Upcoming Events
Royal Brigade Fall Band Camp
Band Camp is scheduled for August 4-21, 2025. Rehearsals will take place at the High School and at the stadium.
Attendance is very important. Every student in the band is a critical component and every student must contribute equally for success of the program. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the listed rehearsal time so that you are on the field and ready when rehearsal begins.
Helpful things to have for summer rehearsals and band camp:
A large water bottle (½ gallon or bigger) with your name on it
Lots of sunscreen
A white shirt for all wind and battery students
Athletic shoes
Hat and sunglasses
Food for dinner on days when camp goes to 9:00 pm. The dinner break is from 4:00-5:00 on those days. You will be able to leave campus if you choose, but many find it is easier to bring dinner with them so that you aren’t rushed getting back for the evening rehearsal block.
All regular rehearsal equipment (instrument, binder, charged phone with UDB - see below)
Band Camp: UDB app and your phones
When we learn drill, we use an app called UDB (Ultimate Drill Book). Please remember to bring your fully-charged phone with you to camp each day along with a charger if your device has battery issues. If you have not yet done so, please make sure that you have downloaded the UDBapp Pro (gold icon with the shadow of a marcher).
Instructions have been provided through Parent Square on how to download the App prior to Monday of band camp.
Band Camp: Dress Up Days
Don’t forget band camp dress-up days. Students will change into their dress-up day outfits at the evening break (approx. 7:00 each evening) with a parade of costumes and awards given at the end of the day. Please make sure that your outfit doesn’t interfere with your ability to rehearse!
Parents and guardians, we are in need of volunteers to provide Band Camp support. Please be on the lookout for a volunteer sign-up.
Royal Brigade Fall Band Camp
Band Camp is scheduled for August 4-21, 2025. Rehearsals will take place at the High School and at the stadium.
Attendance is very important. Every student in the band is a critical component and every student must contribute equally for success of the program. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the listed rehearsal time so that you are on the field and ready when rehearsal begins.
Helpful things to have for summer rehearsals and band camp:
A large water bottle (½ gallon or bigger) with your name on it
Lots of sunscreen
A white shirt for all wind and battery students
Athletic shoes
Hat and sunglasses
Food for dinner on days when camp goes to 9:00 pm. The dinner break is from 4:00-5:00 on those days. You will be able to leave campus if you choose, but many find it is easier to bring dinner with them so that you aren’t rushed getting back for the evening rehearsal block.
All regular rehearsal equipment (instrument, binder, charged phone with UDB - see below)
Band Camp: UDB app and your phones
When we learn drill, we use an app called UDB (Ultimate Drill Book). Please remember to bring your fully-charged phone with you to camp each day along with a charger if your device has battery issues. If you have not yet done so, please make sure that you have downloaded the UDBapp Pro (gold icon with the shadow of a marcher).
Instructions have been provided through Parent Square on how to download the App prior to Monday of band camp.
Band Camp: Dress Up Days
Don’t forget band camp dress-up days. Students will change into their dress-up day outfits at the evening break (approx. 7:00 each evening) with a parade of costumes and awards given at the end of the day. Please make sure that your outfit doesn’t interfere with your ability to rehearse!
Parents and guardians, we are in need of volunteers to provide Band Camp support. Please be on the lookout for a volunteer sign-up.
Royal Brigade Fall Band Camp
Band Camp is scheduled for August 4-21, 2025. Rehearsals will take place at the High School and at the stadium.
Attendance is very important. Every student in the band is a critical component and every student must contribute equally for success of the program. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the listed rehearsal time so that you are on the field and ready when rehearsal begins.
Helpful things to have for summer rehearsals and band camp:
A large water bottle (½ gallon or bigger) with your name on it
Lots of sunscreen
A white shirt for all wind and battery students
Athletic shoes
Hat and sunglasses
Food for dinner on days when camp goes to 9:00 pm. The dinner break is from 4:00-5:00 on those days. You will be able to leave campus if you choose, but many find it is easier to bring dinner with them so that you aren’t rushed getting back for the evening rehearsal block.
All regular rehearsal equipment (instrument, binder, charged phone with UDB - see below)
Band Camp: UDB app and your phones
When we learn drill, we use an app called UDB (Ultimate Drill Book). Please remember to bring your fully-charged phone with you to camp each day along with a charger if your device has battery issues. If you have not yet done so, please make sure that you have downloaded the UDBapp Pro (gold icon with the shadow of a marcher).
