The Bands of Deep Creek

The band program in Deep Creek involves more than 400 students in grades 6-12. The directors include: Mr. Marvin Swimpson, Hugo Owens Middle School, Mr. Lynn Hunt, Deep Creek Middle School, and Mrs. Debbie Beck-Hallenbeck, Deep Creek High School. The Deep Creek High School Band includes two curriculum bands: Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. Percussion members all meet during their own specified curriculum class. All band members in grades 9-12 are offered the opportunity to participate in the Deep Creek Marching Hornets. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Deep Creek Color Guard, the vital visual component of the Marching Hornets.

The band staff at Deep Creek all work together to provide students with a cohesive experience in band. The directors strongly believe this continuity provides a sense of stability as students move from one level of education to the next. The goal of the Deep Creek Band Program is to provide each student every possible opportunity available and to insure quality in student learning and performance.

Please take the time to read through the handbook to familiarize yourself with the nuts and bolts of the band program. This will help you be a successful member of the band program at Deep Creek.

Click HERE for a copy of the 2007-08 DCHS Band Handbook.

HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES:

Percussion Ensembles
Open to students who have had instrumental music experience through audition and/or by recommendation of the band directors. The student is encouraged to participate in marching band and must have basic rudimental drumming skills and keyboard knowledge. Enrollment is limited with priority given to students in marching band.

Students learn basic music theory and vocabulary as well as basic playing fundamentals and sight-reading skills. The class learns percussion techniques on snare drum, bass drum, keyboards, auxiliary instruments and timpani. Students perform ensemble literature as well as perform with the Chamber Winds, Symphonic and Concert Bands during after school rehearsals and evening performances.

Class meets during school and occasionally rehearses one or two times a week after school in preparation for performances which include the Winter Concert in December, a Pre-Festival Concert in late February, the District Concert Festival which is usually held during the first or second weekend in March, and the Spring Concert in May. Other concerts may be scheduled as the opportunity arises with ample notice given to all participants. Concert Festival is the most important event of the school term with focus going toward evaluation by a panel of adjudicators for stage performance and sight-reading skills of the ensemble. Participation in other extra-curricular activities after school including athletics is permitted.

Students enrolled in this class are encouraged to audition for All District Band. Private study with an approved tutor is encouraged but not required. Grade evaluation is based upon performance skills with consideration given to level of playing experience, improvement based upon music mastery, written and aural tests, attendance at performances and rehearsals, class participation and adherence to the rules and regulations as outlined in the handbook.

Fund-raising projects are provided through the Band Parents Association to assist students in raising funds for trips and other band related expenses. School instruments are available for some students based upon need and ensemble instrumentation.

Symphonic Band

Open to all non-percussion students who have had instrumental music experience through audition and/or by recommendation of the band directors. Concert performance skills are developed through group and individualized instruction. Students learn basic music theory and vocabulary as well as basic playing fundamentals and sight-reading skills.
Class meets during school and occasionally rehearses one or two times a week after school in preparation for performances which include the Winter Concert in December, the Pre-Festival Concert in late February, the District Concert Festival which is usually held during the first or second weekend in March, and the Spring Concert in May. Other concerts may be scheduled as the opportunity arises with ample notice given to all participants. Concert Festival is the most important event of the school term with focus going toward evaluation by a panel of adjudicators for stage performance and sight-reading skills of the ensemble. Participation in other extra-curricular activities after school including athletics is permitted.

Students enrolled in this class are encouraged to audition for All District Band. Private study with an approved tutor is encouraged but not required. Grade evaluation is based upon performance skills with consideration given to level of playing experience, improvement based upon music mastery, written and aural tests, attendance at performances and rehearsals, class participation and adherence to the rules and regulations as outlined in the handbook.

Fund-raising projects are provided through the Band Parents Association to assist students in raising funds for trips and other band related expenses. School instruments are available for some students based upon need and ensemble instrumentation.

Honors Credit for Band

The Honors Music Program is designed to give junior and senior high school band students who excel the opportunity to expand their technical skills and musicianship beyond that which is required in the Wind Ensemble. All honors students are required to participate in Marching Band and audition for the All District Band.

Students receiving honors credit must meet higher performance goals and broader, more rigorous expectations including advanced learning in music theory, applied private lessons and music history. Details are available in the spring each year from the director. Students must apply, pass a written and aural test as well as complete a successful audition and interview in order to be accepted into the program. Admission to the Honors Curriculum is by consent of the music faculty.

Wind Ensemble

Open to only the very advanced and dedicated students through selection by the director. Expectations and course requirements are more comprehensive than those for the Symphonic Band, where a much higher performance level and commitment is expected and maintained. Students selected for this ensemble are expected to audition for All District Band with your audition score reflecting part of your grade for the semester. Private study with an approved tutor is expected but not required.

Marching Band (extra-curricular)
Open to students who have had music experience by recommendation of the band directors. Performance skills are developed through group and individualized instruction. Students learn basic music skills as well as marching fundamentals. Students perform for all home football games beginning the first week of September, four or five Saturday band contests during September and October, and the Chesapeake Christmas Parade in December.

The marching band meets after school two or three times a week during the fall through the end of October. Students are expected to participate in the summer band program which includes summer rehearsals and band camp which is held the second and third weeks of August prior to school starting. Band Camp attendance is mandatory for participation. Attendance at any pre-camp rehearsals is expected but not required, if out of town.

If approval is received by the Chesapeake School Board, trips will be taken annually. Fund-raising projects are provided through the Band Parents Association to assist students in raising funds for trips and other band related expenses. School instruments are available for some students based upon need and ensemble instrumentation. Participation in all performances is mandatory of all students.

Color Guard (extra-curricular)
Color Guard is the creative and visual component of the Marching Hornets. Their equipment (flags, rifles, sabers, etc.), choreography, and costumes are designed to interpret the music performed by the wind, brass, and percussion sections. Practices for Color Guard take place beginning in late May at Deep Creek High School. Practices begin promptly at 4:15 pm and finish by 6:30 pm (or as mutually arranged). Students currently in grades 8-11 in good academic standing may audition to be a member of the Color Guard. Auditions for new members are not open to rising seniors at DCHS.

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