The Program

Four Ensembles.
One Band.

Every player in the Panther Band starts in a Wind Ensemble class — pep, concert, jazz, and honors tracks all build from there. Here's how the pieces fit together.

At a Glance

Compare Ensembles

Audition Info →
EnsembleMeetsGetting InPerforms
Wind EnsemblePeriod 3 · Odd days · 10:25 AM – 12:05 PMOpen to placed band students. Honors section by audition the week before school.Pep Band at every home football game, Homecoming Rally, Winter Concert, three concerts a year in the PAC, and concert festivals
Beginning InstrumentsPeriod 2 · Even Days · 8:30 - 10:10 AMNo audition — built for first-time players and developing readersNon-performing development class; most students join the full band within a semester or two
Jazz I · Studio0 Period · Daily · 7:15 - 8:20 AMAudition each August. Must also be enrolled in Wind Ensemble. Honors section available.Local shows, school concerts, and competitive jazz festivals across Southern California
Jazz IIPeriod 7 · Monday–Thursday · 2:35 - 3:45 PM · SpringNo audition — just read music and play a big-band instrumentSpring jazz festivals alongside Jazz I, plus community events and school concerts

Concert Side

Wind Ensemble & Wind Ensemle Honors

The Wind Ensemble is the main performing ensemble of the NPHS Band program, and every student in the program is enrolled in one of its two sections. In the fall the focus is Pep Band — every home football game, the Homecoming Rally, and in some years the Camarillo Christmas Parade. Around the end of September the group changes gears to concert repertoire, building toward a formal Winter Concert in December, three concerts a year in the NPHS Performing Arts Center, travel to local, regional, and even national concert band festivals, and often an optional music workshop at Disneyland.

Students who successfully audition into the Honors section earn Honors credit for their participation. Those auditions are held the week before school starts. This is an active performing ensemble — rehearsals and performances outside the school day are part of the commitment.

Beginning Instruments

A non-performing class for students who have never played formally, don't yet read music, or need time to build their skills before joining the performing groups. Within one semester, successful students are often ready to perform with the regular band — many of the program's strongest musicians started here.

Jazz Side

Jazz I · Studio Jazz Ensemble Honors

The flagship jazz group, for students with the experience and ability to take on challenging repertoire and serious improvisation work. The band is built from alto, tenor, and bari sax, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass, and drums, and members must also be enrolled in Wind Ensemble. Auditions happen each August, the week before school starts — students who make the band but not the Honors section are enrolled in Jazz Ensemble.
Audition for Jazz I →
Improv Resources

Jazz II · Jazz Ensemble

A non-performing class for students who have never played formally, don't yet read music, or need time to build their skills before joining the performing groups. Within one semester, successful students are often ready to perform with the regular band — many of the program's strongest musicians started here.
Combos form each year based on interest — ask the Director of Bands if you'd like to play in one.