Hockinson High School’s award-winning instrumental music program has a long tradition of excellence and growth, with nearly one in six students at the high school participating in band. The program has received numerous awards and accolades, including four times being named Outstanding Instrumental Music Program at the Columbia Basin College band festival. The Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and Symphonic Band have all earned numerous superior ratings and gold medals at local and regional concert band festivals, performing all over the Pacific Northwest as well as in Southern California, Washington, D.C., and Honolulu, Hawaii. The school’s award-winning Jazz Band has consistently placed in the top three at every jazz festival they have attended in the last several years. The Marching Band has placed at numerous local parades and in 2008 represented Washington State and the United States at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
Jazz Band
An instrumental music class devoted to the study and performance of all jazz styles and improvisation. Performances will include contests, concerts and festivals. Enrollment is limited to specific instruments and acceptance to the class will be by audition only during the first week of school. You must be enrolled in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Percussion Ensemble to audition. Traveling is assessed based off of the need of each competition or contest.
There is a $65 fee for all Grades paid to the Hockinson High School for this class.
Classroom Materials: Same as Wind Ensemble and Percussion ensemble.
All students will be required to purchase a specific tuxedo or dress for this class.
Percussion Ensemble
A class designed to teach percussion techniques at the intermediate and advanced level of performance. This group is comprised of percussionists and a pianist. This all year class will teach the basic techniques for success in Concert Band and Marching Band at the college level. This group will be required to perform at concerts, contest, football/basketball games and parades. Students are also required to attend all after school practices. Students will be required to travel to some competitions and contests.
Required of all percussionists (Buy them and put your name on them):
- Practice pad and stand (12” Real Feel Practice Pad strongly recommended) with stand
- Black hand towel
- Stick Bag: This is a carrying case for sticks, mallet, and accessories. These bags serve to keep sticks from getting lost, and prolong their life by protecting them while not in use.
- Vic Firth EP2 stick pack, OR purchase the following items separately:
- SD1 Snare Sticks
- SD2 Snare Sticks
- M3 Medium Hard Yarn Keyboard Mallets
- M6 Hard Phenolic 1” Keyboard Mallets
- T3 Staccato Timpani Mallets
- Marching sticks, all Vic Firth (Snares – Ralph Hardimon sticks, Tenors – MTS1 sticks, Basses – MBH mallets (1-5)
Symphonic Band
A class designed to offer instrumental music students an intermediate degree of music performance in the high school. This two semester class will teach the basic techniques for success in Concert Band and Marching Band. This group will be required to participate in concerts, contests, football/basketball games and parades while learning intermediate level concepts of music through performance. Students are also required to attend all after school practices. Enrollment is limited to students who were enrolled in band during the previous year. Students will be required to travel to some competitions and contests.
Tuxedo and Dress are not required in this class, however students need to supply black dress clothes for concert. This includes black shoes and socks, black pants or skirt, and a black dress shirt.
Wind Ensemble
A class designed to offer instrumental music students an advanced degree of music performance in the high school. This all year class will teach the basic techniques for success in Concert Band and Marching Band at the college level. This group will be required to participate in concerts, contests, spring parades and football/basketball games while learning higher level concepts of music through performance. Students are also required to attend all after school practices. Enrollment is by audition only and limited to students that were enrolled in band the previous year. Traveling is assessed based off of the need of each competition or contest.
Classroom Materials:
- Tuner – $21 – Through Local Music Store
- Metronome – $20 – Through Local Music Store
- Tuxedo or Dress – See the Formal Wear Attire Information page in the Important Links section at the top of this page.
Additional Requirements
All Students:
- Chromatic tuner: The Korg CA-10 is compact, durable, and inexpensive; use of a phone during rehearsal will be grounds for confiscation.
- Lyre and flip folder: Not all lyres are the same. Make sure you buy the exact lyre for your instrument and at least 20 plastic sheet protectors. This includes percussion.
- Metronome: Seiko #DM-10 or #DM-20 are small enough to fit in most instrument cases (about the size of a credit card only thicker) and work very well. Chances are “there’s an app for that” on your iPad as well.
I strongly urge all students to write their names or initials on all equipment that could be confused with other students’ equipment (sticks/mallets, metronome, tuner, etc.). Even better would be to engrave names or initials on the equipment. Mr. McEnry has an engraver.
Symphonic Band / Wind Ensemble:
The following is a list of accessories you will need to have during each rehearsal, even if you are using a school owned instrument. Please remember that a pencil will be required of each of you!
|
INSTRUMENT |
ACCESSORIES |
|
FLUTE |
cleaning rod, swab |
|
CLARINET |
3 good reeds & holder, swab, cork grease |
|
OBOE |
2 cane reeds, swab, cork grease, water container |
|
BASSOON |
2 cane reeds, swab, cork grease, water container |
|
SAXOPHONE |
3 good reeds & holder, swab, cork grease |
|
TRUMPET |
valve oil, polishing cloth, snake, slide grease, mutes* |
|
FRENCH HORN |
valve oil, polishing cloth, snake, slide grease, mute* |
|
TROMBONE |
slide cream & water bottle, polishing cloth, snake, slide grease, mutes* |
|
EUPHONIUM/TUBA |
Valve oil, polishing cloth, slide grease |
|
PERCUSSION |
sticks & mallets (see below), stick bag |