Middle School Bands and Choral Groups

Students must audition for Bands and Choral groups.

Band

Sponsor: Mr. Alex Gittelman
Run Dates: Full school year
Open to all students
Location: Room 143 
Fees: details are given out at first rehearsal.
Information: There are three bands at HMS: the 6th Grade Band, the 7th Grade Band, and the 8th Grade Band. For more information on these bands, please visit Mr. Gittelman’s Faculty page or contact Mr. Gittelman.

Brass Ensemble

Sponsor: Mr. Alex Gittelman
Run Dates: Audition materials are given out in late September, auditions are in late October, rehearsals begin in early November and run through late May/early June. Rehearsal 3 times per week before school (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Fridays 7:10–7:40 a.m.)
Open to all students. Auditions are completed in October for each school year. 
Location: Room 143
Fees: details are given out at first rehearsal.
Information:  Brass Ensemble rehearses once per week before school (Monday 7:10–7:40 a.m.). The ensemble performs advanced Brass literature, focusing on chamber ensemble playing and skills. The ensemble performs at school concerts. Instruments eligible for Brass Ensemble are trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, and tuba. For more information, please visit Mr. Gittelman’s Faculty page.

County Band

Sponsor: Mr. Alex Gittelman
Open by invitation only.
Location: Room 143
Information: County Band is an annual festival that provides an opportunity for the outstanding musicians in the Delaware County Middle Schools to participate in a joint concert. Students are invited to participate, beginning with eligible 8th grade students, based upon multiple factors, including but not limited to instrumentation needs, student pass-off testing scores, attitude, and effort in band. For more information, please visit Mr. Gittelman’s Faculty page.

Jazz Ensemble

Sponsor: Mr. Alex Gittelman
Run Dates: Audition materials are given out in late September, auditions are in late October, rehearsals begin in early November and run through late May/early June. Rehearsal 3 times per week before school (Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 7:10–7:40 a.m.)
Open to all students. Auditions are completed in October for each school year. 
Location: Room 143
Fees: details are given out at first rehearsal.
Information: Jazz Ensemble performs advanced Jazz literature with an emphasis on improvisation in a variety of jazz styles. The ensemble performs at concerts, festivals, and competitions. Eligible instruments are trumpet, trombone, saxophone, guitar, bass, piano, and drums. For more information, please visit Mr. Gittelman’s Faculty page.

Jazz Fords

Sponsor: Mr. Alex Gittelman
Band director:  Mr. Bellinger
Run Dates: Audition materials are given out in late September, auditions are in late October, rehearsals begin in early November and run through late May/early June
Open to all students. Auditions are completed in October for each school year. 
Location: Room 143
Fees: details are given out at first rehearsal.
Information: The Jazz Fords rehearse once a week after school (Wednesday 2:45–4:00 p.m.). Our goal is to keep musicians actively participating in jazz performance and practice. We emphasize improvisation in a variety of jazz styles. The group performs at school concerts. Traditional jazz instrumentation preferred: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, guitar, bass, piano, and drums. 
Students who play instruments other than these should contact Mr. Gittelman if they would like to join the Jazz Fords. For more information, please visit Mr. Gittelman’s Faculty page.

Orchestra

Sponsor: Mr. Joseph Brennan
Information: There are two string orchestras at HMS: the 6th Grade Strings and the 7th & 8th Grade Strings.

Woodwind Ensemble

Sponsor: Mr. Alex Gittelman
Run Dates: Audition materials are given out in late September, auditions are in late October, rehearsals begin in early November and run through late May/early June
Open to all students. Auditions are completed in October for each school year. 
Location: Room 143
Fees: details are given out at first rehearsal.
Information: Woodwind Ensemble rehearses once per week before school (Thursday 7:10–7:40 a.m.) The ensemble performs advanced Woodwind literature, focusing on chamber ensemble playing and skills. Woodwind Ensemble performs at school concerts. Eligible instruments are: flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, french horn. For more information please visit Mr. Gittelman’s Faculty page.

Chamber Choir - 6th Grade

Sponsor: Mrs. Julie Reyes
Run Dates: Monday and Wednesday, 7:00–7:40 a.m., end of September through June
Location: Room 242
Information: Open to 6th grade students in chorus. Auditions are completed in September of each school year.
6th Grade Chamber Choir is an outstanding opportunity for 6th grade chorus students to join a select choir. Students will perform at the Winter and Spring Concerts, as well as Theme Night, Choral Night, and at this year's Concert in the Parks competition.

Men's Choir:

Sponsor: Mrs. Jacqueline Langley 
Run Dates: Monday, 7:00–7:40 a.m., from October through June
Location: MS Auditorium
Information: Auditions will take place in September for all 7th and 8th grade gentlemen interested in auditioning for this ensemble. Students must be enrolled in chorus in order to audition for this select ensemble. Students will perform at the Winter and Spring Concerts, Theme Night, and Choral Night. Gentlemen will work on TTB voicing. Please visit:  Mrs. Langley's faculty webpage for more information.

Seventh Heaven

Sponsor: Mrs. Jacqueline Langley
Run Dates: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, October through June

Location: Room 242
Information: Auditions will take place in September for all 7th and 8th grade women and gentlemen interested in auditioning for this select ensemble. Students must be enrolled in chorus in order to audition. There are limited spots available for this select ensemble in addition to multiple performance requirements. Please visit Mrs. Langley's faculty webpage for more information.

Women's Choir

Sponsor: Mrs. Jacqueline Langley
Run Dates: Wednesday, 7:00–7:40 a.m., from October through June
Location: MS Auditorium
Information: Auditions will take place in September for all 7th and 8th grade women interested in auditioning for this ensemble. Students must be enrolled in chorus in order to audition for this select ensemble. Students will perform at the Winter and Spring Concerts, Theme Night, and Choral Night. Women will work on SSA voicing. Please visit Mrs. Langley's faculty webpage for more information.