The Morristown West High School Band Program

The MWHS Band Program is under the direction of Mr. Mike Thomas. There are many opportunities for West High students, including Marching Band and Flag Corps, Concert Band and Jazz Band.

Marching Band - Grades 9-12 (1st term)
For students with advanced musical and marching ability who have been selected by auditions given each summer. This band participates in parades, competitions, athletic half time performances, etc. Several of the events are out of town. More information below.

Concert Band - Grades 9-12 (2nd term)
For students with advanced musical ability who have been selected through an audition process. This class covers a variety of styles of music as it prepares for concerts and competitions.
______________________________

Marching Band and Flag Corps
The band performs their field show at every MWHS football game, home and away. They also perform at pep rallies during the school day and, in the past, one evening at the Morristown Wal-Mart.

In recent years, the Marching Band has participated in two or three competitions each fall. The Patriot Preview at Jefferson County High School, the Volunteer Classic Marching Band Festival at Heritage High School in Maryville, the Foothills Classic Marching Band Festival at Seymour High School in Seymour, and the Appalachian Coke Classic Marching Band Festival at Sullivan Central in Blountville are just a few of the competitions that the band has attended. Bands are divided into classes according to size and each band receives a score in several categories. There are many other band competitions in the area that the band could attend.

The specific competitions in which the band participates will be determined each fall and announced in class and placed on the monthly calendar. These dates cannot be announced very early because Mr. Thomas has to apply to each competition, wait to be accepted, wait again to find out the performance times...plan to attend at least two competitions in October and probably one in September. These are held on Saturdays and will take up the majority of the day and evening.

In addition to the field shows and competitions, the Marching Band marches in the Veterans Day Parade and the Christmas Parade. The Marching Band also presents a Christmas concert along with other west end Hamblen County school bands.

2008-2009 Marching Band and Flag Corps

Drum Major
Devan Pope

Assistant Drum Major
Hannah LaPrise

Band Officers
President - Will Waldron
Vice-President - Jennifer Hamill
Treasurer - Josh Ball
Secretary - Ryan Patterson
Flag Captain - Katie Testerman
Drum Captain - Chris Lowery
Flag Representative - Lucretia Calfee
______________________________

Concert Band
The Concert Band presents a spring concert, attends competitions, and performs at Honors Day and Graduation.
______________________________

Individual Activities
Band members are encouraged to tryout for Junior Band Clinic (9th grade) and Senior Band Clinic (10th – 12th grades). Students from the Upper Tennessee area audition for a limited number of seats in the Clinic band. Music for Clinic Auditions is available on the ETSBOA site.

 Auditions include:
• Playing specified major scales and the chromatic scale from memory. The scale requirements differ by age group.
• Playing the specified prepared piece.
• Sight reading one or two short excerpts, usually 2 - 3 lines each. You have 30 seconds to look these over before you attempt to play them.
• Percussion students are required to audition on snare drum, mallets and timpani. Percussionists must perform a prepared piece, sight reading, and required scales and/or rudiments on all three instruments.

Other individual activities include auditioning for Jazz Band Clinic and participating in Solo and Ensemble events. Information regarding these events is provided in the classroom.
______________________________

Classroom Rules

There is NO chewing gum allowed in the band room.

There is NO food or drink allowed in the band room.

Each student must wipe up the floor after class.

There are lockers available in the band room. These are for instrument storage only. Students may rent a lock from Mr. Thomas for $5.00.

Bus Rules
These rules are set forth by the Board of Education and must be adhered to. In view of the fact that bus service is an extension of the classroom, the board expects students to conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with the established standards for classroom behavior.

Chaperones are expected to enforce the rules. Students are expected to follow the rules and listen to the chaperones.  

 

2006-2008 West High Band Boosters

All rights reserved.