Concert Band
Concert Band is primarily made up of incoming freshman/9th grade students from our 3 feeder middle schools: Lone Oak MS, Heath MS, Reidland MS. This group will work on developmental exercises and techniques at the grade 2.5-3.5 grade level in preparation for concert assessment and promotion into the Symphonic Band for the next year of band class.
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band is one of the largest in the entire state of Kentucky. This ensemble is made up of students from primarily grades 9-12 and focuses primarily on grade 3-4 music and further developmental techniques and exercises to enhance individual musicianship.
Wind Ensemble
This is the premier ensemble of the MCHS bands. This is an audition group only - with placement in the group being determinant on the student's performance in previous ensembles. This ensemble is primarily comprised of 11th-12th grade students with exceptions of musical ability on a case by case basis. This ensemble focuses on the highest grade level of band literature as utilized at the collegiate level. The Wind Ensemble also travels to State Concert Festival at the University Of Louisville. Membership into this group is based on instrumentation needs, audition video submissions and recommendations from middle school directors. Each student in this group is expected to participate in All-District Band auditions/ All-State Band Auditions/ Solo and Ensemble Events/Private Lesson Program through the Paducah Symphony.
D-Band (Developmental Jazz band)
This ensemble is for students who want to develop their skills in the world of jazz. This ensemble meets after school and focuses on grade 2-3 music and exercises to help develop a student's skills in jazz.
McBig Band
The McBig band is the highest jazz ensemble in the school. This is an audition group with placement being determinant on performance in previous groups. This ensemble usually travels to events such as the Murray State Jazz festival and State Jazz Festival. The band works on jazz music of all types and grades and collaborates with the McVoices vocal ensemble. view more...
Jazz Theory and Improvisation
This class meets before school from 7:00am-7:40am every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The focus in this class mainly involves techniques and the theory behind jazz improvisation, or the ability to come up with a solo on the spot. Each year a student spends in the class will give them 1/2 of a credit for fine arts classes.
Percussion Ensemble
There are two percussion ensembles at MCHS. One is a class during the day and the other meets after school. This ensemble involves music involving only percussion instruments with occasionally some wind players playing solos. view more....
Mustang Marching Band
The marching band aspect of the MCHS Band program is the most visible part of the program, possibly the most visible and noticed part of the entire McCracken County Schools. Performing as a marching band, the MMB will play at all home football games, several contests, and local parades. Freshman students will receive Physical Education credit for completing one full season and have the option to complete the Health class requirement through an on-line Edgenuity course to be completed by May of the same school year. view more
Color Guard
The McCracken Mustangs Band Guard plays an important role in the visual presentation of the McCracken Mustang Band (MMB) and is comprised of approximately 35 members. The MMB Color Guard performs at all home games in Marquette Stadium and travels with the band to all MMB competitions. view more
Winter Guard
After the fall marching band season, all students have the option of joining the McCracken Mustangs Winter Guard. This group is open to any student registered at McCracken County High School; music membership not required. The Winter Guard develops an exciting production to taped music, which enables the members to further their Color Guard experience in this unique indoor pageantry art. The Winter Guard will compete in eight to ten shows during the months of January through late March or early April. The McCracken County Winter Guard is an activity associated with Eklipse, which is a prominent Winter Guard International Regional finalist in the mid-west and south in Minnesota. They were the Scholastic Open division Gold Medalists at the 2002 Winter Guard International (WGI) World Championships!! The McCracken Winter Guard was awarded the Gold Medal in the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit Championships in class SRA at WKU in 2024.
For more information please contact the guard instructors. view more...
Concert Band is primarily made up of incoming freshman/9th grade students from our 3 feeder middle schools: Lone Oak MS, Heath MS, Reidland MS. This group will work on developmental exercises and techniques at the grade 2.5-3.5 grade level in preparation for concert assessment and promotion into the Symphonic Band for the next year of band class.
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band is one of the largest in the entire state of Kentucky. This ensemble is made up of students from primarily grades 9-12 and focuses primarily on grade 3-4 music and further developmental techniques and exercises to enhance individual musicianship.
Wind Ensemble
This is the premier ensemble of the MCHS bands. This is an audition group only - with placement in the group being determinant on the student's performance in previous ensembles. This ensemble is primarily comprised of 11th-12th grade students with exceptions of musical ability on a case by case basis. This ensemble focuses on the highest grade level of band literature as utilized at the collegiate level. The Wind Ensemble also travels to State Concert Festival at the University Of Louisville. Membership into this group is based on instrumentation needs, audition video submissions and recommendations from middle school directors. Each student in this group is expected to participate in All-District Band auditions/ All-State Band Auditions/ Solo and Ensemble Events/Private Lesson Program through the Paducah Symphony.
D-Band (Developmental Jazz band)
This ensemble is for students who want to develop their skills in the world of jazz. This ensemble meets after school and focuses on grade 2-3 music and exercises to help develop a student's skills in jazz.
McBig Band
The McBig band is the highest jazz ensemble in the school. This is an audition group with placement being determinant on performance in previous groups. This ensemble usually travels to events such as the Murray State Jazz festival and State Jazz Festival. The band works on jazz music of all types and grades and collaborates with the McVoices vocal ensemble. view more...
Jazz Theory and Improvisation
This class meets before school from 7:00am-7:40am every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The focus in this class mainly involves techniques and the theory behind jazz improvisation, or the ability to come up with a solo on the spot. Each year a student spends in the class will give them 1/2 of a credit for fine arts classes.
Percussion Ensemble
There are two percussion ensembles at MCHS. One is a class during the day and the other meets after school. This ensemble involves music involving only percussion instruments with occasionally some wind players playing solos. view more....
Mustang Marching Band
The marching band aspect of the MCHS Band program is the most visible part of the program, possibly the most visible and noticed part of the entire McCracken County Schools. Performing as a marching band, the MMB will play at all home football games, several contests, and local parades. Freshman students will receive Physical Education credit for completing one full season and have the option to complete the Health class requirement through an on-line Edgenuity course to be completed by May of the same school year. view more
Color Guard
The McCracken Mustangs Band Guard plays an important role in the visual presentation of the McCracken Mustang Band (MMB) and is comprised of approximately 35 members. The MMB Color Guard performs at all home games in Marquette Stadium and travels with the band to all MMB competitions. view more
Winter Guard
After the fall marching band season, all students have the option of joining the McCracken Mustangs Winter Guard. This group is open to any student registered at McCracken County High School; music membership not required. The Winter Guard develops an exciting production to taped music, which enables the members to further their Color Guard experience in this unique indoor pageantry art. The Winter Guard will compete in eight to ten shows during the months of January through late March or early April. The McCracken County Winter Guard is an activity associated with Eklipse, which is a prominent Winter Guard International Regional finalist in the mid-west and south in Minnesota. They were the Scholastic Open division Gold Medalists at the 2002 Winter Guard International (WGI) World Championships!! The McCracken Winter Guard was awarded the Gold Medal in the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit Championships in class SRA at WKU in 2024.
For more information please contact the guard instructors. view more...
"THE CLARITY OF INTENT PROPELLED BY A SPIRIT WITHIN IS THE MOST POTENT COMBINATION FOR ACHIEVEMENT AND CREATIVITY KNOWN TO HUMAN KIND"