The Hamilton Southeastern High School Band Department offers many different opportunities for young musicians — from the extracurricular Pep, Jazz, Ensemble Choirs, and Marching Band, to the in-school class offerings suited for any player's ability. Nearly 220 students in grades 9-12 benefit from the diverse artistic avenues available in the Band Department at HSE High School.
The band program has received consistent superior ratings in all areas of performance. The Marching Band, Jazz Bands, and Concert Bands have been adjudicated at the state and national levels. The Jazz Bands have earned superior ratings and soloist awards in Jazz Festivals sponsored by the Indiana State School Music Association, at Ball State University, Millikin University, and the University of Louisville in Kentucky. HSE High School Concert Bands have earned superior ratings in both performance and sight reading at ISSMA-sponsored festivals since 1987.
The Wind Ensemble is comprised of the top instrumental musicians at HSE High School. Formed in 1995, the group performs regularly throughout the year. It has qualified for ISSMA Band Contest State Finals in seven of the last 10 years, earning Concert Band State Champion in 2000. The Wind Ensemble has been selected to participate in the Indiana State University Concert Band Festival in 2000 and 2004, and the Butler University Honored Band Festival in 2002. The band has also performed in the famed Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by excepting invitations to the National Concert Band Festival in 2001 and 2007. Hamilton Southeastern High School Concert Bands have also performed at the Indiana Music Educators Association Convention in 2003 and 2006, and have performed in the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival in 2003.
Hamilton Southeastern High School Bands have been directed and/or adjudicated by many prominent composers and conductors including: John Whitwell, Edward Lisk, Mark Kelly, Ray Cramer, John Boyd, H. Robert Reynolds, Stephen Pratt, Joe Scagnoli, Craig Kirchoff, Richard Crain, Myron Welch, Robert Grechesky, John Graulty, Richard Miles, Gary Green, John Lynch, James Croft, Frank Battisti, Col. Bryan Shelborne, and Kenneth Bloomquist.
Many of HSE High School's band members have been members of Indiana All State Bands, All Region Bands, State Solo and Ensemble Events, as well as local and national Concerto Competitions. Alumni of HSE High School Bands are represented in some of the finest college music schools and military bands in the country.
The Hamilton Southeastern High School Band Department offers many different opportunities for young musicians — from the extracurricular Pep, Jazz, Ensemble Choirs, and Marching Band, to the in-school class offerings suited for any player's ability. Nearly 220 students in grades 9-12 benefit from the diverse artistic avenues available in the Band Department at HSE High School.
The Wind Ensemble is comprised of the top instrumental musicians at HSE High School. Formed in 1995, the group performs regularly throughout the year. It has qualified for ISSMA Band Contest State Finals in seven of the last 10 years, earning Concert Band State Champion in 2000. The Wind Ensemble has been selected to participate in the Indiana State University Concert Band Festival in 2000 and 2004, and the Butler University Honored Band Festival in 2002. The band has also performed in the famed Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by excepting invitations to the National Concert Band Festival in 2001 and 2007. Hamilton Southeastern High School Concert Bands have also performed at the Indiana Music Educators Association Convention in 2003 and 2006, and have performed in the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival in 2003.