EHS Band Ensembles

  • EHS musicians who play small ensemble music for activities at school and in the community. EHS currently has ensembles for flute, clarinet, mixed woodwind, and brass, with percussion and saxophone ensembles in the development stage. Small groups provide a rewarding musical experience for intermediate and advanced players who are interested in exploring the repertoire and techniques of chamber music literature. Open to string and piano students, these groups are formed based on age, ability, experience and instrumentation. Members are placed by audition to ensure skill-level compatibility. All EHS band members are encouraged to join one of the small ensembles.

    Visit our page: http://www.essexbands.org/

     

    Symphonic Band

    Symphonic Band is open to all students at EHS. All freshmen band students enroll in Symphonic Band. This band provides a wealth of opportunities for students to continue developing the fundamentals of musicianship in a positive and supportive setting. Each year the band takes a trip, participates in band social events likal trip to Jay Peak, Movie Nights and more! Symphonic band meets during the school day.

     

    Wind Ensemble

    Wind Ensemble is open to students by audition in grades 10-12 and provides an advanced experience that builds on the foundation developed through Symphonic Band. This ensemble regularly works with guest artists and will be commissioning new music for a world premiere performance in February. Wind Ensemble members frequently serve as mentors to Symphonic Band and middle school students.

    Each year the band performs at the VMEA festival, goes on a local tour, and takes a trip. Wind Ensemble meets during the school day.

     

    Essex Jazz Orchestra

    The busiest jazz band in Vermont, the EJO is EHS’ advanced jazz ensemble. Auditions for the group take place spring semester. The EJO performs annually for the Vermont Association for Jazz Education (VTAJE) Jazz Festival, the Discover Jazz Festival, regularly gets asked to play gigs in the community, and headlines the Essex Jazz Festival with a nationally recognized guest artist. Most recently, the EJO won the UMASS Jazz Festival & Competition and was selected to perform for the evening concert, opening for famed saxophonist, Kenny Garrett.

    The EJO meets Monday and Friday mornings before school.

     

    SWARM!

    Loud and proud! The SWARM bring the noise and spirit to the stands for the Hornets. The envy of rival teams, fans, principals and athletic directors alike, the SWARM knows how to get the stands rockin’! You can see the SWARM at select Hornet games. Be sure to join and cheer our Hornets to victory!

     

    Essex Drumline

    The Essex Drumline is our newest addition the the Essex Bands lineup. The drumline rehearses throughout the school year performing with the bands, and, new this year, they will perform as a stand alone drumline at select home winter sporting events.