Marching Hornet Band
The Carter High School Marching Hornet Band is made up of 150-200 students annually. The highly competitive group consistently receives top rankings in local and regional competitions. This group performs weekly at away and home football games providing pre-game and half-time entertainment. It is impressive to watch the stands fill to capacity as the Marching Hornets take the field. Wind Players, Brass Players, Battery and Front Ensemble Percussionists, Colorguard, and Majorettes make up the largest ensemble in the Carter High Program.
Competitive Marching Band
The Carter High School Competitive Marching Ensemble is an auditioned ensemble made up of approximately 60 students with a desire for perfection in marching and playing. This group was the band's first entry into Championship competition and made Carter's first appearance in the 2011 Tennessee Division II State Marching Band Championship. The group raised the bar for the entire band program.
Freshman Concert Band
The concert band is the core group of the Carter Band Program. Freshman entering the band program are required to participate in Freshman Band if they intend on being a member of any other ensembles. Fundamentals and technical studies abound in the Carter Freshman Band in order to prepare students to become members of the Grade VI Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble.
Symphonic Band
The Carter High Symphonic Band is the core ensemble of the Carter High School Band Program. This ensemble, consisting of 80-95 students in a given semester, will prepare the highest quality literature for performances at Concert Festivals, School and Community Events, Graduation and other Ceremonies, and in public concerts. Students are selected and placed within the symphonic band by a rigorous audition process.
Wind Ensemble
The Carter High School Wind Ensemble is an auditioned group that meets as needed during the regular band and sectional rehearsals. This group concentrates on playing the highest quality music available as well as newer contemporary literature as available. This group is made up of the 60 top players in the Carter Band Program.
Indoor Drumline
The Carter High School Indoor Drumline is an Audition-only group made up of approximately 30 musicians as required by the show content. The Indoor Drumline has seen amazing success in its 4 years of existence by capturing 2 consecutive gold medals (CIPA 2010, 2011), a bronze medal (CIPA 2012), and a trip to WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio (2013). Auditions are held in November for this ensemble. Members of the Indoor Drumline must be musicians in good standing and enrolled in concert or symphonic band.
Winterguard
Once the football performance season concludes, auditions are held for the Carter High School Winterguard. Students who are selected for this group rehearse and perform their winter show at numerous competitions, including the CIPA Championships and WGI regionals each year. This group has seen incredible success over the past few years and continues to grow and gain skill in Class A. This group is under the direction of guard instructors, Mrs. Kristina Seabolt and Mrs. Morgan Sawyers.
Jazz Ensemble
The Carter High School Jazz Ensemble is a non-auditioned group for band students interested in the study and performance of high-quality Jazz music. This ensemble meets before school and is under the direction of Ms. Kristin Arp. Students perform at the Holiday Concert as well as the Solo & Ensemble Concert and Spring Concert each year.