Joining the instrumental music program at ACHS:
Step one: Attend one of the many ACHS Open House events. These are held in the fall and winter and give parents and students the opportunity to see the school, meet current students and faculty, view academic offerings and see the activities. Stop by the band booth!
Step Two: At the band booth, sign up. Representatives of the ACHS Band Parents Association regularly work the open house booth. Their goal is to provide you with a solid understanding of the instrumental music program.
Step Three: Attend any of the music events in the fall, winter or spring. This could be a home football game, the Christmas concert, either the fall or spring musical production or the spring concert. At any of these events, you will get a first hand look at the dedication and focus of the students.
Step Four: You have decided on ACHS, register and complete all paperwork. In your paperwork packet you will be asked if your son or daughter is going to participate in band. Choose yes and your student will be enrolled in the 8th period instrumental music class.
Step Five: Stay in touch. Marching band rehearsals start in June, one night a week. There is a two week marching band camp the last two weeks of August. Dates and time are to be announced and occasionally change. The band director and/or the members of the Band Parents Association will be contacting you in the spring and there are multiple web sites from which you can get information.
ACHS website: www.jcarroll.org
ACHS Instrumental Program website: http://mrfreda.tripod.com
Band Parent website: www.freewebs.com/achsbandparents.com
Basic information regarding the instrumental music program at ACHS:
Band Director: Mr Rick Freda
Band Fee: $500 per student, per year for any student participating in 8th period band and/or marching band or color guard. Some of the items covered in this fee:
Lessons-group and individual
Transporation
Drum Line, Color Guard, additional administrative and instructional staff
Meals at Band Camp
Instrument repair
Uniform: All marching band participants will be issued a uniform. It will need to be dry-cleaned and altered once assigned to your student.
Rehearsals: Marching band rehearsals start in June and run 1 night a week all summer. Emphasis is spent on learning the music for the upcoming show. There is a two week marching band camp the last two weeks of August. This is when the basics of the show are worked out. The camp runs 4 days per week,
Fall Season: There are approximately 4-5 football games, all at home, at Radnor Field, which the band attends. These usually fall on Friday night or Saturday. In addition there are 4 competitions scheduled each year, culminating in the Cavalcade of Band finals in
Attendance: It is important for all students that sign up for marching band commit to the schedule of rehearsals, games and competitions. In competition, a band will lose points for missing performers. Any absences need to be cleared through the band director.
8th period music class: This class is held at the end of each school day. Participation in band exempts the students from the physical education requirement. Instrumental music class becomes an honors level course for students in their junior and senior year. The 8th period class focuses on upcoming concerts and participation in school events.
Parent Participation: There are many opportunities for the parents to support the instrumental music activities at ACHS.
The following is a partial list:
Concession Stand
Fund Raising
Road Crew
Bake Table or 50/50
Uniform Maintenance
Travel Parents
Band Parents Association
Open House Recruiting
The instrumental music program relies heavily on the participation of parents for almost all events.
Addtional Activities: Students can partcipate in the Pit Orchestra, backing up the fall and spring musical production(ACTS). In addtion students can try out for all Catholic Band and all Catholic Jazz Band.
Lessons: Students will receive a weekly lesson, sometimes indivual, sometimes in a group, throughout the school year.
Grades: Mr. Freda covers grading at "Back to School" night in the fall of each school year.
Benefits of participating in the ACHS Instrumental music program:
· Ability to continue on a particular instrument or learn new
· Represent/support ACHS in a positive and highly visible manner
· Make new friends
· Grow as a student leader by becoming a section leader or drum major
· Honors level course in Junior and Senior year
· Participate in Patriot football games and pep rallies
· Participate in All Catholic ensembles
· Highly regarded activity when applying to college
· Play every day!