Sprayberry Percussion 

Sprayberry Percussion continues to be one of the finest percussion organizations in the country. Students in the percussion program will receive a well rounded and broad music education in both concert and marching percussion. The percussion program has three main ensemble groups. All students will participate in both the concert and percussion ensemble programs. Students will also have an opportunity to join the award-winning Band of Gold Drumline and Front Ensemble. Sprayberry Percussion is under the direction of Alan Sears. 

Concert Percussion 

All percussion students will participate as a member in one of our three concert ensembles. Percussion students will perform at all concert band concerts throughout the school year. In addition, percussion students will do a separate curriculum within the concert program which will focus on individual development. This will include work in rudimental studies, keyboard studies, and solo literature. Classes are taught by Mr. Sears and both band directors. 

Percussion ensembles

Percussion ensemble is at the core of ensemble development for Sprayberry Percussion. All students participating in the concert percussion program will also perform in one of three percussion ensembles. Each ensemble will coincide with their concert band class in the Spring semester. Students will participate in the Spring Percussion Ensemble Concert as well as local and regional percussion festivals.  

DrumlinE/FRONT ENSEMBLE

Sprayberry Drumline and Front Ensemble are the percussive force behind the Sprayberry Marching Band. The Drumline consists of marching snare drums, tenor drums and bass drum. The "Battery" will be the marching unit for the marching band and will also perform for all pep rallies and other school events. The Front Ensemble is our front percussion ensemble. These instruments include all keyboard instruments, Auxiliary percussion and electronics. Both ensembles are selected by audition only. Drumline and Front Ensemble clinics begin in February and Auditions are held in March and May.

Joining Sprayberry Percussion Program

Requirements

Being a member of the Sprayberry Percussion Program can be one of the most rewarding experiences for a young percussionist. To join one of our ensembles the student will need to meet some basic performance requirements:

• Must have an intermediate level of percussion performance experience.

  • Examples include:

    • Middle/High School Band Experience

    • Private Lesson Instruction

    • Intermediate knowledge of battery percussion: Snare Drum, etc.

    • Intermediate knowledge of keyboard percussion: Bells, Marimba, Xylophone, etc.

    • Ability to read music notation

***Most students gain this experience by completing band in middle school***

Joining Percussion Methods/Band Classes

To join the Percussion Methods class or Concert Band Class students must be enrolled at Sprayberry High School and must select each class as an elective. This process is done during the class registration process.

Sprayberry indoor PErcussion

Students interested in joining the Sprayberry Indoor Percussion Ensemble should plan to attend the audition clinics and auditions in late Fall. Sprayberry Indoor is open to any student attending Sprayberry High School Audition requirements and information can be found below.