Concert Choir is a large performing group for all voice parts.  Beginning through advanced singers are welcome.  Students sing and perform quality choral literature from a variety of genres, cultures, and styles. There is an emphasis on building musicianship skills through a program of sight reading, music theory, ear training, and vocal technique.  The group performs at three to four school concerts and approximately two festivals throughout the year, where they consistently receive Excellent and Superior ratings.  Concert Choir also attends fall choir camp, participates in numerous workshops and invitationals, and travels on a choir tour every other year.

Vocal Jazz Ensemble is a small mixed ensemble for advanced singers.  Students will sing a variety of choral literature with an emphasis on jazz music.  A high level of sight reading, music theory, ear training, and vocal technique is expected.  The group participates in vocal jazz festivals throughout the northwest and performs at numerous singing gigs in and around the Seattle area.  Auditions are held each spring for the following school year.   Sound technician and jazz rhythm section may also be enrolled each year.

Women's Chamber Choir is an extracurricular women’s ensemble that rehearses once a week after school for an hour and a half.  Students perform advanced choral literature for women’s voices.  They participate in Solo and Ensemble and consistently receive Superior ratings.  Women’s Chamber Choir also participates in various smaller concerts and gigs throughout the area.

Treble Choir is open to all female students in the school who enjoy singing and wish to learn the basics of choral performance. All ninth grade women who wish to join choir will begin their high school choir experience in this ensemble. Students will study and perform music for the female voice in a variety of musical styles, from classical to Broadway and pop. Focus will be on correct singing technique, beginning music theory, sight-reading, and expressive singing. Students may elect to take Treble Choir for as many years as they wish.

Symphonic Band functions as both a concert and marching band and requires time outside the school day.  Students are mostly freshmen and sophomores and performs at several concerts throughout the school year as well as at football games, basketball games, and pep rallies.  This band typically plays grade 3-4 level music (out of 6) and is the prerequisite for performing in the jazz band and wind ensemble.

Wind Ensemble is an advanced honor group that performs the highest level band literature (grades 4-6) and requires students to achieve a high level of ability.  Membership in this group is for 10-12 graders by audition only.  Performances include school concerts, regional festivals, and possible out of state trips.  Students are expected to practice at least 30-60 minutes a day and demonstrate proficiency on their instrument.  Students also perform as part of the marching and pep bands.

Orchestra is for 9-12 graders who play violin, viola, cello, or bass.  Orchestra students will play a wide variety of music, from Baroque through Contemporary.  Occasionally, this group will be combined with wind players to perform full orchestra music.  Students are expected to achieve at a high level and will perform at school concerts, regional festivals, and possible out-of-state trips.  Advanced string players have the opportunity to audition for the Chamber Orchestra which meets outside of the school day.

Jazz Band I is for advanced wind and rhythm players wanting to learn the art of playing jazz and improvisation. Membership is by audition only.  Students in this ensemble perform at school concerts, and several local and regional festivals throughout the year.  This class meets zero hour and demands a high degree of commitment.  Jazz band members need to be in a large music ensemble during the school day.

Jazz Band II meets three days a week before school and is open to beginning and intermediate wind and rhythm section players who would like to learn to play jazz.  This group performs at school concerts.  Jazz II students need to be enrolled in a large music ensemble during the school day.

Chamber Orchestra This auditioned group meets once a week before school and is comprised of the most talented and motivated string players.  They perform several times throughout the year at school and community events and represent BHS at the solo/ensemble contest.

Percussion is a course within the school day that focuses on all aspects of percussion playing.  Fundamental percussion techniques will be taught.  Selected students will perform as the Drum Line in the Marching Band.  Percussion students will perform with the Symphonic band, Wind Ensemble, and Orchestra as percussion ensembles.  Enrollment will be restricted to approximately 25 students.  Middle school band experience or a successful audition for the instructor is required for enrollment in this course.

      Photos courtesy of Rowland Studios