The Needham B. Broughton High School Band of Raleigh is the oldest high school band in the Wake County Public School System. Formed in 1929 when Broughton opened its doors for the first time, the band has continued to lead the way in musical excellence throughout North Carolina and the southeast. As the school and city has grown, so has the band, leading the way into the next century. 

The marching band is a competitive group of 165 students who perform regularly at home football games and also at marching competitions during the fall football season. Dating back to 1946, they are the only group that has performed in each of the Raleigh Christmas Parades. Other highlights of their performances have included performances for Presidents Barrack Obama (2009), George H. W. Bush (1989), Ronald Reagan (1984) and various dignitaries from North Carolina. Also they have performed in the 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, the 2004 and 2000 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City, New York, and the 1993 and 1990 King Orange Bowl Parade in Miami, Florida.
 
The concert band and symphonic wind ensemble allow students to study classical band literature and to compete yearly in the North Carolina State Band Festival. Needham B. Broughton will continually perform the hardest literature available, thus forcing their band students to always perform to the top of their ability. In 1987, the wind ensemble was named the Grand Champion of the Festival of States National Concert Festival in St. Petersburg, Florida.  In 2001, the band received the Gold Medal at the prestigious World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Holland and performed at the American July 4th Celebration in Geneva, Switzerland.
 
Needham B. Broughton is the only school in Wake County that offers two jazz ensembles. Both groups are a select group of the best musicians who wish to perform the sounds of the “Big Bands” and today’s jazz literature. Composed of 19 students in each groups, these groups study all varieties of the jazz medium. Performances occur throughout North Carolina and Virginia and for organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the North Carolina Museum of Science, and the North Carolina Bar Association.
 
Band members are very heavily involved with other Broughton activities. Over 20% of the band are also athletes and represent Broughton on various athletic teams.  Also 30% of the students are members of the National Honor Society and maintain some of the highest grade point averages in the entire school. It is not unusual for 7-10 band members to earn their Eagle Scout Award each year. Also, Broughton is the only school in the Wake County School System that requires all students to complete 25 hours of community service per school year. In their four years of attending Broughton, band members traditionally “volunteer” well over the 100 total hours required for graduation.
 
The total band program is quite unique as it gives students many musical opportunities. Because of the high standards that are expected from all participants, the program is second to none. “EXCELLENCE IS OUR STANDARD……NOT OUR GOAL” is the band motto and through the years that goal continues to set the standards for the programs of the future.