Director: Chad Fourman
Winter Guard promotes education, creativity, and freedom of expression through the unification of pageantry and the performing arts. The performance combines twirling flags, rifles, and sabers, along with dance, colorful uniforms, and props to create exciting imagery. Dance skills, theater techniques, and equipment, along with physical strength and stamina give members a complete work out and a fun after-school activity.
The Mason High School Winter Guard program was established in 2001 and is open to all students, boys and girls, from 9th-12th grades. This is a competitive performing group chosen by audition in late November, with an average group size of 25. The Winter Guard competes at a local level in the high school color guard circuit, Mid East Performance Association, and nationally in the Winter Guard International. A pre-requisite for Winter Guard members is marching in the fall season of Marching Band to be able to participate in the winter. The combination of Marching Band and Winter Guard helps keep the members skills sharp all year round.
Winter Guard season runs from December through mid-April with rehearsals 3 times a week for 3 hours and approximately 6 weekend competitions. Chad Fourman, 6th grade band director at Mason Intermediate School, is the director for Winter Guard. If you have any questions please contact him at fourmanc@mason.k12.oh.us.
Director: Jason Sleppy
The Mason Winter Drumline is an ensemble that meets from mid-November until mid-April. It consists of all percussion elements present in Marching Band. During the season, students learn and perform a custom designed 6 minute show. Students must be enrolled in one of the five Concert Bands at MHS to be eligible to participate. The Winter Drumline rehearses 3 days a week and most weekends. The Drumline performs in 8-10 competitions and shows a season at events sponsored by MEPA and WGI.
Director: Avious Jackson
The Mason High School Jazz Band is an extracurricular activity that meets after school from January through May. The ensemble consists of students who are enrolled in one of the concert bands, with the only exceptions being guitar, bass, and piano players because their instruments are not included in the concert band setting. Entrance into the Jazz Band requires an audition and is made up of traditional jazz instruments including: saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, bass, and drum set. The Jazz Band performs at several area events and concerts each year including the annual Mason Jazz Night.
Downloadable Jazz Band Library
2009 Audition Music:
Directors: Robert Bass, Micah Ewing
The Mason High School Pep Band derives its membership from each of the five concert bands. The Pep Band plays at all varsity home games for the boys and girls basketball teams. The total number of home games is usually between 12 and 16. The season begins in early December and runs through mid-February. Each student in the concert bands is required to perform at two home basketball games. Students may choose which two they attend according to what their schedules allow.
