HSES Band and Orchestra Info

Beginning Band students are taught instrument care, proper posture, and tone production. In addition, students build upon their previous music skills including rhythm, melody, harmony, and phrasing. Beginning students may choose to play flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba and percussion. Percussion students concentrate on snare skills as well as learning bass drum and cymbals. Students meet twice per week for a half hour lesson. The Beginning Band performs two evening concerts per year, one in January and one in the spring.

Advanced Band students continue to develop as young musicians. They meet once a week for a half hour lesson and once a week for a full band rehearsal. Students continue on the same instrument with the exception of clarinets switching to bass clarinet and alto saxophones switching to tenor or bari- saxophone. Percussion students will continue developing snare skills with a new emphasis on learning mallet percussion and timpani. The Advanced Band performs two concerts per year, one in December and one in May.

The Jazz Band is an extra curricular ensemble by audition only. The Jazz Band meets every Thursday morning before school at 7:30. Students must have at least one year of playing experience to audition for Jazz Band. Jazz Band instruments include: saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion (drum set), bass guitar, and piano. Instruments by permission include: flute, clarinet, French horn and baritone. The Jazz Band performs three times in the spring; the May concerts, the Enrichment fair the following week in May and Hershey Park the first week of June.

Beginning String students are third graders entering the instrumental music program for the first time. Students learn proper instrument care, how hold the instrument and bow and how to produce a good sound. Beginning students may choose to play violin, viola, or cello. Students begin using a plucking technique called pizzicato. Beginning students perform in two concerts per year, winter and spring.

Intermediate students continue their second year refining skills. 4th grade students continue in the same lesson books. Emphasis this year includes using all four strings, learning new notes and focusing on performance. Bowing techniques become more proficient and new techniques are introduced. 4^th grade orchestra performs two concerts per year; January and April.

Advanced Orchestra is comprised of students with 2 years of playing experience in school or at least one year of private lessons. The focus is on performance. Advanced techniques are introduced. As opportunities present themselves, students may play in small group ensembles for special occasions such as the Enrichment Fair and Solo and Ensemble Festival.