During the majority of the fall semester, the Union High School band performs during the halftime show, at several contests, and in the state marching championship. However, this is not the sole purpose of the Union High School Band. During the end of the fall semester, students undergo a rigorous tryout regime to determine their place in the concert band of the spring semester. Concert band dominates the spring semester and gives the students a greater challenge than during the marching season. Because the band is not in the public’s eye, people should be aware of what these students accomplish during the spring semester.
At the end of the fall semester, members of the Union High School Band begin preparing for concert season. The first step in the selection of a concert band is the audition. Union High School’s band is so large that the band must be split in half. The top players constitute the Black Band, which is directed by Mr. De Venney and which competes in the state concert festival. The Gold Band consists of the rest of the band; the Gold Band is directed by Mrs. Katie De Venney and competes in a local concert festival at East Central Community College. In order to audition, each student must usually play major scales, their chromatic scale, a prepared piece, and sight-reading material (a piece of music they have never seen before). After this, the students are ordered from first chair to last chair in their respective bands and sections (with first chair being the top player). Students then begin rehearsing for their respective competitions.
After the spring semester begins, students begin rehearsing different pieces of music for their competitions. This typically consists of a required piece and two other pieces. Students spend a few months working on this one concert. Students also have to sight-read at competition. The state concert band festival ranks bands on a scale of one to four (with one being superior). In order to earn all superior, the bands must earn ones from two out of three judges in both categories. The Union High School Black Band will compete in the 2020 Concert Festival during the week of March 23rd and will soon begin after-school rehearsals.
Another feature of concert season is events known as band clinics. Beginning in December of the fall semester, band clinics offer opportunities for students to meet other band members and play some amazing music. A band clinic is when students go to another school or even a college to spend a weekend preparing for a concert. The students audition upon arriving and are placed into one of three bands (usually). They then meet their band director, practice all weekend, and play a concert on either Saturday or Sunday. Band clinics give students the opportunity to both improve their musical abilities and make new friends.
Marching season typically receives the most excitement and grandeur from both students, parents, and spectators. Despite being extremely underrated by most students, parents, and spectators, concert band is much more important. Concert band is where students develop their best musical skills. Furthermore, the public gives no great attention to concert season, which is what more Union residents should be aware of. These students work just as hard (if not harder) in concert band as in marching band, and all Union residents should wish these students luck on their musical journey this semester.
