Welcome, Future ZB Band Students!
Why Band in High School?
In order to make well-informed decisions about class selections for next year, it may be helpful to have some information about the band program at Zion-Benton. Here are some of the questions that I am asked frequently. Please explore some of the other parts of this page including "Sample Schedules" and "Registration Information."
Who is in the Band at Zion-Benton?
The Zion-Benton Band program contains some of the finest students in our school. These students are a part of many different activities. The band contains many athletes, cheerleaders, and club members. Individuals can participate in a wide variety of these activities without experiencing scheduling conflicts. Band members are some of the most active, enthusiastic and motivated people in our school. From the first day of marching band camp, you will have nearly 100 friends, many of whom have the same interests, classes, and experiences that you do. You are joining one of the largest teams in the school. What a great way to start your high school career!
I’m taking many difficult college-prep courses. Can I really do this?
This is true of almost every band member. Colleges and Universities today look for students with a well-rounded high school experience, who have pursued music, drama, athletics, and other activities in addition to academic requirements. Clinical studies suggest that music students excel in a variety of other academic pursuits as well. Several band students have ranked among the top ten in their class in the past few years, and a huge percentage of the finest academic students at Zion-Benton are music students. You will learn to budget your time and organize your studies. It is a wonderful life-long skill that has served many band members very well. Band alumni are going to college in places like the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois, the University of Iowa, Northwestern, Indiana University and many more. Many of them are still playing their instruments and some even got money to do so!
Zion-Benton Band students annually outpace average ZBTHS students in ACT and other test scores.
What opportunities await me in the ZBTHS Band? Is Band "cool" ?
The Zion-Benton Band program provides the atmosphere and instruction necessary for a developing musician to pursue further musical growth. You have spent the past few years working on the fundamentals of your instrument. High School Band is the place to put those skills to good use by doing what all musicians aspire to do – perform! Band students participate in the Marching Zee-Bees and Zee-Bee Pep Band, as well as Concert and Symphonic Band. Additional opportunities are available through Jazz Band, small ensembles, and solo performances. There is truly something for everyone’s interest.
The tradition of excellence in the Zion-Benton Band provides not only musical opportunities, but rich social opportunities as well. The band has taken major trips in and out of state (this year we are traveling to Appleton Wisconsin and Wisconsin Dells). Zion-Benton annually sends students to audition for the IMEA District 7 Festival and this year we had 2 students in the music department selected for the district level and 2 students selected for All-State. In years to come we hope to continue a bi-annual travel cycle, participate in contests and festivals, and apply for acceptance at state and national level events.
I’m not first chair. Am I good enough?
In a word: YES! While musical skills are obviously important, individual students develop at different rates. Some of our finest players were outstanding in eighth grade, while others were nowhere near first chair in middle school. They have become high quality performers since their arrival at ZBTHS because they enjoyed band, were enthusiastic, and were willing to work hard. Your future, both musical and academic, depends on you and how much effort and enthusiasm you are willing to contribute. Let the band help take you where you want to go!
How does this work in my schedule?
All music courses at ZBTHS receive transcript credit while simultaneously fulfilling the graduation requirement for Electives. The band classes meet every day for 47 minutes, like other academic subjects. Under our current seven-course schedule, students can take up to six other classes while also participating in band. With some careful planning and help from your Counselor, it is not difficult to make band work for all four years of high school. Frequently, students come to Zion-Benton intimidated by the long list of required courses for high school. Remember, those classes are required over FOUR years, not immediately as a freshman. Students have ample time to fulfill their graduation requirements, pursue areas of interest, and still maintain membership in the music program. Even with the new increased graduation requirements, joining band is definitely something that can be done!
Participation in Band also earns students a PE Waiver for the Fall Semester of each year. This allows students to get ahead on other graduation requirements, take a study hall, or explore other areas of interest without having to make other concessions in their course schedule.
What about athletes? Can I play football or run cross country? How about NJROTC?
No problem. We have athletes involved in band EVERY year! There is NO sport at ZBTHS that doesn’t have band members participating in it. You will be busy. You will learn to budget your time. You will learn to set priorities. It’s like the real world! We will work out any conflicts and there are VERY few!
Zion-Benton Band students will tell you: Yes, there is time for band in High School! They will also tell you that it has become one of the highlights of their school day, and ultimately, their entire High School experience. You want to know about band? Ask the band students! They are your friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters.
You have devoted a great deal of time, energy, money, and discipline to the Middle School Band Program. It is my hope that every eighth grade student will seek out the possibilities that music has to offer and join the excellence of the Zion-Benton High School Band. You won’t want to miss it!
