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Instrumental music study at Hanover Park High is firmly rooted in the philosophy that students should be thoroughly trained in the fundamental skills of their chosen instrument. It is through this fundamental training that students may experience the art of music in various performing ensembles. To this end, the primary focus of the HP band program is the lesson program. Upon this foundation all performing organizations are built. Among the many results of this program is the development of appreciation for the arts, an open-ended opportunity to progress in musical knowledge and performance skills on their chosen instrument. The Band elective is offered only as a full-year elective with most students electing four-year participation Upperclassmen have considerable opportunity to refine leadership skills. Considerable scheduling flexibility is possible and currently, all sports are represented within the band membership. Students are encouraged to speak to the director concerning special scheduling needs!

• Individual Lessons: Each week every student is given an individual lesson with one of the directors. Primary focus is on skill development through the use of graded instrumental methods, supplementary studies and solos. Mastery of ensemble music will be checked before each performance. Students come to lessons from either a study hall or a physical education class free of a lab. In the event of a P.E./lab conflict the lesson is then scheduled based on student and director availability (before school, first half of one lunch per week, second half of lunch, office assistant period or after school). This lesson program presents no conflicts to academic classes. Lesson length varies with the number of students assigned to any one period. Twenty minutes of nightly home practice is required. Students must keep a weekly practice log Students preparing for Wind Ensemble, Area, Region, All State Band, and/or Jazz Band will fin one hour of home practice critically important.

• Marching Band: Perhaps the best-known organization, the HP Golden Hornet Marching Band has for 46 years been recognized as one of the finest bands on the East Coast. Consistent] earning Superior ratings in festivals and competitions, this group has performed twice for the Macy's Parade and has been showcased four times at Disney World and at California's Disneyland. Further, this group performs at football games, festivals or competitions at the director's discretion and for the East Hanover Memorial Day Parade. The school provides a uniform jacket, cape, trousers, vest, hat, garment bag, and raincoat. Each student must furnish plain black marching shoes, black socks and white cotton band gloves. Upkeep of the uniform the student's responsibility throughout the year. Care of your performance attire is part of quality participation. During the fall it is the performer's obligation to have all uniform items cleaned, pressed and ready for each performance. Dry cleaning several times throughout the marching season is necessary ($7-10). The marching uniform includes black band trousers, bar uniform jacket and cape, hat, black socks, black shoes (cleaned & polished), white cotton band gloves, and raincoats when weather conditions warrant such use. All students in the band program must participate in the marching band and are expected to diligently prepare their music. Varsity football players and varsity cheerleaders are not required to learn the fall marching routine but are expected to participate in the East Hanover Memorial Day parade.

Many of HP's finest athletes are in the marching band. Student athletes are excused from band practice for games and scrimmages. Practice sessions in conflict are split between band and the team. This 46-year tradition of cooperation works reasonably well. "Band Camp" is always held at HP and runs the last week of August. During September and October, period 5-band class is devoted to performance skills and music reading using show music and a wide stylistic variety of "stand" music. Color Guard members in the band elective prepare music assignments for period 5 class time and prepare all stand music. Students are required to rehearse drill with music as stated on our fall calendar. This fall time commitment has been substantially cut back in an effort to make this commitment manageable in the lives of busy students.

• Rules for Road Trips: Students are expected to report punctually and be completely prepared with all uniform parts, equipment and music. Students must ride the same bus going and coming to each event and pay the utmost respect to all chaperones. Students are expected to cease all talking and prepare themselves mentally for the upcoming performance upon notification by the bus chaperones (app. 15 minutes prior to arrival). Students must remain seated while the bus is moving and must never stick anything out the windows. Yelling anything out the windows is inappropriate and playing instruments in the bus is dangerous. Students must be fully dressed upon exiting the bus, quiet and attentive to all directions given by staff and chaperones. There is to be no talking. Hats must be on when exiting the bus.

• At the Game: Students are expected to be prepared with all stand music at each and every game. Successful band participation includes sitting with your section, contributing on every pep song played in the stands. Personal behavior which contributes to success of the sporting environment as a "stand band" includes all musicians playing in all pep songs to the best of their ability. There is to be no independent or random playing.

• Wind Ensemble/Concert Band: Seating for concert season is set by mid-November for placement into the two concert ensembles based on skill development. The Wind Ensemble consists of the most advanced instrumentalists, and the Concert Band consists of beginning and intermediate players. Both groups meet daily during the band elective time slot (currently period 5) upon the completion of the marching segment of band. Both groups perform the highest caliber literature available for that level. Both groups perform at all concerts, sometimes as Symphonic Band.

• Symphonic Band: At the director's discretion, or by specific performance requirements, the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band are combined to form one large band. This concept is used for the Holiday Concert, Graduation Ceremony and certain out-of-state festivals. This group has performed extensively throughout the United States.

1. Concert attire consists of black band trousers, vest, dress black shoes, black socks, white pleated formal "Tux" shirt, and black bow tie. The shirt is to be worn as a "long sleeve" dress shirt under the black hand vest. Sleeves are not to be rolled up .

The student's prompt arrival from their preceding class within the four-minute passing time is expected. The student then has another three minutes to set up their instrument, music, etc. The student must be in their seat at the end of that three-minute period, set up, quiet, and ready to rehearse. Students spending excessive time in the cubby room are marked tardy.

Attentive participation during all rehearsals. We run no talking rehearsals at HP.

The student must always be prepared with instrument, sticks, reeds, supplies, and music in top condition.

An advance, written excuse is needed for missed rehearsals and performances. For same day illness or emergencies, please leave voice mail at 973-515-7696.

The student must keep their cubby clean and free of loose papers and garbage.

Instruments must not be left on the floor. Keep instruments in the case and then in the cubby.

Jazz Ensemble: Open through audition only (usually November/December), this group consists of some of our most advanced instrumentalists. Practices are held after school hours at the director's discretion. Performances are scheduled based on the group's ability. This ensemble is nationally rated in Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington program.

JV Jazz: Open to everyone not yet ready for Jazz Ensemble. Currently there is no audition requirement and instrumentation is flexible. The goal of this ensemble is to ready the students for interpretation and improvisation in the jazz idiom.

Area, Region and All-State: Our most advanced instrumentalists are encouraged to participate in the audition process for these groups. Competition is fierce and private instruction helps. All candidates for these honor groups must be members in good standing of their respective school groups. Band members who also play a stringed instrument are welcome to audition for Region and All-State Orchestra.

Pit Band: Open only to our most advanced instrumentalists, this group has been honored with the Paper Mill Playhouse "Rising Star" award and gives instrumental support to the HP Spring musical. This group rehearses from mid-December through the spring musical performances. Rehearsals are coordinated with both jazz bands as these students are often in both these groups.