Band Program
The Band Program at Dr. Garcia High School is a high quality musical entity that is comprised of Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Colorguard. The program aims to develop tone production, band performance techniques, musical literacy, and music appreciation. Students perform in a variety of state, national and local competitions. Performances are held during halftime shows, pep rallies, and community events.
Please see “Special Note” under each description for prerequisite information and special placement considerations.
Meet Our Director
John Rodriguez - Band Director
John Rodriguez is a Palm Beach County School District product graduating from Santaluces High School in 2004. John also is a graduate of the University of South Florida receiving his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance and Bachelor of Science in Music Education in 2009. John continued his studies at the University of Maryland earning a Master of Music in Jazz Performance in 2012. Mr. Rodriguez returned to South Florida and began his teaching career as an Elementary Music Teacher with Seminole Trails Elementary from 2012 - 2017. John earned the Teamwork USA Instrumental Music Grant, the Teamwork USA Elementary Scholarship Grant, the Green Schools Recognition Program and was nominated as Teacher of the Year from 2014-2017.
John is finishing his sixth year as the Director of Bands at Palm Beach Gardens High School. In 2021 The Mighty Fightin' Gator Indoor Ensemble earned a Silver Medal in FFCC's Indoor Winds Category in 2021 and went undefeated in SFWGA's Indoor season. They finished 8th in the entire nation for the Indoor Winds category in their first year! The Mighty Fightin’ Gator Marching Band swept their class at the John I. Leonard Jamboree, and finished 2nd at the Jupiter Festival of Bands. The Marching Band also attended the Florida Marching Band Championships for the first time in school history earning a spot in Finals competition and coming in 4th in the state! Under the baton of Mr. Rodriguez, the wind ensemble has earned a superior rating the past two years and the Jazz Band achieved superior status last year. John has also enhanced the school’s Winterguard program, expanded from one team to two teams and earned multiple top 3 placements and a Gold Medal in 2019 in the South Florida Winterguard Association Circuit. John Rodriguez is excited to join the Dr. Joaquín Garcia High School family and continue bringing musical experiences through excellence to the community, state, and nation.