Vital information about being a student in the BUHS Band.

Click on the links below to learn about each topic.

• • BAND EVENTS CALENDAR from the syllabuses (NOTE: The BUHS Music Department Calendar tab links to our Google calendar which is updated regularly. It also includes a complete listing of which days band and jazz groups meet. This listing is subject to change.)

  • LESSONS

  • PERFORMANCE ATTIRE (Clothes you need to provide for concert and marching band performances)

  • Band-related AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

The year in band

The year in band - subject to change

Dates: August 30 - September 23

Unit: Pep band/Introduction to Marching Band

Nature of unit: Prepare rock and popular music for performance at home football games and other school events. Learn marching fundamentals and apply them to the preparation and performance of a field drill.

Musical repertoire: Arrangements of rock and popular music as well as B.U.H.S. traditions such as the school songs and Start Wearing Purple.

Associated performances: Home football games on September 9 and October 7 and 21 (potentially an additional game on October 28). All band members must attend the Homecoming game on September 23 as well as at least one of the other games. Extra numerical grade credit is given for attending more than the required number of games.

Dates: September 26-November 16

Unit: Concert Band Unit 1

Nature of unit: Establish ensemble performance habits with a focus on listening, observing and reacting.

Musical repertoire (tentative):

Haunted Carousel - Erika Svanoe

Grandmother Song - Brent Michael Davids

Sang! - Dana Wilson

Persian Dance #2 - Amir Molookpour

Associated performance: BUHS Fall Concert on Wednesday, November 16 (6:15 arrival time/7:00 concert)

Dates: December 5 - January 10

Unit: Chamber Ensembles

Nature of unit: Work with a small group of peers to learn one or two pieces of music for an ensemble such as a brass quintet, sax quartet, woodwind quintet, percussion ensemble, flute trio, etc. Cooperation, problem-solving and creativity are the focus. Students often work without the help of a teacher, but are sometimes coached by area professional musicians or BUHS alums who are college music students.

Musical repertoire: Varied. Music is appropriate to the group’s instrumentation and ability.

Associated performance: Chamber Ensembles Concert on Tuesday, January 10 at the Brattleboro Music Center auditorium. Arrival time is 6:15, concert is at 7:00.

Dates: January 13 - March 30

Unit: Concert Band Unit 2

Nature of unit: More advanced ensemble performance skills and understandings with a focus on expression, style and musical initiative.

Musical repertoire (tentative):

Foundry - John Mackey

Elements - Brian Balmages

Shenandoah - Omar Thomas

Chasing Sunlight - Cait Nishamura

Associated performances:

All District Band Night on Tuesday, March 14 (snow date March 15). Concert at 6:00, but the band is involved in afternoon activities from 1:00 – 5:00 as well.

Early Spring Bands Concert on Thursday, March 30. Arrival time is 6:15, concert is at 7:00

Dates: April 4 - May 25

Unit: Concert Band Unit 3

Nature of unit: Incorporating ensemble skills into music from film scores, Broadway shows or other light classical fare.

Musical repertoire (tentative):

Chicago (Selections) - Kander and Ebb, arr. Ted Ricketts

The View from the Mountaintop - Timothy Mahr

Amazing Grace - arranged by Frank Ticheli

Late in the Evening - Paul Simon, arr. by J. Dawson

Associated performance: BUHS Pops Concert on Thursday, May 25. Arrival time is 6:15, concert is at 7:00

Dates: May 30 - June 9

Unit: Parade Marching Band and Graduation Music

Nature of unit: Learning the skills required to perform in a parade marching band and at a graduation ceremony.

Musical repertoire: TBD

Associated performances:

BUHS Graduation: Friday, June 16. Arrival time is 5:45; graduation is at 6:30. Brattleboro Independence Day Parade on Monday, July 4 from Elm St. to Brattleboro Town Common. Arrival time is 9:20, parade starts at 10:00.