Middle School

Beginning Band (2 semesters): This year-long beginning concert band is for students with no previous instrumental experience, and is primarily made up of sixth graders. Students will receive their recommended instrument form at the elementary try-ons in March. If a student’s family wants to change this recommendation, they will fill out the form on www.msdwtmusic.com. Students may learn to play flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion. Students that start on clarinet will have an opportunity to switch to alto saxophone or tenor saxophone in the second semester. The class concentrates on basic tone production, instrument care, and music-reading skills. Students will have at minimum two performances per school year (one each semester).

Intermediate Band (2 semesters): This year-long concert band is a non-audition group that is open to students with at least one year of playing experience. The emphasis is on continued growth of skills learned to further their instrumental skills and look deeper into the structure and context of music. The musical parts become more diversified, which requires greater individual responsibility. These students perform a minimum of two concerts per school year, one per semester.

Advanced Band (2 semesters): This year-long concert band is an audition based group that is available to students with at least one year of playing experience. Continued growth of skills is expected, as well as an increasing awareness of phrasing, articulation, dynamics, intonation, and balance. The musical parts become more diversified, which requires greater individual responsibility. This band has performances with students from across the district at Middle School Marching Band Night, Township Band Holiday Concert, and will have a minimum of two performances at their home school. 

Jazz Band: Jazz Band offers an exciting activity that allows students to learn the basics of jazz, improvisation techniques, and to expand the student’s knowledge-base of musical style. The Jazz Band allows second and third year band students to explore, through listening and playing, the different types of music in the jazz genre. Students will perform jazz charts together, with solo opportunities.

Special opportunities: Students are also eligible to participate in ISSMA solo and ensemble contest each late January or early February. Advanced students that participate in ISSMA solo and ensemble may audition for the Township Honors Recital in late February or early March. Advanced band students may apply for the Wind Ensemble Side by Side, and perform at the Autumn Winds concert in November. There is also an opportunity for 7th and 8th grade students from across the district to participate in the All Star Middle School Jazz Band, and perform at the spring jazz concert at North Central High School. There are also outside of school honor band opportunities: Indiana Bandmasters Association All Region Honor Band in November, IBA Junior All State Band in January, and others as determined by the director.​

​If you have any questions about the middle school band program, contact​

Westlane - 

Hollis May

Band Director

hmay@msdwt.k12.in.us

(317) 259-5412 ext. 23203

Northview - 

David Ebersole

Band Director

debersole@msdwt.k12.in.us

(317) 259-5421 ext. 22120

Eastwood - 

Laura VanderHaeghen

Band Director

lvanderhaeghen@msdwt.k12.in.us

(317) 259-5401 ext. 21232

High School

The bands at North Central High School provide a comprehensive experience with special emphasis placed on both concert band and jazz band. The North Central Bands consistently earn high marks and are highly regarded throughout the state of Indiana, and nationwide.

North Central High School offers four curricular concert bands, 2 curricular jazz ensembles, as well as extracurricular Marching Band and Basketball Pep Band.

If you have any questions about the high school band program, contact​​

Rick Granlund

Director of Bands and 6-12 Performing Arts Department Chair​​rgranlund@msdwt.k12.in.us

(317) 259-5301 ext. 45383

Andrew Brinkman

Assistant Director of Bands

abrinkman@msdwt.k12.in.us​

(317) 259-5301 ext. 45792​​