Dear rising 9^th grade student / parent:

Leaving middle school and starting high school can be one of the most fun times of your life – and one of the scariest. While it’s great to have completed your first 8 years of school, you leave behind some old friends and have the opportunity to create new friendships. The next four years of high school will most likely determine the college you attend and perhaps, the career path you choose.  For me, it is personal, because my 4 years of high school did affect the college I chose, as well as the course of the last 29 years of my life! So why is this important for you….now?

What you do to establish a solid work ethic from this point forward could be the most important thing you do.  Being a member of the Alpharetta Band not only teaches you a deeper appreciation of music, but more important, it teaches that achievement is a process, not an event.  Being a member of the Band puts students in a unique position that requires them to all work together to achieve a common goal.  Each rehearsal becomes part of the journey; each performance - evidence that the journey has purpose.

Marching Band takes journey to the next level.  Today, more than ever before we are faced with the real possibility of the elimination of our music programs around the country.  Marching Band is the visible evidence and marketing device for music education.  Through half time shows, parades, and band competitions we touch our community and allow them to experience a little of what band brings each and every student. Marching band teaches team spirit; students must learn to work with a diverse body of students to achieve a common goal.  No place else on a high school campus does EVERY STUDENT on the 100+ member team get to be first string, where every member of the team band must complete their task with a high degree of success for the team band to be successful (have a great performance).

So let’s get back to the idea of developing work ethic.  If you are required to practice to learn your part because without your part the other parts are wrong, and if you are required to be in the right place at the right time because the person on your right and left are depending on you for them to be right, then you will come to the realization that the same is true of everyone else.  Their success depends on your success….and your success depends on the success of others! 

Tuesday April 22, 2008 is the day you get to register for Band.  Please mark your calendars and plan to register on this day.  ALL current and future Alpharetta Band students are required to report to the Alpharetta High School band room between 5 and 7pm (it is a drop by). PARENTS: we design our half time show based on the number of registered band members and write a specific spot for every registered member…we cannot add students later.  Registration involves collecting medical and liability forms, and of course, paying required participation fees. The average band student pays about $800.00 per year to be in band (some schools much more, some less); Colorguard and new band members will pay slightly more the first year as you must purchase some things for the first time (i.e. guard uniform, concert dresses, marching shoes, show silks, etc). This once-a-year fee covers but is not limited to: a one-week Marching Band (MB) camp (includes motor coach transportation, instruction, meals, room, board, and a great time!); MB uniform cleaning fees (we clean about 7 times a season); tuxedo rental / concert dress purchase; pre-game meals for 10 home games and 2 competitions;  band spirit wear; Winter Band Camp (covers a staff of instructors, guest conductor, and meals for a weekend); local transportation to performance evaluations; festival entry fees; additional instruction during each semester. You must pay fees at registration; payment can be split into two equal payments if you prefer.

This is a lot of money (I pay this for my own son to be in band too!). But for comparison only, one cheerleading uniform costs about $300.00 (most girls have at least two uniforms), plus $100.00 for tryouts and $75.00 per month for a 3-month season (almost $600.00) – for the average 6^th grade cheerleader!  So we think Band is truly one of the BEST bargains on the AHS campus!  We look forward to meeting you on April 22, 2008. 

Shane’s Night out! - Dine at Shane’s BBQ once-a-month on our designated night and our Band earns 10% of the total sales - begins in September

SCRIP - A year-round fundraiser that is win-win for you and Band: download order forms; email Chris House with questions.

Have you checked your “individual student account” lately? Your ISA can help you with many of the regular band expenses that occur during the year. Look at the very last column to the right. You must email, call, or see Mr.Walsh for the password to view the accounts! If you have questions about your balance, please email Shelley Shaffer.

Parents: Not receiving band emails? Please email Judy Gardner at gard7026@bellsouth.net so that you can be added to the email distribution list!