • Good Rating 2013
  • Excellent Rating 2012
  • Excellent Rating 2011
  • Excellent Rating 2010
  • Good Rating 2009
  • Excellent Rating 2008
  • Excellent Rating 2007
  • Excellent Rating 2006
  • Excellent Rating 2005
  • Excellent Rating 2004
  • Excellent Rating 2003
  • Excellent Rating 2002
  • Superior Rating 2001
  • Excellent Rating 2000

Percussion Ensemble 1

Director: Mr. Howard

Established: 2000
Grade Level: Typically 11-12
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Type of Credit: Fine Art/Elective
Prerequisites: Director Approval and/or Audition; Private lessons strongly recommended

This ensemble has a tradition of excellence. Past success includes 2008 WMEA State Ensemble Timpani Soloist Geoff Smith, 1st Place, performances with the Blue Man Group, and numerous awards at the Regional and State Solo and Ensemble competitions as noted below. This ensemble rehearses as their own group and joins the wind musicians in the final rehearsals for performance.  Students in this ensemble are a part of the marching band percussion section.  Students in this ensemble are expected to have a strong base knowledge of percussion techniques and fundamentals on snare, mallets, timpani, drum set and other percussion instruments.  The pedagogical focus of this class is on more advanced percussion techniques as well as refining fundamental concepts.

WIAA State Solo Ensemble Results – Large Percussion*

  • WIAA State Competition
    • 2022 – 3rd in WIAA State
    • 2021-WIAA State cancelled due to COVID-19
    • 2020-WIAA State cancelled due to COVID-19
    • 2019 – WIAA State Champion
    • 2010 – 3rd in WIAA State
    • 2007 – 3rd in WIAA State
  •  YVMEA Regional Competition
    • 2024 Regional Winner (State Qualifier)
    • 2023 Regional Winner (State Qualifier)
    • 2022 Regional Winner (State Qualifier)
    • 2021-Regionals cancelled due to COVID-19
    • 2020 Regional Winner (State Qualifier)
    • 2019 Regional Winner (State Qualifier)
    • 2018 Regional Winner (State Qualifier)
    • 2017 Regional Winner (State Qualifier)
    • 2015 Regional Winner (State Qualifier)
    • 2010 Regional Winner (State Qualifier)
    • 2007 Regional Winner (State Qualifier)

*More information on the years this ensemble qualified for state would be appreciated!

Percussion Ensemble 2

Director: Mr. Beck

Established: 2021
Grade Level: Typically 9-10
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Type of Credit: Fine Art/Elective
Prerequisite: Director Approval; Private lessons strongly recommended

This ensemble is intended for incoming freshman and sophomore students as well as students new to percussion.  Students in this ensemble also perform with the marching band and Concert Band.  Students in this group compete each year at solo ensemble, participate in Percussion/Jazz Nite performances and learn about the fundamentals of percussion on snare, mallets, timpani, drum set, and other percussion instruments.

WIAA State Solo Ensemble Results – Large Percussion*

  • 2022-2023
    • YVMEA Regional 2nd Alternate 2023

Jazz Band 1

Director: Mr. Howard

Established: 2000 (Group restarted)

Grade Level: Typically 11-12
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Type of Credit: Fine Art/Elective
Prerequisites: Director Approval/Audition and appropriate large ensemble enrollment* (exception for guitar and piano).
*Winds: concert bands (Concert, Advanced, Wind Ensemble), Percussionists (concert band or wind ensemble), Bass (orchestra).

This class consists of up to 20 musicians. Instrumentation is 5 saxophones, 5 trumpets, 5 trombones, 1 piano, 1 string bass, 1 guitar, 1 drum set and 1 auxiliary percussion. Style of music will range from traditional swing, blues, be-bop, rock, and funk. Students will perform several out of school performances, as well as attend several jazz festivals and competitions. This class meets as a “Zero” hour outside of the regular school day, beginning at 7:00 a.m.

