We have over 200 students involved in band activities at HMS and there are lots of ways to participate and get involved! Three concert bands and a jazz band make up our main ensembles, but there are other groups to participate in as well like pit band for the musical, small groups, Band Council, and more! All bands are a mix of 7th and 8th grade students. Here are the performance criteria for our main ensembles:

CONCERT BAND

  • Plays band literature ranging from grade 1 to 1.5

  • Scale expectations by the end of the year: Concert Bb, Eb, F and C scales

  • Observation of basic accidentals within those keys as well as enharmonics

  • The Concert Band rehearses on Monday and Friday mornings during period 0

SYMPHONIC BAND

  • Plays band literature ranging from grade 1 to 2

  • Scale expectations by the end of the year: Concert Bb, Eb, F, C, Ab, and the chromatic scale

  • Observation of basic accidentals within those keys as well as enharmonics

  • The Symphonic Band rehearses on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings during period o

WIND ENSEMBLE

  • Plays band literature ranging from grade 2 to 3

  • Scale expectations by the end of the year: Concert Bb, Eb, F, C, Ab, G, D, and the chromatic scale

  • Observation of challenging accidentals within those keys and enharmonics

  • The Wind Ensemble rehearses on Tuesday and Thursday mornings during period 0

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

  • Extracurricular ensemble that meets on Mondays and Fridays mornings during period 0

  • Students will study the basics of jazz style and jazz articulations

  • Auditions will take place for the Jazz Ensemble in November. Rehearsals will begin in December.

  • Specific, individualized schedules are created for students if there is a curricula band rehearsal conflict