Embedded Files
History
History
Francis Howell Central opened in 1997 and celebrated being open for 25 in 2022. In that 25 year history the Spartan Band program has achieved numerous honors. Here is a list of some of those accomplishments.
Concert Program - consistent Expemplary 1 rating at MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival 2009 - 2022. In 2022, all three concert groups received the Exemplary 1 rating which marks the first time in the history of the school district that a program had done this.
In 2020, the Wind Ensemble was chosen to perform at MMEA at the Lake of Ozarks, marking the first time a high school concert group has ever been chosen to perform at MMEA.
The Concert program has had the distinct privilege to work with esteemed clinicians including: Richard Saucedo, Gary Brandes, Brian Silvey, Ken Thompson, Joe Parisi, Melissa Gustafson-Hinds
Jazz Program - consistently performs throughout the region at different jazz festivals and is consistently awarded with several outstanding soloist awards. In 2014 and 2015 at the SCWest Jazz Festival both jazz groups earned Superior 1 ratings and top honors at the festival.
In 2016, the Jazz Ensemble was chosen to perform at MMEA at the Lake of the Ozarks, marking the first time any high school performing ensemble had ever performed from the Francis Howell School District.
The Jazz program has welcomed clinicians from all over including: Keyon Herald, Jim Widner, Dave Dickey, Garrett Schmidt, Joel Vanderhyden, Joe Weber, Ken Kehner, Logan Miller, Stockton Helbing, Willie Murillo, Matt Wilson, Adam Larson
Spartan Regiment - consistently performs throughout the region at local, state and national competitions. Some of the highlights from those competitions include:
2024 - BOA Memphis Regional Finalist
2021 - Metro East Marching Classic Champions in Division
2013 - Champion of Champions at Mizzou 1st place in 5A and Grand Champions
2013 - Contest of Champions at Lafayette 1st place in 3A
2014 - Rivercity Showcase at FZN 1st place in 6A
2014 - Francis Howell Marching Invitational 1st place in Blue Division and Grand Champions
2017 - Francis Howell Marching Invitational 1st place in Gold Division
2009 - Greater St Louis Marching Festival 2nd place in Silver Division
2013 - Greater St. Louis Marching Festival 2nd place in Class C and 2nd place in Finals
2009 - Gator Bowl Champions
2024-2025
Regiment:
Memphis BOA Regional Finalists
(first time in the history of our school, 20+ years since its been done in FHSD)
top 3 in area competitions
2x Outstanding Percussion
2x Outstanding Guard
3x Outstanding Music
2x Outstanding Visual
2x Outstanding General Effect
2x Class champions
Metro 8 District Honor Band
FHC had 27 individual students make the group or alternate
FHC had 31 individual spots within the group or as alternate
FHC had the most individuals make the group of any high school
FHC had 60% of the auditions make the group or make alternate
FHC had nearly a third of all the students combined in the two honor bands or alternates!
All State Honors:
1 Alternate
3 Honorable Mentions
Concert Program:
We had all 3 of Concert Bands receive the State Gold Exemplary 1 rating
Only 1 of 9 programs in the state with this distinction.