Instructions have been provided through Parent Square on how to download the App prior to Monday of band camp.
Band Camp: Dress Up Days
Don’t forget band camp dress-up days. Students will change into their dress-up day outfits at the evening break (approx. 7:00 each evening) with a parade of costumes and awards given at the end of the day. Please make sure that your outfit doesn’t interfere with your ability to rehearse!
Parents and guardians, we are in need of volunteers to provide Band Camp support. Please be on the lookout for a volunteer sign-up.
NWBPO Meeting
The Northwest Band Parents Board will meet on August 19 at 6:00 PM in the NWHS Seminar Room. All band parents are invited to join us!
First Day of School / Morning Rehearsals Begin
7:00 am morning rehearsals begin, every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
A reminder to students to plan to be on campus NO LATER than 6:45 am. That allows sufficient time to get to the band room, get your instrument out, and be at the stadium on time.
Remember: to be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late!
Also, please make sure that you eat breakfast before you come to school. A protein bar as you’re walking out the door will make a HUGE difference as you go through morning rehearsal.
Color Guard Rehearsal
The color guard rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm until October 14 in the NW Multi-Purpose Room.
Weekly Royal Brigade Rehearsal
Tuesday evening weekly rehearsals start Tuesday, August 26 and run through Tuesday, October 14 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Percussion Rehearsal
Percussion rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm until October 14 in the South Band Room / Stadium.
Color Guard Rehearsal
The color guard rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm until October 14 in the NW Multi-Purpose Room.
Percussion Rehearsal
Percussion rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm until October 14 in the South Band Room / Stadium.
Royal Brigade Parent Preview Performance
Witness the fruit of the band's hard work during spring and fall band camp by attending their performance at Northwest Stadium.
TBD call for band members (and don’t forget your white shirt).
Performance will begin at 7:00 PM.
Football Game Performance vs. Valley (North Side Band Night)
Volunteers are needed to help with equipment. Sign up here to help us out so that we can get all of our set pieces on the field. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Chad Friesleben or Chad Allison.
This will be a fun night celebrating band students from the Northwest High school feeder schools!
Friday night schedule:
4:45 - Leadership team needs to be dressed and in the auditorium
5:15 - Dressed and on the practice field
6:45 - Pregame
7:00 - Game begins
After third quarter - Student’s dismissed
Don’t forget:
Long black socks
Close fitting shorts
Sleeveless undershirt
Color Guard Rehearsal
The color guard rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm until October 14 in the NW Multi-Purpose Room.
Percussion Rehearsal
Percussion rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm until October 14 in the South Band Room / Stadium.
2025 Royal Brigade Clinic
This is an in-house marching clinic and rehearsal day for the Royal Brigade.
Students should meet on the practice field behind the stadium at 8:00 am.
We will have an hour lunch break from noon-1:00, and then students will be dismissed at 5 pm.
Please plan for this like you would for a full day of band camp - water jugs, sun screen, hats, etc.
Also, we will be on the grass practice field for the morning block of rehearsal. We would recommend that you bring a change of shoes and socks if possible, as the grass may be wet first thing in the morning.
Color Guard Rehearsal
The color guard rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm until October 14 in the NW Multi-Purpose Room.
NWBPO Meeting
The Northwest Band Parents Board will meet on September 16 at 6:00 PM in the NWHS Seminar Room. All band parents are invited to join us!
Percussion Rehearsal
Percussion rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm until October 14 in the South Band Room / Stadium.
All State Mock Audition #1
Designed to help students prepare for their upcoming auditions. This mock audition provides a valuable opportunity for student’s to gain experience, receive feedback, and refine their performance skills.
Individual Schedules TBD
Color Guard Rehearsal
The color guard rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm until October 14 in the NW Multi-Purpose Room.
Percussion Rehearsal
Percussion rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm until October 14 in the South Band Room / Stadium.
Homecoming Festival
This year’s homecoming week will feature a Thursday night Homecoming Festival. The band will be playing during these festivities, which will include a carnival in the south parking lot of the school followed by the Homecoming Coronation in the stadium.
Call time will be given to the students next week.
