Bexley High School

Awards

• Bexley High School again achieved an "A" rating from the Ohio Department of Education for the 2013-2014 school year, meeting indicators based on test scores, attendance and graduation rate.^[10]

Athletic Director

BHS hired Bexley native Eli Goldberger as AD in 2016.

Football program

In 2016 the program earned its first home playoff game and first playoff win and went 11-1. The program also earned a playoff spot in the 2008, 2013, 2014, and 2015 seasons, all under Coach John Smith.

After the 2016 season Coach Smith resigned, citing the need to spend more time with his family. As his replacement, Nathan Castorena took over the Lions.

Volleyball Program

After setting a school record for wins in the 2007 season, going 25-2, and ending the season as Regional runners-up, Bexley has had few successful seasons since. Reasons for this include lack of a consistent coaching staff, and a competitive league. Bexley has continued to improve over the past few years and expects to do well in the near future.

Soccer program

Both the Men's and Women's soccer programs are outstanding, and are widely known around the state and region. Between the men and the women they have combined for 12 State Final Fours since 1999.

The men's team has won two state championships in its history (2003 and 2005) and have had multiple Final Four and Regional Final finishes. They have also had a flurry of All District, All State, and two All-Americans selection (Daniel Broidy '08 and Jacob Hodge '12). The Men's program won their league championship for 15 straight seasons, until the streak was snapped in 2008. The team was formerly coached by former Bexley player and OWU graduate Greg Kullman and is currently coached by Brian Stoddard.

The women have been one of the most consistent teams, regardless of sport (in the state) since coach Scott Dempsey took over. They were state finalists in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, State Runners-up in 1999, and State Champions in 2009 (although they were defeated in the championship game, the opposing team was playing with an ineligible player, forcing them to forfeit the championship). The Women have also had multiple All District, All State, and All American recipients. The team is currently coached by Ryan Leven.

Wrestling program

The wrestling program has had individual success throughout the school's history. There have been numerous state qualifiers, 10 state placers and 1 state champion to come out of the program. As a team there has not been a whole lot of success until recently when they earned a Mid-State League Title in 2017 for first time since 1998. A team dual record of 17-2 was also set in 2017 breaking the previous season record of 16-3. The program currently has successful youth and junior high teams as well. The head wrestling coach of the program is Chris Bragg. He was the 2017 MSL-Ohio coach of the year and 2017 Division 2 District Coach of the year.

Rivals

Bexley's rival is the Columbus Academy Vikings. This rivalry stems from Columbus Academy being just two miles from Bexley High School before Academy's move to Gahanna, Ohio. Other rivals of Bexley include the Grandview Heights Bobcats, the Bishop Hartley Hawks, the Whitehall-Yearling High School Rams and the St. Charles Cardinals.

Choral Program

The Choral program at Bexley High School has been extremely successful for the past decade. The Choral department is broken up into 4 distinct choirs. All four choirs are directed by Amy Johnston Blosser and accompanied by Matt Ebright.

Men's/Women's Glee

Men's and Women's Glee are entry level choirs of the four. Emphasis is on healthy tone production and developing the voice. Membership in this group will interest those seeking exposure to vocal works. Musical selection will consist of SA/TB and SSA/TBB music, all of which will cover a wide variety of styles and genres. Students may compete in OMEA contests and perform outside of school. Students will be exposed to the elements of music theory, sight singing training, and vocal pedagogy. Course work emphasizes vocal and written tests in addition to daily rehearsals.

Women's Chorale

An all women's choir, Women's Chorale is one of the two elite choirs in Bexley High School. There are students who participate in both the Vocal Ensemble, and Women's Chorale. Women's Chorale has performed very well recently at the OMEA District and State competitions in the class A category, most recently receiving a "Superior" rating, the highest rating. Chorale performs a wide variety of music at various performances around the city. They have shared performances with the Capital University Women’s Chorus, The Ohio University Women’s Chorus, and The Ohio State University Women’s Glee Club. In recent years Women’s Chorale has toured to Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Pittsburghand as performed as the "Snow Chorus" with Ballet Met for "The Nutcracker".

Vocal Ensemble

The most prestigious choir in the Bexley High School choral program, it is the goal of most members of the choral program to make it into Vocal Ensemble. The 40 members are chosen through a competitive audition in spring of the previous year. Vocal Ensemble performs a wide variety of music at various performances around the city. They participate in the Ohio Music Educators Association District and State Large Group Contest, consistently receiving Superior ratings. Since 2005, they have received straight Superior ratings in Class AA.

