JOIN HAMMOND BAND!
Are you interested in continuing music through high school? Then our music department is perfect for you! There are ensembles for every level of commitment and skill. Read about them below or go straight to the audition information here.
Marching Band /Wind EnsembleThe Marching Band/Wind Ensemble is a fast-paced ensemble for advanced students interested in a commitment in music that extends beyond the school day. In the fall, we entertain the crowd at football games in the stands and on the field during the halftime show. When football season ends, we switch over to Wind Ensemble and perform traditional band repertoire at the Winter and Spring concerts.
All students enrolled in this course must attend band camp during the last two weeks of the summer - so please plan accordingly if you think this might be the group for you. Once school begins, we rehearse every day during 1st period. Interested students must audition to be enrolled in this ensemble. |
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Percussion EnsembleThe Percussion Ensemble is comprised of advanced percussionists from 9th-12th grade. We focus on percussion-specific techniques and learn music written just for percussion. We rehearse every day during 2nd period. All students wishing to enroll in this course must first perform for Mr. Dunlap.
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What next?
In order to take music next year, the most important thing to do is to indicate to your counselor during registration that you want to take music. All students, no matter their instrument or skill level, should register for MU-400-1. After that, Mr. Dunlap will be able to adjust your schedule as necessary to fit the ensemble that you are placed into. Mr. Dunlap will visit all middle schools in December to provide additional audition information or find it here. Auditions should be submitted to Mr. Dunlap by January 10th.
Frequently Asked Questions
I really am looking forward to playing a sport at Hammond. Will I be to play a sport and continue with band?
Absolutely! Over 1/3 of Hammond band students participate in a sport. Concert Band and Percussion Ensemble have very few after school obligations at all and, every year, there are students in the Marching Band also playing a fall sport. Mr. Dunlap was a high school athlete himself and he strongly supports students that want to experience the best of what Hammond has to offer both musically and athletically!
Will I have room in my schedule to both prepare for a future career in STEM and still take a band course?
Yes, Hammond's music students have a huge range of talents and interests, many of which are in fields other than music. Many students in band are on the Robotics Team, take advanced STEM classes, and are accepted into competitive schools for sciences and engineering. Counselors are happy to work with students to figure out the schedule that works best for them and they know that, for many of Hammond's highest achieving students, that includes music. Since every student is required to take at least one fine arts course in high school, a common approach is to continue with your instrument for at least one year to give high school band a shot and then make up your mind about whether band is for you after that (it will be).
When will I find out what ensemble I was placed into?
Mr. Dunlap will send out emails by February 1 regarding placement for the next year.
What if I am currently borrowing an instrument from my middle school and do not own my own?
Hammond has an inventory of its own instruments to lend instruments to students that need them. Make sure to mention this to Mr. Dunlap before the school year begins.
Do I have to know how to march before joining the Marching Band?
No marching experience is necessary to join Marching Band! We have amazing student leaders that are eagerly looking forward to teaching you everything that you need to know to be part of this group. We will have a rehearsal on Thursday, June 7 where you will get a first chance to learn many of the techniques that we will refine during band camp.
Absolutely! Over 1/3 of Hammond band students participate in a sport. Concert Band and Percussion Ensemble have very few after school obligations at all and, every year, there are students in the Marching Band also playing a fall sport. Mr. Dunlap was a high school athlete himself and he strongly supports students that want to experience the best of what Hammond has to offer both musically and athletically!
Will I have room in my schedule to both prepare for a future career in STEM and still take a band course?
Yes, Hammond's music students have a huge range of talents and interests, many of which are in fields other than music. Many students in band are on the Robotics Team, take advanced STEM classes, and are accepted into competitive schools for sciences and engineering. Counselors are happy to work with students to figure out the schedule that works best for them and they know that, for many of Hammond's highest achieving students, that includes music. Since every student is required to take at least one fine arts course in high school, a common approach is to continue with your instrument for at least one year to give high school band a shot and then make up your mind about whether band is for you after that (it will be).
When will I find out what ensemble I was placed into?
Mr. Dunlap will send out emails by February 1 regarding placement for the next year.
What if I am currently borrowing an instrument from my middle school and do not own my own?
Hammond has an inventory of its own instruments to lend instruments to students that need them. Make sure to mention this to Mr. Dunlap before the school year begins.
Do I have to know how to march before joining the Marching Band?
No marching experience is necessary to join Marching Band! We have amazing student leaders that are eagerly looking forward to teaching you everything that you need to know to be part of this group. We will have a rehearsal on Thursday, June 7 where you will get a first chance to learn many of the techniques that we will refine during band camp.