Jazz Band

The high school jazz band is an audition-only extracurricular activity. Auditions are held in the spring for the following school year.

Rehearsals

The band practices Tuesdays and Thursdays after school from November (after marching band season ends) through February.

Attire

For jazz festivals and the dinner dance, the men wear black suits, shirts, ties, and dress shoes. Ladies wear nice dresses or skirts/blouses and dress shoes. (Please be sure that skirts are long enough for modesty when seated.)

For basketball games, the attire is casual.

Basketball Games

The jazz band serves as a pep band for some home varsity basketball games. Call times are early enough for the band to rehearse and setup during the JV game. The band plays between the JV and varsity games and during halftime for the varsity game. Parents are welcome to attend, but they will need to purchase admission to the basketball game.

Jazz Festivals

The high school jazz band performs at a variety of jazz festivals, including past years:

• • Illinois Wesleyan University

  • Eastern Illinois University

  • Western Illinois University

  • Indiana State University

The band will ride a school bus to and from these events. Families and friends are welcome to attend the festivals, but they must provide their own transportation. No chaperones are needed for these trips.

Dinner Dance

The jazz season ends with a dinner dance at the high school on the last Saturday in February OR the first Saturday in March, depending on the calendar. You may purchase tickets through the Music Boosters website during the ticket sales period.