"That Altus Band"

We are very fortunate to live in a town that supports the arts.  The band has a long history of a great band program.  Not only is it respected in our own state but it is also respected nationally.  In 2007, The American Music Conference selected Altus as being in the "Top 100 Communities for Music Education".  We are very proud of that selection.

Marching Band:

The marching band operates during the fall and combines the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Percussion and Color Guard.  The band has received many awards and accolades.  The band performs at all home football games and travels to many of the away games.  Consistently, the band has been very successful at the state OSSAA marching competitions.  In addition to the state contests, the band has performed at the Buccaneer Music Festival in Corpus Christi, Texas, The Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, and was one of six bands selected to march in the 2007 Oklahoma Centennial Parade.  Each year, Altus High School band students continue to play their instruments at many major universities.

Symphonic Band:

The Altus High School Symphonic Band is comprised of the most advanced musicians in our program.  Membership is based on audition at the end of marching season.  Annually, at least a third of the students are selected to the Southwest Oklahoma All-Region Honor Bands.  The band is also proud to always have a few students selected to the OMEA All-State Band.  Altus High School Symphonic Band is consistently a superior band at the OSSAA concert contest.  Not only does the band perform well at state competitions, but has also been selected as the best band in their class in Orlando, Florida, Durango, Colorado, St. Louis, Missouri, New Orleans, Louisiana. San Diego, California, and Branson Missouri.  The band performs Grave IV and V literature.

Concert Band:

The Altus High School Concert Band is comprised of musicians in the band program and is designed for the development of basic fundamentals, technique, and musicianship skills.  Membership is based on audition.  Students will give two concerts a year and will have the ability to challenge in to the Symphonic Band.

Jazz Band:

The Altus High School Jazz Band provides an opportunity for students interested in performing music in the jazz idiom.  Emphasis is placed on development of swing, latin, rock, and contemporary styles of repertoire and performance.  The jazz band will perform at functions in the community and will give a concert at the end of the semester.