CBC Jazz Unlimited Results

  • Superior Rating 2023
  • Excellent Rating 2022
  • 2021-Cancelled due to COVID-19
  • 2020-Cancelled due to COVID-19
  • Superior Rating 2019
    • 3rd Place in 4A
    • Don Paul Outstanding 4A Program (Highest combined Jazz 1 and Wind Ensemble Score)
  • Excellent Rating 2018
  • Excellent Rating 2017
  • Excellent Rating 2016
  • Excellent Rating 2015

Mead Jazz Festival Results

  • 2022-23
    • Superior Rating
    • AAAA Finals Band
    • 1st Place AAAA Finals

Jazz Band 2

Director: Mr. Beck

Established: 2016.  Class added 2021.
Grade Level: 9-12
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Type of Credit: Fine Art/Elective
Prerequisites: Director Approval and appropriate large ensemble enrollment* (exception for guitar and piano).
*Winds: concert bands (Concert, Advanced, Wind Ensemble), Percussionists (concert band or wind ensemble), Bass (orchestra).

This class consists of up to 20 musicians. Instrumentation is 5 saxophones, 5 trumpets, 5 trombones, 1 piano, 1 string bass, 1 guitar, 1 drum set and 1 auxiliary percussion. Style of music will range from traditional swing, blues, be-bop, rock, and funk. Students will perform several out of school performances, as well as attend several jazz festivals and competitions. This class meets as a “Zero” hour outside of the regular school day, beginning at 7:00 a.m.

CBC Jazz Unlimited Results

  • Excellent Rating 2022
  • 2021-Cancelled due to COVID-19
  • 2020-Cancelled due to COVID-19
  • Excellent Rating 2019

Color Guard

Director: Elaine Fite

Established: 2000 (competitive group)
Grade: 9-12
Prerequisite: Audition

The Color Guard is an intricate part of the Buccaneer Marching Band. There is an advisor for this group, aside from the head director. Rehearsals will be held after school twice a week. Performances include all football games, marching competitions, and parades. Students that are not in a band class can still participate and still receive credit as an independent study. Winter Guard options will be dealt with on a year-by-year basis.

The A.C. Davis High School Color Guard is the primary visual element of the Buccaneer Marching Band during the fall season. The color guard is an integral group that enhances the visual performance of the marching band (much like the soundtrack to a movie). Selection is based on tryouts in the spring. The group is under the direction of the Color Guard caption head. The color guard is provided with specially trained instructors on specific equipment. The guard may work on dance, rifles, sabres, and of course flags.

The color guard is an auxiliary component of the band. Members of the guard are included as band members. On a case-by-case basis, band members playing other instruments will be allowed to audition. Members are expected to continue advancement on their primary instrument through such pursuits as registration in a large ensemble, and private lessons.

The color guard will maintain a strict rehearsal schedule through the fall marching band season. Due to unique needs, the color guard schedule will not always be the same as the brass, woodwind and percussion rehearsals. Please carefully regard the specific color guard rehearsal schedule, it is sometimes different from the bands.

Competitive Marching Band

Directors: Mr. Beck (lead) and Mr. Howard

Established: 2000
Grade: 9-12
Course Length: August – October (Fall Curriculum for concert courses)
Prerequisite: Director Approval, enrollment in concert ensembles (band/percussion) with the exception of color guard, attendance at rehearsals, movement/music evaluation.  Students not selected for a “cast” spot will be given a “crew” spot for football games and assisting the production at competitions.  See marching band packet that is distributed to the students for more detailed information.
Required participation for students enrolled in Percussion Ensembles, Concert Band, Advanced Band, and Wind Ensemble

The AC Davis Marching Band has become one of the top ensembles in the state, typically scoring in the top 3-4 places at most competitions.

