Ensembles

Jazz Band

The UC Jazz Band takes place in the Spring and performs on the Spring Concert. In this ensemble, students learn about the history and style of Jazz music as they perform Jazz tunes from well known composers and artists of the 20th century. This ensemble is open to any student from 8th grade through 12th and takes place after school. 6th and 7th graders must be invited by the director to perform in the Jazz Band. Instruments in this ensemble include (but are not limited to) clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, guitar, bass guitar, piano, drumset, and vibraphone. Students are not required to be members of the band program to perform in the Jazz Band.

Pep Band

The UC Pep Band is an extension of the High School Concert Band that performs at basketball games, school rallies, and community events throughout the Winter and Spring. 8th grade band students are invited to participate in the Pep Band whereas 7th grade students must be invited. Instruments in the Pep Band include all concert band instruments, battery percussion, and drumset. We are always looking for students who may not be members of the band program that can play guitar and bass guitar. The Pep Band hosts several "Braves Alumni Nights" where we invite alumni of the Union County instrumental program to perform with the current UC Pep Band members at basketball games.

Small Ensembles

Brass Choir

The UC Brass Choir begins in the late Fall or Winter and performs at KMEA Solos & Ensembles and on the Winter and Spring concerts. This ensemble is open to all high school and 8th grade band members; 7th grade band members must recieve an invite from the director to participate. This ensemble includes trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, euphonium, and tuba. The Brass Ensemble focuses on music specific to brass instruments and meets once per week after school. In the past, this ensemble has recieved distinguished ratings at both district and state levels of KMEA Solos & Ensembles events.

Percussion Ensemble

The UC Percussion Ensemble begins in the Spring semester and performs at KMEA Solos & Ensembles and on the Spring Concert. This ensemble usually has three sub-groups (high school, 8th grade, and 7th grade) and is available only to percussionists of the band program. The UC Percussion Ensemble exists as a means to further educate percussionists on the plethora of percussion instruments, how to play them, and on the history of percussion. This ensemble focuses on percussive literture from any time period in history. Students are rehearsed during the band class and once per week after school. In tthe past, this ensemble has recieved distinguished ratings at the district level of KMEA Solos & Ensembles events.