MHS Ensembles
The Mukwonago High School Band Program prides itself on providing a comprehensive instrumental music education.
Concert Program
The Concert Bands are the heart of the MHS Band Program. These ensembles both develop young musicians, and challenge the more experienced players. There is a place for every student within these three ensembles.
​
To hear the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Concert Winds & Percussion in performance, please visit our YouTube Channel.
Wind Ensemble
Open to 9th-12th grade students, Wind Ensemble performs at the highest level. Students in this course are passionate about music and have both exceptional musical skills and a dedicated work ethic. This is an auditioned band and students are only accepted through this process. Daily practice and additional work outside of class is an expectation of this ensemble. Wind Ensemble is regularly involved in the comisioning and premiering of new works. Winds and Percussion rehearse together in this course. All curricular requirements (concerts, pep bands, etc.) apply to this ensemble.
Similar to: AP courses, Varsity teams
Wind Ensemble
Symphonic Band
Open to 9th-12th grade students, Symphonic Band is our mid-level ensemble that serves those students with a high interest in performance and in developing their musical skills. This is an auditioned band, although students can be placed in this ensemble (if needed) to fill out instrumentation. Students in this ensemble are expected to practice outside of class. Winds and Percussion rehearse together in this course. All curricular requirements (concerts, pep bands, etc.) apply to this ensemble.
Similar to: honors classes, JV1 teams
Symphonic Band
Concert Winds & Concert Percussion
Open to 9th-12th grade students, Concert Winds and Concert Percussion is designed as an introductory ensemble that prepares students with an interest in music for the rigors of high school band. This is a non-auditioned ensemble and all students who do not audition will be placed in this course. To provide students with the very best instruction, winds (woodwinds and brass) and percussion rehearse as two separate classes - just like our middle school band program. All curricular requirements (concerts, pep bands, etc.) apply to this ensemble.
Similar to: non-honors classes, JV2 teams
Co-Curricular & Extracurricular Programs
These offerings are designed to broaden students' musical horizons through performance in non-concert band ensembles.
Marching Band
A competitive, travelling ensemble, Marching Band is a curricular ensemble that meets after school and on weekends. Students perform throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, as a part of their competition schedule. Students can participate in one of three sections: Winds, Percussion and Guard. This ensemble is open to students in grades 8-12 and is non-auditioned, although students must have consent of the instructor to join. Please check out our Marching Band page for more information on this ensemble.
MHS Marching Band
Blue2 Winds
Blue2 Winds is a chamber ensemble experience with options for students to perform in like and flexible instrumentation choirs. The goal of this ensemble is to develop independence in musicianship and build a strong wind culture across our middle and high school band programs. Blue2 Winds is an extracurricular ensemble that meets Saturdays during the day throughout the Winter/Spring. This program is open to all MASD band students in 7th-12th grade and 5th-6th grade band students nominated by their band teacher. For more info, please visit our Blue2 Winds webpage.
Blue2 Percussion
Blue2 Percussion is a chamber ensemble experience where percussion students will have the opportunity to perform in a variety of percussion ensembles. The goal of this ensemble is to build a culture of excellence and camaraderie across our middle and high school band programs and to develop well-rounded percussionists. Students will have the opportunity to experience high-level concert percussion repertoire ensemble literature on a variety of instruments, pop/latin/caribbean music ensembles, and drumline. Blue2 Percussion is an extracurricular ensemble that meets Saturdays during the day throughout Winter/Spring. This program is open to all MASD percussion students in 7th-12th grade and 5th-6th grade band students nominated by their band teacher. For more info, please visit our Blue2 Winds webpage.
Blue2 Winterguard
Designed to complement our fall marching band program, Blue2 Winterguard prepares younger students for the rigor of the marching arts while further developing and expanding the skills of experienced marchers. Blue2 Winterguard is an extracurricular ensemble that meets Saturdays during the day throughout the winter/early Spring, and competes in the Midwest Colorguard Circuit. This program is open to MASD students in 7th-12th grade. For more info, please visit our Blue2 Winterguard webpage.
Blue2 Winterguard
Jazz Ensembles
MHS runs two extracurricular jazz ensembles within the band program - the MHS Big Band and the MHS Jazz Collective. A major goal of this ensemble is to provide students with a well-rounded jazz education that exposes them to the many varied styles and genres within the jazz idiom. Students develop solo and improvisation fundamentals needed to be a skilled jazz musician.
​
These ensembles both rehearse on Monday evenings starting in late Fall. Auditions for this ensemble occur in early Fall. All students are admitted into the MHS Big Band while the MHS Jazz Collective is a select group that admits the highest level performers. Students must be enrolled in the MHS Band Program to participate in Jazz Ensemble (exceptions: bassists enrolled in Orchestra/consent of the instructor or guitarists).
​
Students from the MHS Jazz program performing for Midnight Magic
Pep Band
This ensemble is a part of our concert and marching band curriculum. The Pep Band provides high energy performances at MHS athletic events such as Football Games, Friday Night Basketball Games, Wrestling Meets, and other select athletic events. There is an option to travel with our teams if they advance on to sectional/state play.
