Incoming 9th graders will be automatically enrolled in Concert Band for the first year of high school and may also participate in marching band during the first quarter. Students will have the opportunity to move into Symphonic Band or Wind Symphony based upon their progress in lessons and skills demonstrated through end-of-semester playing tests.

Yes! You will receive one academic credit for band. Your grade is like all other academic grades and is computed into your grade point average.

The foundation of the Jefferson bands is a continuation of the concepts and skills developed in the programs at Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson middle schools. Great music performed with a great sound and technical fluidity is core to the Jefferson tradition.

Dr. Rowles conducts the Wind Symphony, the premier instrumental ensemble at Jefferson, co-teaches Concert Band, and directs the marching band. The Wind Wymphony is open to band members in grades nine through 12 by audition.

Mr. Nicholson directs the Symphonic Band, co-teaches Concert Band, and directs the Jazz Band.

Yes! You can be a member of the Band of Blue and still participate in any school activity that you want. We have a very good relationship with other coaches and directors and will work out any conflicts in schedules that might come up. We encourage you to participate in other activities. We have band members in all sports and activities.

Jefferson has a limited number of school-owned instruments available for rental. Please contact Dr. Rowles or Mr. Nicholson to review options. The rental fees and contract are very similar to the middle schools.

Yes, each instrument will be rented as a separate contract. These rental fees partially help cover the cost of maintenance and cleaning of the instruments. The directors will assist with which rental option to use, depending on the circumstances.

Students wear concert black for all performances. We provide tux jackets & pants, bow tie, & concert black dresses for students to use during the concert season. Students are able to borrow from the school or wear their own attire within the concert black guidelines. Students must provide their own black button up shirt, black socks, and black shoes.

There is no uniform fee, this is covered in your Marching Band Fee.

Throughout the entire school year we will have a number of fundraising activities. In the past these have included candy sales, sucker sales, pizza sales, pie sales, sausage sales, ornament sales, candle sales, and big fruit sales. It is pretty easy to sell if you try. You can pay for uniform fees, shoes, accessories, trips, etc. with fundraiser profits.

This is handled by our Uniform Coordinator. You won’t have to worry about his issue.

When you are in uniform you represent the Band of Blue, Jefferson High School, the city of Cedar Rapids, and the State of Iowa. You need to be either completely in or completely out of uniform while in public. You need to act maturely and with your best behavior while you are in uniform.

Don’t!

All fees are charged in Infinite Campus. Families can pay online or give payments directly to the school bookkeeper.

You can pay them over the school year if needed. Pay what you can when you can. We would love to have them paid during the start of the year when possible.

We would love to have you help! Please reach out to our directors!

After marching season in October.

All saxophone, trombone, trumpet, drum set, piano, and electric or string bass players in band are encouraged to audition.

The marching band holds several practices during June and August. It is critically important that students are in attendance. It would be like missing football workouts but you were going to try to make the Varsity team. Use the Band Events Google Calendar linked above or email Dr. Rowles for more information.

The band utilizes multiple communication avenues for information dissemination: Slack, email updates, and an internal Facebook group. Reach out to a director if you are not receiving regular updates.