Please wear blue and white Northwest spirit wear. Students will be dismissed around 7:30 pm.
Football Game Performance vs. Des Moines East
Homecoming Night!
Volunteers are needed to help with equipment. Sign up here to help us out so that we can get all of our set pieces on the field. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Chad Friesleben or Chad Allison.
Friday night schedule:
4:45 - Leadership team needs to be dressed and in the auditorium
5:15 - Dressed and on the practice field
6:45 - Pregame
7:00 - Game begins
After third quarter - Student’s dismissed
Don’t forget:
Long black socks
Close fitting shorts
Sleeveless undershirt
Color Guard Rehearsal
The color guard rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm until October 14 in the NW Multi-Purpose Room.
Percussion Rehearsal
Percussion rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm until October 14 in the South Band Room / Stadium.
Football Game Performance vs. Ottumwa
Volunteers are needed to help with equipment. Sign up here to help us out so that we can get all of our set pieces on the field. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Chad Friesleben or Chad Allison.
Friday night schedule:
4:45 - Leadership team needs to be dressed and in the auditorium
5:15 - Dressed and on the practice field
6:45 - Pregame
7:00 - Game begins
After third quarter - Student’s dismissed
Don’t forget:
Long black socks
Close fitting shorts
Sleeveless undershirt

Bands of America - Iowa Regional
BOA Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to help at the BOA 2025 Iowa Regional Championships in a number of ways.
To help out at the event, please sign up here.
To help out with equipment, props, and uniforms please sign up here.
Find BOA Volunteer Job Descriptions here.
Volunteer Sign-In will be in the school’s choir room. Please go there to check in before your shift. Please arrive at the volunteer check-in 15 minutes prior to the start of your shift.
Royal Brigade & BOA Schedule
Students will meet in the band room to dress and should be prepared to move to warm-up (the baseball field) by 2:15 pm. NOTE: To help avoid congestion in the parking lot, please carpool as much as possible.
BOA Iowa Regional Itinerary
2025 BOA Iowa Prelims Schedule
The Royal Brigade will perform at TBD with finals performance based on afternoon scores.
Awards for the prelims are at TBD and the finals competition begins at TBD.
Find the Full Royal Brigade BOA Itinerary here.
Bands of America Iowa Regional Spectator Information
Bands of America is fully-digital with ticketing. Guests purchase tickets in advance online, which are delivered by email to present on their mobile device for scanning on-site or print-at-home. Tickets purchased at the ticket window on-site on the event day are a higher price. Spectators are encouraged to order in advance, skip the ticket window line, and save! Purchase tickets for the BOA Championship now
Friends, family, and supporters who cannot attend in person can subscribe to watch the live stream online at BOAlive.tv, powered by BOX5 Media. The BOA Pro Pass offers the best value and includes the live stream of every BOA show this fall. Single event pay-per-view is also available. Remember, these are live-as-they-happen streams only. Sign up to watch the live stream
Drake University All State Clinic
Drake will host woodwind, brass, and percussion players for Instrumental All-State audition preparation.
Music department faculty will assist students in performing scales, prepared music, and solos for the audition. Students should be prepared to perform the material to enhance the coaching of tone, technique, and musicality.
Drake University Woodwinds All-State clinic, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Color Guard Rehearsal
The color guard rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm until October 14 in the NW Multi-Purpose Room.
Percussion Rehearsal
Percussion rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm until October 14 in the South Band Room / Stadium.
ValleyFest & Showdown
Valleyfest - Saturday, October 11, Valley Stadium
The Royal Brigade will perform at TBD
Volunteers are needed to help with equipment. Sign up here to help us out so that we can get all of our set pieces on the field. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Chad Friesleben or Chad Allison.
Valleyfest is the largest local marching contest of the season featuring 34 bands from across Iowa. This contest runs as two separate competitions, meaning that bands do not qualify for their evening performance as they did with BOA. Instead, bands are free to sign up to perform and compete in one or both of the Day Show or Showdown contests.
Royal Brigade Itinerary
Buses will begin loading at 7:15 a.m. and will return to the high school around 11:30 p.m.
Students should eat a good breakfast before they arrive at the school
After the band has performed and changed after their morning performance, we will load up and head to Jordan Creek mall for lunch, returning before afternoon awards.
