Band/Instrumental Music

Welcome to the Eagan High School Band Program

Welcome to the EHS Band Program

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CONCERTS

Scroll down to find the Eagan Band Google Calendar

Concert/Event	Date	Time
Pops Concert	TBD	7:30pm
Holiday Jazz Concert	TBD	7:00pm
Mid-Winter Band Concert (Wind Ensemble)	TBD	7:00pm
Eagan Band Festival (Wind Ensemble)	TBD	TBD
Late-Winter Band Concert (Concert & Symphonic Bands)	TBD	7:00pm
Spring Jazz Concert	TBD	7:00pm
Showcase Concert (Wind Ensemble)	TBD	7:00pm
Spring Band Concerts (9th Grade 6pm, 10-12th 7:30pm)	TBD	6:00pm

Instrumental Music

Band Directors

Brett Benson
brett.benson@district196.org

Brett Benson is in his 10th year of teaching at Eagan High School. His teaching responsibilities include Wind Ensemble, Wildcat Band Blue, Jazz 2, Musical Pit Orchestra, all percussion ensembles, curricular percussion lessons, and team-teaching both the Varsity Marching Band and the Freshmen Marching Band. In addition to his job at Eagan HS, he spent three years (2013-2015) on the staff of the University of Minnesota Marching Band and served as Director of the University of Minnesota Alumni Summer Band for 9 years.

Mr. Benson also serves as the Performing Arts Department Coordinator.

Mr. Benson graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and from Sam Houston State University in 2016 with a Master of Arts in Band Conducting. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Music Education from Boston University. In his free time, he loves to golf, spend time at the beach, and taking care of his home and yard while simultaneously failing to keep his vegetable garden plants alive. Many members of his immediate and current family live in the Twin Cities area, and he appreciates their support and is thankful for their ability to be present at many of the concerts and performances that he is involved in.

Doug Hart
douglas.hart@district196.org

Doug Hart teaches instrumental music at Eagan High School. At Eagan High School he teaches Brass Lessons and directs Concert Band, Jazz III, Brass Ensemble and co-directs the Varsity Marching Band and Freshmen Marching Band.

Mr. Hart began teaching in District 196 in 1992, prior to that he taught in Iowa. He graduated from Wheaton College and have done graduate work from Minnesota State University (Mankato).

In his free time he enjoys biking walking, gardening and can be found doing various DIY projects at home.

Michael Pearson
michael.pearson@district196.org

Michael Pearson is a musician and educator from the Twin Cities Metro area. Through his position at Eagan High School he directs Jazz Ensemble I as well as the Symphonic and one of the Freshmen bands. As a performer, Mr. Pearson directs and performs with the After Hours Big Band and has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, jazz great Bob Mintzer, and taught and performed at the Taipei Summer Jazz Institute in Taipei, Taiwan in 2008.

Mr. Pearson is currently working on his Masters degree in Music Education Research with a focus on Cognitive Approaches to Jazz Improvisation from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Outside of music, Mr. Pearson enjoys spending time with his wife Justine and their on-the-move toddler son.

EHS Band Photo, Video and Concert Audio

We are always looking for more contributors! If you are interested in becoming a contributor to EHS Band Media, please contact Mr. Benson – brett.benson@district196.org

FAQ's: Incoming Freshmen

WELCOME TO THE EHS BAND PROGRAM!

The instrumental music staff at Eagan High School welcomes the incoming freshman band students to our program. We are very pleased that you have chosen to continue in this outstanding music tradition, and with the addition of enthusiastic and well-prepared new students each year, we believe that our program will continue to provide a positive experience for all!

To answer the questions you may have about band at Eagan High School, here is a list of FAQ's and Fast Facts. If you have additional questions, please contact us at the information found on the Band Directors tab above.

TRIMESTER 1 Band Courses
PERIOD 3 Varsity Band 0847 Marching/Concert Band (Grades 10-12)
PERIOD 5 Freshman Wildcat Band 0801 (Grade 9)

TRIMESTER 2 & 3 Band Courses
PERIOD 2 Concert Band 0832-1 B/C (Grades 10-12)
PERIOD 3 Wind Ensemble 0848-1 B/C (Grades 10-12)
PERIOD 4 Freshmen Band 0802-1 B/C (Grade 9)
PERIOD 5 Freshmen Band 0802-2 B/C (Grade 9)
PERIOD 6 Symphonic Band 0830-1 B/C (Grades 10-12)

Expectations

Band is a 3-trimester, full-year course for all students.
Lessons – either curricular or private – are required and account for 50% of a student's grade.
As a part of our curricular band program, all students participate in sport pep bands (3-4 times in fall, 2-3 times in winter, plus tournaments).
Attend all concerts.

Common Questions Answered

There are no conflicts between athletics/activities and curricular band courses. Students enrolled in curricular band can participate in every other offering Eagan High School provides - over 90 sports, clubs, teams, and activities.
The lesson schedule rotates so that students taking lessons at EHS do not need to miss the same class repeatedly. This is different from the lesson scheduling in middle school.
Students may opt to take lessons from a qualified private lesson instructor outside of EHS. In that situation, students do not need to take lessons at EHS. Private lesson verification information can be found on our course Materials page in Schoology.
All freshmen marching band rehearsals (Trimester 1) are held during the school day. There are no summer marching band rehearsals for freshmen - we see them for the first time on the first day of school!
There are no practice sheets required for high school band. All lessons are graded, and the amount of preparation time will be evident by the proficiency demonstrated in the lesson.
Jazz Band, Chamber Ensembles, and Winter Drum Line are co-curricular extensions of curricular band courses. Students must be enrolled in curricular band courses to participate in co-curricular band activities.
The EHS Band program travels internationally every 3 years:
- Travel is always scheduled for Spring Break – students may miss 1-2 days of school on either side of the break.
- All band students in grades 10-12 of the travel year are eligible for the trip – the 3-year rotation allows every band student one opportunity to travel internationally during their high school band career.
- Past trips have included Italy (2004) Greece (2016), Puerto Rico (2010), France (2013), and China (2019)
Fitting Band into your schedule can always be done – over 300 students prove that every year!
- EHS operates a 7-period schedule (same schedule every day – no alternating days/schedules).
- Freshmen & Sophomores have 5 required classes and 2 electives.
- Juniors & Seniors have 2 required classes and 5 electives
- Bottom line: you have plenty of time to complete electives during later grades – be patient!

