About the Berkley High School Band Placement Process

The Berkley Band program is an all-inclusive band program, i.e., if a student wants to participate in band, regardless of their musical skill, they are allowed to participate.

The core of the Berkley High School Band program is participation in a band class year-round, e.g., Semester 1 - Marching Band, Semester 2 Concert Band. 

There are two band classes a student can enroll in the first semester 1) Marching Band and 2) Concert Band (non-marching band students). The Berkley High School Band Director will place students in one of three classes in the second semester 1) Symphonic Band, 2) Concert Band, and 3) Wind Symphony, based on a list of criteria, including, but not limited to.

  • Audition

  • Musicianship

  • Reliability/Attendance

  • Preparation

  • Rehearsal Etiquette

  • Instrumentation

Berkley High School Jazz Program (Zero Hour)

Students enrolled in a high school band class year-round gain access to participate in the BHS Jazz Program. Currently, there are two jazz bands 1) Jazz Ensemble and 2) Jazz Lab. 

Jazz Ensemble is a "true" Big Band and an elite ensemble, i.e., 2 Alto Saxophones, 2 Tenor Saxophones, 1 Baritone Saxophone, 3-5 Trombones, 4-5 Trumpets, Drumset, Auxilary Percussion, *Acoustic Bass/Electric Bass, *Guitar, and Piano. Students in Jazz Ensemble must audition to participate. Jazz Ensemble meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7:30 am - 8:15 am.

*Open to all Berkley High School Students. Students enrolled in a BHS Orchestra class have priority.

Jazz Lab is a novice/experimental jazz experience. All students and instruments can participate as long as they regularly attend rehearsals. Jazz Lab meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 am - 8:15 am.

Berkley High School Band Extensions/Offerings

Students enrolled in a high school band class year-round also gain access to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festivals, Youth and Community Honor Bands, Percussion Ensembles, Musical Pit-Orchestra, Pep-Band, Winter-Drumline, and other musical activities and offerings. 

2nd Semester Band Placement 

There are two elite bands/ensembles at Berkley High School, i.e., Symphonic Band and the Jazz Ensemble. Students who want to participate in either of these groups must go through a live musical performance audition. 

Students who don't audition for Symphonic Band will be placed in Concert Band or Wind Symphony by the BHS Band Director. Jazz students who want to play jazz and don't want to audition for Jazz Ensemble will participate in Jazz Lab.

Entitlement/Legacy Enrollment Year-to-Year in Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble

Students must earn a spot in Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble each year. The expectations in rehearsal etiquette, presence, preparation, and musicianship make these ensembles elite and in line with other advanced placement classes at Berkley High School.

Audition Process

  1. Two weeks to prepare the BHS Audition Music

  2. Perform a live Audition with Mr. Thomann, the BHS High School Band Director.

    1. Mr. Thomann will visit Anderson Middle School and Norup International School during the 8th grade to facilitate the audition.

    2. Current High School Band Students will perform a live audition for Mr. Thomann during their band class.

  3. Once Mr. Thomann has listened to every student, students will receive a notification from Mr. Thomann about their second-semester band placement. Mr. Thomann will communicate student placements to the BHS Counseling staff. 

Scheduling

Most students should anticipate a change in their class schedule from the first semester to the second semester. Some instances occur where a student's schedule would not change due to band placement from semester to semester, e.g., a student enrolled in Marching Band in the first semester and auditions into the Symphonic Band second semester.

Berkley High School Band Chair Placement Challenge Policy

If you wish to challenge someone who holds a higher position than you, you must inform them and Mr. Thomann. You will then exchange a piece of music and both prepare it within three days. The person being challenged selects an excerpt of music from their band music for the challenge. On the fourth day, you will play the piece for Mr. Thomann. The challenge will include scales that will be selected by Mr. Thomann. Refusal to participate in the challenge will result in you forfeiting your chair. You can re-challenge after a week. However, seating will not change two weeks before a performance.