Band/Instrumental Music

Chamber Ensembles Chamber Ensembles at EHS are a co-curricular activity, meaning that they are 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 typically rehearse from September to November, performing at our Fall Concert. Ensembles can continue through 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 (EHS private flute teacher) Rehearses Mondays from 2:30-3:00 Clarinet Choir Directed by Jan Scholl (EHS private clarinet teacher) Rehearses Tuesdays from 2:30-3:15 Saxophone Ensemble Directed by Mr. Pearson Rehearses Thursdays from 2:30-3:00 Trumpet Ensemble Directed by Marshall Yoes (EHS private trumpet teacher) Rehearses Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 Low Brass Ensemble Directed by Mr. Hart Rehearses Tuesdays from 2:30-3:00 Percussion Ensemble Directed by Erik Barsness (EHS private percussion teacher) Rehearses Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 Jazz Ensembles Jazz Bands at EHS are a co-curricular activity, meaning that they are 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 beginning. The only exception might be Jazz I, on a year when Encore, on a rotating schedule, is in the spring.  See Mr. Pearson for more details. Auditions for Jazz 1 are held within the first few weeks 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 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 1 Directed by Mr. Pearson Rehearses Mondays & Wednesdays from 2:45-4:15pm – October-March Performs at the Holiday Jazz Concert (December) and the Spring Jazz Concert (March) 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 2 Directed by Mr. Hart Rehearses Mondays & Wednesdays from 2:35 - 3:30pm - October-March Performs at the Holiday Jazz Concert (December) and the Spring Jazz Concert (March) Jazz 3 Directed by Ms. Shuman Rehearses Thursdays from 2:35-4:00pm - October-March Performs at the Holiday Jazz Concert (December) and the Spring Jazz Concert (March) Jazzigals EHS's all-lady (or lady-identifying) jazz band! Open to all female, trans, and non-binary jazz students. No audition required. Members must also be in either Jazz 1, 2, or 3. Directed by Ms. Shuman Rehearses Tuesdays from 2:35-3:30pm - October-March Performs at the Holiday Jazz Concert (December) and the Spring Jazz Concert (March) Additional performances may be scheduled if possible. Musical Pit Orchestra EHS performs a live school musical every year with a pit orchestra is made up of live student musicians populated primarily by members of the EHS Band program. Instrumentation varies based on which musical is selected. Students do not pay any fees for participating in the Musical Pit Orchestra. Sign-ups (and auditions if needed) are usually posted in the early fall. A rehearsal schedule will be posted after personnel is determined.

WELCOME TO THE EHS BAND PROGRAM

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The instrumental music staff welcomes the incoming freshman band students to the  EHS Band Program! We are very pleased that you have chosen to continue in this outstanding music tradition. With the addition of enthusiastic and well-prepared new students each year, our program will continue to provide a positive, educational experience for all! Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions you may have about band at Eagan High School. If you have additional questions, please contact us using the information found on the Band Directors menu above. Band Classes/Course Registration Band is a full year (3-trimester) course for all students. Freshmen registering for classes during their 8th grade year must register for the following courses (the suffix letters refer to trimesters: A, B, C = Trimesters 1, 2, 3 9th Grade Band A 9th Grade Band B 9th Grade Band C All 9th grade band students are in class together for T1 (9th Grade Band A) doing a combination of marching band and concert band. For T2/T3, two independent but evenly balanced concert bands are populated based on auditions, which are held several weeks into the school year, for the second half of T1 and the rest of the school year in T2/T3. 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 and required performances. 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. Our 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), Puerto Rico (2010), France (2013), Greece (2016), 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!

For thorough information on the Eagan Band Booster Club, please view their website.

Other helpful Band Booster related resources:

Click here to join the Eagan Band Boosters email list for information on upcoming events and meetings.

Click here to redirect to the Eagan Band Booster Facebook page.

 

Michael Pearson
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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 Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band.  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 two children.

