Concert Bands:

RUHS has three concert bands:

Concert Band: For freshmen

Symphonic Band: For upper-class wind players   

Wind Ensemble: Audition-based

Students are divided by school year to allow them to perform a diverse wind band repertoire and participate in honor bands and orchestras. Highlights include a Carnegie Hall performance in 2008 and a recording at Skywalker Sound in 2010.

Prerequisites:

None. Concert Bands are open to all students who play an instrument. Beginners may be accommodated after a meeting with the director. Wind Ensemble is by audition only. 

Color Guard

The color guard, including the dance line and twirlers, performs with the marching band during the fall semester. These highly talented students add excitement to the marching band show through color, contemporary dance, and pageantry. These groups are auditioned during the

spring and work throughout the summer to prepare.

Prerequisites: Auditions are held each Spring.

Jazz

The Ranger Jazz Bands are audition-based ensembles that offer top musicians a big-band jazz experience. RUHS Jazz has performed at prestigious events like the North Texas and Northern Arizona Jazz Festivals, the AMEA State Convention, and the MidWest Clinic in 2018. The bands have earned Superior with Distinction ratings at competitions, and many students have gone on to study jazz and music performance at top schools.

Prerequisites: An audition is required for participation and placement, typically held in March. One year of marching band is required, which may be taken concurrently with the first year of jazz band.

Marching Band

The award-winning Ranger Marching Band includes all concert bands and the percussion master class. In the Fall, they rehearse and perform at home football games, parades, and state-wide competitions, delivering shows with artistic precision. The band has consistently earned Superior with Distinction ratings at regional and state competitions.

Notable achievements include performing at the 2008 Fiesta Bowl National Band Championship and Parade and winning the Milton B. Nunamaker Award at UA Band Day in 2009, 2011, and 2013. More recently, the Ranger Band placed 2nd in the 2022 and 2024 AzMBA Marching Band Championships.

Prerequisites: None. Wind players must be enrolled in a concert band class. Percussionists must be enrolled in the percussion master class. Guard members must be enrolled in the color guard class. The marching band is open to anyone who plays a musical instrument. Beginners can be accommodated. Some members may be required to switch to an appropriate marching instrument for the marching season. There may be a placement audition.



Percussion 

All percussionists enroll in the Percussion Master Class. In the fall, they perform as the marching band percussion section, and in the spring, they serve as the percussion section for all concert bands and form a dedicated percussion ensemble, which performs a spring concert.

Prerequisites: No prior experience required. The class is open to all percussionists, and beginners may join after consulting with the director. A placement audition may be required. Fall percussionists are members of the Ranger Marching Band.

Winter Indoor Percussion

Winter Indoor Percussion is a competitive indoor percussion ensemble that is available in the spring semester. Students perform a choreographed show as part of the WGAZ circuit, combining music and motion to enhance their performance skills and self-expression. This ensemble provides an intense and rewarding percussion experience.

Prerequisites: Open to all percussionists. A placement audition may be required.

Winter Guard

A Unique Performance Opportunity

Students can audition for Winter Guard during the spring semester, where they will be placed in one of our two groups based on skill level. Both groups compete in the WGAZ circuit, performing at events across the state.

Each Winter Guard production is designed to enhance student’s awareness of music and motion, offering a dynamic performance experience that encourages self-expression through movement.

Prerequisites:

• Auditions are required for participation and placement. Auditions typically take place in November.
• Fall Guard members are also members of the Ranger Marching Band.

Winter Guard is an exciting opportunity for students to grow as performers, challenge themselves artistically, and be part of a competitive and creative team.

Interested in Joining?

Contact us at administrator@rangerband.org