Winterguard:
Silver Medalist in MCCGA Scholastic Regional A
Academics:
98 of 130 Regiment members were Academic All Conference (3.25 GPA or higher)
Regiment's average GPA for the season was 3.7
Solo/Small Ensemble:
27 events qualified for State with the Gold Exemplary 1 rating at Districts
State Solo/Small Ensemble:
16 events, 27 students received the Gold Medal Exemplary 1 rating
11 events received either Silver or Bronze Medal
All State Members
2010 - Luke Eckhoff
2011 - Luke Eckhoff and Logan Miller
2013 - Dominic Bianchi
2015 - Taylor Poenicke
2018 - Laurel Ammond
2019 - Laurel Ammond
2020 - Vanessa Luan, Nicolas Moore
2023 - Sean Roche
2024 - Sean Roche
2026 - Abigail Davenport, Sirr Julian Rodriguez
Yearly:
2008 – 2009 Colors in Motion
Belleville East Marching Invitational
5th Place – AAA Division
Metro East Marching Classic
5th Place – AAA Division
Washington Marching Festival
2nd Place – A Division
Francis Howell Marching Invitational
4th place – Prelims
6th Place – Finals
Champion of Champions Competition – Mizzou
3rd Place – 5A Division
7th Place – Finals
2009 – 2010 Breaking Through
Metro East Marching Classic
4th Place – AAA Division
Washington Marching Festival
2nd Place – A Division
Outstanding Drumline
Farmington Marching Festival
3rd Place – 6A Division
Greater St. Louis Marching Festival
2nd Place – Silver Division
Champion of Champions Competition – Mizzou
3rd Place – 5AA Division
4th Place – Finals
5th Place – Drumline
Gator Bowl – Jacksonville, FL
Parade Competition
1st Place – AA Division
Outstanding Percussion
Outstanding Auxillary
Outstanding Marching
Outstanding Music
Outstanding Drum Major
Outstanding General Effect
Field Show Competition
1st Place – AA Division
Outstanding Marching
Outstanding General Effect
Outstanding Auxillary
St. Charles West Jazz Festival
5th Place – 5A First Band Division
3rd Place – 5A Second Band Division
MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival
Excellent Honor 1 Rating
All-State Band Member
Luke Eckhoff - Concert
2010 – 2011 RISE
Metro East Marching Classic
3rd Place – AAA Division
Edwardsville Tiger Ambush Classic
3rd Place – AAAA Division
Blue Springs Marching Invitational
Outstanding Colorguard – 6A Division
Outstanding Visual – 6A Division
2nd Place – 6A Division
8th Place – Finals
Greater St. Louis Marching Festival
5th Place – Silver
Champion of Champions Competition – Mizzou
4th Place – 5A Division
5th Place – Finals
St. Charles West Jazz Festival
2nd Place – 5A First Band Division
1st Place – 5A Second Band Division
2nd Place – Combo Division
MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival
Excellent Honor 1 Rating
All State Band Members
Luke Eckhoff – Orchestra
Logan Miller – Jazz
2011 – 2012 Believe
Metro East Marching Classic
3rd Place – AAA Divisi
Lafayette Contest of Champions
Finalist
9th Place – Finals
Champion of Champions Competition – Mizzou
5th Place – Drumline
5th Place – 5A Division
9th Place – Finals
St. Charles West Jazz Festival
3rd Place – 5A First Band Division
Excellent Honor 1 Rating – First Band Division
2nd Place – 5A Second Band Division
MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival
Excellent Honor 1 Rating
2012 – 2013 The Wall
Lafayette Contest of Champions
Finalist
8th Place – Finals
Bands of America – Pontiac, MI
Bands of America – St. Louis, MO
Champion of Champions Competition – Mizzou
3rd Place – 5A Division
7th Place – Finals
All State Band Member
Dominic Bianchi – Concert
2013 – 2014 Back To Square One
Metro East Marching Classic
3rd Place – AAAA Division
St. Charles West Marching Competition
3rd Place – Maroon Class
5th Place – Finals
Lafayette Contest of Champions
1st Place – Class 3A
Outstanding Visual – Class 3A
3rd Place – Finals
Outstanding General Effect – Finals
Champion of Champions Competition – Mizzou
1st Place – Class 5A
1st Place – Guard
4th Place – Drumline
1st Place – Finals
Awarded “Champion of Champions”
Francis Howell Marching Invitational
2nd Place – Blue Division
6th Place – Finals
Greater St. Louis Marching Festival – Lindenwood
