Sponsors: Amber Nichols and Ellen Filkins

Band is a co-curricular club, meaning students meet as a class during the school day but also practice and perform outside of school. The PCHS Band competes in three to four competitions in the fall, the most popular being Drums at Appletime. The band also hosts its own competition during Mardi Gras. After marching season comes to a close, the band transitions into learning Christmas music and performs a holiday concert for the entire student body. Following Christmas break, the band prepares two more concerts before the school year ends: the Winter Concert in February, which features music from a variety of people and genres, and the Spring Concert in May, where the most challenging pieces are performed and taken to competition. Individually, students also participate in honor bands such as ILMEA, River to River, Heartland Honor Band, Solo and Ensemble Contest, and more.

PCHS Band students travel every other year and have opportunities to travel more often with other groups. PCHS Band most recently went to Europe in 2025, New Orleans in 2024 , Europe in 2023, Puerto Rico in 2022, New York City in 2018, and Disney World in 2016. Students go all around the world to play at different places. Culture is pushed by directors to the students so they can learn about where they are. This also gives the students the ability to share our culture around the world through the way of music.

PCHS Band is looking to go to yet another Drums at Appletime competition in Murphysboro. This year the band's show is called "Postcards from Paris" Featuring songs by famous french artists Daft Punk, and Pharrell Williams.

Mrs. Nichols is the first female band director that PCHS has ever had. She prides herself in choosing music that is written by underrepresented composers such as Cait Nishmiura, Omar Thomas, and Kevin Day.

Band is a special class in which the students have Mrs. Nichols from 5th through 12th grade. Mrs. Nichols has put in so much work for the band to play music they not only enjoy but music that can inspire young kids to step their foot into the music environment. Band feels like a community where everyone is allowed to express themselves freely unlike any other.

The PCHS Jazz Band features many students that perform very well in band and want to take their skills to the next level. The PCHS Jazz Band has been very active these past years with many performances all around the state. Pinckneyville Jazz Band has performed various pieces that get the crowd rolling. This last year the Jazz Band played famous Metallica song Enter sandman during their Spring concert. Another famous piece they performed was Jingle Freaking Bells which was an arrangement of the classic Christmas song Jingle bells. The song had a "Punk Rock" take on the classic with a raw/energetic sound. The PCHS Jazz Band Bari Saxophone player Gavin Helton was asked to play a solo for the unique arrangement in which he responded with a energetic, "Heckin' Yeah." The Jazz Band is planning on performing for this year's variety show with a classic Disco song from the 70's.