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 competitive marching band, three auditioned concert bands, 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.  ​

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 Color 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 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, and Thursdays 5:30 – 8:30 PM through the end of marching season. Marching Season begins with a two-week band camp in late July, and ends at the end of 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.

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Concert Bands

There are three different concert bands, open to all 9–12th grade students, selected by audition. It is highly recommended that students have a private teacher to work with during the school year.

wind ensemble

The Wind Ensemble at BVSW is made up of the finest musicians, and meets thefirst hour of the second semester each school year. The Wind Ensemble performs high quality wind band literature with a curriculum centered on the development of upper level musicianship skills. Members are required to audition for KMEA District Band and to participate in KSHSAA Solo & Ensemble. Participation in local/regional honor bands is also encouraged.

Symphonic band

The Symphonic Band (Symphonic Marching Band) meets second hour of the second semester each school year. The Symphonic Band performs high quality wind band literature with a curriculum centered on the development of strong musicianship skills. Members 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.

concert band

The Concert Band meets third hour of the second semester each school year. 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.

Other Bands

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

percussion

All Percussionists at Blue Valley Southwest High School in the Marching Band for the fall semester as members of the second block percussion class. An audition process is held 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 the spring semester, students will be placed in one of the following groups based on their spring audition:
 • 1st Block: Wind Ensemble
 • 2nd Block: Symphonic Band
 • 6th Block: Concert Band/Percussion Class

jazz

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

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 concert. Groups that receive a “Division I” rating at the regional event will advance 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