NSHS Band | Full Calendar

Event / Activity Descriptions

Summer Lessons

Students have an opportunity to sign up for lessons during our summer band program (July 21 - Aug. 7). The sign up sheets are posted at the end the year and will allow students to take two 30-minute lessons before classes start. The first week of lessons is July 21-24, and the second week is August 4-7. These will not count toward their grade, but will earn them points for their Band Letter.

Jazz Camp (July 29 - 31) 1-4:00 pm

Each summer, we host a Jazz Camp for students enrolled in Jazz Band (8th-12th grade) for the following school year. Attendance is not required, but HIGHLY encouraged. Students will have the opportunity to work with a specialist on their instrument, rehearse and perform in a big band, and study the art of improvisation.

Jazz Picnic

The Jazz Picnic is a concert on the North Lawn of NSHS. Both of the jazz bands from camp perform, along with a guest group. See photos of past picnics HERE.

Band Parent Meeting (Mon, August 4) 7:00 pm

All band parents (especially those new to the program) are encouraged to come to this highly informative meeting. The directors will be covering every aspect of the programs, handing out calendars, demonstrating how to navigate our webpage, going over policies, and much more!

Homecoming Parade / Pep Aud (Thur, September 25) 5:30 pm

There are three required performances during NSHS Homecoming Week: The Parade and Aud on Thursday, followed by the halftime performance on Friday. ALL BAND MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO MARCH, unless they are a Varsity Football Player or Varsity Cheerleader. No exceptions will be made.

Jazz Combo Jam Session at Mojo's, River Music Experience

The North Scott Jazz Department has been asked to host a jam session that is open to the public and will feature our Jazz Combos and anyone who would like to "sit in".

Mock All-State Auditions (Mon, October 6) After school

All students auditioning for All-State will go through this simulated audition. An outside music educator will be hired to come in and evaluate each student while offering some instruction on how to improve for the actual auditions on October 25.

All-State Auditions (Sat, October 25) All Day, Fairfield IA

Students may choose to audition for the Iowa All-State Concert Band or Orchestra. Audition instructions and information are available at www.ihsma.org. Students who are selected will have achieved the highest state honor a student musician can receive. If chosen, they will perform with the best high school musicians in the State of Iowa at the All-State Music Festival on November 15-17 in Ames.

Senior Show (Fri, October 10)

This long-standing tradition at NSHS puts the Senior Band Students in charge. They choose the music, write the drill, and teach it to the entire band. This show typically falls around Halloween, which often inspires the band to dress up in costumes. It is quite a sight!

Fall Jazz Concert (Fri, November 7) 6:45 pm

The Fall Jazz Concert features both High School Jazz Bands, along with a special guest ensemble. This year we will be bringing back the world-reknowned Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble and guest Curtis Fuller.

Pizza Day (Sat, November 1) 7:30 am

NSHS is one of the few remaining schools who still tackles this awesome task. As a trip fundraiser for the band and choir students, NSHS Music Students hit the streets to sell pizza, pies, and more. Once the orders are placed, the students, parents, administrators, and community members gather in the Commons to make almost 2,000 pizzas in about an hour and a half. While this spectacle is taking place, the directors are giving away door prizes and gifts. A great time is had by all, concluding with a big pizza feast!

Jazz 1 Performance- National Honor Society Induction
(Tues, November 11) 6:30 pm

Each year the National Honor Society asks Jazz 1 to perform before, during, and after the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony. Jazz 1 is honored to be the "House band" for such a prestigious event!

Winter Music Concert (Sun, December 7) 1:30 pm

Featuring both Concert and Symphonic Bands, this shared concert with the Vocal Department and Orchestra is a great way to ring in the Holiday Season. Guests may enjoy cider and cookies in the lobby between performances.

SEIBA Honor Band Auditions / Festival (Sat, January 10 and 24th)

Students may choose to audition for the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association District Honor Band and/or Jazz Band. Auditions will take place in Fairfield on Saturday, January 10. The audition materials for the concert band are the same as the All-State Audition Materials (www.ihsma.org). Students auditioning for the SEIBA Honor Jazz Band will prepare scales, do some sightreading, and optional improvisation. Both groups will present a concert on Saturday, January 24 at Iowa City West High School.

Augustana Honor Band (January 18-19)

Students may choose to apply for acceptance into this honor band at Augustana College. There are no auditions- students are chosen based on age, chair in their high school ensemble, and past honors.

Jazz 1 Performance- Freshmen Fest

Postponed until further notice!

