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Overview
The Huntsville Hornet Military Marching Band is the official band of Huntsville High School in Huntsville, Texas. The band program currently offers ten distinct musical groups including the Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Swingin' Stingers Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, Huntsville Herald Trumpet Team, Swarmin' Hornets Pep Band, Applied Winds, and the Marching Band.
The band works toward perfecting both their musical and marching abilities through classroom rehearsals, after school rehearsals, private lessons, public concerts and state-level competition performances. The band has also begun traveling within the United States to compete in national competitions. In addition, the Huntsville Hornet Military Marching Band works on various service projects throughout the year such as the Elementary School Supplies Donation before school begins and our Canned Food Donations at the Christmas Concert.
The band’s identity of being a “Military Marching Band” comes from the precision military style of marching and performing traditional “quick-step” marches. This style was the only style many years ago and the band works hard to continue that tradition while striving to keep its drills fresh and exciting. Because this style of marching and music selection is not prevalent in today’s marching bands, it has been referred to as “refreshing,” “interesting,” and “exciting.” The band performs at all pep rallies and travels to all football games. Additionally, the band has performed at halftime for The Houston Energy, Houston’s Professional Women’s Football team, as well as for the Houston Rockets in a pre-game performance.
The Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band are the four concert groups that perform a variety of music from the wind band repertoire. The goal with these organizations is to prepare music in a manner consistent with accepted musical standards. All perform at Christmas and Spring Concerts, special concerts for the elementary schools, and participate in the Texas UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Competition each spring.
Other performance opportunities that the band participates in include Region and State Solo & Ensemble Contest and the Texas All-State Audition process. These experiences place emphasis on the individual student’s playing ability and musicality. Solo & Ensemble contest requires students to prepare and perform a solo or small ensemble (3-6 players) for a judge who will rate them against a musical standard. The All-State audition is a competitive venue where students prepare college level music specifically chosen for their instrument and are ranked against all other players within the state.
The band travels every other year to perform throughout the nation. Recent trips have included the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, Washington D.C., and Winter Park, Colorado.
Throughout the year the band is supported by the Huntsville Band Booster Club, Inc. This group of parent volunteers works to ensure the band has the resources to prepare and participate in its many activities. The Boosters raise money to support our scholarship programs and to defray the expenses of traveling. There are three different types of scholarships for which band students can qualify. First, there is a Summer Band Camp Scholarship, which is designed to help students attend one of the many Band Camps that are held at major universities throughout the state and nation during the summer. Second, there are Private Lessons Scholarships to help students in need afford private lessons. And finally, the Boosters offer a number of college scholarships open to all graduating band seniors.
One of the band’s primary goals is to build camaraderie and esprit de corps. With that in mind, the band enjoys “letting off some steam” after the many hours of preparation for our various performances. Some of the fun activities the band participates in throughout the year include water balloon fights, movie night, national trips, and the Band Banquet.
During the 2018-2019 school year, all seven bands (HHS and MPMS) earned a first division rating at UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest. This was the first time ever that every band had done that in the same year!
The band works toward perfecting both their musical and marching abilities through classroom rehearsals, after school rehearsals, private lessons, public concerts and state-level competition performances. The band has also begun traveling within the United States to compete in national competitions. In addition, the Huntsville Hornet Military Marching Band works on various service projects throughout the year such as the Elementary School Supplies Donation before school begins and our Canned Food Donations at the Christmas Concert.
The band’s identity of being a “Military Marching Band” comes from the precision military style of marching and performing traditional “quick-step” marches. This style was the only style many years ago and the band works hard to continue that tradition while striving to keep its drills fresh and exciting. Because this style of marching and music selection is not prevalent in today’s marching bands, it has been referred to as “refreshing,” “interesting,” and “exciting.” The band performs at all pep rallies and travels to all football games. Additionally, the band has performed at halftime for The Houston Energy, Houston’s Professional Women’s Football team, as well as for the Houston Rockets in a pre-game performance.
The Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band are the four concert groups that perform a variety of music from the wind band repertoire. The goal with these organizations is to prepare music in a manner consistent with accepted musical standards. All perform at Christmas and Spring Concerts, special concerts for the elementary schools, and participate in the Texas UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Competition each spring.
Other performance opportunities that the band participates in include Region and State Solo & Ensemble Contest and the Texas All-State Audition process. These experiences place emphasis on the individual student’s playing ability and musicality. Solo & Ensemble contest requires students to prepare and perform a solo or small ensemble (3-6 players) for a judge who will rate them against a musical standard. The All-State audition is a competitive venue where students prepare college level music specifically chosen for their instrument and are ranked against all other players within the state.
The band travels every other year to perform throughout the nation. Recent trips have included the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, Washington D.C., and Winter Park, Colorado.
Throughout the year the band is supported by the Huntsville Band Booster Club, Inc. This group of parent volunteers works to ensure the band has the resources to prepare and participate in its many activities. The Boosters raise money to support our scholarship programs and to defray the expenses of traveling. There are three different types of scholarships for which band students can qualify. First, there is a Summer Band Camp Scholarship, which is designed to help students attend one of the many Band Camps that are held at major universities throughout the state and nation during the summer. Second, there are Private Lessons Scholarships to help students in need afford private lessons. And finally, the Boosters offer a number of college scholarships open to all graduating band seniors.
One of the band’s primary goals is to build camaraderie and esprit de corps. With that in mind, the band enjoys “letting off some steam” after the many hours of preparation for our various performances. Some of the fun activities the band participates in throughout the year include water balloon fights, movie night, national trips, and the Band Banquet.
During the 2018-2019 school year, all seven bands (HHS and MPMS) earned a first division rating at UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest. This was the first time ever that every band had done that in the same year!
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