Alpharetta High School

What does the typical away-game day look like?  Class is out at 3:45; begin rehearsal in stadium at 4:10pm; dinner in cafateria around 4:50pm (we feed all marching band members); dress into uniform  / load truck betweeen 5 and 5:30pm, load buses at 5:50pm; 6:50pm unload truck, line up to march into stadium; 7:20pm in seats, 7:30pm Kickoff; 11:15pm (or end of game) arrive back at AHS; unload truck, get uniforms off and back on hangers.  In general we’re usually done by 11:30-11:45pm, depending on the drive home.

Hey Parents, want to travel with us and work with the band?  Please email Julie Eskridge, our chaperone chair for football games.  We’re always looking for new “recruits!”

What does the typical home-game day look like?  Class is out at 3:45; begin rehearsal in stadium at 4:10pm; dinner in cafateria at 5:15pm (we feed all marching band members); dress into uniform at 6pm, warm up, run through National Anthem with percussion; 6:45pm line up to march into stadium; 7:20pm, National Anthem; 7:30pm Raider Football; 10:00pm (or end of game) uniforms off and back on hangers. 

What you need on game day:  marching shoes, black socks, GREY BAND SHIRT, cotton band shorts, instrument, flip folder and lyre.

Away-game schedule is similiar, except dinner is earlier and we get back to school usually around 11:00pm.

Got questions?  Please email the Band Director. As always, please come out and support your band member by enjoying the halftime show.  The band is doing a great job and your band member will appreciate seeing you - they are working hard!

Parents, beginning this year you must be “certified” to volunteer as a parent chaperone at any off campus band events.  In addition, if it is an overnight event you must have a background check on file with FCS.  In accordance with FCS policy, please download and complete the “volunteer registration form.”  You can return completed forms to the band office.

Have questions about chaperoning?  Please email Booster President Judy Gardner.  We definitely want you involved!

The Website calendar is “evolving” daily.  Please be sure you check it often for changes and updates.
Wind Ensemble please be VERY AWARE of your December / January rehearsal schedule - much heavier than usual due to the early performance at UGA. Plan now so you can be prepared when the time arrives.  We know what it is going to take, so let’s make it GREAT!!

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  Our Tuesday schedule during the school year has been changed.  The new Tuesday practice schedule will be from 6:30 - 9:00pm, in the stadium.  This will allow students to go home after school, get homework done, and eat dinner prior to rehearsal.  It also gives us a much better field to work on (the practice field is in very bad shape) and allows us to take advantage of the cooler evening temperatures and clean lines.  While it may be tempting, PLEASE do not fill the extra time slot with another activity; the idea is that homework gets done and you eat dinner prior to practice.  Please write this down and make this change to your schedule NOW so we can adjust to it beginning the first week of school.  The Thursday schedule remains the same, 4:10-7pm.

Hey, want to make some easy money for your ISA?  We need your help. Select your date below and contact Verizon Chairperson Michelle Zurca to volunteer.

Orders are now being taken for 2010 AHS Raider Band spirit wear.  In order to insure arrival prior to the first football game, the DEADLINE FOR ORDERS is Friday August 13, 2010.  All orders after this date cannot be guaranteed by the first game.

Please DOWNLOAD the order form and follow simple instructions.  Questions?  Contact Brigitte Garrett or call her at 770-521-8664.  Support YOUR Band Program by showing your support with Raider Band Spirit Wear!

Interested in seeing the final product and how your part fits in?  Go to the bottom of the MB Music page and click on the set you want to view.  These are private youtube links that you cannot find from the youtube site.  Enjoy!

The AHS Wind Ensemble has been selected to perform at the University of Georgia’s 2011 January Band Festival (aka “Jan Fest“)!  We will be performing the Friday afternoon concert at the University of Georgia’s School of Music on January 21, 2011.  More details will follow.

WIND ENSEMBLE - here is your new summer motivation! This performance is in front of about 1000 students and directors from across the state.

What a great honor - congrats to the Wind Ensemble!!!

Parents:  We know High School Band can be expensive; nothing good is cheap.  One of the ways our Program helps you offset this expense is by offering fundraising opportunities.  We have some parents and students who have NEVER paid out of pocket for band expenses; they earn it all through fundraising!  Your participation can earn dollars towards your student’s Individual Student Account (aka I.S.A.). 

So, here is the deal: Our AHS Band Boosters (which you are part of if you have a child in the band program) run a large food and beverage concession at Verizon Ampitheater all summer.  When you work an event you earn hours that are converted to dollars at the end of the concert season and deposited into your ISA, which can then be used for band-related expenses, including registration fees and major travel.  These dollars do carry over from year to year.  The concession booth requires 20 people (mostly adults) to run this concession, and it is usually tough to get a spot since many parents sign up for multiple events.

WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU NOW!!  On July 3 and 4 there are evening concerts.  Please contact Michelle Zurca either by email or phone (770.346.0621) and get signed up.  Michelle is our volunteer coordinator and point person for Verizon. Even if you have never done this before, Michelle can walk you through what you will need to do to start earning money.  AND - it is actually fun.  SO - easy money for ISA, meet new folks, and MAKE MONEY rather than spend money on the weekend of July 4th.  Space is limited - CONTACT Michelle NOW!