Hanks High School is 5A High School in El Paso Texas and is a one of seven high schools in the Ysleta Independant School District. The band consist of 210 members in three concert bands, four jazz bands, various percussion ensembles and a competitive marching band. The band is under the direction of Band Directors Horacio Gomez, Douglas Brown, Cassie Hammond, and Calvin Edwards. Hanks High School Principal is Louis Martinez and Assistant Principals are Fernie Flores, Wes Mottinger, Marie Anaya, Nina Price and Cindi Ponce

Our Philosophy Our philosophy is to provide musical experiences and leadership opportunities at the highest level. We do this through the implementation of a well rounded program for the Hanks Band students.  This program includes three Concert Bands, a Marching Band, a Jazz Band, a Colorguard Class and a Percussion Class.  We also provide a strong leadership program that includes officers, drill leaders, section leaders and captains.  Those students attend a leadership seminar each year.

 

Development Of The Individual Players Participation in peer competitions is an important part of the development of individual players. Students are expected to participate in the UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest each year.  All students will learn the All State Music Selections each year and most will participate in the Region Band Auditions and the Area Band Auditions.  The All State process is also important to the continued development of the individual players at Hanks High School.  We believe the success of students in the All State process is a direct reflection of the quality of their music program.  Bands that perennially have 40+ students make the Region Band, 10+ students make the Area level and 4+ make the All State band are among the elite bands in the country.

Development Of The Concert Band Ensembles As the individual players develop and improve, so should the performing ensembles.  We believe in performing the highest level of music possible for each ensemble, considering the level of the performers.  We believe in playing a large amount of literature each year.  Ensembles should not only play with the highest levels of ensemble technique but should play musically as well.  We believe the Texas Honor Band Process will be an important part in developing the concert ensembles at Hanks.  Being selected to perform at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago is the highest honor a concert band can receive.  In the future, the Hanks Band will submit applications to perform at this event.  Lastly, we believe the standard of a Superior Rating at UIL Concert and Sight Reading, whether ultimately attained, is an expectation of all the groups each year.

Development Of The Marching Band We believe the marching band should be an educational tool for both musical and leadership development.  The development and performance of the shows should educate the performers and entertain the audience, and so it must be designed at the highest level of the activity.  The Hanks Marching Band will attend UIL Region Marching Contest each year and the standard of a Superior Rating is always an expectation.  During the state marching band years, whether ultimately attained, making the state finals is always a goal of the directors, design team, instructors and students.  We believe that the Bands of America experience is always educational, professional and positive.  When attending a BOA Regional or Nationals, making finals is always an expectation.

Jazz Ensembles We believe Jazz is the first original American art form and therefore of necessity should be taught in public schools.  We believe Jazz Ensemble should be scheduled as a class during the school day.  Music Theory, Jazz History, Improvisation and Big Band performing techniques should also be taught.  The music programmed should be of the highest level of composition, using the original compositions whenever possible.  Arrangements, when used, should be of the highest caliber.  Performances should be presented in as authentic a manner as possible.  Jazz Festivals will be an important part of our program.  A guest artist will always perform with the band at our end of the year concert.

Leadership Program Leadership methods, and the development of strong leaders, are very important to the Hanks Band Program.  Our core leaders are the student band officers.  They run the day to day operations of the band and help make crucial decisions regarding procedures. The section leaders listen to pass-offs and run sectionals.  The drill leaders help teach the marching fundamentals.  Rehearsal etiquette is maintained by the leadership.