Written by Nicholas Hunt
O’NEALS — What is Show Band, and why is it not in other schools? The Minarets Show Band is a new program developed as a CTE (Career Technical Education) oriented course, designed for top performers from all music classes offered at Minarets. That includes Guitar 1, Guitar 2/Recording, Rock Music Performance, Singer-Songwriter, Concert Band, Chorus, and Percussion.
Show Band simulates working musicians in a professional band, such as one might see in an amusement park or on a cruise ship. Students are pushed hard in a manner consistent with working in the industry.
The Show Band has worked up a two hour show of Top 40 hits of the last 50 years in its inaugural year, and has been requested at conferences and events throughout the valley.
A trip to visit the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar is being planned before the end of this school year. Minarets students will participate in a workshop and perform with the Marine band.
Students selected for Show Band must be available for short notice performances and for many out of school individual practice sessions, as class time is solely used for building “the show.”
All equipment is state of the art, including a digital mixing system with all members using IEM (in-ear monitoring). 
There are no guitar amps or monitors, making the Show Band available for any type of venue, including service club meetings. Cutting edge applications on iPads are the platform for processing keyboards, guitars, and bass.
Watch the Minarets Show Band 2016 Promo
Nicholas Hunt is a Minarets student enrolled in Digital Writing
