What does 'BHSBE' stand for?

 - BHSBE stands for Beaverton High School Bands and Ensembles. We are more than just a 'band'. We are a percussion ensemble, a color guard ensemble, and several different kinds of bands. 

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Do I need to have my own instrument/equipment?

 - If you are not able to provide your own, BHSBE has some you can borrow for the school year. Reach out to Mr. Simantel and he can provide you with an instrument rental form. Once it's signed and returned, you'll be able to take your instrument home with you. Just remember to clean it!

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Are there any fees I have to pay to join one of the ensembles?

 - Being a part of one of the ensembles will require the payment of an $85 activity fee to Beaverton High School. In the past, this activity fee has been covered by the Success Fund. You only need to pay this fee once if you join multiple ensembles. 

 - Being a part of the Marching Ensemble, Color Guard, or Marching Percussion will have additional fees on top of the $85 activity fee. These fees vary depending on how many students we have but range from $300 - $400 per student. These fees go to the Beaverton HS Band Boosters to help supplement the cost of these activities. 

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I'm not a BHS student, can I still join one of the ensembles that meets outside of regular school hours?

 - Yes, but only if your home school doesn't offer that ensemble. For example, if you attend BASE and want to take part in a jazz band, you can join us for our jazz band since it meets outside of regular school hours. If you attend ACMA and want to be a part of a marching ensemble, you can join us (assuming ACMA doesn't offer a marching ensemble). 

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What are my obligations when I join one of the ensembles listed above?

 - Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band all meet as a class. You are graded, and as part of your grade you are expected to participate in all performances and rehearsals. That includes Pep Band performances. Typically we attend 4 home varsity football games, and 6-8 varsity basketball games throughout the year. 

 - If you join one of the other ensembles (color guard, marching percussion, or marching ensemble) you are not graded because it is an after school activity. However, you are still expected to attend pep events, as you are part of the pep band. These ensembles typically have some kind of pre-season camp to get prepared for the competitive season. Marching ensemble has band camp in august, for guard and percussions winter season there is usually a camp sometime around winter break. These rehearsals are mandatory. 

 - In any ensemble, missing a performance is absolutely unacceptable. 

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I want to be a part of the band, but I'm also on a sports team that conflicts with a lot of the events.

 - If you are part of another activity that conflicts with band events, that doesn't mean band is out of the picture for you. We can be flexible and understanding and work with your coach and you to figure out what works best without impacting your grade. In general, a performance/game trumps a rehearsal/practice. If you have a practice on the night that we have one of our concerts, you'll have to miss that practice. However, if you have a game or a meet that conflicts with one of our rehearsals, you should attend the game instead of the rehearsal. 

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Does BHSBE ever go on any trips?

Different ensembles go on different trips. Marching ensemble, color guard, and winter percussion regularly perform at competitions during their seasons. Symphonic Band goes to festivals in the spring, and the pep band occasionally attends pep events outside of BHS such as championships games or parades. Every so often one or more of the ensembles will take a big trip for a whole weekend. This April 2023 we'll be taking our symphonic band to Seattle for a heritage festival. In the future we're hoping to take one or more ensembles to Disney Land.