Accordian Bands

Bands at Blue Valley Southwest

Blue Valley Southwest High School has an active and award winning band program. Students have the opportunity to perform in three auditioned concert bands, a competitive marching band, jazz band, pep band, and many small chamber ensembles. All band students in grades 9 through 12 participate in marching band in the fall semester and an auditioned concert ensemble in the spring semester.

Concert Bands

Selected by audition in the spring each year, there are three different Concert Bands.

wind ensemble

The Wind Ensemble at BVSW is made up of the finest musicians selected by audition in the spring of each school year. The Wind Ensemble meets first hour during the second semester of the school year. Participation in this ensemble is open by audition to all students in grades 9-12. The Wind Ensemble performs high quality wind band literature with a curriculum centered on the development of upper level musicianship skills. Members of the Wind Ensemble are required to audition for KMEA District Band and to participate in KSHSAA Solo & Ensemble. Participation in local/regional honor bands is also encouraged. It is highly recommended that students have a private teacher to work with during the school year.

symphonic band

Listed on student schedules as Symphonic Marching Band The Symphonic Band at BVSW is the second band at BVSW made up of musicians selected by audition in the spring of each school year. The Symphonic Band meets second hour during the second semester of the school year. Participation in this ensemble is open by audition to all students in grades 9-12. The Symphonic Band performs high quality wind band literature with a curriculum centered on the development of strong musicianship skills. Members of the Symphonic Band are encouraged to audition for KMEA District Band and may be required to participate in KSHSAA Solo & Ensemble. Participation in local/regional honor bands is also encouraged. It is highly recommended that students have a private teacher to work with during the school year.

concert band

The Concert Band at BVSW is the third band at BVSW made up of musicians selected by audition in the spring of each school year. The Concert Band meets third hour during the second semester of the school year. Participation in this ensemble is open by audition to all students in grades 9-12. The Concert Band is a performance ensemble; however, the main focus of the curriculum is on the development of technical and musical skills needed to participate in the upper bands at BVSW. It is highly recommended that students have a private teacher to work with during the school year.

Other Bands

Throughout the year there are several other band options for students.

MArching band

The Emerald Regiment is comprised of the members of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, & Concert Band along with the members of the Color Guard. All BVSW Band and Colora Guard members are required to be a part of the marching band during the first semester. The ensemble meets from 7:00 AM through first block on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Friday mornings. On Thursday the group rehearses from 5:30 PM until 8:30 PM. A required two-week band camp starts the season in late July. Band camp dates can be found on the band calendar. Marching season runs from the end of July through the end of October. Thursday evening rehearsals are over once the marching season ends in late October. The Emerald Regiment travels throughout the region competing in four marching contests each fall. The band also performs at all the home football games and pep assemblies.

percussion

Percussionists at Blue Valley Southwest High School all participate in marching band for the fall semester as members of the second block percussion class. An audition process is run in the spring of each year to determine the makeup of the marching percussion and front ensemble sections of the marching band. Students will be placed in one of these groups for the marching season based on ability. For spring semester students will be placed in one of the following groups based on their audition spring concert audition:
1st Block: Wind Ensemble
2nd Block: Symphonic Band
6th Block: Concert Band/Percussion Class

JAzz Band

Jazz band at BVSW is open to all band students and non-band students who play piano, guitar, or bass guitar. Auditions may be required for students who play rhythm section instruments. Check with the director to see if you will need to audition. Each year the jazz band performs at several local festivals as well as at other school concerts and events. Wind musicians who wish to be in jazz band must also be part of one of the concert groups.

Pep Band and Small Ensembles

Pep Band Each year members of the band program are divided up into several pep bands that perform at home basketball games. Splitting the band into smaller pep bands is done to reduce the time commitment that students will have in regards to basketball game performances. Students are welcome to perform at games that they are not assigned to and it is possible to switch games when a student has a schedule conflict.

Small Ensembles During second semester students in the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band are placed into chamber groups for performance at the KSHSAA Regional Solo & Ensemble Festival. These groups also perform at the band’s annual Small Ensembles & Silent Auction Concert. Groups that receive a “Division I” rating at the regional event then move on to perform at the KSHSAA State Solo & Ensemble Festival in Emporia. Students are also encouraged to perform as soloist at the KSHSAA events. Small ensembles that are offered as part of the band program are:
Flute trios & ensembles
Clarinet Ensembles
Saxophone Ensembles
Brass Ensembles
Percussion Ensembles

Color Guard

Color Guard is a non-musical section of the band that provides visual elements and effect to the marching band performance. The Color Guard interprets the music that the Marching Band is playing via the synchronized spinning of flags, sabres, rifles, and through choreographed movements. The Color Guard uses different colors and styles of flags to enhance the visual effect of the marching band as a whole. The Guard performs at all football games and competitions with the band. Guard members are considered to be band members and are included in all marching band events, celebrations, and performances.

Membership the BVSW Color Guard is open to all students in grades 9-12. Clinics and information meetings will take place each spring to help students prepare for the marching season. Color Guard members are enrolled in 1st block band class for the fall semester. Summer rehearsals, guard camp, and band camp are all part of the color guard experience.