ABOUT
ABOUT THE
BGHS BANDS
Developing excellent musicianship, leadership, and citizenship in the concert band program is the primary focus of the program. We look to elevate the level of musicianship while still offering a musical opportunity for every interested student.
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The concert bands have performed at the Chicagoland Concert Band Festival, receiving superior and excellent ratings. The Wind Ensemble was selected to the University of Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival for the first time in school history in 2022. The jazz bands have successfully continued performing at jazz festivals and the Jazz Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2019 Illinois Music Educators Conference, one of the highest honors a musical ensemble can receive in the state. In addition, the marching band has returned to the competitive scene, placing at several marching festivals and receiving their premier first place finish at the Naperville Marching Classic this year.
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The BGHS Band Program continues to flourish with a balanced band program focused on excellence in concert, jazz, and marching bands. It is centered on developing skills like leadership, teamwork, confidence, discipline, sustained work ethic, and musicianship within students so that they are well positioned for future endeavors in all aspects of life.
CONCERT BANDS
The Buffalo Grove High School band program is made up of over 130 students divided into two concert bands and a percussion ensemble.
These groups are the core part of a comprehensive music program at Buffalo Grove High School. They meet every day for 45-80 minutes and receive academic credit.
These groups perform at several concerts and festivals throughout the year including District 214 Concert and Symphonic Band Festivals, the Chicagoland Concert Band Festival and concerts at Pick-Staiger Theater on the campus of Northwestern University.
They also have many opportunities to perform in front and receive feedback from distinguished music educators.
JAZZ ENSEMBLES
Students who wish to participate in the Buffalo Grove High School Jazz Bands are invited to audition for the ensembles at the end or beginning of the school year.
Participation is open to students enrolled in the Bands and Orchestras who play trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and percussion. Participation is open to any students in the school who play guitar, bass, or piano.
Students who are selected for Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Band will receive academic credit and a schedule of rehearsals will be distributed for the school year.​
Jazz Combos will be formed based on student interest and availability. Combos will focus on learning a variety of tunes and improvisation.
All groups perform and compete at various festivals in the Chicagoland area, where they consistently receive superior ratings and place in the top of their classes.
MARCHING BAND
The marching band consists of the voluntary membership of all concert ensembles and performs at all home football games and marching band competitions, as well as the annual Buffalo Grove Days Parade (held the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend), Frontier Day's Parade and the Arlington Heights Memorial Day Parade.
The band rehearses in the summer, during the school day and has one weekly after-school rehearsal.
The marching band performs at all football halftimes as well as three marching band competitions throughout the year. Rehearsals for this band typically take place on Wednesday evenings, starting at 6:00 p.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m.
Competitive Marching Band Achievements
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2023 - 1st Place Class A and Best Percussion North Knights Marching Festival
2023 - 2nd Place Class DGS Marching Mustangs Music Bowl
2022 - 1st Place Class A Chicagoland Marching Band Festival
2022 - 1st Place Class A Naperville Central Classic Marching Band Contest.
COLOR GUARD
Guard is a huge part of the band program. They convey visually what the band is performing musically. Guard members combine flag, saber and rifle work with dance to convey the message of the music. Many guard members are musicians and many are not. Color Guard has a fall and winter season and rehearses primarily in the evenings.