2nd Place – Class C
2nd Place – Finals
MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival
Wind Ensemble Percussion – Superior Honor 1 Rating
St. Charles West Jazz Festival
Jazz Ensemble – Superior Honor 1 Rating
2014 – 2015 GO
Metro East Marching Classic
3rd Place – AAAA Division
Lafayette Contest of Champions
2nd Place – White Division
Outstanding Visual Performance – White Division
4th Place – Finals
Rivercity Showcase – Ft. Zumwalt North
1st Place – Class 6A
Outstanding Music – Class 6A
Outstanding General Effect – Class 6A
2nd Place – Finals
Renegade Review - Tulsa, OK
Bands of America Super Regional - St. Louis, MO
Champion of Champions Competition – Mizzou
2nd Place – Class 5A
2nd Place – Drumline
2nd Place – Finals
Francis Howell Marching Invitational
1st Place – Blue Division
Outstanding General Effect
Outstanding Music
Outstanding Visual
1st Place – Finals
Outstanding General Effect
Outstanding Music
Outstanding Visual
All State Band Member
Taylor Poenicke – Concert
MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival
Wind Ensemble – Superior Honor 1 Rating
Wind Ensemble Percussion – Superior Honor 1 Rating
St. Charles West Jazz Festival
Jazz Ensemble – Superior Honor 1 Rating
Jazz Central Combo – Superior Honor 1 Rating
2015 – 2016 CONNECT
Metro East Marching Classic
2nd Place – AAA Division
Bands of America Regional - Clarksville, TN
Rivercity Showcase – Ft. Zumwalt North
2nd Place – Class 6A
Outstanding Music – Class 6A
3rd Place – Finals
Outstanding Music - Finals
Music in Motion - Francis Howell North
2nd Place - Class
Outstanding Percussion - Class
Bands of America Super Regional - St. Louis, MO
Champion of Champions Competition – Mizzou
1st Place – Class 5A
2nd Place – Finals
3rd Place - Music GE
3rd Place - Music Performance
2nd Place - Visual Performance
MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival
Wind Ensemble – Superior Honor 1 Rating
MCCGA Championships
Winter Guard - 3rd place in Scholastic B
78th MMEA Conference
Jazz Ensemble Performance
2016 – 2017 MIRRORRIM
Tiger Ambush Classic - Edwardsville, IL
3rd Place - Class 3A
Outstanding Percussion - Class 3A
Golden Regiment Invitational - Blue Springs, MO
4th Place - Class 3A
Champion of Champions Competition - Mizzou
2nd Place - Class 5A
9th Place - Final
Bands of America Super Regional - St. Louis, MO
Francis Howell Viking Marching Invitational - FHHS
2nd Place - Blue Division
Outstanding Music - Blue Division
Outstanding Visual - Blue Division
Outstanding Percussion - Blue Division
7th Place - Finals
MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival
Wind Ensemble – Superior Honor 1 Rating
MCCGA Championships
Winter Guard - 2nd place in Regional A
2017 - 2018 colorFALL
Metro East Marching Classic - O’Fallon, IL
3rd Place - Class AAAA
Contest of Champions - Lafayette H.S.
3rd Place - Black Division
4th Place - Finals
Champion of Champions Competition - Mizzou
4th Place - Class 5A
8th Place - Finals
Bands of America Super Regional - St. Louis, MO
Francis Howell Viking Marching Invitational - FHHS
1st Place - Gold Division
Outstanding Music - Gold Division
Outstanding Visual - Gold Division
Outstanding General Effect - Gold Division
3rd Place - Finals
Outstanding Music - Finals
2nd Place Percussion - Finals
MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival
Wind Ensemble – Superior Honor 1 Rating
All State Band Member
Laurel Ammond – Concert
2018 - 2019 All in a DAYZZZZZ
Contest of Champions - Lafayette H.S.
1st Place - Black Division
Outstanding Music - Black Division
Outstanding Visual - Black Division
Outstanding General Effect - Black Division
6th Place - Finals
Broken Arrow Invitational - Broken Arrow, OK
10th Place - Finals
Bands of America Super Regional - St. Louis, MO
MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival
Wind Ensemble – Superior Honor 1 Rating
Symphonic Band - Superior Honor 1 Rating
NafMe National Honor Band Member
Laurel Ammond
All State Band Member
Laurel Ammond – Concert
2019 - 2020 If/Then
Washington Marching Competition - Washington H.S.
