The Glenbrook North “Spartan” Concert Bands consist of 140 students in three curricular bands, including the Freshman Band, Symphonic Band, and Symphonic Wind Ensemble.  The concert bands perform at three formal concerts a year, the fall, winter, and spring band concerts; the combined band, orchestra, and choir Winter Concert; and a culminating informal “Concert in the Park” outdoors concert at the Village Green in downtown Northbrook. This concert features all curricular concert bands, choirs and the Jazz Ensemble.  The Symphonic Wind Ensemble also regularly participates in the IHSA State Organizational Concert Band Contest, and this year was selected as a finalist in the Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival at the University of Illinois.  In addition, selected concert band members comprise the wind and percussion sections of the Glenbrook North Symphony Orchestra (GBNSO), as well as the Glenbrook Symphony Orchestra (GSO, district orchestra).  All students who play traditional concert band instruments are welcome to play!

Members of the GBN concert bands also qualify to play in many co-curricular and extra-curricular ensembles such as the Jazz Bands, Marching Band, Pep Band, Chamber Ensembles, and the Variety Show and district Musical Pit Orchestras.  Band members may also participate in many off-campus ensembles, such as the Illinois Music Educators Association District Seven  and All-State and All-State Honors Band or Orchestra, and the North Shore 9/10  and 11/12 Honor Bands.  In addition, students may also take advantage of GBN’s chamber groups such as the “Northwind” woodwind quintet, and “Spartan Brass” Brass Quintet.

The band program at Glenbrook North has a long tradition of musical excellence.  Students are offered a comprehensive list of musical activities throughout the year.  Students can participate in three levels of concert bands, two levels of jazz band, a competitive marching band, basketball pep band, woodwind quintet,  brass quintet and pit orchestra.

The GBN Symphonic Wind Ensemble has consistently earned Superior ratings at the IHSA Concert Band Festival and, in the spring of 2015 was selected to participate in the Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival at the University of Illinois.  The GBN bands have traveled extensively over the years representing both GBN and the state of Illinois in such places as Rome, London, Scotland, Ireland, and Norway.