After our evening performance, students will tear down, before heading back into the stadium to watch bands until the evening awards.
All students will eat dinner at the concession stands.
Students need to remember to bring:
Money for lunch & dinner
Uniform clothes (black socks, tight fitting shorts, sleeveless shirt)
Anything else they need for their instrument
ValleyFest & Showdown Itinerary
The Royal Brigade will perform at TBD.
Ticket Information
Day Show only
$10 Adults / $5 Students (K-12)
Night Show only
$10 Adults / $5 Students (K-12)
Both Day and Night shows*
$15 Adults / $10 Students (K-12)
Children 5 and under – FREE
*Stadium will be cleared between Day and Night Shows
Find additional information on the Valley Bands Website and Facebook Page.
All State Mock Audition #2
Designed to help students prepare for their upcoming auditions. This mock audition provides a valuable opportunity for student’s to gain experience, receive feedback, and refine their performance skills.
All auditioning students should have received their times for their mock audition on October 13. Actual audition times along with details for audition day will be sent out as soon as we have them.
Color Guard Rehearsal
The color guard rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm until October 14 in the NW Multi-Purpose Room.
Percussion Rehearsal
Percussion rehearses weekly on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm until October 14 in the South Band Room / Stadium.
End-of-Season Awards/Tailgate Party
In celebration of the marching band season, all members of the Royal Brigade are invited to attend an end of the year tailgate in the Northwest Commons at 4:00 p.m.
Dinner will be provided by the Northwest Band Parents Organization and a series of season awards to outstanding marchers and sections will be given out.
See you there!
Football Game Performance vs. Waukee (Senior Night)
Volunteers are needed to help with equipment. Sign up here to help us out so that we can get all of our set pieces on the field. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Chad Friesleben or Chad Allison.
Friday night schedule:
4:45 - Leadership team needs to be dressed and in the auditorium
5:15 - Dressed and on the practice field
6:45 - Pregame
7:00 - Game begins
After third quarter - Student’s dismissed
Don’t forget:
Long black socks
Close fitting shorts
Sleeveless undershirt
IHSMA State Marching Contest/Mid-Iowa Marching Band Championships
IJHSMA State Marching Contest will take place at Waukee Stadium.
Mid-Iowa Band Championships will take place at Ankeny Stadium.
More information to come.
NWBPO Meeting
The Northwest Band Parents Board will meet on October 21 at 6:00 PM in the NWHS Seminar Room. All band parents are invited to join us!
Jazz Band Rehearsals
Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Lab will rehearse weekly on Tuesday starting October 21 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
All State Auditions
@Atlantic High School, All day
The Iowa All-State Music Festival is jointly sponsored and staffed by the IHSMA and IMEA to provide a state-wide selective festival for the instrumental and choral high school musicians of Iowa.
Northwest students who are auditioning for All State should refer to their ParentSquare message with details of the audition process.
Jazz Band Rehearsals
Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Lab will rehearse weekly on Tuesday starting October 21 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Jazz Band Rehearsals
Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Lab will rehearse weekly on Tuesday starting October 21 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Jazz Band Rehearsals
Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Lab will rehearse weekly on Tuesday starting October 21 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Jazz Band Rehearsals
Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Lab will rehearse weekly on Tuesday starting October 21 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Jazz Band Rehearsals
Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Lab will rehearse weekly on Tuesday starting October 21 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Jazz Band Rehearsals
Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Lab will rehearse weekly on Tuesday starting October 21 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Jazz Band Rehearsals
Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Lab will rehearse weekly on Tuesday starting October 21 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
SCIBA HS Jazz Band Festival
The Northwest HS Jazz Bands will perform at the SCIBA Jazz Festival.
Performance times:
Northwest Jazz Lab will perform at TDB in the Waukee High School Auditorium
Northwest Jazz Orchestra will perform at TBD in the Waukee High School Auditorium
The band from Prairieview will perform at TBD in the Waukee High School Gym.
Admission: (CASH ONLY!)
$5 for adults
$3 for students
We hope you will all consider coming out to support our jazz bands.
SCIBA Schedule 2025
Visit SCIBA’s webpage for additional information.
Winter Band Concert
Join us for an evening of music at the Winter High School Band Concert, featuring performances by the talented musicians of Northwest High School.
