Welcome to the D56 Band website!  
Please check through the pages above for information about 
the different bands and activities!  
Follow the band on Twitter 
6th, 7th and 8th grade @D56VikingBand
4th and 5th Grade @PTRTBand
Sign up to volunteer! We have many events throughout the year that we need parent volunteers for. Take a look through our sign-up genius to find something that interests you.
Paul Kundert Memorial Scholarship 
 If you would like to donate to the Paul Kundert Private Lesson Scholarship Fund follow the link!

Junior High Performing Ensembles: 

Symphonic Band
The Viking Symphonic Band is made up of all 7th and 8th grade musicians who have played at least a year and have met the playing requirements set by the director, Mr Boswell.  The band performs between 5 and 6 times during the school year and tries to participate in at least 2 contests each year. It is a performance based group that will perform a difficult selection of music, challenging each young musician to play at their highest level.

Concert Band
The Concert Band is composed of sixth grade students and is directed by Mr. Eikenberry. For most of them, it is their third year of playing. By now, they know most of the fingerings on their instruments. It is also a time to introduce more low brass and low woodwinds, to expand the instrumentation of the group.  This band performs between 5 and 6 times per year and participates in the North Chicago Band Festival.  

Marching Band
The Viking Marching Band is made up of all 6th thru 8th grade band members. The marching season begins in late July with our Gurnee Days Rehearsals and ends in late September or early October with our performance in the Warren Homecoming parade and the Warren HS Marching Festival. Drum major and color guard try-outs are held in May and are open to 7th and 8th graders.

Pep Band
The Viking Pep Band is made up of the best 6th, 7th and 8th Grade band students.  They are an enthusiastic group with a lot of "pep."  They perform a few times a year at games and other events playing many oldies and motivational tunes.  The Pep Band is led by Mr. Boswell and Mr. Eikenberry.  

Jazz Ensemble
The Viking Jazz Ensemble is a select group of 7th and 8th grade musicians interested in performing big band jazz music. This group of 22-25 students will play 8-12 “gigs” each year ranging from a school pep assembly to a dinner party at the local country club. This band will perform 25-30 charts over the course of a school year and will make it’s annual CD of their favorite tunes in May. This group rehearses M,W,F from 7:00-7:25 AM in the Viking band room and is directed by Mr. Boswell.

Jazz Band
The Viking Jazz Band is a lab ensemble with a single focus. Take the young musicians at Viking who aren’t in the Jazz Ensemble and give them an opportunity to experience playing jazz music. This group features no cuts and deals with the very basics of playing in the jazz style. They will perform a few times during the year and be on the year-end CD. 6th-8th graders are welcome!!! this group meets T,TH mornings from 7:00-7:25 AM in the Viking band room and is directed by Mr. Eikenberry.


Elementary Performing Ensembles:

Intermediate Concert Band
Intermediate Concert Band is made up of fifth graders in their second year of band.  The band performs four times during the year.  The highlight of the year is the annual Spring Tour.  During this event, the band plays at Spaulding and River Trail Schools as an introduction to the band for the younger students.  This ensemble rehearses on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:30-8am and is directed by Mrs. Farster.  

Beginner Band
This is where it all starts!  This band consists of fourth and fifth graders in their first year of band.  These students definitely have the hardest job as they learn to play their instruments and learn to play together as a group.  The band performs twice during the year plus concerts for the third graders for Intro to Band Day.  Beginner Band rehearses on Tuesday and Thursdays from 7:30-8am and is directed by Mrs. Farster.