Jazz-a-thon (Sat, January 31) 1:00 pm

This event serves as the main fundraiser for the May Guest Artist Concert. Students will be asking for pledges/donations leading up to the event to support our Guest Artist Program. This concert is free and features Jazz 1, Jazz 2, and various combos. Refreshments are provided, and our guest will have the opportunity to make donations to the program if they are so inclined.

University of Iowa Honor Band (February 16-17) Iowa City

Students may choose to apply for acceptance into this honor band at the University of Iowa. There are no auditions- students are chosen based on age, chair in their high school ensemble, and past honors.

St. Ambrose University Honor Band (Thur, February 26)

Students may choose to apply for acceptance into this honor band at St. Ambrose University. There are no auditions- students are chosen based on age, chair in their high school ensemble, and past honors.

SEIBA District Jazz Festival (Sat, March 7)

Jazz 1 and Jazz 2 perform at this Jazz Festival, receive written/taped comments, and are given a clinic immediately following the performance.

Swing Show (March 27 and 28) 7:30 pm

This concert spotlights Jazz 1, Jazz 2, and both of the Jazz Choirs. This is an annual crowd-favorite and gives the audience a wide range of musical styles that will get their toes tapping. Skeffington's rents tuxes to the jazz students (VERY cheap!) for the entire week of Swing Show.

Spring Band Concert (Mon, March 10) 7:00 pm

This concert features the Concert and Symphonic Bands.

Local Solo Recital (Wed, March 4) 4-7:00 pm

All Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, and Symphonic Band Freshmen will be given solos in December that will be performed at this festival at NSHS. Local Music Educators are hired to come in and evaluate each student's performance. Students will be given a I (Superior), II (Excellent), III (Good), IV (Fair), or V (Poor) rating. This is required (for a grade) for the above mentioned individuals. Those wishing to perform in the State Solo Festival (see below) will be required to perform their solo with piano accompaniment.

Solo / Ensemble Recital (Wed, April 15) 4:00 pm

Students participating in the IHSMA State Solo/Ensemble Festival will be performing on this day. This includes soloists and small ensemble members.

NIU Road Trip (Thur, April 3) 4:00 pm departure

This fun road trip is our way of saying "thanks" to the jazz students for being involved in the Jazz Program. Upon arriving in DeKalb, IL, we will have dinner at Johnny's Charhouse, followed by an inspiring performance by the Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble and their guest artist.

IHSMA State Solo / Ensemble Festival (Sat, April 12)

Students may choose to perform their solos at this State-Sponsored Event. Those participating will perform their solo (except percussionists) with piano accompaniment. Students may also perform with a small ensemble (duets, trios, quartets, etc.). This is a great experience for all, and students are highly encouraged to participate.

Band Showcase (Sun, May 3) 1:30 pm

This event is the final concert for the Concert and Symphonic Bands. Also featured are the 7th and 8th grade bands. 8th Grade students involved in the Mentoring Program will have the opportunity to perform alongside their mentors in the Symphonic Band for one number during this concert.

Senior Salute (Wed, April 29) 5:30 pm

This ceremony is our way of saying "Thank You" to the seniors. The Music Boosters provide a meal and guest speakers, and the junior high music program provides the entertainment. A slide show presentation concludes the evening and the students go away with a matted photo and CD of the slide show, pictures, and music.

IHSMA State Large Group Festival (Sat, May 9) Bettendorf HS

This State-Sponsored event is the culminating performance for both Concert and Symphonic Bands. Both bands will be evaluated by a panel of judges and given a rating. This typically falls on the same day as Prom, so we request to have both bands perform in the morning. The students are usually back to Eldridge before noon. The public is invited to watch our performances!

All-State Jazz (May 14-16) Des Moines

Students may choose to record an audition CD for consideration for this highly prestigious ensemble. If selected, they will perform with the band at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference in Des Moines. This is considered the highest State honor a high school jazz musician can receive.

Spring Jazz Concert (Mon, May 11) 6:30 pm

This annual event features the 8th Grade Jazz Band, Jazz 2, and Jazz 1. Every year, we bring in a top notch professional jazz musician to work and perform with the students. This individual will spend the day presenting clinics for both Junior High and High School Band Students, and will share the stage with Jazz 1 that evening for a show that has been billed as a "can't be missed". See pics from previous shows HERE.

Graduation Concert (Sun, May 24) 1:00 pm

The Mass Concert Band (minus the Seniors) performs a pre-graduation concert, and then throughout the ceremony in this final required performance of the year.