THE BAND PROGRAM
The Band program at SMHS is a comprehensive one that offers numerous activities and playing opportunities. Our goal is to provide something to interest every student at their current experience level to set them up for success and to provide the tools they will need to progress as individuals and members of an ensemble.
"THE SPIRIT OF SPRING MILLS", CARDINALS MARCHING BAND
All students enrolled in Band 1,2,3, or 4 in Berkeley County are required to participate in marching season activities. "Marching season" runs from summer rehearsals to the end of the football season (including playoffs). Spring Mills is entering the fourth year of a pilot program designed to allow some flexibility in how much time students will devote to the Marching Band component of the program - read the descriptions of the two options below and decide how much time you want to spend. For clarification on questions regarding the requirement of practices and performances outside the school day, please refer to the Berkeley County Schools Program of Studies.
Junior Varsity Band
This band performs in parades, football games, and community events. The difficulty level of the music and marching drill is accessible to the average student entering 9th grade. To enable student-athletes to stay involved in band, this group requires minimal summer practice and does not have any after school practice requirements. All students enrolled in band are required to participate in this group.
Who is eligible: Anyone who participated in middle school band.
Audition required: Percussion only.
Summer practices required: One week of music & marching camp.
After school practices required: Few to none. Fall athletes participate in this band.
Who is eligible: Anyone who participated in middle school band.
Audition required: Percussion only.
Summer practices required: One week of music & marching camp.
After school practices required: Few to none. Fall athletes participate in this band.
Varsity Band
Varsity Band performs the more difficult part of football halftimes and participates in judged competitions. Time commitment is roughly equivalent to a sport - summer camp and two after school practices per week, plus four or five Saturday competitions. A more in-depth description is included on the Band Competitions tab.
Audition required: Yes. Varsity auditions take place at the beginning of camp. You will be evaluated based on your marching and playing and your ability to learn drill.
Summer practices required: Summer practices begin August 1 and continue through the beginning of school.
After school practices required: Tuesdays and Thursdays after school until 4:30, from the beginning of school until the end of football season.
Audition required: Yes. Varsity auditions take place at the beginning of camp. You will be evaluated based on your marching and playing and your ability to learn drill.
Summer practices required: Summer practices begin August 1 and continue through the beginning of school.
After school practices required: Tuesdays and Thursdays after school until 4:30, from the beginning of school until the end of football season.
CONCERT BANDS
Concert Band is identical to middle school band rehearsal. It is an indoor, music-only activity that runs from the end of football season through the end of the school year. Concert Band activities include evening concerts in December and April.
Concert Band
This is the entry-level band. Students in this band play grade 2-3 music and progress through the Essential Elements 2000 method book.
Audition required: No. Concert Band is open to all students who participated in middle school band.
Audition required: No. Concert Band is open to all students who participated in middle school band.
Symphonic Band
This is the advanced band. Numbers in each section are capped to provide appropriate instrumentation Students in this band play grade 4-5 music. As upper-level musicians, the expectation is that all band members progress through instrument-specific method books, prepare solo or small ensemble literature, and participate in Solo and Ensemble festival and All State Band auditions.
Audition required: Yes. Students who are not chosen for Symphonic Band may still participate in Concert Band.
Audition required: Yes. Students who are not chosen for Symphonic Band may still participate in Concert Band.
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is made up of the top players of the Symphonic Band. It performs in conjunction with the string section to form the Symphonic Orchestra. This group has only one player on each part (i.e., only one person playing 1st flute, only one person playing 2nd flute, etc.), so performing in this group requires a high level of independence and commitment to preparing your music outside class.
Audition required: Yes. Wind Ensemble players are chosen as part of the Symphonic Band audition.
Audition required: Yes. Wind Ensemble players are chosen as part of the Symphonic Band audition.
