Welcome to
SMHS Music Department

2010-2011

Courses 

Wind Ensemble      This is the advanced music course for wind musicians.  Enrollment in this course is by teacher recommendation or audition.  This course covers your fine arts requirement which is required for graduation and college entrance.

Percussion Ensemble      Course for all percussionists.   Counts as Fine Arts credit for graduation and college entrance requirement, requires concurrent enrollment in Marching Period 7.

Concert Band         This is the intermediate course for wind musicians.  This course covers your fine arts requirement which is required for graduation and college entrance.

Jazz Ensemble      As this is a performance group, Jazz players are required to be enrolled in Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, or Percussion Ensemble also for musical growth.  Meets 0 period before school.

Digital Audio   Course designed for 11^th and 12^th grade students interested in Music Theory, Recording and Composition. 

Marching Band       Meets after school two days a week.  This is a 1 semester course and will be finished before Thanksgiving following the final Field Competition.  Marching band will count as your P.E. class.  This is the time when you will learn the visual aspects of the show and put the whole thing together.  Requires concurrent enrollment in Wind Ensemble, Concert Band or Percussion Ensemble. 

Why Should I Sign Up For Marching Band? 

1. Everyone should try marching band for one year.  Students have the most fun in this group, learn more about music, get involved with the school, and learn life skills including work ethic, fair competition, teamwork, responsibility, and much more.  
2. Marching band students are generally more prepared for college and the workforce because of the life experiences learned in this group.  Colleges look fondly on marching band students, and scholarships are available to play in a university's marching band.
3. You will never be bored and will begin high school with many friends from all grade levels.
4. You receive 1 semester PE credit for the fall marching class.  You need two years of PE for graduation.  By marching each fall for four years, you will fulfill all of your required PE.
5. Most students who are unsure about the activity and are persuaded to try if for one year become hooked and can't believe they actually thought of not signing up.

  Time Commitment 

• We perform at 5 - 6 home football games on Friday evenings and 5-6 Saturday band competitions with the season ending following the final competition.  This is usually the week before Thanksgiving but may extend one week into December if we go to Championships.
• 7^th Period Marching band meets twice a week after school.  2010-2011 this is scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30pm.  This is determined by agreement between the band director and the athletics department for use of the facilities.
• There will be a band camp that will run two weeks before school begins that will be mandatory.  Marching band students are required to attend the entire Band Camp.  Aug. 16-Aug. 27, 2010
• Though the schedule seems intense during the fall, please remember that the season ends the week before Thanksgiving.  Please keep Saturdays available from September through November.  The practice and performance schedule will be available by the first day of Band Camp, if not sooner.

 Leadership Opportunities 

Drum Major, Woodwind Captain, Drum Captain, Pit Captain, Section Leaders, Band Historian, Band Librarian, Quartermaster Each of these roles requires leadership abilities and some extra time given to the band.  In exchange, you are given the opportunity to help others in the band and the band as a whole becomes better.  These leadership roles are important pieces to create an impressive college application.  

 Program Support Donation

The costs of supporting the music program vary from year to year depending on size of group and budget decisions made by the school.  Our decisions regarding costs have been compared with other programs at our level and are constantly scrutinized to give the best experience for the smallest sacrifice. 

• The marching program's requested donation of $400 ($150 + $250) helps pay the costs of coaching, equipment, transportation, music arrangement, T-shirts, uniform cleaning and alterations, and more. 
• Because most of our costs are front-loaded in September, this is why the requested program support for marching band is $100 less if fully paid by 9/30.  Starting a fundraising account now will help have those funds available when fees are due.  Continued fundraising throughout the year will build up an account that you can use for extra trips and/or future years of band donations.
• Most Freshman parents donate the first year and fundraise for future years.  However, if you contact our music boosters at SMHSMB@Yahoo.com, they will get you in touch with parents who organize the different fundraisers and you can begin to build your account now. 
• The Concert Band and Jazz band requested donation is $150 per student if the student is solely enrolled in either of these programs.  This helps to pay for music purchases, festivals, coaching, awards and other needs of these programs.
• Our music program is not completely funded throughout the year solely by the Program Support donations.  We have on-going needs for instrument repair and replacement, music for Concert band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz, festival fees, and other costs.  These financial goals are discussed at band booster meetings that are open to all band families.  Additional general band fund raising events are scheduled throughout the year and your support adds to the growth of our program.