Groups

Marching Band

This group is the largest group of students, usually more than 130 strong. They perform at all home football games. They march in the Homecoming parade and in the Sterling Heights Memorial Day Parade on alternating years. The band competes at Harper Woods Band-a-Rama and the UCS Band-a-Rama in preparation for the MSBOA Marching Band festival.

The Marching Band at Ford II normally has a band camp each summer in early August. It is broken down in two parts, home camp which is usually five days long and is held at Ford II. The second part is away camp which is held at Central Michigan University.

For 2007, home camp will be July 30 - Aug 2 at Ford II. Away camp is planned for August 5 - 10, (Sun-Fri) at Central Michigan University. The cost will be $335.00 which includes the following:

  1. Lodging in a CMU Residence Hall
  2. All meals
  3. Transportation by UCS busses - departs from and returns to Henry Ford II High
  4. Music for the show and the cost of writing the drill
  5. Beverage and fruit breaks
  6. Instructors for the various sections
  7. Pizza party and dance

The away camp begins on Sunday at Ford II where students, luggage, instruments and equipment load on trucks and school busses. The meals are provided in the cafeteria of the dormitory. Once at CMU, students unload and move to the rooms in a dormitory. After supper in the dorm on Sunday, the group goes to the practice field to begin learning the basics of marching.

On Friday, the students pack up and clean their rooms. There may be an hour of practice on the field. The camp finishes with a performance by the students. Parents who would like to watch this show are welcome. It usually is planned to occur around 11:00 am. Students can then ride the busses home or can return home with their parents if they desire.

Concert Band

This is a traditional concert band and is composed primarily of upperclassmen. This group will prepare for a Winter and a Spring concert. They will also perform at MSBOA Band Festival.

Freshmen Concert Band

This is a traditional concert band and is composed primarily of freshmen. This group will prepare for a Winter and a Spring concert. They will also perform at MSBOA Band Festival.

Jazz Band

This group of students form a big band style Jazz Band. They perform two concerts - one in January and one in the Spring. They will also perform at MSBOA Band Festival.

Beginning Jazz Band

This group of students form a big band style Jazz Band. They perform two concerts - one in January and one in the Spring.

Orchestra

The orchestra performs two concerts a year, a holiday concert and a spring concert. They too participate in the MSBOA Orchestra Festival.

Symphonic Band

This is a traditional concert band and is composed primarily of Juniors and Seniors. This group will prepare for a Winter and a Spring concert. They will also perform at MSBOA Band Festival.