Bands

Directors: Mr. Budrow and Mr. Itzkowitz

Cadet Band– Director: Mr. Budrow

Cadet Band is the HMS Band program’s second year ensemble consisting of 6th grade band members. In Cadet Band, students review the fundamentals of playing in a concert band and will perform three concerts throughout the school year. Student enrollment is based primarily on, but not limited to, participation in Beginning Band which takes place during elementary school.

Jazz Band- Director: Mr. Budrow

Jazz Ensemble studies various styles of jazz, including swing, latin, rock, and funk.  This is an intermediate level group for students who have some basic ability on the instruments used in a jazz big band

Jazz Combo- Director: Mr. Itzkowitz

This group of six students explores the intricacies of the deeper meaning of jazz improvisation.  They explore style, form, and higher level music theory. Students meet on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30

Jazz Ensemble– Director: Mr. Budrow

Jazz Ensemble studies various styles of jazz, including swing, Latin, rock, and funk.  This is the highest level of big band jazz being played at this school.  Typically students meet Mondays from 3:30-5:15 pm, Wed from 5:15-6:45 pm, and Fri – 7:30 am – 8:23 am.

Pep Band- Director: Mr. Budrow

The Hornet Pep Band is made up of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students who are interested in performing rock and roll tunes during the Basketball season. Students from Band and Orchestra come together to form a rock group that plays music to pump up the basketball game experience. There is one rehearsal per week five weeks before basketball season. Five performances at various basketball games throughout the season..

Symphonic Band- Director: Mr. Itzkowitz

The Symphonic Band, the intermediate level band at Holmes, consists of predominantly seventh and eighth graders, but also includes select sixth graders.  Symphonic Band works on fundamentals needed to increase the abilities of the students to perform scales, rhythms, musical counting, tone quality, and how to be an effective member of large ensemble. This is a preparatory ensemble for band students in order for them to work their way into Wind Ensemble. This group meets on A/C Days during homebase and has two early morning rehearsals as well.

Wind Ensemble: Director: Mr. Budrow

The HMS Wind Ensemble is the highest level concert band at Holmes. Including 7th and 8th grade students by audition, this group is focused on performing high level music.  In addition to three “in school” concerts per year, Wind Ensemble represents the HMS Band Program at the competition level.