Hickory Ridge High School Bands

The Blue Regiment is one of the most active and visible organizations in our school. This ensemble performs for all home football games, select away games, competitions, parades, school functions, and other special events each fall. Membership in the marching band program requires the ability to play appropriate literature for the activity while also meeting the physical demands of playing while moving. The ensemble is designed for all band students with an emphasis on presenting a dignified and appropriate approach to music and movement. All marching band students are strongly encouraged to participate in a concert ensemble during both the first and second semester in order to continue the development of musical skills. Members attend a mandatory band camp (prior to the start of school) and are required to be at all after school rehearsals and performances, as well as adhere to the behavior guidelines.

This is the premiere performing ensemble of Hickory Ridge High School. The ensemble is designed for the advanced band student, and will focus on advanced aspects of individual and group performance. It will also strive to develop each member’s skills and use of music theory, music history, and ear training. The Wind Ensemble is designed to offer music students the opportunity to study and play music in a wide variety of performance venues, and will play primarily Level V and VI music. This elite ensemble will be made up of the most advanced players, and will perform several concerts during the semester, as well as participate in South Central District Bandmasters Association Concert Band Festival. In addition, it may travel and compete during the spring of each year. Membership into the Wind Ensemble is through audition only. Members will be expected to know all major scales, the chromatic scale to a proficient range on the instrument, plus general proficiency in sight-reading. Each member will be responsible for purchasing his or her own formal concert attire.

The Symphonic Band is designed for the students with the performance ability necessary to play and perform Level IV and V music. It will build upon the knowledge of music theory, music history, and ear training. This ensemble serves as an intermediate level between Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, and will perform several concerts during the semester, and participate in South Central District Bandmasters Association Concert Band Festival. In addition, it may travel and compete during the spring of each year. Membership into the Concert Band is through audition only. Members will be expected to know major scales, the chromatic scale to a proficient range on the instrument, plus general proficiency in sight-reading. Each member will be responsible for purchasing his or her own formal concert attire.

The Concert Band is designed for the students with the performance ability necessary to play and perform Level III and IV music. It will also strive to introduce basic knowledge and use of music theory, music history, and ear training. This ensemble will perform several concerts during the semester, and may participate in South Central District Bandmasters Association Concert Band Festival. In addition, it may travel and compete during the spring of each year. Membership into the Concert Band is through audition only. Members will be expected to know major scales, the chromatic scale to a proficient range on the instrument, plus general proficiency in sight-reading. Each member will be responsible for purchasing his or her own formal concert attire.

Small ensembles may be formed after school during the fall and spring semester. All band members are encouraged to participate. Possible groups are brass quintet, woodwind quartet or quintet, flute choir, saxophone quartet, tuba/euphonium ensemble, etc. These groups may be featured on concerts, may have a dedicated concert for their performances, and may perform for the Solo and Ensemble Festival held each spring.

The Jazz Ensemble will be offered after school during the second semester if there is sufficient demand to fully staff the band. It is designed for advanced musicians who desire instruction and participation in jazz studies. Membership will come from members of the Symphonic and Concert Bands, so a student must be enrolled in one of these ensembles in order to participate. Guitar and piano players who are not members of the Symphonic Band will also eligible for membership if these positions are not filled by Symphonic or Concert Band member. All players will be selected through audition, and the requirements of the audition will be determined and announced by the Director several weeks before the audition date.

Indoor Percussion at Hickory Ridge HS gives current percussionists an opportunity to keep moving and playing and aspiring percussionists at the middle school the ability to pick up fundamentals in an environment shaped for learning and growth during the marching band "off season.” Considered an art form, in Indoor Percussion the percussion instruments no longer "complement" an ensemble, they are the ensemble. The literature being played is more intense than that of the traditional symphonic or wind ensemble class. The instruments being played are those seen on the field and up front in a marching band show. Winter Percussion competes regionally in the Carolina Winter Ensemble Association (CWEA). The ensemble is open to grades 7-12 by auditions in November, which take place following marching season.