Music at William S. Hart High School

 

William S. Hart High School was designated a California Distinguished Arts School by the State of California in 2013. The instrumental music department at Hart HS consists of the Marching Band, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Winter Drum Line, Concert Percussion Ensemble, Music Technology, A.P. Music Theory and Colorguard.  After being restructured in 2000, the department has continued to consistently provide a well-rounded music education for its students with emphasis on Concert and Solo & Ensemble performances.

 

The Hart Regiment has been named the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association Marching Band Champion in their division for fourteen years.  This is an accomplishment unequaled by any other group since the inception of the championships in 2002.  The Regiment has also competed at the finals level consistently at Bands of America Regional Championships since 2002.  In 2007, the Regiment was a semi-finalist in its first appearance at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, IN.  At the 2009 Bands of America Southern California Regional, the Regiment was named the division 3A class champion and was the High Music Award recipient.  The Regiment has medaled at numerous Marching Band Open Series Championships since its inception in 2008. The Regiment has recorded the music for the NBC television series “Friday Night Lights” and featured in a commercial for Bounty Paper Towels and Conan O’Brien.

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In the fall of 2010, the Hart Regiment moved into a new three million dollar music facility.  The new building was featured in the Wenger Corporation catalog, the Construction Specifier and has been a part of several case studies regarding music facility construction.

 

The Hart Colorguard was awarded a gold medal in their division in 2011 and 2013, and silver in 2009 and 2010 at the Winter Guard Association of Southern California (WGASC) Championships.  In 2011 and 2012, the Colorguard was a silver medalist at the Winter Guard International (WGI) Western Colorguard Championship.  During the 2013 winter guard season, the Hart Colorguard went undefeated, including first place performances at the WGI Union City Regional, WGI Riverside Regional, and at WGASC competitions.  In 2002, 2003, and 2009, the Colorguard was awarded the High Auxiliary Award in their division at the SCSBOA Marching Band Championships.

 

The Hart Percussion Ensemble has been featured in concerts with renowned musicians Noako Takada and Michael Daugherty.  The Percussion Ensemble performs an annual concert dedicated to classic and new works for concert percussion ensembles.

 

The Hart Jazz Band performs regularly at the RK Downs Jazz Festival and throughout Santa Clarita at various charity and community events.  They have also performed at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital and the United Nations in New York City.  The Jazz Band has competed in numerous festivals throughout Southern California earning many first place and soloist awards.    

 

The Wind Ensemble has achieved no less than a Superior rating in its existence.  They have appeared in several Southern California School Band and Orchestra Regional Festivals and in the Western Band Association Concert Band Festival.  In 2003 and 2007 and 2014 the Wind Ensemble performed at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, IN.  They performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2005 and at the Disney Honors Festival in Orlando, FL in 2006 and 2011. They were one of two invited ensembles to perform at the 50th Annual California Band Directors Association convention in 2007.  In 2009 the Wind Ensemble performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.

 

Typically, Hart music students make up a majority of members in the Hart District Honor Band as well as holding a majority of first chair placements.  Hart music students also participate in State and National level Honor Bands as well as District and Regional Solo & Ensemble Festivals.  A majority of those students return with Superior ratings.