Marching Band
Topper Marching Band

The Marching Band is the largest and most visible part of our band program. With over 200 performing members, the marching band has represented our school and state in front of over 500 million people on national television. With past performances in the Macy’s and Tournament of Roses Parades, many marching band championships, and the NBC Today Show, membership in this group has many opportunities to offer each member. Practices are scheduled beginning with band camp and continuing on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons through October. Performances at 10 football games and three marching contests are scheduled each fall in addition to any community parades. Each member of the marching band must be a member of a band class at Science Hill High School (colorgurad members must register for Marching Band). An exception to the marching band requirement can be considered for those involved in another school activity that conflicts with the marching band schedule. This exemption is at the director’s discretion.

Concert Bands
8th Grade

The primary focus of the 8th Grade Band is the development of intermediate to advanced playing fundamentals. Students are encouraged to build good practice habits through daily and weekly playing tests and challenges. Three concerts are scheduled through the year and students are encouraged to audition for Junior Band Clinic in January. All eighth grade band members join the marching band at the Homecoming football game to experience being part of the marching band. Grading is based on weekly playing tests and written work. A missed performance will lower the student’s grade one letter. Private lessons are encouraged but not required. Concert attire is black and white: ladies are to wear a white top that conforms to the school dress code and black pants or skirt that must be below the knee when seated; men are to wear black pants and a white collared shirt, black shoes and black socks.

9th Grade

A group composed exclusively of ninth grade students, the primary focus of this ensemble is the continuation of intermediate to advanced playing fundamentals. Marching band is required of all members. Three campus concerts and one concert festival are scheduled each year and students are highly encouraged to audition for the Junior Band Clinic in January. Students are tested on their mastery of concert music, technical exercises, and common terminology. Private lessons are highly encouraged but not required. Concert attire is black and white: ladies are to wear a white top that conforms to the school dress code and black pants or skirt that must be below the knee when seated; men are to wear black pants and a white collared shirt, black shoes and black socks.

Percussion

This ensemble is for percussionists in our program grades 8-12. Emphasis is placed on building effective percussion performance techniques through a large ensemble. Focus in the fall is on marching percussion with a transition to concert percussion in the winter and spring. Select members will be chosen to perform with the wind groups when needed to complete instrumentation. Marching band is required for all members.

Wind Ensemble

This is premiere musical group of the SHHS band program. This group performs the highest level of wind band music available. Recognized as one of the finest ensembles in the state, past performances include our state music convention and the Grand National Adjudicator’s Invitational. Membership is determined by an audition during the previous spring. Three concerts are scheduled on campus each year with one or two concert festivals off campus. Marching band is required for all members. An exception to the marching band requirement can be considered for those involved in another school activity that conflicts with the marching band schedule. This exemption is at the director’s discretion. Participation in the ETSBOA clinic in February is highly recommended. Students are tested on their mastery of concert music, technical exercises, and common terminology. Private lessons are highly encouraged due to the high level of difficulty of the music performed. Concert attire for ladies is a black conservative dress that must be below the knee when seated; men are provided a tuxedo jacket and pants from the school. Men are to provide a tuxedo shirt, black bowtie, and cumber bun.

Symphonic Band

This ensemble consists of 10th-12th grade students and assigned by audition the previous spring. This group rehearses marching band music through October and high school concert band literature for the rest of the year. Marching band is required of all members. An exception to the marching band requirement can be considered for those involved in another school activity that conflicts with the marching band schedule. This exemption is at the director’s discretion. Four concerts are scheduled each year along with a concert festival. Opportunities for several band clinics, leadership clinics, and solo and ensemble are offered each year. Students are encouraged to participate in the ETSBOA clinic in February. Students are tested on their mastery of concert music, technical exercises, and common terminology. Private lessons are highly encouraged but not required. Concert attire is black and white: ladies are to wear a white top that conforms to the school dress code and black pants or skirt that must be below the knee when seated; men are to wear black pants and a white collared shirt, black shoes and black socks.

Other
Jazz Band

This group plays music from the swing era up to contemporary literature. The jazz band rehearses once a week beginning in November and continues through May. This group performs at a wide variety of community functions and in concert on campus.

Additional information may be found in the SHHS Band Student Handbook.