The band program at New Riegel Schools consists of 5th Grade Band, 6th Grade Band, Jr. High Band, High School Band, Marching Band, Pep Band, and the Blues Jackets Jazz Band.
2025-2026 Officers:
President: Ashley Elchert
Vice President: Ava Amlin
Secretary: Kirsten King
Junior High Secretary: Landon Reinhart
Equipment Manager: Aaron Theis
Uniform Manager: Lily Hutchinson
Beginning Bands:
Students have the opportunity to learn a band instrument starting in fifth grade. Our 5th and 6th grade bands perform for the public two times per year. They participate in a Winter Concert and the Encore Celebration in the Spring.
Junior High Band:
Our junior high band consists of grades 7 and 8. They combine with the high school to form the marching band and pep band and perform many times throughout the year. In addition to our regularly scheduled concerts, the junior high band has also participated in OMEA District Contest in the past, where they have received "Excellent" ratings.
High School Band:
High School band consists of grades 9-12. They have many concerts and performances throughout the year, including 2 in-school concerts, a Winter concert, and a Spring concert. They also perform at the annual Spaghetti Dinner and Pancake Breakfast.
In Spring 2024, the high school band travelled to the Windy City - Chicago! There, students had the privilege of performing in the Field Museum of Natural History and the Sears Tower. They also got to experience a live performance of the musical "Peter Pan," took a lunch cruise on Lake Michigan, and explored historic and iconic landmarks like Millennium Park, Cloud Gate (the bean), Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, the Chicago Cultural Center, and the Lincoln Park Zoo.
The high school ensembles will travel again in Spring 2026, when they visit Music City - Nashville, Tennessee! Visit the Trips & Travel page for more information and trip updates.
Marching Band:
The marching band consists of the High School Band, Junior High Band, and Color Guard and performs many times throughout the year in New Riegel and the surrounding areas.
The marching season kicks off with an annual Band Camp, which takes place in the summer prior to the start of the school year. During the Fall, the marching band performs at several band festivals and showcases, which has included the Elmwood Band Spectacular, the South Central Parade of Bands, the Clyde Band Showcase, and the Willard Sound of Pride Band Festival. They also participate in the Fostoria Halloween Parade, New Riegel Halloween Parade, Fostoria Christmas Parade, New Riegel Memorial Day Parade, and an annual performance trip to Cedar Point in Sandusky.
Pep Band:
The pep band consists of students in Junior High and High School Bands.
The group is split into two smaller ensembles and performs at both Girls and Boys Varsity home basketball games. They can be heard during pre-game and at the Varsity halftime, providing musical entertainment for the crowds and also accompanying the Varsity cheerleaders in their dances.
Occasionally there will also be a special halftime performance by the pep band, drumline, or color guard!