Ensembles
Mighty Panther Marching Band
The NCHS Mighty Panther Marching Band is comprised of students from the Wind Ensemble, Honors Band, Symphonic Band, Color Guard, and includes all grades 9-12. All students are provided an opportunity to march.
Varsity Members are determined by demonstrating mastery of the selected music, marching fundamentals, eligibility, attitude/discipline, and attendance. Members will perform at all football games, pep rallies, parades, marching competitions, and other special events.
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is the top performing concert band at NCHS. Students are required to maintain the highest level of musicianship and bandsmanship at all times. This band performs college level literature and will compete in UIL concert and sight-reading. Students are required to attend all sectionals and rehearsals as designated outside the regular class time. Students are required to audition for the All-State band process, beginning with All-Region, and participate in the Solo and Ensemble competitions. Members of the Wind Ensemble are the most serious musicians in the band and they are expected to participate in the private lesson program and have a high-quality musical instrument. This ensemble is comprised of students in grades 9-12.
Honors Band
The Honors Band is the 2nd performing concert band at NCHS. Students are required to maintain the highest level of musicianship and bandsmanship at all times. This band performs advanced high school literature and will compete in UIL concert and sight-reading. Students are required to attend all sectionals and rehearsals as designated outside regular class time. They are strongly encouraged to audition for the All-State band process, beginning with All-Region, and participate in the Solo and Ensemble competitions. Members of the Honors Band are developing for participation in the Wind Ensemble. They are expected to participate in the private lesson program and have a high-quality instrument. This ensemble is comprised of students in grades 9-12.
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band is the 3rd level concert band at NCHS. This band performs upper level high school literature and will compete in UIL concert and sight-reading. Students are required to maintain the highest level of musicianship and bandsmanship at all times. Students are required to attend all sectionals and rehearsals as designated outside regular class time. They are encouraged to audition for the All-State band process, beginning with All-Region, and participate in the Solo and Ensemble competitions. Members of the Symphonic Band are encouraged to participate in the private lesson program and have a high-quality instrument, thus preparing them for membership in the Wind Ensemble.
Concert Band
The Concert Band is the 4th level concert band at NCHS. This band performs high school level literature and will compete in concert festival each year. Students are required to maintain the highest level of musicianship and bandsmanship at all times. Students are required to attend all sectionals and rehearsals as designated outside regular class time. They are encouraged to participate in the Solo and Ensemble competitions. Members of the Concert Band are encouraged to participate in the private lesson program and have a high-quality instrument, thus preparing them for membership in a higher ensemble.
Panther Jazz
The Jazz band is a class which meets every day. Membership is by audition and approval of the directors. A student must be a member of one of the performing groups at NCHS in order to be in Jazz Band. The only exceptions would be for piano, bass, guitar, or vocals. Students are encouraged to participate in All-Region Jazz. This group will be comprised of students in grades 9-12.
Basketball Band
The Basketball Band is a small group of students that perform at most of the home basketball games for the girls' and boys' teams. Per UIL regulations, this group is limited to a certain number of students.
Percussion Studio
NCHS Percussion students participate in many aspects of the program. In the Fall, they participate in marching band, and in the Spring they will participate in one of the 4 concert bands. Also in the Spring, students will be required to participate in either Indoor Drumline or Solo and Ensemble.
Sapphire Color Guard
The Sapphire Guard is the flag, rifle, and auxiliary dance group that performs as part of the Mighty Panther Marching band. In the second semester, the color guard will participate in several winter guard competitions. The students in the color guard may also play an instrument in a wind band class, but are not required to be instrumentalists. Students are required to maintain the highest level of performance and bandsmanship at all times.