Welcome Future Raiders!
We are excited to welcome you as a member of this incredible program!
Beyond the superior instruction and the camaraderie of band and guard mates, you will develop your musical skills and have opportunities to compete and perform with one of the best bands, nationally and internationally!
The Alpharetta Bands include the Raider Marching Band, Concert Ensembles, Jazz Band, Winter Guards, and Indoor Percussion Ensemble.
Making summer plans? Be sure to check out the "calendar" section below.
If you have not done so already, check out our "About Us" page linked below!
Raider Marching Band
Join the Raider Marching Band & Color Guard! *The largest organization at Alpharetta
*100+ friends on the first day of school
*Our students make great grades
*Raider Band is a nationally-ranked program
*Out of state and international trips
*Financial Assistance Fund
*Arts matter more than ever on college applications
*Marching band is FUN!
Color Guard/Winter Guard
Concert Ensembles
Courses Offered:
Wind Ensemble
Symphonic Band I
Symphonic Band II
Anchor Time Jazz Band
Intermediate Percussion Class
Advanced Percussion Class
Mastery Percussion Class
*** All Class Bands require AHS Director approval and are seated by audition
Coming Soon!
How do Marching Band students stay academically competitive?
The Raider Band makes up a massive percentage of all AP/IB students. The organization provides regular time and attention for students to maintain great academic standing, and the advantage of being in this program is that you have students that have experience in all parts of the academic portions of our school. Our passing rate during marching season (busiest time of year) is well over 90%. We have student to student tutorials, and band study days throughout the season.
How many hours does Marching Band practice?
The Raider Band follows the same standards and guidelines as all activities on campus, including all sports, fine arts organizations, and clubs. We limit practice to 7-hours a week, but sometimes don’t even do that much. Marching band is all after school, and you’ll never be asked to rehearse before school with our organization during the fall.
When do Marching Band students do homework?
Students have all but Tuesday and Friday evenings to do homework. We only have activities on 4 Saturdays in the 4 months our season runs, and students have all of Tuesday afternoon prior to rehearsal to complete any homework!
Its not uncommon to see students collaborating before Tuesday rehearsals to help each other get their homework completed!
Band fees are too expensive, we cant afford it
There are fees associated to band, which covers the cost of travel, food for all events, extra staff members and clinicians, as well as your uniform parts and enhancements. However, the band has payment plans and we can offer you opportunities as a shift leads at Ameris to reduce your studetns dues. No child should choose to not be a part of this because of finances, we ALWAYS find a way to help families and make it work!
If my child wants to do color guard, are they a part of the band?
YES!
While Color Guard students are not required to be in a band class, they are absolutely an important part of the AHS Band Program!
Who is a part of the Marching Band?
Everyone is a part of the program and participates fully! Everyone automatically gets a spot on the field, participates at every football game and every competition.
Im a double reed player (Bassoon/Oboe), what instrument do I play in Marching Band?
All double reed students get to pick what instrument they want to play during marching season. We ask that you reach out to us for advice, and talk to your lesson teachers for their opinion. We tend to encourage those students to play saxophone, baritone, or color guard, as those instruments are the easiest transfer for those students and where most of our double reed students participate.
What kind of academic credit do I get for Marching Band?
All students receive PE credit for marching band. So you’ll never have to take another PE course for the rest of your high school career!
LET’S DISPEL SOME MYTHS AND RUMORS ABOUT BAND!!!
The Raider Band Practices too much and I don’t have enough time…
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The Raider Band follows the same standards and guidelines as all activities on campus, including all sports, fine arts organizations, and clubs. We are limited to 7-hours a week, but don’t even do that. Marching band is all after school, and you’ll never be asked to rehearse before school with our organization during the fall.
I’m in IB/AP classes and it’s not going to give me enough time…
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The Raider Band makes up a large portion of all AP/IB students. The organization provides regular time and attention for students to maintain great academic standing, and the advantage of being in this program is that you have students that have experience in all parts of the academic portions of our school. Our passing rate during marching season (busiest time of year) is well over 90%. We have student to student tutorials, teacher tutorials, and band study days. The directors are always willing to compromise with great communication!
Marching band is WAY too hard, there’s no way I can do it…
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WRONG! Just like anything, marching band will be new, but we go VERY slow in the beginning to make sure all freshmen and rookies are on the same page as the other students. It’s a long process, but the staff and student leaders are excellent teachers. Every single person in the program was once brand new! We vary the experience to the students’ ability level. You’ll be great!
Marching band takes up every weekend in the fall…
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WRONG! We do 4 performers on Saturday’s from mid-September through early November. All students are required to attend Friday night football games during the fall, but other than those responsibilities, that is it!
I want to join other clubs/organizations/athletics so I can’t do band…
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WRONG! Band works with every single activity on campus besides Varsity Football, Varsity Volleyball, and Varsity Football Cheer. Lucky for you, none of those organizations have freshmen in them their first year. So contact Mr. Manson or Mr. Kaufman so we can work with your schedule and get you into the classes you want! Everything is possible with some communication!
#MoreThanMarching
