Ensembles
Marching Band
The Ranger Marching Band is comprised of all concert bands and the percussion master class. The award winning Ranger Marching Band performs for home football games and select away games, as well as parades and contests. During the fall semester, the band rehearses to perform a crowd-pleasing show of artistic precision. They have received Superior with Distinction ratings at both regional and state competitions. The Marching Band was selected in 2008 to perform at the Fiesta Bowl National Band Championship and Parade. The band is also a favorite at UA Band Day, receiving the prestigious Milton B. Nunamaker Award in 2009, 2011 and 2013.
Prerequisites: None. The marching band is open to anyone who plays a musical instrument. Beginners are welcome after a meeting with the director. Some members may be required to switch to an appropriate marching instrument for the marching season. There may be a placement audition.
Concert Bands
The Concert Bands are divided by year in school in order to allow students to perform a diverse selection of select wind band repertoire. The bands offered at Rincon and University High Schools are Symphonic Band (for upper-class wind players), and Concert Band (for freshman wind players). The top level concert band is the Wind Ensemble which is open by audition only. Students prepare music for performances throughout the spring semester, as well as audition and perform in regional and state honor bands and orchestras. In April 2008, the Wind Ensemble premiered at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In 2010, they recorded at Lucasfilm’s Skywalker Sound in San Francisco.
Prerequisites: None. The concert bands are open to anyone who plays a musical instrument. Beginners may be accommodated after a meeting with the director. There will be a placement audition. Wind Ensemble is by audition only.
Jazz Band
The Ranger Jazz Band is an auditioned group that provides top musicians at Rincon and University High Schools with a big band jazz experience. The Jazz Band has performed at the North Texas Jazz Festival, Northern Arizona Jazz Festival, the AMEA State Convention, and at numerous private engagements throughout Southern Arizona. The band has also received Superior with Distinction ratings at state and regional competitions. Students in the Jazz Ensemble have performed in Arizona All-State Jazz bands, and many have continued on with jazz performance and music performance at prominent music schools throughout the United States.
Prerequisites: Participation in the jazz band is strictly by audition. The audition determine participation and placement. Auditions are generally held in March. One year of marching band (may be taken concurrently with the first year of jazz band).
Percussion Ensemble
All percussionists will register in the percussion master class. In the fall, this group is the marching band percussion section. In the spring, the class is the percussion section for both concert bands, a percussion ensemble and winter drumline. Not all members are required to perform in all groups in the spring.
Prerequisites: None. The percussion class is open to anyone who plays percussion. Beginners can generally be accommodated after a meeting with the director. There may be a placement audition. Fall percussionists are members of the Ranger Marching Band.
Colorguard
The dance line/color guard and twirlers perform with the marching band during the fall semester. These groups are auditioned during the spring and work throughout the summer in order to join with the marching band. By adding additional color, contemporary dance and pageantry to the fall marching show these highly talented students add excitement to the marching band family.
Prerequisites: Auditions held each spring.
Winter Drumline
During the spring semester students can audition for Winter Drumline. It is an ensemble which prepares a competitive show performed indoors. The Drumline participates in the WGAZ circuit through the state. Each show is designed to increase the student’s awareness of music and motion and to provide students with a performance opportunity that explores self expression through movement. It is an intense percussion experience.
Prerequisites: None. The percussion class is open to anyone who plays percussion. There may be a placement audition.
Winterguard
During the spring semester students can audition for Winter Guard and will be placed in one of our two Guards based on ability. Each group participates in the WGAZ circuit through the state. Each show is designed to increase the student’s awareness of music and motion and to provide students with a performance opportunity that explores self expression through movement.
Prerequisites: Participation in the Winter Guard is by audition. The audition determines participation and placement. Auditions are generally held in November. Fall Guard Members are members of the Ranger Marching Band.