The doors to the auditorium will open at 6:40 p.m. Call time for the students is at 6:15.
• When: Monday, December 15, at 7:00 PM
• Where: Northwest Auditorium
Admission is free, and all are welcome! Mark your calendar and join us for a night of music and cheer!
Concert Dress
We want to look as good as we sound, so please adhere to the following guidelines:
Dress for the concert is formal black and white. A black suit, white shirt, and a tie or a black dress is preferred. Black pants and a black long sleeve dress shirt with a tie is also acceptable. Dresses must cover the shoulders and go past the knee when seated.
Preferred concert attire
Black suit with a white shirt and a tie and black dress shoes
Black dress that extends beyond your knees when seated and covers your shoulders
Acceptable concert attire
Black slacks with a black long sleeve collared dress shirt
Unacceptable concert attire
White shirts without a jacket *** This is a change from past years
White shoes
White socks
Short sleeved shirts
Jeans or leggings
Torn or distressed clothing
Sneakers or athletic shoes
Short skirt that expose your knees when you sit
Blouses or shirts that expose your shoulders
Winter Concert Decorating
The December band concert at Northwest is traditionally fun and festive, and we like to decorate the auditorium to match. We need a few parent volunteers to help decorate the afternoon of December 16th, so if you'd like to help, please sign up below. We are also looking for a few tree skirts in white, blue or silver - you can sign up below to loan those for the evening. If you have any other holiday decorations (non-religious) in those colors that you'd like to loan, we could use some on the front of the stage - you can email nwbpopres@gmail.com to share if you'd like.
Holiday Concert Decorating Sign-up
NWBPO Meeting
The Northwest Band Parents Board will meet on December 16 at 6:00 PM in the NWHS Seminar Room. All band parents are invited to join us!
Jazz Band Rehearsals
Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Lab will rehearse weekly on Tuesday starting October 21 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
SCIBA Honor Band
Congratulations to the following students who were selected to perform in the SCIBA Honor Band!
Congratulations to the following students who were selected to perform in the SCIBA Honor Band on January 10!
Visit SCIBA’s website for additional information.
NWBPO Meeting
The Northwest Band Parents Board will meet on January 20 at 6:00 PM in the NWHS Seminar Room. All band parents are invited to join us!
Simpson Jazz Festival
Jazz Bands will perform at the Simpson Jazz Festival.
Northwest Jazz Lab will perform TBD
Northwest Jazz Orchestra will perform TBD
Band itinerary here.
Full performance schedules
Thursday Schedule
Friday Schedule
There is NO admission fee for family and friends.
You can find additional information on Simpson College Jazz Fest’s website.
Perry Band Prep Night
Perry Prep Night is our in-house test run in preparation for Perry.
This year’s event will be held after school on Monday, February 2.
Each student who is participating in the Perry Band Olympics will be assigned a 10 minute time slot where they will come in and perform their solo or ensemble for a hired clinician.
For those of you who went through the All-State Mock Auditions, this process will be very similar. Students will perform and then receive feedback to help them prepare for Perry.
Students do not need to wear anything in particular for this event, and are only required to be here for their performance time. Students will not perform with their accompanist for this event.
Drake University Honor Jazz Band Festival
Students are placed in ensembles according to their grades 9-12.
The event is held in Performing Arts Hall in the Harmon Fine Arts Center on the Drake campus.
Schedule:
Rehearsal from TBD
Clinics from TBD
Concert with Drake Jazz I at 7:00 pm in the Performing Arts Hall of the Harmon Fine Arts Center.
Find additional information here.
NWBPO Meeting
The Northwest Band Parents Board will meet on July 15 at 6:00 PM in the NWHS Seminar Room. All band parents are invited to join us!
NWBPO Meeting
The Northwest Band Parents Board will meet on June 17 at 6:00 PM in the NWHS Seminar Room. All band parents are invited to join us!
Percussion / Color Guard Rehearsals
Percussion and Color Guard rehearsals will be held from Tuesday, June 3 through Friday, June 6, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.
Percussion will rehearse in Northwest Band Room
Color Guard will rehearse in the Northwest Multi-Purpose Room
Full Royal Brigade Rehearsal
Full Royal Brigade Rehearsal will take place from Tuesday, June 3 to Friday, June 6 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the North Band Room/Stadium.
