Our Bands - The Huron Bands
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The Ann Arbor Huron High School Bands are a part of the century long legacy within the legendary Ann Arbor Public Schools band program. Founded in 1968, the Huron Bands have created a high standard of excellence under the direction of Edward Downing, John Whitwell, Harvey Benstein, Patricia Brumbaugh, Steven Roberts, Robert Ash and Evaristo Rodriguez. The Huron Band Program is composed of six ensembles: Varsity Band, Concert Band Gold, Concert Band Green, Symphony Band, the Rhythm Rat Jazz Orchestra, and the 200 member Rhythm Rat Marching Band. Following the marching season, approximately 50 students from Concert Green and Symphony Band participate in the Huron Orchestra Program as members of the Huron Concert and Symphony Orchestras.
Huron band members are extremely active in MSBOA District and State Solo & Ensemble festivals as well as the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, MSBOA All-State, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Youth Ensembles, Collegiate Honor Ensembles, and National Honor Ensembles.
Since 1968, the Huron High School Symphony Band has received consistent superior ratings at MSBOA District and State Band Festivals. It has been honored to perform at the Governor’s Concert in Lansing, MI (1974), New York’s Carnegie Hall (1996, 2022), the WMU Spring Conference on Wind and Percussion Music (1969, 1975, 1986, 2012), the Midwestern (Michigan) Music Conference (1973, 1979, 1984, 1995, 2000), the Michigan Music Conference (2016, 2020) and the Midwest Clinic - International Band and Orchestra Conference (1973, 1979, 1980, 1986). The Huron Music Department was honored by the Grammy Foundation as a Grammy Gold Signature School in 2003.
The Rhythm Rat Jazz Orchestra had a long tradition of excellence. In 2018 and 2023 they were honored as the Outstanding Ensemble in class AA at the Central Michigan University Jazz Weekend Festival, as well as the Outstanding Ensemble at Western Michigan University Jazz Invitational Festival in 2019 and the MSU Jazz Spectacular in 2023. In 2020, they were chosen as one of 12 high school jazz ensembles in the nation invited to perform at the Swing Central Jazz Festival in Savannah, GA. 2024 marks their second performance at the Michigan Music Conference, the first being 2016.
Huron band members are extremely active in MSBOA District and State Solo & Ensemble festivals as well as the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, MSBOA All-State, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Youth Ensembles, Collegiate Honor Ensembles, and National Honor Ensembles.
Since 1968, the Huron High School Symphony Band has received consistent superior ratings at MSBOA District and State Band Festivals. It has been honored to perform at the Governor’s Concert in Lansing, MI (1974), New York’s Carnegie Hall (1996, 2022), the WMU Spring Conference on Wind and Percussion Music (1969, 1975, 1986, 2012), the Midwestern (Michigan) Music Conference (1973, 1979, 1984, 1995, 2000), the Michigan Music Conference (2016, 2020) and the Midwest Clinic - International Band and Orchestra Conference (1973, 1979, 1980, 1986). The Huron Music Department was honored by the Grammy Foundation as a Grammy Gold Signature School in 2003.
The Rhythm Rat Jazz Orchestra had a long tradition of excellence. In 2018 and 2023 they were honored as the Outstanding Ensemble in class AA at the Central Michigan University Jazz Weekend Festival, as well as the Outstanding Ensemble at Western Michigan University Jazz Invitational Festival in 2019 and the MSU Jazz Spectacular in 2023. In 2020, they were chosen as one of 12 high school jazz ensembles in the nation invited to perform at the Swing Central Jazz Festival in Savannah, GA. 2024 marks their second performance at the Michigan Music Conference, the first being 2016.
Symphony Band
This select group of wind and percussion instrumentalists is out finest ensemble in wind performance. Repertoire consists of outstanding band literature encompassing various styles and periods of music. The Symphony Band presents numerous concerts throughout the year and participates in festivals. The Symphony Band is the marching band in the fall and appears at all home football games. After school rehearsals and performances are graded assignments.
This select group of wind and percussion instrumentalists is out finest ensemble in wind performance. Repertoire consists of outstanding band literature encompassing various styles and periods of music. The Symphony Band presents numerous concerts throughout the year and participates in festivals. The Symphony Band is the marching band in the fall and appears at all home football games. After school rehearsals and performances are graded assignments.
Concert Band Green and Gold
These ensembles are a select group of wind and percussion instrumentalists. Repertoire consists of outstanding band literature encompassing various styles and periods of music. The Concert Band presents numerous concerts throughout the year and participates in festivals.
Concert Band Gold marches at one football game in the fall, and Concert Band Green marches at every football game.
These ensembles are a select group of wind and percussion instrumentalists. Repertoire consists of outstanding band literature encompassing various styles and periods of music. The Concert Band presents numerous concerts throughout the year and participates in festivals.
Concert Band Gold marches at one football game in the fall, and Concert Band Green marches at every football game.
Varsity Band
Open to all wind and percussion instrumentalists, the Varsity Band appears in four concerts throughout the year. Repertoire consists of quality band literature encompassing various styles and periods of music. After school rehearsals and performances are graded assignments.
Open to all wind and percussion instrumentalists, the Varsity Band appears in four concerts throughout the year. Repertoire consists of quality band literature encompassing various styles and periods of music. After school rehearsals and performances are graded assignments.
Jazz Band
This select group of wind and percussion instrumentalists provides opportunities for the performance of outstanding jazz literature and the study of jazz styles, jazz history and improvisation. The Jazz Band presents numerous concerts throughout the year and participates in festivals. After school rehearsals and performances are graded assignments.
This select group of wind and percussion instrumentalists provides opportunities for the performance of outstanding jazz literature and the study of jazz styles, jazz history and improvisation. The Jazz Band presents numerous concerts throughout the year and participates in festivals. After school rehearsals and performances are graded assignments.
