The Thomas Jefferson High School Marching Band is unlike anything you will ever do, and it is awesome!

The Jefferson Marching Band marches in a high-stepping style known as the “Big Ten” style of marching. It is noticeably different, more complicated, and much more exciting than the common ‘corps’ style of marching.

The JHS band also marches a new and unique halftime show for each home football game, learning a new show in 1-2 weeks of rehearsal, including memorizing all music, while many marching bands only perform one show their entire season. Go Jags!

JHS Marching Band members consist of students in 8th to 12th grade in Bloomington Public Schools. Musicians must be enrolled in the band or orchestra programs at their respective school. Signing up is easy. In the spring, information will be sent home with the kids and out to the parents. Simply fill out the form and send it to the JHS Bands.

Mid-summer, you will start receiving information on practice and performance schedules, fees, and everything else you will need to know to step off on the right foot to have fun.

Orchestra students can also be in the marching band by playing a woodwind or brass instrument, or play bells in the marching band. Orchestra students can contact Director Dan Fretland with questions.

The Thomas Jefferson High School Marching Band has been part of JHS since the fall of 1970 when the school first opened. The musical experiences of the Jefferson Bands have included three appearances at the Tournament of Roses celebration in Pasadena, California, along with appearances at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, four performances in the Fiesta Bowl Parade in Phoenix, Arizona, the Holiday Bowl Parade and Halftime Show in San Diego, California, the Outback Bowl Parade and Halftime Show in Orlando, Florida, and two performances in the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles, California. The Marching Band’s resume also includes three performances each: in the Waikiki Holiday Parade, at the USS Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, and on the deck of the USS Missouri Battleship in Hawaii.