New Marchers and Leadership Team Rehearsal
New Marchers and Leadership Team Rehearsal will take place from Tuesday, June 3 to Friday, June 6 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM in the North Band Room/Stadium.
Leadership Team Training
Training for the 25-26 Royal Brigade Leadership Team including: Drum Majors, Section Captains and other mentors.
Northwest Seminar Room
Percussion / Color Guard Spring Rehearsals
Percussion and Color Guard rehearsals will be held weekly on Thursdays from April 24 to May 22 and Tuesday, May 27 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Percussion will rehearse in Northwest Band Room
Color Guard will rehearse in the Northwest Multi-Purpose Room
2025-2026 Wind Symphony Auditions
We will be holding auditions for the 2025-2026 Northwest Wind Symphony this spring. These auditions are not required, however everyone is encouraged to audition.
Students who opt not to audition will be automatically placed in Concert Band for the 2025-2026 school year.
Northwest Wind Symphony Audition Packets are available by clicking the link.
Auditions will be held on May 27-29. Sign up here.
Percussion / Color Guard Spring Rehearsals
Percussion and Color Guard rehearsals will be held weekly on Thursdays from April 24 to May 22 and Tuesday, May 27 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Percussion will rehearse in Northwest Band Room
Color Guard will rehearse in the Northwest Multi-Purpose Room
🍕Papa John's Fundraising Night
Waukee NW Band Fundraising Night
Every 3rd Wednesday of each month, Papa John’s will be giving back 5% of sales to the Waukee Northwest High School Band!!
Waukee Location ONLY
2025-2026 Jazz Band Auditions
Audition packets are out for the 2025-2026 school year. If you are interested in auditioning for a jazz band at Northwest, please make sure that you have a packet and start practicing now! See Mr. Strohmaier or Mr. Friesleben if you need a packet or if you have any questions. Auditions should be performed with play-along tracks.
Both the packets and the audition tracks can be found at Northwest Jazz Audition Packets.
Auditions will be held on May 21 and 22. Sign up here.
Band Awards Night
Students and parents are cordially invited to join us in celebrating the achievements of the Northwest High School bands for the 2024-25 academic year. This special event will include the presentation of band awards, an end-of-year slideshow, and special recognition for the Class of 2025 seniors. You won't want to miss it!
Oh the places you’ve been!
One of the highlights of our Awards Night is the end of the year slideshow - and we need your band pictures from the year to make it happen. Pictures from band camp? Great! Pictures from Ireland? Wonderful! Pictures from Perry or a jazz band trip? Fantastic!
Send them to nwbandphotos@gmail.com. Make sure to go through your pictures first before submitting your favorites. If we get too many from each person, we can not include them all - and it would make the video really long if we did. So pick your best and send them in. Think quality over quantity!ntity!
Senior Class Recital
On Tuesday evening, May 20, we will be honoring the musical accomplishments of our senior band students by hosting a Senior Class Recital. The recital, which should last approximately 30 minutes, will begin at 5:00 pm and will feature several of our seniors performing solos and ensembles that showcase their musician growth and achievements. Please plan to attend this great event as our seniors prepare for the next phase of their lives.
NWHS Graduation
Graduation (Sophomores and Juniors Only)
Commencement is coming up this Sunday! The entire sophomore and junior band class will be performing before and after the ceremony. All sophomores and juniors should meet in the band room at 10:15 a.m dressed in nice looking formal clothes - not our traditional tuxes and gowns. We will bus down to Wells Fargo together and then return to Northwest sometime around 4:00 p.m. The full schedule for the afternoon is as follows:
10:15 a.m. - Final details for the day, depart for Wells Fargo
12:30 p.m. - Prelude music
1:00 p.m. - Graduation begins
3:00 p.m. (approx) - Graduation ends, load the bus
4:00 p.m. (approx) - Return to Northwest
Percussion / Color Guard Spring Rehearsals
Percussion and Color Guard rehearsals will be held weekly on Thursdays from April 24 to May 22 and Tuesday, May 27 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Percussion will rehearse in Northwest Band Room
Color Guard will rehearse in the Northwest Multi-Purpose Room
All State Jazz Band
Sponsored by the Jazz Educators of Iowa. Visit their website here.
Practice and performance locations include Johnston High School and Downtown Marriott.
