Hillside Instrumental Music

 The requirements for these ensembles are all audition-based. Each student who has been accepted into either of these three has demonstrated sufficient ability and desire to perform music at the highest level. As such, these students have greater commitment expectations such as: 

• After-school rehearsals (with prior notice of at least one day) 

• Field trips OUTSIDE of school hours (i.e. Festivals, concert performances, elementary school recruitment assemblies, etc.) 

• Inclusion in public events (i.e. Open House, intramural sports, celebration rallies, etc.) 

These students act as the face of the program and therefore will be challenged to the utmost degree of their musical ability, to prepare them to succeed well beyond high school. 

These ensembles are intended for students with little to no typical music experience, with intent towards training students to love and cherish the music-creating activity to ultimately become the future members of their respective Concert Ensemble. The pace of these courses will begin introductory and slow however, students should be advised that things will quickly become more complicated based on the rate of success and comprehension of individuals within the ensembles. Over the year, all students will have the opportunity based on their level of ability and work ethic/determination, to perform alongside any of the Concert Ensembles, should Mr. Yee deem them ready. 

The Colorguard/Winterguard is our pageantry-arts based ensemble where students learn skills of dance, equipment manipulation, and team-based performance, in preparation for opportunities available to them at the high school level. Students and parents should be advised that participation within this ensemble requires a great level of time commitment that involves, but is not limited to: 

• After-school practices, lasting up to 3 hours (in preparation for the Winter competition season)

• Weekends spent with the team, competing at various locations across Southern California 

• Practice location transfers, depending on the availability of open space at HMS

• Long evenings (with open communication and prior notice) for visibility performances