The Fishers High School Band Program is a comprehensive music program that has grown to involve over 300 students every year. The fledgling music program began in 2006 with the opening of Fishers High School, the second of two high schools in the Hamilton Southeastern School district in Fishers, Indiana. The band program provides students with a rich array of musical instruction and mentoring, through both classroom concert bands and after school activities such as marching band, jazz band, and ensemble performances.
Since its inception, the Fishers High School Band Program has grown quickly and has subsequently enjoyed great successes including superior solo and ensemble competition ratings. The program’s percussionists, led by Chad Kohler, won 1st Place in the Concert World category in 2012 and 2014 for the performances at the Indiana Percussion Association competitions. And, members of the band’s drumline were selected to perform with Madonna during her 2012 Super Bowl halftime performance at Lucas Oil Stadium.
In 2012, the marching band launched the Fishers Invitational, which has quickly become a draw for Hoosier high school marching bands looking to hone their competition skills ahead of state competitions.
A new arts facility opened at Fishers High School in the summer of 2015. This new arts building houses a larger band space that includes classroom space, administrative offices and multiple practice rooms.
Students participating in the Fishers band program are encouraged not only to develop their musical talents, but to pursue academic excellence, as well. As a testament to this goal, 70% of Fishers High School band students are involved in Honors, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes.
Accomplishments
2015
Marching Band
Semi-state Finalist 2016
Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade Participant
Wind Ensemble
2016 ISSMA state finalist
Concert Bands
All gold ratings, 2 band with distinction
Color Guard
IHSCGA – stae finalist in both Open and AA classes
Winter Percussion
IPA – State Finalist Concert World, Concert Open and Movement World class
2014
IPA State Finals: 1st Place – Winter Drumline (World) ; 2nd Place – Winter Drumline (Gold)
IHSCGA State Finals: 13th Place – Winter Guard
2013
ISSMA: Open Class Regional Gold Rating; Semi-Finalist
2012
ISSMA: Lawrence Central District – Gold Rating
ISSMA: South Regional – Gold Rating
BOA Regionals: Indianapolis – Class AAAA Division 1
IHSCGA: Divisional Finals – Reg A Gold Rating
IPA State Finals: Concert World Class (#1) 1st place
IPA State Finals: Concert World Class (#2) 4th place
2011
ISSMA: Lawrence Central District – Gold Rating
ISSMA: South Regional – Gold Rating
Mid-States: Hamilton Southeastern – Open Class 2nd place (Best percussion)
IHSCGA: Divisional Finals – Class AA Gold Rating
IPA: State Finals – Movement World Class 3rd place
IPA: State Finals – Movement World Class 4th place
WGO Percussion: Championships – Marching World Class emi-Finalist
ISSMA: Group I Band With Distinction Award
ISSMA: Concert Band – State Finalist
2010
ISSMA: Lawrence Central District – Gold Rating
ISSMA: South Regional – Gold Rating
IHSCGA: Divisional Finals – Class AA Gold Rating
IPA: State Finals – Movement World Class 3rd place
IPA: State Finals – Concert Class A 5th place
IPA: State Finals – Concord World Class 1st place
BOA Regionals: Louisville – Finals 9th place; Class AAAA Division 2
2009
ISSMA: Lawrence Central District – Gold Rating
ISSMA: South Regional – Gold Rating
IHSCGA: Divisional Finals – Class AA Silver Rating
IPA: State Finals – Movement World Class 3rd place
IPA: State Finals – Concert World Class 1st place
WGI Percussion: Championships – March World Class 14th place
2008
ISSMA: Lawrence Central District – Gold Rating
ISSMA: South Regional – Gold Rating
Mid-States: Hamilton Southeastern – Open Class 2nd place (Best percussion, Auxiliary)
IHSCGA: Divisional Finals – Class AA Gold Rating
IPA: State Finals – Movement World Class 3rd place
2007
ISSMA: Group I Band “With Distinction” Award
ISSMA: Lawrence Central District – Gold Rating
ISSMA: North Regional – Silver Rating
IHSCGA: Divisional Finals – Class AA Gold Rating
Mid-States: Hamilton Southeastern – Class AAAA 3rd place
IPA: State Finals – Movement A Class 4th place
2006
ISSMA: Lawrence Central District – Silver Rating
IHSCGA: Divisional Finals – Class AA Silver Rating