Attendance Policy: Attendance is required to be an active member of the Buccaneer Marching Band. Your work schedule is not an acceptable excuse for missing any music event or rehearsal. Parents, please make every effort to schedule regular appointments around the music schedule whenever possible. Students are responsible for arriving at each rehearsal and performance on time and properly prepared. Parents are urged to see that their children take this responsibility seriously.

There will be times, hopefully few, when a member must miss a rehearsal or come late. It is the responsibility of the member to request from the director an excused absence or tardy, and the request should be made in advance. Generally, personal illness, family emergencies and religious conflicts are excused. Medical appointments are not excused unless they are emergencies.

Major Awards:

  • 2023

    • WSU – 10/28
      • 2nd Place AAA Class (Prelims)
        • High Color Guard
      • 1st Place Overall (Finals)
        • High Music
    • Spokane – 10/14
      • 3rd Place AAAA Class (Prelims)
      • 5th Place Overall (Finals)
    • Music in Motion – Mukilteo – 10/7
      • 2nd Place Open Class (Prelims)
        • High Visual
      • 2nd Place Overall (Finals)
        • High General Effect
  • 2022

    • Puget Sound – 10/22
      • 2nd Place Open Class (Prelims)
      • 4th Place Overall (Finals)
    • Spokane – 10/8
      • 2nd Place Open Class (Prelims)
      • 6th Place Overall (Finals)
        • Best Drum Major
    • Music in Motion – Mukilteo – 10/1
      • 1st Place Open Class (Prelims)
        • All Captions
      • 1st Place Overall (Finals)
        • Best Visual
        • Best Brass and Winds
  • 2021

    •  Puget Sound – 10/23
      • 2nd Place Open Class (Prelims. 2nd Overall)
        • Best Color Guard Open Class
      • 2nd Place Overall (Finals)
    • Spokane – 10/9
      • 2nd Place Open Class (Prelims.  2nd Overall)
        • Best Percussion Open Class
        • Best Visual Open Class
      • 3rd Place Overall (Finals)
    • Cavalcade 10/2
      • 1st Place Open Class (Prelims.  3rd Overall)
        • Best Color Guard Open Class
        • Best Percussion Open Class
        • Best Brass and Winds Open Class
        • Best General Effect Open Class
      • 5th Place Overall (Finals.  3rd Place before 1 point timing penalty)
        • Best Drum Major
  • 2020

    •  WSU
      • Cancelled due to COVID-19
    • Spokane
      • Cancelled due to COVID-19
    • Cavalcade
      • Cancelled due to COVID-19
  • 2019

    •  WSU – 10/26
      • 2nd Place Open Class (Prelims)
        • Best Visual Open Class
      • 2nd Place Overall (Finals)
    • Spokane – 10/12
      • 2nd Place Open Division
      • 5th Place Overall (Finals)
        • Best Drum Major
    • Cavalcade – 10/5
      • 3rd Place Open Class (Prelims)
      • 2nd Place Overall (Finals)
        • Best Drum Major
  • 2018

    •  WSU – 10/27
      • 1st Place (Tie) Open Class (Tied for 1st overall in prelims)
        • Best Music Open Class
        • Best Percussion Open Class
      • 4th Place Overall (Finals)
        • Best Music Overall
        • Best Percussion Overall
        • Best Drum Major Overall
    • Spokane -10/13
        • 3rd Place Open Division
        • 3rd Place Overall
          • Best Drum Major Overall
  • 2017

    • WSU – 10/28
      • 2nd in Open Class
      • 3rd Overall (Finals)
    • Spokane – 10/14
      • 2nd place Open Division
      • 2nd place Overall (Finals)
    • Cavalcade – 10/7
      • 4th Overall (Finals)
  • 2016

    • Puget Sound – 10/22
      • 7th Overall (Finals)
    • Cavalcade – 10/1
      • 5th Overall (Finals)
  • 2015

    • Puget Sound -10/24
      • 11th Overall (Finals)
    • Cavalcade – 10/3
      • 11th Overall (Finals)