Marching Band

The marching band starts in August with a week of pre-band camp and a week of traditional band camp.  The band performs at every football game in the fall as well as the Allen County Band Show, the Bath Band Spectacular and a Bluffton University football game.  Once school begins, the band rehearses daily during the last period of the day with one after-school practice a week, Wednesdays until 5:00.  The band historically plays three shows per season, always pleasing the crowd with upbeat, fun music!  Marching Band and Concert Band are a synonymous course in the Bluffton High School Course Handbook.  A student may not be in one without being in the other. 

Concert Band

The concert band is open to anyone in grades 9-12, provided that they have had previous band experience, or have special permission from the instructor. The group rehearses 5 days a week, last period of the day. They perform 4 concerts a year, including the fall marching band concert, the Christmas concert, the chicken BBQ concert, and a spring band concert. The ensemble also goes to Large Group Adjudicated Events in March, and individuals may go to Solo and Ensemble Adjudicated Events in February. The band usually takes a major trip every four years, with a short trip to Indianapolis to see the Marching Bands of America finals on the off years.

 Junior High Band

The seventh and eighth grade band meets five times a week for 50 minutes. The group is open to anyone with previous band experience, or by special permission from the director. Seat placement auditions take place during the second week of school. The group plays three concerts a year, including the Fall Middle School concert, the Christmas concert and the Chicken BBQ concert.

Sixth Grade Band

The sixth grade band, like the Junior High Band, meets five times a week for 50 minutes.   The group is open to anyone with previous band experience, or by special permission from the instructor.  Likewise, the group plays three concerts a year, including the Fall Middle School concert, the Christmas concert and the Chicken BBQ concert.

Fifth Grade Band

The fifth grade band meets as individual groups during the week. The classes are for 30 minutes each. The recruitment process starts during the second week of school and lasts about three weeks.  If the student chooses to rent an instrument from Rettig Music, they are given a 10-week trial period at the cost of one month's rent.  This gives the beginning band student time to "try out" their instrument and make an informed decision about it at the end of the trial period.  If a student is not happy about their previous decision, they are welcome, with the instructor's permission, to try a different instrument for 10 weeks.  The Fifth Grade Band performs at the Christmas concert and at the Chicken BBQ concert each year.

Music Theory Class

The music theory class is designed both for the student who wishes to study music in college or for someone who simply wishes to learn more about the inner-workings of the art form.  The class meets daily for 47 minutes and covers everything from identifying notes on a page to analyzing and interpreting classical literature.  The class also spends time working on ear-training exercises, which comes to fruition during the third quarter as each individual transcribes and/or composes a piece for the rest of the class to enjoy.  These pieces are often performed at concerts in the spring!