Band of Gold Marching Percussion
Percussion Director
Mr. Alan Sears
Join the Band of Gold Fall Percussion
The Sprayberry High School Band would like to invite your high school and 8th grade percussionist to join us as a member of our 2024 Drumline and Front Ensemble. The Drumline & Front Line positions are open to any percussionist or double reed player that is zoned to attend Sprayberry High School in the Fall of 2024.
Note: Any percussionist or double reed student that is registered for marching band will automatically have a position in the Sprayberry Marching Band. Students will either be placed in the Front Line Ensemble or the Marching Battery.
These instruments include: Marching Snare Drum, Marching Tenor Drums, Marching Bass Drum and all front ensemble instruments. Front ensemble includes all keyboard instruments (Marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Bells) as well as multi-percussion and electronics.
We have a dedicated percussion staff that is committed to preparing your students for their journey with the Band of Gold. Mr. Alan Sears is our director of percussion.
**Important**
***Only percussionists and double reed students are permitted to audition for the drumline. Double reed musicians (Oboe, Bassoon) typically play in the front ensemble or learn a different instrument for marching band***
Each Winter we will hold approximately 4-5 help clinics prior to drumline & front ensemble auditions. These clinics are held at Sprayberry High School and are run by our percussion staff. Any rising 9th grader or Sprayberry student is welcome to attend.
Interested students will have the opportunity to try out all of the instruments before receiving their official placement. Typically students find the instrument that is best for them at this point in time. Students are encouraged to audition for more than one instrument in the drumline. All Students will be placed on the drumline in some capacity, however, only the students that meet the performance standards will be placed on a drum or keyboard.
Prepare for Drumline & Front Ensemble Placements
In the section below, students are encouraged to prepare for band camp. If you would like to play a “battery” instrument or drum, check out the Battery Music Packet and start working your way through. If you would like to play a “keyboard” instrument or auxiliary/electronics, check out the Front Ensemble Music Packet and start working your way through.
Linked are some helpful instructional tips and playing examples for each exercise.
Available Instruments:
Marching Snare Drum
Marching Tenor Drums
Marching Bass Drum
Keyboard Instruments (Marimba, Vibes)
Auxiliary Percussion
Synthesizer, Drumset, Guitar and more…
Practice Fundamentals
Use the following exercises to help develop your fundamental playing for this coming season. We’ll be doing a few Virtual and/or in-person events over this summer to help you with your playing and answer any questions you might have.
While these exercises are geared towards the battery, please look though these and use them to develop time, tempo, and overall percussion ability even if you are a member of the front ensemble. In the absence of having a keyboard at home these exercises can still help you in your practice time. We will be talking about some ideas for you to work on your mallet techniques during our joint practices.
