Information for Families New to BHSN Bands
 Eighth-grade students prepare to perform at a North football game with the Cougar Band (See more pictures here!) |
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Stop back later to view a video for students considering participating in marching band next year and their parents! |
Dear Prospective Band Family,
Welcome to the BHSN Band website! This is the home of the North Band Program, which is rich in tradition and widely recognized for excellence.
Some students come to us with musical training, others are beginners, and still others are learning to play a second instrument. We try to provide a supportive environment for all students who seek out the joy of music.
North is a large school, and many students think of the band hall as a special place to call “home.” Finding a group of people who share one’s interests is an important aspect of the social life of the high school.
Musical activities are more than just a gateway to social acceptance. Through them, students can demonstrate sustained commitment to an activity as well as leadership qualities. For example, students can move up to increasingly more advanced musical ensembles, and, in the marching band, they can take on the responsibilities of drum majors, section leaders and soloists.
Please be aware of upcoming important dates for band sign-ups, auditions, and more. We encourage you to contact us by phone or email with any questions not answered by the Frequently Asked Questions below or elsewhere on this website.
Janis Stockhouse
Thomas Wilson
Directors, BHSN Bands
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of musical ensembles are available?
How do students get placed in bands?
Can students participate in more than one band?
How much of a time commitment is the marching band?
If my child doesn’t play a marching band instrument, how can s/he participate?
How do I keep abreast of BHSN bands news?
What does it cost to participate in BHSN bands?
What is a student band account?
How can parents help out with BHSN bands?
What types of musical ensembles are available?
The BHSN band program is comprised of four concert bands, four jazz ensembles, the marching band, a winter guard, a mariachi band, and a pep band. The latter four are extra-curricular activities. Students can elect to receive .5 credit for marching band attendance and participation. More information on the North band ensembles.
How do students get placed in bands?
Incoming freshmen and other new students are welcome to sign up for Beginning Concert Band if they have one year or less of playing experience, or Intermediate Concert Band if they have two years or more of playing experience. They also may register for the Marching Band, provided they have any kind of experience playing an instrument. Auditions are required for all jazz ensembles, upper-level concert bands, and the color guard. Incoming freshmen and other new students should contact the band directors in February to set up an audition. Contact Janis Stockhouse to schedule a jazz audition, and Thomas Wilson to schedule an audition for an upper-level concert band or the color guard.
Can students participate in more than one band?
Yes! In fact, most students are involved in more than one band. Jazz ensembles and concert band classes meet on different block days to facilitate students who wish to do both. Jazz classes meet on Gold days and concert band classes are on Maroon days. In addition, more than half of the students enrolled in jazz or concert band classes also participate in the marching band, and the band directors actively encourage students to try it because of the opportunity the marching band provides for musical and social growth. The marching band season ends shortly before the boys’ basketball season begins, and the pep band plays at home games for the basketball team. The mariachi band performs at a few selected school and community events throughout the year, but not during marching band season.
How much of a time commitment is the marching band?
The marching band season runs from late July through early November. Marching band rehearsals begin the week before band camp, with afternoon sessions for freshmen and other new marchers (along with section leaders), and evening sessions for the full band. The intensive work for the whole band begins the week of band camp, which is five days of practice in early August from 9:00 am to 9:30 pm, with breaks for lunch and dinner. Dinner and snacks are provided by Band Booster parent volunteers. Regular season practices, which begin the week school starts, are Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Some sections meet as well on Wednesday afternoons from 2:45 pm to 4:00 pm. The marching band performs at home football games (Friday evenings) and competes on Saturdays at invitational competitions, typically held at large suburban Indianapolis high schools, and at ISSMA competitions, which come at the end of the season. Hundreds of students have been able to excel at academics while they were involved with marching band because they learned to plan ahead and manage their time wisely.
If my child doesn’t play a marching band instrument, how can s/he participate?
Band members usually learn a second instrument if their first instrument is not typical for marching band. For example, double reed players learn to play such instruments as clarinet, saxophone, mellophone, or baritone. Guitar and bass players learn to play mallet instruments or other percussion instruments in the front (non-marching) ensemble.
How do I keep abreast of BHSN band news?
In addition to this website, there is a moderated BHSN band listserv. It is the best source of important and time-sensitive information from the band directors and the Band Boosters. You may join the listserv at any time, even before your child enters high school.
What does it cost to participate in BHSN bands?
There is a $15 fee for all band performance classes, plus a $25 per semester instrumental rental fee if your child uses a school instrument. Bus fees and overnight trip expenses also may arise for out-of-town events. If your child participates in the marching band, there is an additional $225 fee to help cover a portion of the approximately $50,000 it takes to offer a competitive marching band experience. Other incidental fees may include marching band shoes, gloves or wristbands, and section t-shirts. All band students have their own band accounts from which band expenses may be covered. Any family whose circumstances necessitate scholarship support should contact the band directors.
What is a student band account?
Each band family has the opportunity to raise funds for the student’s own band account by participating in the grocery scrip program and/or the yearbook ad program. Provided that there are sufficient funds in your child’s account, you can pay for any kind of band expense by having money withdrawn from the account to cover the expense.
How can parents help out with BHSN bands?
Join the Band Boosters! It’s a great way to make new friends and learn more about BHSN bands. There are many ways to support your child’s band experience that fit your work schedule and other family responsibilities. Some parents take on significant responsibilities; others prefer to make themselves available as volunteers as needed. Some parents work on projects from home; others like to help out at events and among the students. All parents are welcome at the monthly Band Boosters meetings.
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