In order to make well-informed decisions about class selections for next year, it may be helpful to have some information about the band program at Zion-Benton. Here are some of the questions that I am asked frequently. Please explore some of the other parts of this page including "Sample Schedules" and "Registration Information."
Who is in the Band at Zion-Benton?
The Zion-Benton Band program contains some of the finest students in our school. These students are a part of many different activities. The band contains many athletes, cheerleaders, and club members. Individuals can participate in a wide variety of these activities without experiencing scheduling conflicts. Band members are some of the most active, enthusiastic and motivated people in our school. From the first day of marching band camp, you will have nearly 100 friends, many of whom have the same interests, classes, and experiences that you do. You are joining one of the largest teams in the school. What a great way to start your high school career!
I’m taking many difficult college-prep courses. Can I really do this?
This is true of almost every band member. Colleges and Universities today look for students with a well-rounded high school experience, who have pursued music, drama, athletics, and other activities in addition to academic requirements. Clinical studies suggest that music students excel in a variety of other academic pursuits as well. Several band students have ranked among the top ten in their class in the past few years, and a huge percentage of the finest academic students at Zion-Benton are music students. You will learn to budget your time and organize your studies. It is a wonderful life-long skill that has served many band members very well. Band alumni are going to college in places like the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois, the University of Iowa, Northwestern, Indiana University and many more. Many of them are still playing their instruments and some even got money to do so!
Zion-Benton Band students annually outpace average ZBTHS students in ACT and other test scores.
What opportunities await me in the ZBTHS Band? Is Band "cool" ?
The Zion-Benton Band program provides the atmosphere and instruction necessary for a developing musician to pursue further musical growth. You have spent the past few years working on the fundamentals of your instrument. High School Band is the place to put those skills to good use by doing what all musicians aspire to do – perform! Band students participate in the Marching Zee-Bees and Zee-Bee Pep Band, as well as Concert and Symphonic Band. Additional opportunities are available through Jazz Band, small ensembles, and solo performances. There is truly something for everyone’s interest.
The tradition of excellence in the Zion-Benton Band provides not only musical opportunities, but rich social opportunities as well. The band has taken major trips in and out of state (this year we are traveling to Appleton Wisconsin and Wisconsin Dells). Zion-Benton annually sends students to audition for the IMEA District 7 Festival and this year we had 2 students in the music department selected for the district level and 2 students selected for All-State. In years to come we hope to continue a bi-annual travel cycle, participate in contests and festivals, and apply for acceptance at state and national level events.
I’m not first chair. Am I good enough?
In a word: YES! While musical skills are obviously important, individual students develop at different rates. Some of our finest players were outstanding in eighth grade, while others were nowhere near first chair in middle school. They have become high quality performers since their arrival at ZBTHS because they enjoyed band, were enthusiastic, and were willing to work hard. Your future, both musical and academic, depends on you and how much effort and enthusiasm you are willing to contribute. Let the band help take you where you want to go!
How does this work in my schedule?
All music courses at ZBTHS receive transcript credit while simultaneously fulfilling the graduation requirement for Electives. The band classes meet every day for 47 minutes, like other academic subjects. Under our current seven-course schedule, students can take up to six other classes while also participating in band. With some careful planning and help from your Counselor, it is not difficult to make band work for all four years of high school. Frequently, students come to Zion-Benton intimidated by the long list of required courses for high school. Remember, those classes are required over FOUR years, not immediately as a freshman. Students have ample time to fulfill their graduation requirements, pursue areas of interest, and still maintain membership in the music program. Even with the new increased graduation requirements, joining band is definitely something that can be done!
Participation in Band also earns students a PE Waiver for the Fall Semester of each year. This allows students to get ahead on other graduation requirements, take a study hall, or explore other areas of interest without having to make other concessions in their course schedule.
What about athletes? Can I play football or run cross country? How about NJROTC?
No problem. We have athletes involved in band EVERY year! There is NO sport at ZBTHS that doesn’t have band members participating in it. You will be busy. You will learn to budget your time. You will learn to set priorities. It’s like the real world! We will work out any conflicts and there are VERY few!
Zion-Benton Band students will tell you: Yes, there is time for band in High School! They will also tell you that it has become one of the highlights of their school day, and ultimately, their entire High School experience. You want to know about band? Ask the band students! They are your friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters.
You have devoted a great deal of time, energy, money, and discipline to the Middle School Band Program. It is my hope that every eighth grade student will seek out the possibilities that music has to offer and join the excellence of the Zion-Benton High School Band. You won’t want to miss it!