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PERCUSSION

Welcome to Freeman Percussion

Welcome to the Freeman High School Percussion Program! We're excited to have you. Percussionists at Freeman are not only involved in full band ensembles throughout the year, but also have many opportunities to perform as a percussion unit. Check out the information below to learn about what the Freeman High School Percussion Program has to offer.

ENSEMBLES

Marching Percussion

Percussionists at Freeman High School will spend the majority of their fall semester participating as part of the marching percussion section for the Freeman Marching Band. This percussion section is comprised of the battery (percussion instruments that march on the field) and the front ensemble (percussion instruments that are too large to march). Students will work in these sections to learn and perfect their field show, and perform as part of the Freeman Marching Band at football games, UIL marching contests, and BOA events.

When not working on or performing the field show, the marching percussion section all comes together to form the "mega-drumline," where every student performs on a battery instrument! The Freeman High School mega-drumline can be seen performing at events such as pep-rallies, parades, and in the stands at football games.

Percussion Ensemble

Once the marching season concludes at the end of the fall semester, students in the Freeman High School Percussion Program will perform as percussionists in one of the two Concert Bands at FHS. In addition to participating as part of the concert band program, students will also use this spring semester to learn and perform as part of the Freeman Percussion Ensemble. Playing music specifically composed for a combination of percussion instruments, students will have the opportunity to learn about and play on a variety of percussion isntruments and musical pieces.

As part of the Freeman Percussion Ensemble, each student will gain experiences performing both chamber percussion music (written for smaller groups of percussionists) and percussion orchestra literature (composed for large percussion sections). The Freeman Percussion Ensemble will perform at the anual Freeman Night of Percussion, as well as at other perofrmance opportunities around the state of Texas.

What instruments will I play?

The short answer? All of them! Here in the Freeman High School Percussion Program, we believe in providing opportunities for each student to become a well rounded percussionist.

In the fall, instrumentation for both the field show and the mega-drumline will be determined via an audition process. Students will focused on their assigned instrument in the front ensemble or the battery throughout the course of the fall semester, taking a deep dive into the details of their instrument. The percussion instruments that are part of the marching band are marching snare drum, tenor drum, and bass drum for the battery, and marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, glockenspiel, synthesizer, and rack percussion for the front ensemble.

During the spring semester, students will play many different instruments in many different settings through participation in both the Freeman Percussion Enseble as well as concert band. Students will perofrm on both mallets and drums throughout the spring semester. Additionally, students will work to prepare percussion music individually to perform a Solo and an Ensemble.

Percussion FAQ

Playing percussion is incredibly fun and rewarding, we understand that this is a lot of information! Below are some frequently asked questions about being a member of the Freeman High School Percussion Program:

Q: How will I know what instrument I'm playing the Freeman Marching Band Percussion Section?

A: Instrumentation for both the field show and the mega-drumline will be determined via an audition process. This process will account for audition preparation and quality, past performance, and past behavior at the director's discretion.

Q: Do I have to be a member of the Freeman Marching Band, Concert Band, and Percussion Ensemble?

A: Yes, all three of these ensembles are connected together and particiapting in the Percussion Program at Freeman means that you will perform as part of all three of these groups. This also means that all members of the Freeman Percussion Program will adhere to all criteria of as a Varsity Marcher in the Golden Eagle Marching Band.

Q: If only the leadership/ Golden Eagle Squadron is performing for an event, am I still required to attend?

A: Yes, as this is part of being in the Mega-Drumline! We have the opportunity to play as a full drumline at all sorts of fun performances.

Q: What time do I need to be at rehearsal?

A: Because of the amount of equipment that percussionists play and perform on, percussionists are expected to arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of rehearsal.

Q: What other responsibilities will I have as part of the Freeman Percussion Program?

A: All students will perform at various concerts, local performances, and exhibitions, prepare and attend the Region 23 Region Band contest, and perform a Solo and an Ensemble throughout the course of the school year.

Q: Is there a drumstick or mallet fee to participate as part of the Freeman Percussion Program?

A: No! There is no additional fee for students to use school owned sticks and mallets. Specific sticks and mallets will be issued to percussion instruments, and students will be given permission by the directors to use only these specific implements. Students are not permitted to use other student's school issued sticks or mallets without permission from the directors. Students will be able to sign out and take home practice mallets and drumsticks free of charge with the written permission of the directors.

Q: What instrumets am I allowed to play on?

A: Percussion instruments are very expensive, and percussionists in the Freeman Band Program are expected to only play on instruments they are given express permission to use by the directors. Students must take care of all equipment they perform on.

Q: Are percussion instruments tables?

A: No, they are not! Students are never permitted to store or place items (school owned or personal) atop of any percussion instrument.

Q: What musical skills can I expect to learn as part of the Freeman Percussion Program?

A: Expect to learn how to have a great time making music with your friends! Specifically, all percussionists will learn the Essential Rudiments and all major scales on keyboards 2 octaves.

Q: Am I required to participate in the All Region Audition?

A: Yes, not only is this part of the requirement for each school year, but this also factors into your Marching Band Percussion Audition for the following school year. Extenuating circumstances may be at the discretion of the band directors. All auditioning students will be assigned selections on snare, timpani and marimba using each students’ PERSONAL sticks and mallets.

Q: What does the timeline for the percussion program at Freeman look like?

A: Immediately after marching season, the percussion will be working on their Percussion Concert (November - April). After the completion of the Night of Percussion concert, percussion students will follow the band of placement’s calendar for the remainder of the year. (March - May). Because of the overlap between the end of the Night of Percussion concert and the beginning of the UIL Concert Band preperations, percussionists will work simultaneously on both UIL Concert Band music and Percussion Ensemble music.

Q: Should I join the Freeman High School Percussion Program?

A: Absloutely yes! Joining the high school percussion program means you'll be making great music, great friends, and great memories! We'd love to have you as part of our program.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the Freeman High School Percussion Program, we are here to help! Please don't hesitate to reach out to Rob Halpner, Freeman High School Director of Percussion.

Email: RobertAHalpner@katyisd.org

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