 

Becca Shuman
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Becca Shuman teaches instrumental music at Eagan High School, including Wind Ensemble, 9th Grade Band, and lessons on flute and trumpet. Originally from Roseville, Minnesota, she graduated from Lawrence University (Appleton, WI) with degrees in Music Education and Trumpet Performance. She has performed with professional ensembles such as the Golden Valley Orchestra, the Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra, the Lawrence Faculty Brass Quintet, Vento Winds, Wisconsin Symphonic Winds, and Lakeshore Players. She currently lives in Eagan with her husband Marshall and their dog, Mudflap, and is working toward her Masters in Music Education from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

 

Annaliese Heim
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Annaliese Heim teaches instrumental music at Eagan High School, including freshman band, concert band, percussion and brass lessons, and jazz band. She is from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin and graduated in spring of 2023 from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Prior to teaching in District 196, she was the high school band director at St. Louis Park High School.

Ms. Heim lives in Minneapolis with her boyfriend, Miles, and their dog, Quincy. In her free time, she likes to read, go for walks, play pickleball, listen to podcasts, and watch lots of sports.

 

Fall Concert & Dinner

• Food Truck Night: All EHS Band families (students, parents, siblings, grandparents, etc.!) are invited to spend community time together prior to the first concert of the year. The EHS Band Booster Club arranges for several local food trucks to be present outside the EHS Commons for families to purchase dinner prior to the concert. Student ensembles provide live music during the dinner! Food trucks begin serving at approximately 6:00pm outside of the EHS Commons.
• Chamber Ensemble Performances: Our chamber ensembles provide entertainment during the dinner by performing in the Commons beginning at 6:00pm. 
• Fall Concert: The first band concert of the year features all bands performing on the same concert and serves as a great way to begin our Concert Band season following the fall marching/pep band events. The concert begins at 7:00pm in the EHS Auditorium.

Holiday Jazz Concert

All EHS jazz bands perform, and are joined by the middle school jazz bands from both Dakota Hills and Blackhawk Middle Schools. Groups perform a mixture of music, but each group generally includes holiday music written for jazz ensembles! The concert begins at 7:00pm in the EHS Auditorium.

"Winter Winds" Band Concert

The top audition-based bands, Wind Symphony & Wind Ensemble, performs their first independent band concert of the year. This performance focuses on a mix of high-level concerts band repertoire. The concert begins at 7:00pm in the EHS Auditorium.

Carnival Concert

All EHS 9th Grade Band students combine to put on a family-friendly event that is split into two parts:

• Carnival: (5:30-6:45pm) A free event with an open inviting to kids (and families) ages 12 and under! EHS Band students design and build carnival-style attractions with a musical twist, and run a carnival where attendees can create, explore, and win prizes!
• Concert: (7:00pm) Immediately following the Carnival, the free concert highlights music that is highly entertaining for young kids, and usually includes some type of audience participation! Fun engagement is our goal!

Early Spring Band Concert

Concert Band and Symphonic Band perform an evening of concert band music from a variety of styles and eras. The concert begins at 7:00pm in the EHS Auditorium.

Spring Jazz Concert

All four jazz bands perform a variety of Jazz Styles in their final concert of the school year. The concert begins at 7:00pm at the Eagan Community Center - Oaks Banquet Hall.

Spring Wind Ensemble Concert with Guest Artist

Wind Ensemble performs a spring concert along with a guest artist or group. This year's performance will be with the Metro Brass! The concert begins at 7:00pm in the EHS Auditorium.

Symphony Showcase Concert

The evening focuses on solo or small-ensemble feature performances by Wind Symphony seniors, most coming in the form of concertos accompanied by the full Wind Symphony. The concert begins at 7:00pm in the EHS Auditorium.

9th Grade Bands Spring Concert

This concert Both 9th Grade bands perform a variety of music celebrating their growth throughout their first year of EHS Bands. The concert begins at 7:00pm in the EHS Auditorium. 

Spring Pops Concert & Awards

This concert features all of our Varsity Bands (Concert & Symphonic, Wind Ensemble, and Wind Symphony) playing a fun night of popular music. Past themes have been EHS Goes to the Movies, Good vs. Evil, and Celebrate! This evening is also when Senior Awards for instrumental music are presented. The concert begins at 7:30pm in the EHS Auditorium.