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Welcome to Freeman 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
ENSEMBLES
Marching Percussion
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
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?
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/ or Ensemble.
Percussion FAQ
Percussion FAQ
Playing percussion is incredibly fun and rewarding! However, 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 in 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: How will I know what instrument I'm playing for my Percussion Ensemble and Concert Band music?
A: Throughout the course of the spring semester, students will be given opportunities to play various different instruments to help expand their percussion expertise. The specific parts that students will play in the spring will be determined at the director's discretion as a result of the number of instruments each student is playing in the spring semester, preparation and quality, past performance, and past behavior.
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; participating 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/ Talon is performing for a spirit 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 to attend the Region 23 Region Band contest, and perform a Solo and/ or 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 instruments 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 on snare drum, all major scales on keyboards 2 octaves, and basic techniques on timpani. Beyond this, percussionists will also gain experience playing auxiliary percussion instruments. Students will have opportunities to develop skills both in solo and ensemble contexts.
Q: Am I required to participate in the All Region Audition Process?
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. All students will perform the freshmen cut of each all region etude for a performance evaluation at the end of the first semester. All auditioning students will be assigned selections on snare, timpani, two-mallet marimba, and four-mallet marimba using each students’ PERSONAL sticks and mallets.
Q: What does the timeline for the percussion program at Freeman look like?
A: During the summer, all percussion students participate in pre-season percussion camp as well as full band camp. These occur each day, all day, throughout the summer (July). All percussionists are required to be at all of both percussion camp and band camp.
For the first semester, the first part of the school year is dedicated to marching band/ marching percussion (August - November). This involves classwork during the school and rehearsals/ performances after school. After marching season, percussion will be working on their music for the winter band concert (November - December). Throughout the first semester, students will also spend time working on all-region etudes (July - December).
For the second semester, students begin the individual development portion of the curriculum. (January - February). During this time, students will begin work on percussion ensembles that will be performed at either Solo & Ensemble (February) or the Night of Percussion concert (April). Simultaneously, students will also begin working on their UIL concert band music in their band class in preparation for the UIL Concert Band adjudication (April). Rehearsals during this part of the semester will be during class and once a week after school. Starting in the middle of the semester, marching percussion clinics and placement auditions for the following season will begin (March - April). After the conclusion of the concert band season, marching band will begin again for the following season (May).
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?
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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