High School Marching Band
The High School Marching Band starts rehearsals in August. We have a week and a half of indoor music rehearsals (9 to noon) followed by a week of band camp (7 to noon) where most of the drill for the season is learned. The Marching Band performs at all of the varsity football games (home and away), The Allen County Fair Band Show, The Bath Band Spectacular, the Blaze of Lights Parade, the Memorial Day Parade and other community events as scheduling allows.
High School Concert Band
The High School Concert Band starts rehearsing near the end of the marching season. The band rehearses every day during 5th period. We perform 3 major concerts a year: Christmas, Chicken BBQ (in March), and the Spring Concert. Solo and Ensemble is also available to band members and offers an accelerated approach to musical excellence. The band usually takes a major trip every four years!
High School Jazz Band
The Jazz Band meets once a week after school for 45 minutes. Membership is by audition only, which is usually held in November (After Marching Season). Standard instrumentation is used (5 saxes, 4 trombones, 5 trumpets, and 4 rhythm) with some exceptions. The ensemble will play for the Christmas Concert, the Chicken BBQ in March, and an end-of-the-year Jazz band Concert. As always, the band is open to other community activities as time allows.
High School Pep Band
Pep Band is the best way for musicians to support their Pirate basketball team! The pep band plays for all Boys and Girls League games. The band is open to any band member who wishes to participate. The group will usually have one rehearsal before basketball season begins and then will rehearse about 20 minutes before each performance. The music is upbeat and is always a crowd-pleaser!
Middle School Bands
The Middle School Bands (6th Grade Band and JH Band) meet everyday for 47 minutes. The groups will perform in the fall, at Christmas time, and at the annual Chicken Barbecue Concert in the spring. In addition, the JH Band members have the option of attending JH Solo and Ensemble Contest in the spring. Every other year the JH Band will have a performance with the high school marching band! The groups are open to any student in grades 6-8 with previous band experience or permission from the director.
Elementary Band
We recruit for the 5th Grade Band in the fall. Usually starting in the second week of school, we will bring groups of students (10 or 11 at a time) down to the band room to see the different instruments and to have a "try-out" session. After each child has had their session, a letter is sent home with instrument choices and recommendations. At the bottom of the letter is a permission slip that is filled out and returned for all of those interested in joining. The band will perform at Christmas time and at the Chicken BBQ concert in March. Brass, Woodwinds, and Percussion meet as separate classes all year (even after the BBQ concert). Students can be in both strings and band!
Need Help?
For information about joining any of the bands, including the Flag Corps, contact Mr. Sycks at SycksD@blufftonschools.org.