Band
Director Fowler
Meeting Time & Location
Band Hall
Symphonic Band meets every A Day, Prep Band every B day and Jazz Band every B day.
Symphonic Band: the top, Varsity level band at HCHS. Symphonic Band performs a variety of repertoire from a wide range of styles and composers. This competitive group participates in UIL Concert & Sight-Reading and Solo & Ensemble, as well as TMEA’s Region, Area, and All-State competitions. Prerequisites: prior experience in a Middle School or High School Band Placement is by audition.
Concert Band: the junior varsity level band comprised of students continuing from Prep-Band (Band 1) and/or who may not be quite ready for Varsity level UIL Concert/Sight Reading. Concert Band performs a variety of music from a wide range of composers. Opportunity to audition and perform with the Symphonic Band is offered to those who progress and attend weekly sectionals. Placement is by audition.
Prep Band: a beginning level band course that focuses on the fundamental and developmental skills needed for performance of a band instrument. There are no prerequisites for this group.
Jazz Ensemble: a competitive ensemble that performs regularly and competes as jazz festivals. Jazz Band is open to all experienced music students interested in learning jazz repertoire, jazz auditory styles, and jazz improvisational skills. Placement is by audition.
Choir
Director Bagwell
Treble Choir and Tenor/Bass Choir: beginning choir ensembles that focus on fundamental and developmental skills needed to become a vocalist. Groups sing a variety of music from a wide range of styles and composers. There are no prerequisites for these ensembles and auditions are not required.
Advanced Treble Choir: an intermediate, non-varsity choir. This choir sings a variety of music from a wide range of composers and styles, and participates in UIL Concert & Sight-Reading and UIL Solo & Ensemble, as well as TMEA’s Region competition. Prerequisites: prior experience in a Middle School or High School Choir. Placement is by audition.
Varsity Women’s Chorus: an advanced choir at HCHS that sings a variety of repertoire from a wide range of composers and styles. This competitive group participates in UIL Concert & Sight-Reading and Solo & Ensemble, as well as TMEA’s Region, Area, and All-State competitions. Prerequisites: prior experience in a Middle School or High School Choir. Placement is by audition.
Varsity Men’s Chorus: an advanced choir at HCHS that also sings a variety of music from a wide range of composers and styles. This competitive group participates in UIL Concert & Sight-Reading and Solo & Ensemble, as well as TMEA’s Region, Area, and All-State competitions. Prerequisites: prior experience in a Middle School or High School Choir. Placement is by audition.
Mixed Choir: a Varsity level choir at HCHS, representing SATB voices. This choir will have additional before school rehearsals. They perform a variety of repertoire from a wide range of composers and styles. This competitive group participates in UIL Concert & Sight-Reading and Solo & Ensemble, as well as TMEA’s Region, Area, and All-State competitions. Prerequisites: prior experience in a Middle School or High School Choir. Placement is by audition.
Orchestra
Director Boyd
Varsity Orchestra: the top, advanced level orchestra at HCHS (“Symphonic” on course cards). Varsity Orchestra performs a variety of repertoire from a wide range of styles and composers. This competitive group participates in UIL Concert & Sight-Reading and Solo & Ensemble, as well as TMEA’s Region, Area, and All-State competitions. Prerequisites: prior experience in a Middle School or High School Orchestra. Placement is by audition.
Junior Varsity Orchestra: the non-varsity level orchestra at HCHS (“Concert” on course cards). JV Orchestra performs a variety of repertoire from a wide range of styles and composers, and participates in UIL Concert and Sight-Reading contest and UIL Solo and Ensemble. Prerequisites: prior experience in a Middle School or High School Orchestra. Placement is preferably by audition.
Orchestra 1(Prep): a beginning level string course that focuses on the fundamental and developmental skills needed for performance of an orchestral string instrument. Students may have some previous experience in an elementary or middle school orchestra, or they might be beginners with no experience. Placement will be based on the discretion of the director.
Other Fine Arts Courses
AP Music Theory: an upper level, advanced music course covering most collegiate, first year music theory information. Students study specifics in music development as well as significant parts, such as note-writing, part-writing, harmony, and composition. This course is not offered to beginners in music or freshmen.
AP Art History: an upper level, advanced art course exploring visual art forms. Students study the cultural, historical, and religious elements of art. Particular artists and their stylistic influences to society are focused upon and studied. This course is only for juniors and seniors.
Music Appreciation: Course content includes the study of music form, composition, critical listening analysis of major music compositions, and the impact of music on world cultures. This course is available ONLY for students needing to recover a fine arts credit in order to graduate and requires review of the current student transcript and approval prior to enrollment.