Veterans Memorial High School
Program Ensembles
The Band program at Veterans Memorial offers multiple performance groups for our students to participate in during the academic year. We are currently the largest program in CCISD and have a history of success on the performance stage. We offer a full comprehensive marching band, concert ensembles, small chamber ensembles, jazz band, mariachi, percussion/drumline, and color guard.
Marching Band
Director - Marco Mellone
The Screaming Eagle Band is one of the most visible organizations on campus, boasting an annual membership of 150+ students! The band is comprised of all brass, woodwind, percussion, and color guard students. Students receive both Fine Arts and PE credit for their participation.
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Summer band camps take place for all students during the months of June and August. All Screaming Eagle Band members are expected to attend the pre-season camps during the summer. Absences from these important camps may jeopardize placement in the competitive marching show.
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Certain instruments are provided for marching band use. These instruments include piccolos, mellophones, sousaphones, trombones, tenor saxophones, drumline and front ensemble.
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Each student enrolled in band, percussion, and color guard is part of the Screaming Eagle Band. These students perform at all football games, pep rallies, and other selected events.
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The marching band will focus on the competitive aspect of the activity. Students are held to the highest standards of musicianship, attendance, attitude, athleticism, and eligibility. The Marching Band compete at UIL, Bands of America (BOA), and other marching festivals. In addition to performances, band members are expected to rehearse 7 to 8 hours per week outside of the school day between August and November.
Wind Ensemble
Director - Marco Mellone
The Wind Ensemble is the Band Department's premiere concert organization and is comprised of the top wind musicians at Veterans Memorial High School. Membership is by individual audition at the end of each semester. The Wind Ensemble performs significant wind band literature, featuring original works, chamber, and orchestral and keyboard transcriptions. All members of the Wind Ensemble are also required to be in Marching Band during the Fall Semester.
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The Wind Ensemble meets during the Fall and Spring Semesters. The ensemble performs at the Winter Concert, Pre-UIL, UIL Contest and the Spring Concert. The wind ensemble will travel at once every other year to perform at various venues across the United States.
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All members of the Wind Ensemble are required to attend one-hour sectionals, one day per week during the morning before school. Students are strongly encouraged to partake in private lessons to receive additional individualized instruction and enhance their performance capabilities.
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Students receive both PE and Fine Arts Credit for participation in Wind Ensemble.
Symphonic Band
Director - Liana Madrigal-Lopez
The Symphonic Band is the Band Department's second concert organization and is comprised of musicians from all grade levels at Veterans Memorial High School. Membership is by individual audition at the end of each semester. The Symphonic Band performs challenging wind band literature designed to help grow our developing musicians into stronger performers. The ensemble will also introduce and focus on the standards of ensemble and individual playing expected at the high school level. All members of the Symphonic Band are required to be part of the marching band.
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The Symphonic Band meets during the Fall and Spring Semesters. The ensemble performs at the Winter Concert, Pre-UIL, UIL Contest and the Spring Concert.
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All members of the Symphonic Band are required to attend one-hour sectionals, one day per week during the morning before school. Students are strongly encouraged to partake in private lessons to receive additional individualized instruction and enhance their performance capabilities.
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Students enrolled in Symphonic Band will receive both PE and/or Fine Arts credits.
Percussion Ensemble
Director - Jake Castillo
During the Fall Semester, all students will be placed based on audition into either the drumline or front ensemble as part of the marching band. After marching season and throughout the spring semester, students are split among the two concert bands (Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band). Students will also participate in small chamber ensemble and solo repertoire.
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During class periods, students are given specific instructional time to improve their skills and pedagogy. Students are required to attend a one-hour sectional, one day per week before school. Students are encouraged to partake in private lessons to further inhance their performance ability and receive individualized instructions.
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Students receive both PE and Fine Arts credit for participation in Percussion Ensemble.
Mariachi
Director - Mario Ramirez
Info about Mariachi
Color Guard
Director - Liana Lopez
Color Guard is known as "the sport of the arts" and is one of the fastest growing activities in schools across the nation. Its a high-energy sport and performance artform that combines intepretive dance (including ballet, jazz, and modern styles), gymnatics/acrobatics, theater, and manipulation of flags, mock rifles, sabres, props, and colorful uniforms. Color Guard performs with both marching bands (fall semester) and indoors as stand alone teams (spring semester).
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Watch video "What IS Color Guard" for a terrific overview of the activity.
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Each fall, the high school color guard performs with the Screaming Eagle Band in their halftime marching shows, competitions and other special events such as the annual Buc Days Parade. The Color Guard is an integral part of marching band performances, greatly enhancing the band's visual impact. In the spring semester, students participate in solo and small ensemble contests for color guard, as well as a dance recital.
Students in color guard receive both PE and/or Fine Arts Credit.
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