Honor Groups

Honor groups are an important part of the instrumental music program and Eisenhower High School. These "by audition" groups strive to honor and challenge outstanding musicians at the regional and state level. Students desiring to attend college on a music or academic scholarship should consider participation in honor groups as a part of their senior "resume" that will be used by the student when applying for music or academic scholarships. Auditions for these groups are only open to students enrolled in the instrumental music classes at Eisenhower High School at the time of the audition and at the time of the students participation in the honor group.

The honor groups that Eisenhower students are eligible to audition for are: Southwestern Oklahoma Band Directors Association Honor Band, Oklahoma Music Educators Association Honor Band, Orchestra and Jazz Band and the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute.

Students must practice privately for these auditions. A minimum of 20 hours of practice should be a commitment of a student desiring to audition for a regional honor group. 50 hours of private practice and private lessons should be the minimum commitment of a student auditioning for an All - state organization.

Private lessons are the key to success at these auditions particularly the All-state auditions. Parents desiring to have their child take private lessons should contact the director for names of private music teachers available in this area. The lessons will cost between $12 - $15 for a 30 minute lesson. Please contact Mr. Haas for the names of qualified private music instructors.

Summer Band

The Eisenhower Screamin’ Eagle Band will perform over 15 times between September 1st and November 30th. To properly prepare for these performances, students in the marching band will begin rehearsals approximately two weeks before school begins. These rehearsals are required for students who are enrolled in marching band.

During these rehearsals the students will learn the music to be used during the marching season as well as the marching fundamentals used during the marching routines. Perfect attendance at these rehearsals will qualify the student to letter in band, provided all other requirements of lettering are met.

The rehearsals are held in the morning and afternoon to allow students to arrange them around their work schedule. Students should dress cool and bring a container of water.

Marching Band

Marching band is an important part of the Eisenhower Instrumental music program. This group performs at all home football games, some away football games, pep assemblies, local parades and regional and state marching competitions.

Before students enroll in marching band, they must understand that from August to the beginning of November, almost all of the rehearsals and performances are outdoors. Band members will get very hot and as fall progresses, they will get cold. Students who have difficulty with extreme weather conditions, should consider not participating in this outdoor activity.

Because of the large number of performances that the marching band participates in, extra rehearsals are held before school in August as well as each morning at 7:25 a.m. until the third week of October, and one afternoon a week (usually Wednesday) also until the third week of October. Afternoon rehearsals are held from 2:15 to 5:15. Students are allowed to attend 7th hour help sessions with a teacher and arrive late without penalty.

All of these rehearsals are a required part of participation in the marching band. Students and parents will need to arrange transportation to school and home again during these rehearsal times. Transportation will be provided by the school to and from Cameron stadium if necessary. Students are allowed to drive their vehicles to and from the stadium and other students may ride with them provided I have received written permission from the parent.

Students who need to ride the bus can arrive late under these conditions: They must report immediately to the practice field or band room and they must have another student bring their necessary equipment to the rehearsal area.

Problems will arise when students fail to fulfill the commitments and make the sacrifices necessary for the marching band to be successful.

Students who continually struggle with the commitment and responsibility necessary to participate in marching band can be removed from the marching band, placed in the technique band or removed from the band program.

Jazz Band

The jazz band auditions will be held late in the first semester. There must be sufficient interest from students to allow us to form a jazz band with proper instrumentation.

Participation is open to any student currently enrolled in band or orchestra. Auditions are based on musicianship, attitude, dependably and grades. The jazz band will rehearse one afternoon from 2:45 - 4:15. Students who participate in jazz band will receive additional points on their band grade for the nine weeks and semester. The grade will be based on attendance and participation at rehearsals and performances. The student must participate in the jazz band for the remainder of the school year, and will receive zeros for all rehearsals and performances that they miss if they should quit. We have this stipulation so that students don’t join the jazz band and then quit making the rehearsals and performances more difficult for the remaining jazz band members.

Concert Bands

Concert band auditions will be held for the two concert bans that meet during the second semester.

The Symphonic Band meets during the first hour period at the high school band room and membership is by audition. In addition to the 55 minute rehearsal, each instrument will have a 30 minute sectional outside of the regular school day. These sectionals will go until the concert competitions are complete, normally the middle of April. This group competes at regional and state competitions and local concerts. The Concert Band also meets during the second period of the day. This group does not have required out of school rehearsals and membership is open to anyone interested in participating. They participate in regional competitions and local concerts.

Basketball Band

During basketball season the concert and symphonic bands will be divided into two pep bands. Each pep band will play at half of the home basketball games. Students may trade basketball dates with a member of the other pep band by notifying the director prior to the game. Ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to make sure that their substitute attends the game, therefore students should be careful about who they trade with.