MHS Band

Welcome to the MHS Bands! The MHS Band Program offers our students an opportunity to develop their independent musicianship, explore challenging and exciting wind band repertoire, develop important social and leadership skills, and grow in their creative decision making. Most importantly, there is a focus on all students feeling welcome and safe in our band family. The MHS instrumental music room becomes a home away from home where students have an amazing time learning to play music as a very high level. The MHS Bands have had the opportunity to perform across the United States as well as in Germany, Spain, The Czech Republic and Canada. They have given concerts in Carnegie Hall, The New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Richardson Auditorium and performed concerts with Rutgers University, The College of New Jersey, Kutztown University, and The Eastern Wind Symphony. Here is some more information about the MHS Band Program:

In the curricular band program, there are three ensembles:
- Symphonic Band - this is where most of our 9th grade students begin with us at MHS. Successful completion of 8th grade band is required for admission into this class.
- Symphonic Winds - an auditioned ensemble for students in grades 9-12
- Wind Ensemble - an auditioned ensemble for students in grades 10-12. Students receive honors credit for this course in their senior year.
There are between 200-220 students annually in our curricular band program
All band classes have 2 teachers allowing for students to receive individual help, sectionals, lessons, and coaching
The MHS Wind Ensemble performs multiple times throughout the year. In the past, they have performed at state conferences, the NAfME All-Eastern Conference, Carnegie Hall, and local and state wind band festivals.
Every four years, students are given the opportunity to travel abroad and perform a concert tour with the MHS Bands and Orchestras. Our most recent tour was in Oahu, Hawaii in 2024. Previous destinations have included Canada, Germany, Spain and more

Co - Curricular Opportunities

There are multiple co-curricular opportunities within the MHS Band Program. The Three main components are the Marching Band, Jazz Program, and Theater Orchestra. Please reach out to Ms. Palmer or Mr. Kahalehoe for more information.

MHS Marching Band

The MHS Marching Band is comprised of between 120-140 MHS students, including the incredible MHS Color Guard! Students perform at all varsity football games as well as a number of marching band competitions and local community events. The MHS Marching Band has gained a reputation for excellence and being the largest co-curricular activity at Montgomery HS. For more information, please reach out to Ms. Palmer.

MHS Jazz Program

The MHS Jazz Prorgram consists of 2 jazz ensembles. The MHS Jazz Band is a full 20-piece big band that rehearses traditional and contemporary advanced big band repertoire. The Jazz Band performs at local and regional competitions as well as community events. The MHS Stage Band is a second jazz ensemble that performs at local community events. For more information, please reach out to Mr. Kahalehoe or Ms. Palmer.

Theater Orchestra

The MHS Theater Orchestra (Pit Orchestra) is a fully student orchestra that performs as the musical accompaniment for our MHS Spring Musical Theater Productions. Instrumentation varies year to year depending upon the needs of the show being performed. Recent shows have included The Addams Family, Chicago, and Grease. For more information, please reach out to Ms. Palmer.

MHS Band Faculty

Kawika Kahalehoe, kkahalehoe@mtsd.us
Rebecca Palmer, rpalmer@mtsd.us
Eric Mazurkiewicz, emazurkiewicz@mtsd.us

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