1st Place - Class 4A
Outstanding Music - Class 4A
Outstanding Percussion - Class 4A
1st Place - Finals
Outstanding Music - Finals
Outstanding Percussion - Finals
Bands of America Super Regional - St. Louis, MO
Champion of Champions Competition - Mizzou
7th Place - Finals
Francis Howell Viking Marching Invitational - FHHS
3rd Place - Gold Division
4th Place - Finals
MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival
Wind Ensemble – Superior Honor 1 Rating
All State Band Member
Vanessa Luan - Concert
Nicolas Moore - Jazz
82nd MMEA Conference
Wind Ensemble Performance
2020 - 2021 Fusion
(Collaboration of shows from 2017, 2019, and 2020)
“Regiment Greater Together”
Parent Preview - FHC Stadium
8th Grade Night Performance - FHC Stadium
Howell Preview - FHC Stadium/Live Stream
Glow Performance 2020 - FHC Stadium
Home Football Games - FHC Stadium
Special Dedication to the Regiment Senior Class:
Tyler Belina, David Bonstead, Tyus Brennan, Mason Brooks, Savannah Carbut,
Anasofia Carrillo, Giana Deidrick, Alex Done, Ben Freeman, Xander Heinz, Elyssa Herrera, Evelyn Herrera, Abi Hoernschemeyer, Ruthann Kimbrel, Katie Koziatek (DM), Katie Linke (DM), Luke Morrison, Sam Schwarm, Marissa Sequinot, Sarah Skelly, Emma Smallen, Connor Sullivan, Seth Thompson (DM), Shelby West, Seth Wilcox, Alyssa Winkler,
Gretchen Wood, and Robin Ziegemeier
2021 - 2022 Synergy
Metro East Marching Classic - O’Fallon, IL
1st Place - Class 3A
Outstanding Music - Class 3A
Outstanding Visual - Class 3A
Outstanding Percussion - Class 3A
Contest of Champions - Lafayette H.S., MO
8th Place - Finals
Washington Marching Festival - Washington, MO
2nd Place - Blue Division
Bands of America Super Regional - St. Louis, MO
MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival
Wind Ensemble – Superior Honor 1 Rating
Symphonic Band - Superior Honor 1 Rating
Concert Band - Superior Honor 1 Rating
2022 - 2023 A Single Thread
Metro East Marching Classic - O’Fallon, IL
3rd Place - Class 3A
Outstanding Music - Class 3A
Outstanding Percussion - Class 3A
Francis Howell Viking Marching Invitational - FHHS
2nd Place - Gold Division
3rd Place - Finals
Bentonville Marching Invitational - Bentonville, AR
3rd Place - AAA Division
6th Place - Finals
Ste. Genevieve Marching Festival - Ste Genevieve, MO
2nd Place - 5A
Outstanding Percussion - 5A
Bands of America Super Regional - St. Louis, MO
MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival
Wind Ensemble – Superior Honor 1 Rating
Symphonic Band - Superior Honor 1 Rating
All State Band Member
Sean Roche - Orchestra
2023 - 2024 All Aboard
Metro East Marching Classic - O’Fallon, IL
4th Place - Class 3A
Outstanding Percussion - Class 3A
Outstanding Percussion on the Day
Francis Howell Viking Marching Invitational - FHHS
1st Place - Gold Division
Outstanding Music
Outstanding Visual
Outstanding General Effect
2nd Place - Finals
Gene Hunt Marching Invitational - Washington, MO
2nd Place - AAAA Division
Outstanding Percussion
3rd Place - Finals
Rivercity Showcase - FZN
7th place - Finals
Bands of America Super Regional - St. Louis, MO
Division 1 Rating
Top 30
MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival
Wind Ensemble – Superior Honor 1 Rating
Symphonic Band - Superior Honor 1 Rating
Concert Band - Superior Honor 1 Rating
All State Band Member
Sean Roche - Orchestra
2024 - 2025 The Gateway
Metro East Marching Classic - O’Fallon, IL
2nd Place - Class 3A
Outstanding Music - Class 3A
Sullivan Marching Festival
1st Place - Gold Division
Outstanding Music
Outstanding Visual
Outstanding General Effect
3rd Place - Finals
Lafayette Contest of Champions - Lafayette H.S.
1st Place - Black Division
Outstanding Music
Outstanding Visual
Outstanding General Effect
2nd Place - Finals
Bands of America Super Regional - St. Louis, MO
Top 33
MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival
Wind Ensemble – Superior Honor 1 Rating
Symphonic Band - Superior Honor 1 Rating
Concert Band - Superior Honor 1 Rating
MCCGA Winterguard Championships
2nd Place -
2025 - 2026 You Wish!
Metro East Marching Classic - O’Fallon, IL
2nd Place - Class 3A
Lafayette Contest of Champions, Lafayette H.S.
Outstanding GE - Black Division
1st Place - Black Division
4th Place - Finals
Rivercity Showcase - FZN
3rd place -
7th place - Finals
Bands of America Super Regional - St. Louis, MO
Top 32
MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival
All State Band Member
Julian Rodriguez - Concert
Abigail Davenport - Concert
Alumni - We have many students go onto to pursue a variety of careers at various schools around our nation including:
Indiana University
Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY
Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA
Royal College of Music, England
Princeton
Stanford
Notre Dame
Northern Iowa
Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Locally:
University of Missouri Columbia
Universtiy of Missouri St. Louis
Universtiy of Missouri Kansas City
Missouri State
Truman State
Southeast Missouri State
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville
Eastern Illinois University
Staff
Staff
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