Chapel Hill High School Band Courses

Students usually start off in Concert Band in 9th grade, offered as regular and Honors levels. Starting in 10th grade, students may take Symphonic Band, also offered as regular and Honors levels. Dr. Carmichael, known as Doc to kids and families alike, offers Jazz Ensemble (Honors) generally to older students by invitation only, as there are a limited number of spots for each instrument, so space is determined by student interest each year.

Concert, Symphonic & Jazz Band Concerts are typically performed quarterly, usually at 7 pm in the Hanes Theater (link to Hanes Calendar). (Or see our Calendar for dates or emails for additional information.)

AP Music Theory is also offered to older students with Doc’s approval.

For those interested, students often compete for spots in the Central District Honors Band which has auditions Sat Jan 6, 2024 at Orange High School, 500 Orange High School Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278. There are also Central Region Jazz Band Auditions (registration due Dec 8, Virtual Audition due Dec 15) and Clinic (Jan 19-20, Panther Creek). (Registration for both is through Doc.)

CHHS Tiger Marching Band

While housed at Chapel Hill High School, we are the only marching band in the CHCCS School system and are open to students at all district high schools starting in 9th grade.  Students may opt to receive 0.5 course credit (52552X03) for marching band, or participate in marching band without receiving course credit. (No honors section available.)

Marching season normally runs from August through early November, kicking off with a full week of day long Marching Band camp, usually in early August, as well as a shorter Pre-camp for drum line and Color Guard.

There is a student drum major, along with student leadership by instrument section.

Usually, practice after school is three days a week, typically Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in September and two days after school through the month of October. (Schedule subject to change! View calendar here.)  We perform primarily at CHHS home football games, the holiday parade and some other occasional competitions and events.

The year concludes with a welcome event for new students in May, New Year’s, and then an End of Year ‘Bandquet’ celebration in June.

Marching Band has a ‘fair share’ system where each student pays $400 (amount to be confirmed annually by Parent Band Boosters) to cover band camp costs, band shirts, uniforms, snacks, travel, etc. Minimum of $200 due by start of band camp, checks made out to: CHHS Band Boosters or Paypal available, but please add 3% to cover fees charged by PayPal. (Please include your marcher’s name!) Scholarships available – no student should not sign up due to cost!

To check your student’s balance or to update your info in Charms, please visit the ‘Charms‘ system. Our ‘school’ code is: “chapelhillband” and use these instructions.

Address:

Chapel Hill High School, 9217 Seawell School Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Questions about the band program can be sent either to the Boosters board or to Dr. John C. Carmichael.