Dear Future Band Students & Parents,

             As a director, seeing the growth and development of your children is something that I get the pleasure of experiencing every day. The band room serves as a second home and the band serves as a second family and team. It is a place for creation and success. Success is something they must earn through hard work. Through the education of learning musical skills, I have seen a flourish in confidence and gain pride in the goals they have accomplished. It is our responsibility to give ours and potential children this victory!!

Course Offerings

Wind Ensemble (Instrumental Band 1-8+ Honors*) - (Full Year)

• Primary performing ensemble in winter/spring

• Membership by director’s recommendation

• Plays levels IV-VI literature; band class enrollment required

• Marching band participation required unless in a fall sport

• *All 10-12 grade students in the Wind Ensemble must take the Honors credit.  In the rare case that 9th grade students are selected to be in this ensemble, they must complete honors credit requirements but will not receive honors credit.  

• *Honors credit is not offered for 9th grade fine arts students.

• *Honors Credit Requirements includes participation in All-County, Region, and Solo Ensemble auditions and clinics. 

Concert Band I (Instrumental Band 1-8+ Honors*) - (Full Year)

• Consists mostly of 9th and 10th grade students 

• Membership by director’s recommendation

• Plays levels III-IV literature; band class enrollment required

• Marching band participation required unless in a fall sport

• 10-12 grade students may sign up for honors but it is not required.  

• *Honors Credit Requirements includes participation in All-County, Region, and Solo Ensemble auditions and clinics. 

Percussion Class (Instrumental Band: Perc 1-8+Honors*) - (Full Year)

• Same requirements as Symphonic Band

• Covers basic to advanced percussion techniques

• Required for all percussionists in the band program

• *Certain 10-12 grade students are selected to be in the Wind Ensemble and must take the Honors credit.  In the rare case that 9th grade students are selected to be in this ensemble, they must complete honors credit requirements but will not receive honors credit.  

• *Honors credit is not offered for 9th grade fine arts students.

• *Honors Credit Requirements includes participation in All-County, Region, and Solo Ensemble auditions and clinics.  

Marching Band - (July-October) (Part of the class)

• Fun themed performances, physically active, strength-building

• Includes band camp, rehearsals, football games, competitions, trips

• Band class enrollment required; grades given for major performances

Color Guard (July-October)/Winter Guard (November-March)

• Focus on dance, choreography, and movement (Color Guard)

• Part of the marching band; after-school rehearsals required (Color Guard)

• Additional costs for uniforms, flags, poles (Color Guard)

• Class enrollment NOT required for marching band participation (Color Guard)

• Optional after-school indoor ensemble (Winter Guard)

• Competes on Saturdays in spring (Winter Guard)

• Open to all band students; must participate in fall marching band (Winter Guard)

Winter Percussion (November-April)

• Winter Percussion

• Optional after-school indoor percussion group

• Competes on Saturdays in spring

• Open to all band students

Reminder 1: DON'T FORGET TO COMPLETE THE GOOGLE FORM LINK AT THE TOP!!!

Marching Band

• Audition required for participation: Band is inclusive and students are rarely turned away from participation. Auditions are to determine parts and help the Directors prepare for the needs of all students.

  • • Rising 8th graders must audition for Marching Band. Transportation is NOT PROVIDED from the middle schools.

    • Incoming 9th graders need a middle school director’s recommendation.

    • Fall sport athletes can take the class without joining Marching Band.

    • Non-athletes must participate in Marching Band.

    • Percussion: Live auditions in April for part placement.

    • Woodwind/Brass: Submit audition video via provided link.

    • Recommended prep: Junior Scales, Chromatic Scale, Region Solo.

    • Guard is open to all middle/high school students (MS must be zoned for FIHS).

    • Guard clinics and auditions in April at FIHS.

    • Guard class participation not required .

    • Competitive Winter Guard (Spring) is open to all students in middle or high school. Middle school students do not have to be zoned for FIHS but may participate if their zoned high school does not have an active Winter Guard. Auditions occur in November at FIHS.

    • Competitive Winter Percussion Ensemble is based on interest and auditions. Check website and social media for audition information beginning Fall 2025.

• Sign up dates: HS students must register for class during registration period.  BAND IS A YEAR LONG COURSE.

Time Commitment:

• Competitive Marching Band (Fall) begins at the end of July and runs through October.

  • • Spring Training: April/May

    • MARCHING BAND CAMP: mid July / beginning of August - REQUIRED - Please block off these dates.

    • Marching Band Camp (Attendance is Required) (Please do your best to plan your vacation dates)

    •  July 15-17 (Color Guard and Percussion Only) time TBA but expect full day

    •  July 21-25 - time TBA but expect full day

    • July 28-August 1 - time TBA but expect full day

    • Rehearsals: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 4-6:45 weekly, ending in October

    • Football games: Friday nights, ending in October

    • Competitions: Saturdays, ending in October

• Competitive Winter Guard/Winter Percussion (Spring) is from November - March.

  • • Rehearsals: 2 rehearsals after school, weekly, plus Saturdays. Ending in March

    • Competitions: Saturdays, ending in March

Reminder 2: DON'T FORGET TO COMPLETE THE GOOGLE FORM LINK AT THE TOP!!!

Costs/Fees:

• The entire Band participates in many fundraisers throughout the year.

• Payments are also broken into a payment schedule. 

• Approximately - Marching Band - $500; Winter Guard - $350; Winter Percussion - $350

Awards

• Awards given at the year-end band banquet.

• Includes John Philip Sousa Award, Most Improved, Class Awards, and more.

• Students can earn a letter for a Letterman’s jacket after 2 years of marching band.

Leadership Opportunities

• Leadership roles: drum major, section leaders, captains, president, uniform coordinator.

• Band helps students develop leadership skills.

• Build your college resume!

Trips

• Trips are both educational and fun.

• Marching band travels statewide for performances.

• Symphonic band takes smaller trips (e.g., Carowinds Festival of Music).

• Large overnight trip 

Contact Information

Joshua Tillman, Director of Bands,  jtillman@greenville.k12.sc.us

Office Phone - 864-452-1826

Website -  https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/fihsband/ 

Reminder 3: DON'T FORGET TO COMPLETE THE GOOGLE FORM LINK AT THE TOP!!!