Bayonne High School

BHS Ensembles

Bayonne High School has a number of different ensembles in which students can participate including Concert Band, Marching Band, Pep Band, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, and Sax Ensemble. Here are a number of guidelines that all students must follow:

• All students must perform with the concert band and attend all after school concert band rehearsals and lessons.
• All students except freshmen, must choose to perform with either Pep Band or Marching Band.
• All Students need to take the Band I or Band II (or other qualifying performance/theory class) in order to participate with Band.

The BHS Concert Band

All students must perform with the Concert Band. The Concert Band is the core of our program - all other ensembles revolve around the Concert Band. Non-instrumental color guard students and guitarists do not need to participate. In Concert Band students learn basic ensemble technique through daily and weekly exercises and a diverse repertoire.

• The Concert Band/Wind Ensemble rehearses in the band room every Wednesday evening from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
• Concert Band performances include a winter concert, SLAM in June, and the annual commencement ceremonies. Other performances may be added on during the course of the school year.
• Concert Band students should enroll in the Band I class.

The BHS Wind Ensemble

The Wind Ensemble is made up of our most advanced and dedicated students. Each year students will be selected to participate in Wind Ensemble. All students must maintain a regular practice schedule at home and come to rehearsal with all of their music already prepared.

• The Concert Band/Wind Ensemble rehearses in the band room every Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
• Wind Ensemble performances include a winter concert, SLAM in June, and the annual commencement ceremonies. Other performances may be added on during the course of the school year.
• Extra evening rehearsals for Wind Ensemble will be scheduled throughout the year as needed.
• Wind Ensemble students should enroll in the Band II class.

The BHS Jazz Ensemble

The Jazz Ensemble meets every day as a class. Students must audition for the group and must take the class in order to participate..

• Jazz Ensemble performances include the winter concert (SLAM!), a jazz tour of local elementary schools, various competitions and festivals, and SLAM in May or early June.
• After school rehearsals are scheduled as needed and are mandatory.

The BHS Marching Band

As the Marching Band is the most active ensemble, it requires students to have the highest dedication and respect for the ensemble.

• The Marching Band performs at all home football games and parades across the tri-state area.
• The BHS Color Guard is a part of the Marching Band. Color Guard students must follow all of the same rules and guidelines as regular band students.
• Performances include, but are not limited to, the Pulaski Day Parade in New York City, the Bayonne Columbus Day Parade, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and Memorial Day Parade, and all home football games.
• Weekly rehearsals include Thursday marching rehearsals from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Percussion and Guard will rehearse on Mondays from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm unless otherwise noted due to staff scheduling problems.
• Marching Band rehearses regularly from August through October only.

The BHS Pep Band

The Pep Band performs at all BHS Football games entertaining fans from the stadium bleachers along with members of our marching band. They do not perform in the half-time show and are not permitted to travel on the annual overnight trip. The main purpose of the Pep Band is to entertain BHS fans and to promote school spirit. The only parade that the Pep Band must attend is the Memorial Day Parade.

• Pep Band music will be rehearsed on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm during regular Concert Band rehearsals. No extra rehearsals are required.

BHS Chamber Music

Chamber ensembles are small groups – ensembles of only several players. Small groups allow students to build better musical independence and confidence, better listening skills, and a higher level of technical ability. Small ensembles include percussion, brass, flute, clarinet, and sax ensemble. There are also honors ensembles brass, woodwinds, and percussion.