Band

The Barrington High School Bands have a long tradition of excellence through music education and performance. We provide students with musical rigor and a sense of belonging through extensive curricular and co-curricular opportunities including: Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Rithum Machine, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Broncos, Pep Band, and Color Guard. 
Multiple studies support that students participating in music education make significant strides academically, creatively, and socially.

Our band students work collaboratively on a daily basis to create and support one another, while also engaging positively with the wider community. The BHS Band Program also provides opportunities to travel and perform outside of Barrington. Most recently the band has performed in the London New Years Day Parade and Walt Disney World.
 

Symphonic Band 

Symphonic Band major activities are the rehearsal and performance of more serious music and compositional forms. This ensemble is open to freshmen through seniors who have successfully met the audition requirements through their performance during their previous years of band experience, and approval of the instructor. From August through October, Symphonic Band combines with members of the Concert Band to form the BHS Bronco Marching Band which performs at all the BHS home football games and local parades, as a co-curricular course requirement. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to elect to travel with the band on bi-annual band tours throughout the United States and abroad.

Concert Band 

Concert Band is a large band ensemble comprising a majority of 9th and 10th grade band members. Assessment and grading is performance-based, but is also assessed by students’  individual effort on their instruments.Required performances include participation in three major concerts at school each year, participation in local and national festivals and competitions, participation in Bronco Marching Band (1st quarter) and Pep Band (2nd/3rd quarter). Students may elect to earn honor credit in either Symphonic or Concert bands. Participation in the BHS Honor Recital, 220 Solo/Ensemble contest, BHS Symphony Orchestra, applied individual lessons, and musical pit orchestra is also available for students.

Jazz Ensemble and Rithum Machine 

The BHS Jazz Ensemble and Rithum Machine jazz band are open to all 9-12 grade musicians who play trumpet, trombone/baritone/tuba, saxophone (flute or clarinets may audition, but will be expected to learn saxophone), piano, drum set, vibraphone, latin percussion, bass (acoustic and electric), and guitar. The number of musicians on each instrument will be determined by those students who audition the previous spring. The Jazz Ensemble is the less experienced jazz band at BHS, normally comprised of younger players while  "Rithum Machine" is generally comprised of more experienced jazz players.  The music performed includes  jazz, blues, swing, latin (various styles), funk , rock, ballads, and contemporary styles. Student-directed combos are encouraged with rehearsals and performances scheduled after school, at BHS concerts, and local jazz festivals.