Concert Ensembles

Symphonic Winds

The Hazel Park High School Symphonic Winds consists of the finest musicians in the Hazel Park High School band program, with placement via audition.  This band has a storied history of excellence, having received several Superior ratings at the MSBOA Band Festival over the years.  Students in this ensemble should expect to play music ranging from grade 3 to grade 5.  This will include several staple pieces in the band repertoire, some of which may be on par in difficulty with music played by collegiate or community bands.  Students in this course will have several opportunities to perform, including at the Winter and Spring Concerts, MSBOA Band Festival, MSBOA Solo and Ensemble, and Graduation.

Concert Band

Concert Band is the entry-level ensemble at Hazel Park High School - no audition is required to join.  This course runs as a beginning/intermediate-level class, and is intended for students who are still developing their musical skills.  Music difficulty in this ensemble will typically start at the grade 1-2 level, and work towards grade 2-3 by the end of the year.  Students in this course will have several opportunities to perform, including at the Winter and Spring Concerts, MSBOA Solo and Ensemble, and Graduation.

Jazz Band

The Hazel Park "Viking" Big Band is offered as an after-school ensemble during the second semester.  Students will be introduced to several jazz styles, such as swing, funk, and ballads, among others.  Students will also be introduced to improvisation and related music theory concepts.  The band uses a traditional big band instrumentation which includes 5 saxophones, 4-5 trumpets, 4-5 trombones, guitar, piano, bass, and drumset.  Students who do not currently play one of these instruments are encouraged to learn - school instruments are available to use if that is the case.