Accomplishments

EHS is a Grammy Signature School for music (national award).
EHS bands received the 2001 “What’s Cool in Your School” Award by MENC (national award)
EHS Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble 1, and Winter Drum Line have all performed for the MMEA State Music Convention on multiple occasions. This honor is by audition only.

Co-Curricular Ensembles

Jazz Ensembles

Jazz Bands at EHS are a co-curricular activity - an extension of our curricular ensembles. Members of our co-curricular ensembles must be enrolled in one of the bands at EHS (with the exception of piano, bass, and guitar - which are non-concert band instruments). In addition, students pay a co-curricular fee in order to participate ($66 for 9th graders, $88 for 10-12th graders).

We are frequently asked if it's possible to be in jazz ensembles at EHS if you're an athlete. For most students, the answer is YES! Rehearsals for jazz bands begin just as fall sports are wrapping up, and our annual spring concert is in March, just as spring sports are ramping up. The only exception might be Jazz I, on a year when Encore, on a rotating schedule, is in the spring. (See the current Encore performance schedule below.)

Auditions for Jazz Ensembles are held within the first few weeks of the school year. After initial auditions, membership is established for the remainder of the school year.

Notes regarding piano, guitar or bass players who are not enrolled in curricular band:

Guitar/Bass/Piano players who are not registered for band will be allowed to participate only in Jazz 1 or Winter Drumline based on the specific needs of the performances for those ensembles.
Guitar/Bass/Piano players who are not registered for band will be allowed to participate in these co-curricular ensembles only if the EHS Band Program does not have any qualified musicians to fill those roles first.

Jazz I

Directed by Mr. Pearson
Rehearses Mondays & from Wednesdays from 2:30-4:00pm – October-March
Performs at the Holiday Jazz Concert (December) and the Spring Jazz Concert (March)
Travels on the annual Jazz Festival overnight trip, along with Jazz II
Serves as the on-stage feature instrumental ensemble for ENCORE!. A separate schedule of additional rehearsals related to ENCORE! will be provided when established. Members of Jazz I should plan on the addition of rehearsals for ENCORE!

Jazz II

Directed by Mr. Benson
Rehearses Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:10-4:10pm AT D.H.M.S. - October-March
Performs at the Holiday Jazz Concert (December) and the Spring Jazz Concert (March)
Travels on the annual Jazz Festival overnight trip, along with Jazz I
Additional performances may be scheduled as opportunities present themselves

Jazz III

Directed by Mr. Hart
Rehearses Tuesdays from 2:30-4:00pm - October-March
Performs at the Holiday Jazz Concert (December) and the Spring Jazz Concert (March)
Additional performances may be scheduled as opportunities present themselves

Chamber Ensembles

Chamber Ensembles at EHS are a co-curricular activity - an extension of our curricular ensembles. Members of our co-curricular ensembles must be enrolled in one of the bands at EHS. There is no student cost to participate in a Chamber Ensemble.

Chamber Ensembles begin as early as September and continue throughout the school year depending on ensemble membership and interest. Sign-up windows will be announced by the band directors.

There are no auditions to be in any of these ensembles, they are open to any band students who sign up!

Flute Choir

Directed by Kara Swanson (local private flute teacher and former EHS Band mom!)
Rehearses Mondays from 2:30-3:00

Clarinet Choir

Directed by Mr. Pearson
Rehearses Thursdays from 2:30-3:00

Saxophone Ensemble

Directed by Mr. Pearson
Rehearses Thursdays from 3:00-3:30

Brass Ensemble

Directed by Mr. Hart
Rehearses Thursdays from 3:10-4:00

Percussion Ensemble

Directed by Mr. Benson
Rehearses Thursdays from 2:30-4:00

Winter Drumline

Winter Drumline is a competitive ensemble focused on marching percussion. The season begins in October and typically ends in April. The ensemble is open to any band students who play any instrument, though a placement audition is used to set instrument assignments.

Directed by Dan Frankenfeld (former EHS Band student)
Rehearses Mondays 6-9pm, Thursdays 6-9pm, Saturday 9am-5pm – October-April
Performs at various competitions in February-April
Cost for students: roughly $450 for the season, additionally $400-500 in a travel year to compete in Dayton, OH

Music Technology Resources

Eagan High School has used the "SmartMusic" computer-assisted accompaniment system with our band lessons in school since 1997. This software continues to experience wonderful upgrades annually, including ear training, jazz improvisation, full-band and jazz band practice features for some of the music we play with our bands in school, and others. The entire system is available for you to use at home for minimal cost.

You will be given the opportunity to purchase a microphone with your subscription. We highly encourage you to include this in our order to make all the features of Smart Music available to you as a home user.

Navigation

Band/Instrumental Music

Welcome to the Eagan High School Band Program

Welcome to the EHS Band Program

Instrumental Music

Band Directors

EHS Band Photo, Video and Concert Audio

FAQ's: Incoming Freshmen

Co-Curricular Ensembles

Music Technology Resources

Eagan Band Boosters

Eagan Band Calendar

Eagan Bands on Twitter

Eagan High School