BAND
Concert Band
This is the primary concert ensemble at Hudson’s Bay. While this ensemble is open to anybody who plays a woodwind, brass-wind or percussion instrument, it is recommended that you have at least two years of experience playing. Concert Band is a class that meets daily. Focus is on the development of technical skill, musical performance, and understanding of music theory. Students will study and perform music from a variety of styles and genres. It participates in concerts, festivals, community performances and additional performances around the school. Students in Concert Band are required to participate in Football Band, and Marching Band. Concert Band Students are encouraged to participate in Basketball Band and can show extra performance and rehearsal evidence for performing at Basketball games. Concert Band students are encouraged to prepare a solo, duet or trio to perform but are not required (but encouraged) to perform that piece at the Solo and Ensemble Festival.
Wind Ensemble
This is the advanced concert ensemble at Hudson’s Bay. This is an audition-only ensemble and most students have at least 4 years of playing experience. Occasionally students with advanced playing abilities make it into this group as a 9th or 10th grader, but this group is primarily geared toward 11th and 12th graders. Wind Ensemble is a class that meets daily. It participates in concerts, festivals, community performances and additional performances around the school. Students in Wind Ensemble are required to participate in Football Band, 10 home varsity Basketball games, and Marching Band. This course supports Career Ready Practices which may include: leadership, industry based learning, exposure to guest artists, business and the arts, interview/audition preparation, project-based learning, community outreach, research, portfolio development. Wind Ensemble students are required to prepare a solo and are encouraged (but not required) to perform that piece at the Solo and Ensemble Festival.
Jazz Ensemble
This is a style-based ensemble that requires a high level of dedication. This ensemble performs more than any other ensemble at the school, so students get experiences they wouldn’t get in a Concert Ensemble. Emphasis will be on jazz music, both written and improvised, but this class will also explore rock, funk, and other 20th century popular genres as well. Jazz Ensemble is a class that meets daily during zero-period (before school). This is a class and therefore is graded. This class is open to any student who plays a jazz instrument, but it is expected that the student is willing to learn at an accelerated pace. Students in Jazz Ensemble will make up the majority of the Basketball Band. Jazz Ensemble students are expected to participate in 10 home varsity basketball games. Being enrolled in Concert Band, Wind Ensemble or Orchestra is a co-requisite for Jazz Ensemble.
Additional Ensembles
Football Band
All students participate in Football Band. This year we will be playing at 5 varsity home games. If the HBHS Football Team makes it to the playoffs we will have additional performances. Please note that Football Band is a requirement and is a graded assignment. Students with extenuating circumstances may have an alternate assignment but would need to request the absence. Students with time conflicts should consult Mr. Bunch and will be reviewed on a case by case scenario. For full credit, students need to wear proper attire for Football Band. This will change from game to game, but might be Hudson’s Bay colors (black, gold, white), a band shirt provided that can be purchased during band camp, or the band marching uniform.
Basketball Band
Participation in Basketball band is a requirement to letter in band. Students need to participate in all 10 Basketball games to receive credit. Please see requirements for Football Band, as they are the same for Basketball Band.
Marching Band
All students participate in the Marching Band at HBHS. We will be marching in 2-4 parades this year. Some after school practices will be scheduled. Accommodations or alternate arrangements will be made for students with injuries or physical conditions that prevent them from marching.