The Band Department at Naperville Central High School is under the direction of Band Directors D.J. Alstadt and Brandon Estes.

There are three curricular (performance) bands: Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and Symphonic Band.  Also offered are non-performance classes, including Music Theory I, AP Music Theory and Music Production classes.

In addition, NCHS has an extensive extra-curricular program consisting of marching band (Marching Redhawks), pep band, three jazz ensembles (Jazz Studio Orchestra, Jazz Band, Jazz Lab), chamber ensembles, and our District 203 Steel Pan Bands. Naperville Central’s Band Program truly has something for everyone!

As one of the few areas remaining in which the imaginative, creative approach to self-expression is fostered, the fine arts – especially music – have an important role to play in the education of our students. The focus of the NCHS music program is performance – the making of music – although the emphasis on performance is not necessarily to be translated as public performance only.

Performance occurs in the classroom as well as in a staged setting. A performance philosophy means that we, as music educators, feel that a student learns most about music while handling its materials. The ability to effectively communicate a musical expression, musical picture or musical sensation to a listener’s ear is the goal of musical performance.

Learn more about the NCHS Fine Arts Department.