Contact: Heroldany Artiga   Phone: (850) 973-5761        Email: [email protected]

Director of Bands: Heroldany Artiga

 2022 MCHS VAQUERO GUARD

 

The Band Program 

 

The MCHS band program consists offers a variety of ensembles and chamber music groups that are open to all current students and incoming 9^th grade students.

 

Vaquero Guard 

 

All student with band experience from the previous school year (either at MCHS, MCSS, MCAA or other schools) may become a member of the marching band. Others may join with permission of the band director, which may include a playing audition to help choose the best possible fit for any first-year band student. This band performs at all MCHS football games, parades, marching competitions, and other scheduled events. There is no chair placement for the Marching Band. All members must attend band camp and all other scheduled practices unless excused by a director in advance. Band camp occurs for two weeks before school starts. After school band practices are on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

 

Concert Band 

 

All instrumentalists of the Vaquero Guard continue on in Concert Band during the Spring semester starting in January. Blind chair placement auditions will be held to ensure that each band student is performing the part that is most ideal based on their playing ability and the instrumentation of specific pieces. Performances include the Christmas Concert, Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) Music Performance Assessment (MPA), Spring Concert, and other scheduled events.  

 

Jazz Ensemble 

 

This ensemble is open to any student in Concert Band that would like to participate in multiple ensembles. Availability is dependent on what instruments are needed at any given time. Some students use the Jazz Ensemble as an opportunity to learn a new instrument. Performances include the Christmas Concert, FBA Jazz MPA, Spring Concert, selected jazz festivals, jazz competitions, and other scheduled events.  

  

Vaquero Color Guard 

 

The Vaquero Color Guard is an audition-based ensemble. Any student from MCHS is invited to audition for a spot in the Color Guard. This group continues to be active even after marching band season is over. Performances include the Christmas Concert, FBA Guard MPA, Spring Concert, Winter Guard Competitions, and other scheduled events.  

Instrumental Techniques 

This band class is offered to any students that would like to learn how to play an instrument for the first time or any current band student that would like to learn a secondary instrument. The school does provide larger instruments such as the tuba, drums, piano, bass guitar, French horn and any mallet percussion instrument. For smaller instruments such as the flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet and trombone, it is recommended that the student rents their smaller instrument of choice through a music vendor. Rental instruments often include a warranty in case any rented instrument needs to get repaired. Please contact Mr. Artiga for any additional information.