Many members study private voice and are active in other musical groups both in school and the community. Since 2004, members have consistently excelled academically, with 90% having a 3.0 GPA or higher. In the 2013-2014 school year, 90% of members had a 3.5 GPA or higher, and two members were National Merit Semi-Finalists.

Vocal Ensemble has shared performances with ensembles from The Ohio State University, Capital University, Ohio University and Baldwin Wallace University. They also performed with the Galron Choir from Israel in 2004. Vocal Ensemble members have worked with many conductors including Eric W. Barnum, David Childs, Christopher Cock, Rollo Dilworth, John Goldsmith, Robert Harris, Ronald Jenkins, James Mulholland, Clayton Parr, Raymond Wise, Jeffrey Redding, Robert Ward and Hilary Apfelstadt.

Since 2003, Vocal Ensemble has toured throughout the United States and Canada including major cities such as New York, Toronto, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Vocal Ensemble was invited to perform at the OCDA Summer Conference in 2007, 2009 and 2011 as well as the OMEA Professional Conference in 2009, 2011 and 2013. They performed for the ACDA Central Division Conference held in Fort Wayne, Indiana in March 2012. In 2006, the ensemble performed for audiences in San Marco’s Basilica in Venice, St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna and St. Nicholas Church in Prague, as well as many additional impromptu performances. In June 2009, Vocal Ensemble returned to Europe, performing in Haydn Hall in Vienna, St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest and Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Kraków. April 2010 took them to New York City as they were invited to perform in Carnegie Hall and they returned to Europe in June 2012 for a performance tour of London and Paris.

Men's Chorus

This extracurricular group is made up of men from the Vocal Ensemble, Symphonic Choir and Men's Glee. They sing at school functions and some community events as well. They rehearse at the school during lunch and do not receive high school academic credit for participation in the group.

Marching Band

BHS Marching Band at July 4th Parade, 2008

High School Band consists of three separate fields of study starting with the Marching Band during the football season. Students will learn to play various styles of music including rock, pop, funk, and blues while learning to march and play at the same time. Marching Band is a Co-Curricular Board of Education supported class, which follows district policies and students receive a grade for the class. The marching band is also featured in Bexley's 4th of July Parade and Veteran's Day Parade in Downtown Columbus. The band has also performed in Orlando, FL for the Disney Parade.

Concert Band

BHS Concert Band at their December 2007 concert.

Concert Band begins at the conclusion of the football season. Students will learn to play various styles of music and instruments that are not available for Marching Band. Concerts are graded performances, including OMEA Contests, and opportunities for OMEA Solo and Ensemble. The Concert Band is a Co-Curricular, Board of Education supported class where students receive a grade and credit for participation. Students must have participated in the Marching Season or have special permission from the Director to be eligible for participation in the Concert Band.

Pep Band

Pep Band is a rewarding, low stress opportunity to perform for men's and women's home varsity basketball games. Students perform various styles of music including rock, pop, funk, and jazz. Pep Band is considered an extension of the Marching Band, and performances and attendance are graded.

Jazz Band

BHS Jazz Band with their director Andrew Johnson on trumpet.

Jazz Band meets in the evenings on a volunteer basis. The Jazz Band performs in the evenings, usually on the same evenings as the Concert Band. Musicians learn to play and listen to various jazz styles and performers. No experience is necessary to join and most instruments are accepted.

Concert Orchestra

The Bexley Concert Orchestra is a high school entry level group. This ensemble concentrates on building the necessary technical skills for an advanced performance level. The class meets daily and is assessed quarterly. Playing tests, class participation, class preparation, home practice and concert attendance are all assessment criteria. Membership is open to all high school students who play stringed instruments. Bexley Concert Orchestra members are encouraged to participate in OMEA solo and ensemble contest and participate in OMEA large group orchestra state contest as an ensemble. Attendance at all performances is required.

Bexley Sinfonia

Bexley Sinfonia is the highest level performance group in the orchestra program. The ensemble performs complex and difficult orchestral literature. The class meets daily and is assessed quarterly. Playing tests, class participation, class preparation, home practice and concert attendance are all assessment criteria. Membership is selective and based upon student audition. Music selection will cover a wide variety of styles. Bexley Sinfonia members are encouraged to participate in OMEA solo and ensemble contest and perform at OMEA large group orchestra state contest. They are also members of the Bexley Full Orchestra. This class requires occasional rehearsals outside of the school day. Two unexcused absences from performances may result in dismissal from the group. Attendance at all performances is required.