ABOUT OUR BAND
The West Boca Raton HS Band program, known as the Vanguard, is one of the premier instrumental music programs in all of Palm Beach County. The Vanguard currently consists of 165 students who make up its seven different large performing ensembles (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Bands 1 and 2, Percussion Ensemble, and Pep Band) as well as its numerous small ensembles and combos.
The Vanguard shines as one of the top band programs in both Palm Beach County and all of Florida, as each of its ensembles consistently receive Superior ratings at both the District and State levels.
About The Director
Larry Shane, a National Board Certified teacher, received his Bachelors degree in Music from the University of Miami in 1991 and his Masters degree in Education from the University of Central Florida in 2004. He is currently in his eleventh year as the Band Director at West Boca Raton HS (Boca Raton, FL), with previous experience teaching high schools in both Florida and North Carolina. Over the last 30 years, Mr. Shane's ensembles have consistently received "Superior" ratings in all music performance assessments at both the District and State levels. In the spring of 2018, the West Boca Wind Ensemble was invited to and performed at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival held in Indianapolis. In both 2016 and 2020, the West Boca Band traveled overseas acting as ambassadors for both Palm Beach County and the entire State of Florida with performances in the London New Year’s Day Parade in London, England. The Band is planning a Rome trip in 2024. Mr. Shane was honored by his peers as he was named “Teacher of the Year” at West Boca Raton HS during the 2016-17 school year.
Outside of school, Mr. Shane has been on the music faculty of the Carolina Crown (Ft. Mill, SC) as a brass instructor since 2006. During his tenure with the corps, Crown has won 7 overall Jim Ott Awards for Best Brass Performance as well as the 2013 DCI World Championship. Before joining Carolina Crown as an instructor, he was on the brass staff of the Blue Knights (Denver, CO) as well as Dutch Boy (Kitchener, ONT, Canada). Mr. Shane is a former soprano (trumpet) soloist with both the Florida Wave (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) and Blue Devils (Concord, CA) and is a former drum major of the University of Miami “Band of the Hour”. Mr. Shane currently lives in Wellington, FL with his beautiful wife Randi and their three children Zachary, Dylan, and Rebecca.
Larry Shane
Larry Shane
B.A. 1991/UM, M.Ed. 2004/UCF
Dedication to Music Education is well known and evident not only by his excellence as a director, but also in his ability to teach his students to become better people, adults, and members of a team who cares equally about the music they make, and each other. Larry has taught the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps since 2006. Larry spends most weekends in the Fall judging band competitions all over the country. Larry encourages student every year to participate in the Frost Honor Band, and to also consider attending UM. He has had countless students to follow in his footsteps by attending the UM and marching in the Frost Band of the Hour.
Our Achievements
20 different bands have received Superior ratings (the highest rating possible) at their respective FBA State Music Performance Assessments. This is by far the most in PBC during this time and more than double the amount of the next closest school.
50 different bands have received Superior ratings at their respective FBA District Music Performance Assessments. This is also among the highest in PBC during this time.
Performed at the 2018 Music for All National Concert Band Festival held in Indianapolis, Indiana. We were the 2nd band in the history of Palm Beach County to be invited to perform at this prestigious event.
Performed at the 2022 Music For All Regional Concert Band Festival sponsored by UCF in Orlando. We were one of only 8 bands from Florida invited to perform.
Performed in both the 2016 and 2020 London New Year’s Day Parade and Chamber Concert performance, which was viewed by millions of people worldwide. We are planning another trip to Europe to perform in the 2024 New Year’s Day Parade in Rome, Italy.
MEET OUR GROUPS
The middle level of Band class offered at West Boca. Students in this class will work on music for performance throughout the school year. This group has rehearsals and performances which require extra-curricular participation. Students perform either a solo or an ensemble at the FBA
District evaluation. Membership
is based on an audition.
Directed by Larry Shane
Symphonic Band
The top level of Band class offered at West Boca. Students in this class will work on very high level music for performance throughout the school year. This group has rehearsals and performances which require extra-curricular participation. Students perform either a solo or an ensemble at the FBA
District evaluation. Membership
is based on an audition.
Directed by Larry Shane
Wind Ensemble
The entry level of Band class offered at West Boca. Students will work on music for performances throughout the school year. Must be a member of the Vanguard Marching Band. Rehearsals and performances will require extra curricular participation. Students in this ensemble will be required to perform either a solo or an ensemble. Membership is open to students with at least one year of band experience.
Directed by Larry Shane
Concert Band
Advanced styles of Jazz, Swing, Rock, Pop, and Latin are learned in
this class and are performed throughout the year. This group has rehearsals and performances which require extra-curricular participation. Members of the Jazz Band MUST also be members of one of the concert bands. Membership in this Band is based on an audition and Director’s approval.
Directed by Larry Shane
Jazz Band
Students work on music for performances throughout the school year. Students in this ensemble will be required to participate in the Vanguard Marching Band, one of three Concert Bands, and the Winter Percussion ensemble. Students must have at least one year of previous school band percussion experience to be apart of this ensemble.
Directed by Jed Davis
Percussion Ensemble
All members of the WBHS Vanguard participate in pep band activities, rehearsals, football games and events. Students will be apart of sectionals, memorize their music for games, learn how to march, and learn drill. Previous experience in a marching band is not required. Yearly band camp takes place prior to the start of each school year.
Directed by Larry Shane
Pep Band
MEDIA
All Videos
All Videos
West Boca Raton HS Vanguard Wind Ensemble - Mahler Symphony Number 3, Finale
West Boca Raton HS Vanguard Jazz Band - Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)
West Boca Raton HS Vanguard Jazz Band - Isfahan
PHOTOS
SOCIAL MEDIA