NWBPO Meeting
The Northwest Band Parents Board will meet on May 13 at 6:00 PM in the NWHS Seminar Room. All band parents are invited to join us!
State Large Group Concert Band Festival
Saturday, May 10 is State Large Group, held at Dallas Center Grimes High School. The Northwest Concert Band will perform at 3:15 p.m. in the DCG auditorium.
ITINERARY
1:45 p.m. - Meet at Northwest HS in concert dress
2:00 p.m. - Depart for Dallas Center Grimes
2:15 p.m. - Arrive at Dallas Center Grimes
2:50 p.m. - Concert Band warm-up
3:15 p.m. - Concert Band performs
4:00 p.m. - Pack up. Load buses
4:15 p.m. - Arrive back at Northwest HS
SPECTATOR PARKING
Spectators should park in the main lot on the south side of the building.
ADMISSION
$12.00 for adults
$7.00 for Seniors (65+)
$5.00 for students (K-12 only)
Pre-school and younger will be admitted for free.
PLEASE NOTE: Wind Symphony will not perform at State Large Group this year. Instead, Wind Symphony will be doing a recording session in the auditorium (see below)
Visit the event website here.
Jazz @ Northwest
Friday, May 9 is the Northwest Jazz Show!
Held at 7:00 p.m. in the Northwest Auditorium, this jazz extravaganza will feature both Jazz Lab and Jazz Orchestra along with a variety of student led small ensembles.
It is a great night and a fantastic way to wrap up the year.
We hope to see you there!
Percussion / Color Guard Spring Rehearsals
Percussion and Color Guard rehearsals will be held weekly on Thursdays from April 24 to May 22 and Tuesday, May 27 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Percussion will rehearse in Northwest Band Room
Color Guard will rehearse in the Northwest Multi-Purpose Room
Nothing Bundt Cakes Bundtlet Pick Up
Northwest Band Parent Boosters Organization is partnering with Nothing Bundt Cakes for a sweet Bundtlet Sale Fundraiser!
If you ordered Bundlets, please pick them up in the Northwest North Band Room (655 NW 10th St., Waukee, IA) from 3:15 to 7:00 pm on May 8, 2025.
Spring Band Concert
Our end of the year band concert will be held on Monday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the Northwest Auditorium.
Since this will be the Concert Band’s first time performing in their formal wear, Concert Band call time is 6:15 in the north band room.
Wind Symphony call time will be 6:30 in the south band room.
The auditorium doors will open at 6:40 p.m.
Percussion / Color Guard Spring Rehearsals
Percussion and Color Guard rehearsals will be held weekly on Thursdays from April 24 to May 22 and Tuesday, May 27 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Percussion will rehearse in Northwest Band Room
Color Guard will rehearse in the Northwest Multi-Purpose Room
Wind Symphony Concert with Northwest Singers
Join the Wind Symphony and Northwest Singers as we present a joint concert, highlighting differences in colors and affect as both groups perform different versions of the same melodies. It is sure to be a fun concert, and a great opportunity to see both sides of our music department performing side by side. The concert is on Monday, April 28 at 7:00 in the auditorium. Call time for the Wind Symphony is 6:30. Hope to see you there!
Concert Band Clinic with Dr. Golemo (Concert Band)
Concert Band Clinic with Dr. Golemo (Concert Band)
Adventureland Band Festival / Southeast Polk (Wind Symphony)
Because the spring musical falls on Adventureland weekend this year, we will not be able to participate in the festival on Friday.
Instead, the Wind Symphony will perform on Saturday morning at Southeast Polk, while the Concert Band will stay at Northwest and clinic in preparation for their performance at State Large Group on May 10.
Our full itinerary is as follows:
8:30 a.m. - Meet at Northwest HS in concert dress
9:00 a.m. - Depart for Southeast Polk
10:35 a.m. - Wind Symphony warm-up
11:00 a.m. - Wind Symphony performs
12:00 p.m. - Depart for Northwest
12:45 p.m. - Arrive back at Northwest HS
Percussion / Color Guard Spring Rehearsals
Percussion and Color Guard rehearsals will be held weekly on Thursdays from April 24 to May 22 and Tuesday, May 27 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Percussion will rehearse in Northwest Band Room
Color Guard will rehearse in the Northwest Multi-Purpose Room