There are several instrumental music opportunities at Henry Ford II. Marching band is an after school program; other bands are credit classes during the day.

Marching Band

This group is the largest group of students, usually more than 130 strong. They perform at all home football games. They march every year in the Peach Festival Parade in Romeo, the Ford II Homecoming parade and the Sterling Heights Memorial Day Parade on alternating years. The marching band competes at the Harper Woods Band-O-Rama and the UCS Band-A-Rama in preparation for the MSBOA Marching Band Festival.

The Marching Band at Ford II starts at the beginning of the summer with weekly sectional practices. Band camp starts at the end of July with home band camp at Ford II for a week, followed by away band camp at Central Michigan University for another week.

Away band camp usually cost approximately $405 for a Sunday thru Friday stay at CMU. It includes:

• • Lodging in the Residence Hall
  • All Meals in Cafeteria
  • Transportation to and from CMU
  • Music for the show and the cost of writing the drill
  • Instructors for various sections
  • Pizza Party, Dance and various other night time activities

Away camp usually begins on the first Sunday in August at Ford II where students, luggage, instruments and equipment are loaded onto buses. Once at CMU, students unload and move into the rooms in a dormitory. On the first day at camp, students will head to the practice field and 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. Then 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 ride the buses home or return home with their parents if they desire.

Concert Band

This is a traditional concert band and is composed primarily of underclassmen. 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: Winter and Spring. Jazz band will also attend Jazz weekend at CMU and perform at MSBOA Band Festival.

 

Symphonic Band

This is a traditional concert band and is composed primarily of Juniors and Seniors. They perform in the Winter and a Spring concert. Symphonic band performs at MSBOA Band Festival.