ENSEMBLES

Wind Ensemble is the top performing ensemble in the DSHS band program. Students in this group demonstrate a superior level of musical maturity, technical proficiency and commitment to practice. These student musicians must seriously pursue progress on their instrument as well as working conscientiously toward ensemble goals. Auditioning for Region Band and playing a solo at the UIL solo and ensemble contest is required.

In addition to being a member of Wind Ensemble, all DSHS band students are required to march in the fall semester as a member of the Dripping Springs Tiger Band.

Symphonic Band is the next-highest performing ensemble in the DSHS band program. Students in this group demonstrate a strong level of musical maturity and technical proficiency, and a solid commitment to practice and improvement on their instrument. Auditioning for Region Band is strongly encouraged, and playing a solo at the UIL solo and ensemble contest is required.

In addition to being a member of Symphonic Band, all DSHS band students are required to march in the fall semester as a member of the Dripping Springs Tiger Band.

Concert Band is the third DSHS performing ensemble. Students must have musical maturity, technical proficiency and be committed to practice and improvement. These student musicians must pursue progress on their instrument, and playing a solo at the UIL solo and ensemble contest is required.

In addition to being a member of Concert Band, all DSHS band students are required to march in the fall semester as a member of the Dripping Springs Tiger Band.

The Jazz Orchestra is a select group of students in grades 9-12.  A standard 18-piece ensemble is formed out of auditioning/invited students: 2 alto saxophones,  2 tenor saxophones, 1 baritone saxophone, 4 trombones, 5 trumpets, and a standard rhythm section of 1 guitar, 1 bass guitar, 1 piano, and 1 drum set.  Students must be a member of a regular band class, except for guitar, electric bass, and keyboard players (if there is not an available band member).  Students develop jazz techniques, study literature, and learn applied music theory and different styles of jazz including Funk, Latin, Blues, and Swing.  Emphasis is placed on learning individual parts, playing, and improvisation skills.

The highly competitive and hard-working Tiger Marching Band is the pride of the Dripping Springs Band program. Between the musicians and auxiliary (color guard), the Tiger Marching Band is comprised of approximately 200 members in all four grades. The band marches at halftime of all football games – home and away – leads the Homecoming Parade in the fall, and marches in the Dripping Springs Founders Day parade each spring. In addition, the Tiger Band participates in multiple marching festivals state-wide each fall, and has also competed in larger contests such as the Bands of America marching band Super Regional in Atlanta in 2014. Membership in the Tiger Marching Band is required for all DSHS band members.

Color Guard is the non-musical section of the Tiger Marching Band, providing stunning visual aspects to the show’s performance. Along with movement and dance, color guard uses props such as flags, rifles or sabres and other themed objects, to enhance the expression of the emotions and dynamic passages in the music played by the marching band. Color guard takes place in the fall semester, with performances at football half-time shows, as well as separate marching competitions.

In the spring semester, Colorguard switches to Winterguard, which focuses on guard-only indoor competitions, and performs an entirely different show than in the fall semester. Combining art with athletics, Winter Guard is a competitive activity that brings together dance, recorded music and the manipulation of rifles, flags or sabres. Show are themed, and performed indoors on a gym floor, often decorated with an elaborate floor cover. The DSHS Color guard has two Winter guard units: JV and Varsity. Winter guard competes from January through late March/early April on the Texas Color Guard Circuit (TCGC).

Winter Drumline is a competitive indoor performance activity for percussion students (and any band students who try out for cymbals). It consists of the pit/front ensemble (the percussion students during marching season who stand at the front of the field and play the marimbas, etc.) and the battery (the percussion students who play the snare and bass drums and the tenors who march). The DSHS Winter Drumline also includes a group of middle school students (7th and 8th grade students). Winter Drumline requires commitment to regular practices, as well as the contests that the drumline participates in. The DSHS/MS Winter Drumline participates in the same circuit as our Winterguard – the TCGC (Texas Color Guard Circuit).

We’ve been recognized for the 5th straight year in a row as NAMM Foundation Best Community for Music Education!