The Marching Band’s ―season runs from July through mid-November. Rehearsals for the battery take place on Tuesday and Thursday night in June and July. The whole band starts rehearsing on Tuesdays and Thursdays the first two weeks of August. There is a two week long band camp starting the third week of August that takes place at Trumbull High School.

Once school starts, the students practice three hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings and six hours on Saturday. Practice on Saturday is followed by a regional band competition.

What is Winter Percussion?
It’s the thunder of drums, melodic lines of the keyboards, incredible movement and design, costumes and sets. It has become one of the most popular drumming activities in the world today! Along with Winter Guard, it is known as the “Sport of the Arts.”

During the winter months the ensemble, supplemented with fall brass and wind students performing on percussion instruments, competes as a separate unit in indoor arenas and gymnasiums.

The Winter Percussion season begins in late November with auditions. The normal schedule is Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6pm to 9pm and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm. There are two to three “mini-camps” each season which take place on Saturdays from 9am to 9pm.

Competitions are generally held on Saturday afternoon or evening. Occasionally the Ensemble will travel away on a weekend to a regional competition. The winter percussion season concludes with the ensemble competing in the Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, Ohio in mid-April.

Attendance at all rehearsals is mandatory. The Ensemble cannot compete successfully without all of its performers.

Isn't this a lot of time spent on practicing?
Of course, with all of this practice, some ask ―when is there time for homework? Band students quickly learn exceptional time-management skills. Some have theorized that the need to manage their time causes band and guard students to focus more on homework and is in part responsible for better academic performance.

Additionally, for most members, the ensemble becomes their "home base" for social activities.  As such, students enjoy time spent practicing with their frients.

Is there a cost to participate in the ensemble?
There is a cost to participate in the program. There are a variety of fund raising activities available to help offset these costs. There are a limited number of scholarships available.

What members and parents say about the ensemble
Ensemble Members
"Winter Percussion is a great and exciting experience. It has been a major part of my life for the past two years, allowing me to learn from and play with some great musicians."

“Yes, it's about the music, marching, practicing, performing, competing, and the daily pursuit of excellence. But more importantly, it's about the friendships, the life skills, and the memories you take with you.”

“The trip to Ohio was great because we got to compete against ensembles from around the world. We were the first ensemble from the East Coast to ever make it to finals ever!”

Ensemble Parents
“Watching a lot of hard work by a group of dedicated kids brought back a fond memory of high school band.”

“It has been an incredible privilege and a blessing to be involved in all aspects of our son's Drumline and Winter Percussion experience during the past four years. The shared memories will last a lifetime.”

“I have had the pleasure of watching my children do what they love. They have each gained confidence, self-discipline and a strong belief that hard work will move you toward your goals.”