Questions, answered

No. Concert Band, Concert Percussion, and the Marching Huskies take every student with no audition, including complete beginners. Hamilton never cuts anyone from the band program. Placement auditions only apply to upper-level groups (Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, both jazz bands) and to drumline and color guard spots.

Nine: Marching Huskies (BND100), Concert Band (BND110), Wind Ensemble (BND120), Symphonic Band (BND130), Jazz Black (BND150), Jazz Maroon (BND160), Color/Winter Guard (BND170), Concert Percussion (BND180), and Winter Drumline HIPE (BND190). Freshmen usually start in Concert Band or Concert Percussion plus marching band.

Sign up for Concert Band first. Then contact Mr. Werner or Mr. Bullock to schedule a placement audition for Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Maroon, or Jazz Black. Auditions place you in the right group; they are not used to cut students.

Through participation points. Students earn points for ensembles, Regional and All-State auditions, band council, private lessons, and more. They apply in mid-April and letters are awarded at the May Awards Banquet. Points carry over each year, so every student should apply.

Yes. Once school starts, the Marching Huskies rehearse two evenings a week and every other Saturday, play Friday night football games, and compete on Saturdays in October and early November. The season opens with a required start-up camp in late May and band camp the week before school.

Yes. Many Marching Huskies take multiple honors, AP, and DE classes and are also in NHS, student government, Link Crew, and other clubs. It takes time management, and that experience is valuable on its own. Band students consistently post some of the highest GPAs at Hamilton.

Yes. Students have done both over the years. It takes extra organization and communication with both the coach and the band directors, so talk to them early.

With a required Start-Up Camp at Hamilton in late May, followed by a few optional early-June 'If You're In Town' rehearsals. Summer is then free until the required band camp the week before school starts. Dates are on the band calendar.

The Marching Band Fair Share Fee is $400, and it can be paid entirely with an Arizona public school tax credit, which returns 100% on your state taxes. Band camp has a separate fee, plus some transportation, marching shoes, and any overnight trips. No student is ever turned away for inability to pay.

Arizona lets you give to a public school extracurricular activity and get the full amount back as a state tax credit. The limit is $400 for joint filers and $200 for single filers. Choose Hamilton HS and Band, name your student, and email the receipt to Mr. Werner and Mr. Bullock.

No. Instrument rental is a separate district fee and cannot be paid with tax credit or a check to the boosters. Pay it through the CUSD online fee portal.

Concerts start at 7:00 p.m. Musicians arrive by 6:15 p.m. to warm up. Please silence phones, skip flash photography, enter or leave only during applause, and stay for the whole concert. CUSD's clear bag policy applies. Performance and attendance are part of the class grade.

Concert black: all-black dress shoes, dress pants or skirt, and dress shirt or blouse that meet CUSD dress code. Black neckties are optional. Keep jewelry from tangling with instruments and leave valuable items at home.

Healthy competition. Students are encouraged to work hard and compete to win, but the journey and the growth during preparation matter more than any placement.