Ensembles
Marching Band of Blue
The Marching Band is composed of guard, winds, and percussion. Students who wish to participate in marching band should be registered for first semester band. Students who choose to participate in Concert Only will be enrolled in second semester band. It is recommended that all students participate in both marching and concert band while here at HCHS. They will perform at all Varsity Football games, pep rallies, parades, etc. The Marching Band will practice Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45pm – 6:30pm. These practices start in August and end in conjunction with the Varsity Football Schedule (November/December). There are two types of members in the marching band:
Primary Marchers (Competitive Band)
Students who receive a position in the competitive marching band will carry the designation of primary marcher. A primary marcher is a student who:
Alternates (Football Band)
All first-time marchers will be alternates. Alternates are a necessary and vital aspect of our program. It allows the Directors the opportunity to prepare for possible substitutions due to injury, sustained illness, etc. Alternates will meet the same rehearsal, memorization, academic, and performance requirements of primary marchers. Alternates will rehearse on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Alternates will perform at every football game.
This will help improve individual skill levels and will prepare students for future performance opportunities. As a band staff, we are committed to providing performance opportunities for all students. However, the level of performance participation may be limited by eligibility and individual performance ability.
Students who fail to meet the music memorization requirement may be penalized by one of the following:
Wind Ensemble (Mastery)
The Wind Ensemble is composed of the most outstanding musicians at HCHS and is an audition only group (auditions usually held in September). Students should participate in one area of the Marching Band of Blue. This group performs class V–VI music. Practices are Tuesdays and some Thursdays from 3:45pm – 5:30pm.
Symphonic Band (Advanced)
The Symphonic Band is composed of outstanding musicians at HCHS and is an audition only group (auditions usually held in September). Students should participate in one area of the Marching Band of Blue. This group performs class IV–V music. Practices are Thursday from 3:45pm – 5:30pm.
Concert Band (Intermediate)
The Concert Band is composed of younger and more inexperienced musicians. This group performs class III-IV music. Students should participate in one area of the Marching Band of Blue. The Concert Band offers students an opportunity to learn a secondary instrument as well. Practices are Mondays from 3:45pm – 5:30pm.
The Blue Note Jazz Ensemble
The Blue Note is an audition only group (auditions usually held in November). This ensemble will rehearse after school on Wednesdays from 3:45pm – 5pm starting in January. They perform for a variety of school and community functions.
Guard
The guard performs routines during the half-time shows of each varsity football game, marching competitions, parades and a few pep rallies. Tryouts for the Guard occur in March and April for students in grades eight through eleven. In addition, the Guard may have called rehearsals above and beyond the normal practice schedule as determined by the directors, sponsors, and captains.
Winterguard
Winterguard is performed indoors, usually in a gym or indoor arena during the winter or spring season. Instead of performing as a visual accent to the marching band, each winter guard team picks its own music and performs exclusively. Winterguard teams are judged not only on talent and precision, but also on creativity. Tryouts for the Winterguard occur in November/December for students in grades nine through twelve. In addition, the Winterguard may have called rehearsals above and beyond the normal practice schedule as determined by the directors, sponsors, and captains.
Drumline/Indoor Percussion
The drumline is an audition only group (auditions usually held in April/May). Performances by the drumline are in high demand throughout the year, especially during the Varsity football season. The drumline consists of two components - battery and front ensemble. The battery is comprised of snare, tenor, bass drums and cymbals. The front ensemble is comprised of all mallet instruments including auxiliary equipment.
The Marching Band is composed of guard, winds, and percussion. Students who wish to participate in marching band should be registered for first semester band. Students who choose to participate in Concert Only will be enrolled in second semester band. It is recommended that all students participate in both marching and concert band while here at HCHS. They will perform at all Varsity Football games, pep rallies, parades, etc. The Marching Band will practice Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45pm – 6:30pm. These practices start in August and end in conjunction with the Varsity Football Schedule (November/December). There are two types of members in the marching band:
Primary Marchers (Competitive Band)
Students who receive a position in the competitive marching band will carry the designation of primary marcher. A primary marcher is a student who:
- Demonstrates high quality marching skills and is not a first-time marcher
- Is present and punctual at rehearsals and performances
- Maintains academic eligibility
- Represents the school, school district, band program and themselves with the highest possible
- decorum and behavioral standards
- Not all veteran marchers will receive a Primary Marcher Position.
Alternates (Football Band)
All first-time marchers will be alternates. Alternates are a necessary and vital aspect of our program. It allows the Directors the opportunity to prepare for possible substitutions due to injury, sustained illness, etc. Alternates will meet the same rehearsal, memorization, academic, and performance requirements of primary marchers. Alternates will rehearse on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Alternates will perform at every football game.
This will help improve individual skill levels and will prepare students for future performance opportunities. As a band staff, we are committed to providing performance opportunities for all students. However, the level of performance participation may be limited by eligibility and individual performance ability.
Students who fail to meet the music memorization requirement may be penalized by one of the following:
- perform at football game without instrument or mouthpiece
- loss of position as a primary marcher
- loss of performance opportunity
Wind Ensemble (Mastery)
The Wind Ensemble is composed of the most outstanding musicians at HCHS and is an audition only group (auditions usually held in September). Students should participate in one area of the Marching Band of Blue. This group performs class V–VI music. Practices are Tuesdays and some Thursdays from 3:45pm – 5:30pm.
Symphonic Band (Advanced)
The Symphonic Band is composed of outstanding musicians at HCHS and is an audition only group (auditions usually held in September). Students should participate in one area of the Marching Band of Blue. This group performs class IV–V music. Practices are Thursday from 3:45pm – 5:30pm.
Concert Band (Intermediate)
The Concert Band is composed of younger and more inexperienced musicians. This group performs class III-IV music. Students should participate in one area of the Marching Band of Blue. The Concert Band offers students an opportunity to learn a secondary instrument as well. Practices are Mondays from 3:45pm – 5:30pm.
The Blue Note Jazz Ensemble
The Blue Note is an audition only group (auditions usually held in November). This ensemble will rehearse after school on Wednesdays from 3:45pm – 5pm starting in January. They perform for a variety of school and community functions.
Guard
The guard performs routines during the half-time shows of each varsity football game, marching competitions, parades and a few pep rallies. Tryouts for the Guard occur in March and April for students in grades eight through eleven. In addition, the Guard may have called rehearsals above and beyond the normal practice schedule as determined by the directors, sponsors, and captains.
Winterguard
Winterguard is performed indoors, usually in a gym or indoor arena during the winter or spring season. Instead of performing as a visual accent to the marching band, each winter guard team picks its own music and performs exclusively. Winterguard teams are judged not only on talent and precision, but also on creativity. Tryouts for the Winterguard occur in November/December for students in grades nine through twelve. In addition, the Winterguard may have called rehearsals above and beyond the normal practice schedule as determined by the directors, sponsors, and captains.
Drumline/Indoor Percussion
The drumline is an audition only group (auditions usually held in April/May). Performances by the drumline are in high demand throughout the year, especially during the Varsity football season. The drumline consists of two components - battery and front ensemble. The battery is comprised of snare, tenor, bass drums and cymbals. The front ensemble is comprised of all mallet instruments including auxiliary equipment.