Trenton HS Music Department

The Trenton High School Music Department is one of the most successful organizations at Trenton High School
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  • The THS MARCHING BAND is the largest band in the Downriver Detroit region with over 180 members and has earned more than 200 trophies, titles, and superior ratings in statewide, national, and international festivals and competitions.
  • The THS CONCERT BAND consistently earns superior ratings at MSBOA festivals and performs four school concerts throughout the year.  
  • The THS CHORUS has over 120 members total in three sections.
  • The GUITAR PROGRAM has over 100 students in three sections.  
  • The THS JAZZ BAND is a popular ensemble that performs in local concerts, events, festivals, and in clinics around the state.
  • The THS SPRING MUSICAL has more than 80 students involved each year.  Several cast members have been Wharton Center Ovation Award Best Actor Male/Female nominees and winners.
  • The THS PEP BAND has been mentioned in the Hockey News, Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, and has been featured on WDIV's "State Champs!" television show.
  • The THS BAND BOOSTERS is the largest Trenton HS school support organization and one of the largest organizations in the city of Trenton with over 300 active members.

Over 40% of the total student enrollment of Trenton High School is involved in music department ensembles, classes, and productions.  

THS Music Department alumni have been members of
  • Cleveland Symphony Orchestra
  • Chamber Orchestra of Europe
  • London Symphony Orchestra
  • BBC Orchestra (London)
  • New York String Ensemble
  • Royal Opera Theater Orchestra (London)
  • Broadway casts of Tony Award winning "Pippin" , "Waitress", "Spamalot", "Billy Elliott", "Chicago" and members of national and regional touring companies of many other productions
  • Pit orchestras for "Les Miserables" and other productions in London's West End
  • Radio City Music Hall Christmas Show
  • Emmy Award winning cast of TV show, "24" 
  • Bands for Grammy nominated and winners Jimmy Sturr Orchestra
  •  3-time Grammy nominated Billy Branch and the Sons of the Blues, and W.C. Handy Blues Award winners James Cotton, AC Reed, and Thornetta Davis
  • Recent THS graduates have been a part of music and drama programs at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (NYC), Yale University, Cornell University, Ithaca College, Royal Academy of Music (London), King's College (London), University of Cincinnati, Eastman Conservatory of Music (NY), McGill University (Montreal), Cleveland Institute of Music, Oklahoma City University, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Western Michigan University, Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University, Central Michigan University, University of Toledo, University of Nebraska, and at every Michigan college and university

Distinguished THS Music Department alumni include:

Dr. James Batcheller, Director of Bands at Central Michigan University
Lt. Gen. Ronald F. Sams, the Inspector General of the Air Force, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C. (retired)
Mary Lynn Rajskub - Actor in feature films and TV; played "Choe O'Brien" on Fox Television show "24"
Pat Batcheller - NPR Radio host
Andrew Fitch - Broadway actor and renown Bob Fosse dance clinician 
Ramon Wodkowski - International performing artist and creator of the Wodkowski clarinet mouthpiece used by orchestras worldwide / former clarinetist for multiple Grammy winning polka artist, Jimmy Sturr
Doug Plagens - Radio broadcast voice of the NHL Florida Panthers
Dan (Coscarelly) Carelli - Chicago blues guitarist with 3-time Grammy nominee Billy Branch and the Sons of the Blues
Arthur Switzer - Tour Manager for country star, Justin Moore
Shawn McDonald - Keyboard for blues artists Thornetta Davis and James Cotton
Christie Watson - Chicago and Milwaukee professional theater 
Jake Cemer - Singer/guitar with Boys of Fall (Invogue Records)
Katie Kurilko - Piano accompanist for Broadway performers
Hillary Jimenez - Steppenwolf Theater Company, Chicago

Many other band, choir, and theater teachers at all levels around the country got their start in the Trenton High School Music Department