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At Willis High School, we have three UIL competitive bands of which, all members of the individual bands are simultaneously members of the Willis High School Wildkat Marching Band. The students are a cohesive group who refer to themselves as a band family.
Our program also has other performing opportunities for our students that allow for them to develop their skills in speciallized areas.
While each ensemble has a primary director, the Willis Band program has a strong foundation of collaborative teaching. This means that all ensembles are receiving instruction and feeback from all directors. The directors work as a strong team, both at the high school and throughout the vertical team to ensure students are receiving world-class instruction on a daily basis.
Our program also has other performing opportunities for our students that allow for them to develop their skills in speciallized areas.
While each ensemble has a primary director, the Willis Band program has a strong foundation of collaborative teaching. This means that all ensembles are receiving instruction and feeback from all directors. The directors work as a strong team, both at the high school and throughout the vertical team to ensure students are receiving world-class instruction on a daily basis.
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Wind Ensemble
Our Wind Ensemble is one of the UIL competitive bands at Willis and is our premiere varsity ensemble in the program. The ensemble is comprised of students of all grade levels, but mostly juniors and seniors, many of which participate in private lessons. The students in this ensemble are required to participate in the All-State audition process, the Solo and Ensemble process, and in weekly sectionals.
The Willis High School Wind Ensemble is under the direction of Mr. Joe Dittfurth. |
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Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band is our second UIL competitive band. This ensemble is comprised of a even mix of classifications. The Symphonic Band is a group of students that perform a wide variety of standard high school wind band literature. The students in this ensemble are required to participate in the All-State audition process, the Solo and Ensemble process, and in weekly sectionals.
The Syphonic Band is under the direction of Mrs. Aly Clarabut. |
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Concert Band
The Concert Band is comprised of mainly freshmen and sophomores, but are a mix of all classifications. This ensemble performs a wide variety of wind band literature and grade levels. Students in the Concert Band are required to participate in the All-State process, the Solo and Ensemble process, and in weekly sectionals.
The Concert Band is under the direction of Mr. Jarrett Jones. |
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Jazz Band
The Jazz Band explores a wide veriety of musical generes: swing, funk, fusion, latin, etc. The group is rooted on the principal of exploring the foundation of American music. This band is a mix of all classificaitons. The Jazz Band is a great group to travel around the district, given its size, to be an excellent recruiting tool when asked to perform a various events. Students are encouraged to participate in the All-State Jazz Band audition process.
The Jazz Band is under the direction of Mr. Joe Dittfurth. |
Chamber Ensembles
Within each of our concert ensembles, our students will sectionalize to play with a smaller group. This could be duets, trios, quartets, etc., or it can be their family of instruments. For example, a woodwind or brass choir. These will depend on the individual strengths and weaknesses of the ensemble each year and/or semester. This allows students to grow their musicianship and experience a non-traditional concert ensemble setting.
The percussion section of our program is heavily reliant on chamber music ensembles. From the Willis High School Drumline to the various percussion ensembles, our percussionists are musically diverse and balanced performers. For more information about our percussion program, please visit the percussion page.
