Marching Band & Color GuardThe marching band season kicks off in August and runs through October.
All band students must participate in marching band or color guard during marching band season. There are no auditions for the marching band. Please read information from Mr. Waite about the value of the marching band, download pdf file here. - COMING SOON |
Marching Band
All band students are members of the Marching Band. The marching band performs in the stands and in the halftime show at most varsity football home games.
The Marching Band also performs the Competition Show at various band competitions on designated Saturdays, mostly throughout October.
Color Guard
The color guard performs a choreographed routine with various equipment (flags, rifles, etc.) to enhance and interpret the music of the marching band show.
The color guard is made up of band and non-band students who have chosen to participate; they do not perform with their concert band instrument. Both girls and boys are welcome, and no previous experience is needed.
Attention oboe/bassoon players: Since double reeds are harder to control when marching, oboe/bassoon players cannot march with their instrument; they may select to either be in the pit (where the stationary instruments are in the front) or in color guard.
CLICK to play an introduction video about Color Guard.
Please reach out to the coaches with any questions.
All band students are members of the Marching Band. The marching band performs in the stands and in the halftime show at most varsity football home games.
The Marching Band also performs the Competition Show at various band competitions on designated Saturdays, mostly throughout October.
Color Guard
The color guard performs a choreographed routine with various equipment (flags, rifles, etc.) to enhance and interpret the music of the marching band show.
The color guard is made up of band and non-band students who have chosen to participate; they do not perform with their concert band instrument. Both girls and boys are welcome, and no previous experience is needed.
Attention oboe/bassoon players: Since double reeds are harder to control when marching, oboe/bassoon players cannot march with their instrument; they may select to either be in the pit (where the stationary instruments are in the front) or in color guard.
CLICK to play an introduction video about Color Guard.
Please reach out to the coaches with any questions.
Summary of Annual Activities
Scroll below to read an overview of the annual band activities.
Scroll below to read an overview of the annual band activities.
SUMMER - sectionals
A sectional is a meeting of band members during summer months to practice fundamentals or practice difficult sections of band music. Sectionals are usually hosted by the section leader. Sectionals may consist of sections as vague as brass and woodwinds to more precise sections, i.e. clarinets and trumpets.
Sectional rehearsals are a vital part of a quality band program. As with many other competing groups, time outside of the regular school day will be utilized. Small group work with like instruments provides essential individual attention typically not possible with larger groups of students.
Students must make every effort to attend. Section rehearsals are an extension of the classroom and are graded accordingly. If your student misses a sectional, it will cause him/her to fall behind the rest of the group. If a student misses their assigned weekly sectional, they may attend that week's makeup sectional (with prior director approval) to earn full credit for the week. Time made up after the make-up sectional will not receive full credit but is required to remain a part of the competing group.
Sectional rehearsals are a vital part of a quality band program. As with many other competing groups, time outside of the regular school day will be utilized. Small group work with like instruments provides essential individual attention typically not possible with larger groups of students.
Students must make every effort to attend. Section rehearsals are an extension of the classroom and are graded accordingly. If your student misses a sectional, it will cause him/her to fall behind the rest of the group. If a student misses their assigned weekly sectional, they may attend that week's makeup sectional (with prior director approval) to earn full credit for the week. Time made up after the make-up sectional will not receive full credit but is required to remain a part of the competing group.
SUMMER - BAND CAMP
Marching Band Camp: Band Camp is a mandatory, intensive two weeks of afternoon/evening practices where students learn how to perform their show for the fall marching season.
Band Camp offers a tremendous growth experience for woodwind, brass and percussion players as well as color guard. The camp concludes with a preview performance for parents. All students are required to attend all band camp dates. |
FALL - PERFORMANCES AND COMPETITIONS
Fall Performances: The marching band competes in local competitions and performs at halftime during the varsity home football games.
They also participate in school events such as pep rallies. Parents are welcome to attend all performances; entrance fees may apply. The Marching Band rehearses on Wednesday evenings and performs on select Fridays and Saturdays in the fall. |
Fun fact: In three of the past five years, the Charger Marching band placed third at the Wisconsin State Marching Band Championships (class AAAA). |
Fall Competitions: The marching band competes in local competitions/festivals and state competition at UW-Whitewater. The schedule and Charger Band performance times will be posted on dedicated competition pages, linked below. Students will report to HHS and transported by buses to and from the competitions.
Read information from Mr. Waite about marching band scoring and competitions file linked here. COMING SOON Parents are welcome to attend all competitions, entrance fees may apply.
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SPRING ACTIVITIES - PARADES
The Marching Band also performs in community events, such as the Memorial Day parades.
Memorial Day Parades: After the final concert band concert in May, the combined bands perform in the Sussex Memorial Day Parade. We hope to see you in the crowd cheering for the band! STUDENTS MEET BEHIND SUSSEX CIVIC CENTER. UNIFORMS WILL BE ON A TRAILER ON RACKS. WEAR T-SHIRT, PE SHORTS, LONG BLACK SOCKS, MARCHING SHOES, LONG HAIR TIED ON TOP OF HEAD. UNIFORMS WILL BE RETURNED NEAR VFW IN TRAILER WITH RACKS. PARADE BEGINS AT 10AM. Please join us for the fun! Volunteers will be needed to walk in the parades with the band and help keep them cool by misting them with water and providing water to drink. |