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E-mail your questions:

General band questions: Mr. Landes
Band camp and general band parent question: Joan Hill
Uniform questions: Monica Ball
Pit Crew questions: Dan and Betsy Goebel

Band and Ensemble Opportunities

The University High School Band meets daily during seventh period at 1:00 p.m. Band members play a variety of musical styles, learning musical expression through instrumental performance. Band class consists of Marching Band and Concert Band. Many extracurricular band activities are available to the students.

Marching Band
Marching Band rehearsals begin in the summer. When school begins in the fall, rehearsals will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings throughout the marching season. The band performs at home varsity football games and competes in several local marching band competitions during the fall. Every other year, the band travels to perform in a bowl game during Winter Break. The next trip will be in 2008.

Uniforms: Marching Pioneers have two uniforms. The summer uniform consists of a green U-High Marching Pioneer polo shirt (provided), white shorts, white socks and white shoes. The full uniform consists of the dress uniform (provided), black gloves, black socks and black Drillmaster marching shoes. Marching shoes and gloves may be purchased at the Music Shoppe in Normal.

Concert Band
Concert Band begins second quarter and continues through the school year. There are three concerts: the Holiday Music Concert including chorus and orchestra groups in December, a Winter Concert including chorus and orchestra groups in February and a Spring Band Concert that includes senior awards and recognition in May.

Jazz Band
There are two U-High jazz bands, Jazz Gold and Jazz Green. Selections for these bands are made by audition. Practices begin after Marching Band season and run through the spring. The jazz bands perform at concerts, competitions and other local gigs.

Madrigal Brass
Madrigal Brass is a voluntary ensemble that performs during the Madrigal Dinner which is held around Thanksgiving.

Pep Band
Pep Band, a voluntary group, performs at home varsity basketball games throughout the basketball season.

Pit Orchestra
Pit Orchestra provides accompaniment for the Spring musical. Participation is voluntary. Members of the Pit must be present during Tech Week (the week before the performance) and performances.

Individual solo and ensemble contests and band festivals
Students may audition for the IMEA district band and jazz band festivals in the fall. Auditions are held on Columbus Day and the festivals are held in November. In the Spring, band members may compete in IHSA solo and ensemble contest.