Behind the Scenes

Our season is broken into 2 parts—summer activities and school year activities. During the summer we hold summer sectionals, Drill Camp and Music Camp. During the school year, up until Thanksgiving break, we have daily class rehearsals, Monday Sectionals, