Upcoming Events

May
21
to May 22

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.

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May
27
to May 29

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.

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Jun
3
to Jun 6

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

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Jun
17

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!

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Aug
4
to Aug 8

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.

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Aug
11
to Aug 14

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.

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Aug
18
to Aug 21

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.

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Aug
25

First Day of School / Morning Rehearsals Begin

7:00 am morning rehearsals begin, every M-F through 10/17/2025!

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.

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Sep
5

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

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Sep
13

2025 Northwest Marching 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.

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Sep
25

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.

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Sep
26

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

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Oct
3

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

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Bands of America - Iowa Regional
Oct
4

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

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Oct
11

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.

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Oct
17

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!

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Oct
17

Football Game Performance vs. Waukee

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

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May
20

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!

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May
20

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. 

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May
18

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 

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May
13

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!

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May
10

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.

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May
9

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!

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May
8

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.

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May
5

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.

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Apr
28

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!

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Apr
25

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

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Apr
15

NWBPO Meeting

The Northwest Band Parents Board will meet on April 15 at 6:00 PM in the NWHS Seminar Room. All band parents are invited to join us!

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Apr
8

Iowa Jazz Championships

The Iowa Jazz Championships, held on Tuesday, April 8 at Stephens Auditorium on the Iowa State campus, features the best fifteen 4A bands from across Iowa. The Northwest Jazz Orchestra will perform at 4:15 p.m. We would love to have your support in Ames on that Tuesday afternoon. A full schedule for the day can be found at the Iowa Jazz Championships website.

There are three ways for you to purchase tickets for the Iowa Jazz Championships. 

  1. Visit Iowa Jazz Championships Tickets prior to March 31 and enter code EARLYBIRD to purchase tickets for $12.

  2. Visit Iowa Jazz Championships Tickets between April 1 and April 6 and enter code ADVANCE to purchase tickets for $15.

  3. Purchase tickets at the door for $20 with CASH ONLY.

All tickets will get you a wristband that allows entry in all four performance locations. Children under 5 who sit on a lap are free. NO REFUNDS will be given for any reason. If you're not sure you can attend, tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event at regular price. Checks and credit cards will not be accepted at the door. 

Find additional information on Iowa Jazz Championship’s website here.

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Mar
29

IIMA Waukee Indoor Marching

This is the 2025 IIMA State Championships!

This event features Indoor Drumlines and Colorguards from around central Iowa. It is being held at Waukee High School as a joint effort between the Waukee and Northwest Band programs.

Event Schedule

I&E (solos and duets) early-afternoon
Full performances mid-afternoon & evening

Location
Waukee High School
555 SE University Ave.
Waukee, IA 50263

Spectator Tickets

$20 - General Admission
$15 - Students/ Ages 65+
Children 5 and Under - FREE

Volunteer

We need your help to make to make this event happen! If you are available to volunteer to help this event happen, please click on the following link to sign up. Waukee Winter Showcase Volunteer Sign-Up

Visit IIMA’s website for additional information and tickets here.

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Mar
26

Jazz Orchestra Performance at Noce Jazz Cabaret

Come out and listen to the Jazz Orchestra at Des Moines’ coolest jazz venue!

The Northwest Jazz Orchestra will once again perform at Noce Jazz Club. Located at 1326 Walnut downtown, Noce is one of the finest jazz venues in the Midwest.

The Des Moines Big Band, of which Mr. Page and I are both members, performs every Wednesday night from 7-9 p.m. Each week, a different area high school is invited to come down and perform during the set break of the big band. So if you find yourself free tonight, please consider coming down.

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.nocedsm.com/. Although tickets are available at the door, please consider purchasing your tickets early, as these nights do have a tendency to sell out. 

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Mar
14
to Mar 22

St. Patrick's Day Parade Trip

Ireland here we come!!!

Tentative Itinerary

  • Friday, March 14 - Travel Day

  • Saturday, March 15 - Arrive/Rehearse at the Gaelic Athletic Association Grounds

  • Sunday, March 16 - Visit the city of Kilkenny and Kilkenny Castle

  • Monday, March 17 - March in the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade

  • Tuesday, March 18 - Visit the city of Galway and the Cliffs of Moher

  • Wednesday, March 19 - Tour Dublin, visit the EPIC Emigration Museum and The Jeanie Johnstion: An Irish Faminie Story

  • Thursday, March 20 - Visit Belfast and tour the Titanic Museum

  • Friday, March 21 - Visit Causey Farm with Dinner and Show at Taylors Three Rock

  • Saturday, March 22 - Depart

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Mar
11

Northwest Jazz Showcase

The Northwest Jazz Showcase will highlight the musical talents of all NWHS Jazz bands, ranging from 7th grade and up. Join us for a spectacular evening celebrating the incredible journey of budding jazz musicians contributing to the vibrant musical community at Northwest High School.

This concert is open to the public and free of charge. Doors will open at 6:45 pm, so come early and enjoy an unforgettable night of jazz performances.

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Mar
8

Northwest “Blue Note” Jazz Festival Set-Up

We are hosting our annual Northwest Blue Note Jazz Festival on Saturday, March 8th.

It's going to be an exciting day with 45 bands performing in three centers around the building. This festival will be an opportunity for us to support jazz music, bring in some great clinicians, and raise money for the band parent organization - which will benefit all of our band students. 

Please visit the Blue Note Jazz Festival page for detailed information.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We have lots of volunteer opportunities available! (Jazz students will have specific jobs assigned to them, so these students should not sign up.)

If you would like to sign up to help, click the link below:

Northwest Blue Note Jazz Festival Volunteer Sign-up

Non-band students can also sign up and earn Silver Cord hours.

Thank you for your help!

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Mar
8

Northwest “Blue Note” Jazz Festival

This is the third annual Northwest Blue Note Jazz Festival! Our festival has grown substantially this year and will feature 45 bands performing throughout the day for ten clinicians in five competitive classes.

Not only will this be a great event, but it will also be a strong fundraiser for our program. Soon, we will send out a volunteer signup for this event.

Doors open at TBD

Schedule / Performance times:

1:10 pm - Jazz Lab - Auditorium
7:50 pm -Jazz Orchestra - Auditorium

Full Schedule here.

Ticket Information:

Click here to purchase event tickets.

Volunteers are needed to help make this a successful event.
Sign up here.

Non-band students can also sign up and earn Silver Cord hours.

Thank you in advance for your help!

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