Be a part of the legacy!
Welcome Future Raiders!
Your 8th Grade year rings in a significant milestone in your life as you begin preparing to transition to Alpharetta High School. Our goal is to ease your transition and provide all the pertinent information you would need to continue your course of study in Music. The Alpharetta High School Band is a thriving program servicing 4 Concert Bands, a Jazz Band, Marching Band, Winter Guards, and a WGI Indoor Percussion Team. We are excited to welcome you into our Raider Band family and hope the information provided will assist you as you begin preparing for your registration process.
Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any questions throughout the transition process.
Todd Manson,
Director of Bands - Mansont1@fultonschools.org
Jared Kaufman,
Associate Director of Bands - Kaufmanj@fultonschools.org
Raider Band “Middle School Night” Presentation
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, locally and nationally!
The Bands of Alpharetta include the Raider Marching Band, Concert Ensembles, Jazz Band, Winter Guards, and Indoor Percussion Ensemble.
Alpharetta Band Course Offerings
Raider Marching Band
*Marching season is July-October
*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 Opportunities
*Arts matter more than ever on college applications
*Marching band is FUN!
Band Classes (concert bands)
Courses Offered:
Mastery Band
Advanced Band
Intermediate Band I
Intermediate Band II
Anchor Time Jazz Band (5th Period)
Intermediate Percussion Class
Advanced Percussion Class
Mastery Percussion Class
*** All Class Bands require AHS Director approval and are seated by audition
Color Guard/Winter Guard
The Color Guard program performs with the marching band throughout the fall and additionally puts on a winter guard show in the months of December-March.
RISING 9th GRADER enrollment guide (scroll down)
All 9th graders are recommended by default for INT Band or 8th Period Perc. Once class placement auditions are completed, students will be placed in their band classes and their correct class should be reflected on their spring course confirmation.
Sample schedules
Below is a variety of 4-year schedules from a variety of academically successful students involved in all levels of AHS Band (many of whom also participated in marching band).
🎵Class Placement Auditions🎵
Students in the Alpharetta Band audition for band class placement each spring. Band placement auditions are an evaluation of your current level of musicianship. The placement auditions are not designed to put you in a competitive situation with your colleagues, but rather an evaluation of your ability and whatever resources you can find in the time leading to the audition. Remember, you are not auditioning to be in the Alpharetta Band. This is only a chance for the directors to hear you play and evaluate what environment you will be the most successful in for the next school year.
Auditions will occur from March 21st - April 4th. Music for the audition will comprise a prepared etude, scales, and a participatory component, all of which will be released on March 21st.
***Percussionists will be placed in classes through a separate process dependant on their level of participation.
Please see below for audition information:
Once you hit submit, your audition is complete!
Congratulations! You've submitted all required materials to complete your Alpharetta Band Class Audition!
We look forward to having you a part of the Raider Band Family!
Marching Band Spring Training Dates
All 8th grade students are invited to attend our two marching band spring training dates open to all students!
-
Spring Training Day 1: Saturday, May 3rd 9:00AM-1:00PM @ AHS
-
9:00AM-10:00AM @ AHS Auditorium Parent Meeting
-
-
Spring Training Day #2: Saturday, May 17th 9:00AM-1:00PM @ AHS
***Percussion and Colorguard students will have additional rehearsals in the spring.
Alpharetta Band Booster Association Membership toolkit registration
The next step in our registration process is the Alpharetta Band Parents Association registration in Membership Toolkit.
Every band family is required to register within Membership Toolkit. (this applies to class bands, marching bands, color guard, etc...). Be sure to follow the instructions on the landing page!
WHAT'S NEXT?
Be on the lookout from email correspondences through the Alpharetta Band Booster Association on upcoming events!
-
-
Marching Band Informational Meeting - May 3rd @ 9:00AM
-
We will host a Marching Band Information Meeting to give you all the exciting details about the 2025 season!
-
-
Alpharetta Band & Marching Band Registration - membership toolkit link coming soon!
-
This registration date is hosted by the Alpharetta Band Parents Association and allows our organization to collect all required materials, forms, initial payments, etc... for participation in the Alpharetta Band Program. More details will be communicated in the near future.
-
-
-
GET INVOLVED! We welcome all new & old families to be an integral part in your child's music education experience. Please consider the many volunteer opportunities within the Alpharetta Band Parent Association. This organization truly takes a village
-
JOIN OUR PARENT COMMUNITY HERE! (Link Coming Soon!)
-
School-owned instruments vs. personal instruments
In high school, students are highly recommended to begin "stepping" up their instruments to an intermediate/professional model. Many students "fight" their beginning 6th grade instruments in high school because of their limited capabilities. We equate your 6th grade starting instruments to a bike with training wheels, and the more advance you become, we take off these wheels to better facilitate the capabilities of the bike. This equally is essential in musical instruments. Please never hesitate to contact us when you begin this buying process.
The following instruments are supplied through the Alpharetta Band program:
-
Piccolo (selected students)
-
Bass Clarinet (students should supply their own mouthpiece, ligature, and reeds)
-
Tenor Saxophone (students should supply their own mouthpiece, ligature, and reeds)
-
Baritone Saxophone (students should supply their own mouthpiece, ligature, and reeds)
-
French Horn (students should supply their own mouthpiece)
-
Mellophone (marching instrument, mouthpiece provided)
-
Concert Baritone (students should supply their own mouthpiece)
-
Marching Baritone (marching instrument, students should supply their own mouthpiece)
-
Tuba (students should supply their own mouthpiece)
-
Sousaphone (marching instrument, students should supply their own mouthpiece)
Student Leadership Opportunities in Alpharetta Band
The Alpharetta Band offers several ways in which you will gain leadership experience! The AHS Band offers a leadership clinic in the spring in which any student is able to attend to learn effective leadership habits and skills within the Alpharetta Band and beyond.
(Progression in a multi-year program and peer leadership opportunities looks GREAT on college applications!)
Alpharetta Band Leadership Positions:
-
Drum Majors
-
Section Leaders
-
Indoor Ops Team
-
Outdoor Ops Team
-
Prop Crew
-
Truck Crew
-
Music Librarians
-
Social Media Team
TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES!
The Alpharetta Band is a well-traveled band program, using music as our vehicle to travel the world! We can't wait to continue this tradition with YOU!
Recent Trips:
Bands of America Orlando Regional & Universal Studios
Bands of America Tennessee Regional & Dollywood
Bands of America Birmingham Regional & Six Flags
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Performance
Chicago Parade of Lights
New York City Carnegie Hall Performance
Los Angeles Disney Concert Hall Performance
Winter Guard International World Championships
Approximated costs
Concert Band: $250.00
Marching Band: $1,350.00 (Concert fee included, paid in multiple installments)
AHS Indoor Percussion: $975.00 (paid in multiple installments)
Winter Guard: ~$750.00 (paid in multiple installments)
Honor ensembles opportunities
Students must be enrolled in the Alpharetta High School Band Program to participate in outside honor ensembles. We highly encourage our students to become active in the plethora of available ensembles:
-
GMEA District Honor Band
-
Fulton County Honor Band
-
GMEA All-State Band and Orchestra
-
(AYSO) Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra
-
(AYSW) Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony
-
(MAYWE) Metro-Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble
-
(MYSO) Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra
-
(GYSO) Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra
-
(EYSO) Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra
FAQ
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!
High School Band Myths Debunked
LET’S DISPEL SOME MYTHS AND RUMORS ABOUT BAND!!!
The Raider Band Practices too much and I don’t have enough time…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
WRONG! We do 4 performances on Saturdays 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…
-
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!