MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL
MUSIC ENSEMBLES
Marching Knights - Concert Band/Wind Ensemble - Percussion Ensemble - Jazz Ensemble - Orchestra - Concert Choir - Vocal Ensemble - Symphony Orchestra
All ensembles (except Marching Knights) meet the Fine Arts credit requirement for graduation.
This is a completely extracurricular organization, just like a sport. Registration will be online at www.mhsknightsband.net/ early in Spring. All instruments are welcome to join the unit except oboe and bassoon, students who play these instruments and don’t know another instrument (as well as anyone interested) can be a part of the pit (or front ensemble) that handles all the keyboard and auxiliary percussion parts (this section does not march). Drum Line rehearsals will begin in the Spring, and auditions will be held to be a part of the battery (the marching portion of the percussion section). The Drum Line Instructor will contact all percussion students with information regarding rehearsals and auditions. The Dance Line will also be holding auditions. This is the only section in the unit that has cuts. Dee Buchanan will be in touch to provide audition information for the Dance Line.
MARCHING KNIGHTS' IMPORTANT DATES:
“Mini Camp” for all Marching Knights members and those interested– June 5, 1pm – 4pm
Mandatory Rookie Meeting – August 8, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Band Camp – August 9 – 13, 8:00am – 8:00pm
The fall performance and competition schedule will be released in late spring or summer.
After Band Camp, the Marching Knights rehearse after school, 5:30 – 8:30, on Mondays and Wednesdays. On game days the band will rehearse at 2:30 and stay until the end of the game. Most Saturdays will be competitions and will take up the entire day. The unit attends all home football games and possibly a few play-off games. The Marching Knights have been growing every year! Next year will be no exception. Be sure to join so you can take part in all the excitement!! Keep checking www.mhsknightsband.net for updates, information, and announcements.
All wind players interested in continuing with band will be placed in either Wind Ensemble or Concert band. Percussion students will be placed into Percussion Ensemble (see below).
Students placed in Concert Band may audition to be considered for Wind Ensemble.
Students placed in Wind Ensemble are welcome to also be in Concert Band and all students can also be in Percussion Ensemble
CONCERT BAND:
This ensemble meets the second half of 4th Block every day for the entire year and is one full performing arts credit. Next year, this ensemble will be focusing on mostly grade 3 and 4 music and will begin to explore grade 5 music as well as popular music. The band will perform at three concerts as well as be adjudicated. This class provides many of the fundamentals of advanced playing that will be necessary if ever planning to audition for the Jazz Band. Freshmen who take concert band will need to schedule another class to take for the first half of the 4th block. Courses available are Tech Ed., Concert Choir, Journalism, and Jazz Band. Most freshmen will take Tech Ed. since it is a requirement to graduate and an easy class to schedule.
WIND ENSEMBLE:
This ensemble will meet in the spring semester for 90 minutes everyday. They will perform at two concerts as well as be adjudicated. This ensemble is for the more advanced band students and will mostly play grade 4, 5 and 6 repertoire. All students in this ensemble also perform with the Concert Band. This ensemble may join with the Orchestra to form a full Symphony Orchestra!
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE:
Percussion students are placed in this class so that they can work on music beyond that of the normal band repertoire and thus receive a more thorough percussion education. Percussion students will still join the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble for concerts and also present their own percussion ensemble concerts. Students will learn traditional percussion techniques as well as novelty styles such as “Stomp Out Loud” (YouTube it… it’s awesome!)
Students in this class may have the opportunity to participate in indoor drum line as well.
All percussionists are strongly encouraged to participate in Marching Band in the fall.
ANYONE IS WELCOME TO ENROLL IN PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE!!
This ensemble is open to the following instruments by audition only: Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, Drum Set, Guitar, Bass, and Piano. This class meets the first half of 4th block everyday for the entire year and is one full performing arts credit. The Jazz Ensemble performs two of their own concerts during the year, as well as performing at the All Bands Concert in March, home basketball games, and possibly one or two jazz festivals in the spring. Auditions for Jazz Band will be held on February 18th. Please contact Mr. Shearer if you plan on auditioning. Audition music is available on the band website: http://www.mhsknightsband.net/jazz/auditions.htm
This ensemble is open to anyone who plays violin, viola, cello, and string bass. It meets for one semester for 90 minutes every day and is one full performing arts credit. This ensemble may join with the Wind Ensemble to for a full Symphony Orchestra!
Open to all who are interested in singing! This class meets the first half of 4th block for the entire year and is one full performing arts credit. This is a great class to schedule across from Concert Band, as it is a lot of fun and singing can greatly improve your instrumental playing skills.
By audition only. This class meets the second half of 4th block for the entire year and is one full performing arts credit.
The Wind Ensemble and Orchestra may be combined to form a full Symphony Orchestra!!
Matthew Shearer, Director of Bands and Orchestra
Matthew.Shearer@fcps.org
240-236-7474
Jessica Parsley, Choir Director
Jessica.Parsley@fcps.org
240-236-7475
www.mhsknightsband.net
www.mhschorushome.org
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL
200 Schoolhouse Drive
Middletown, MD 21702
240-236-7400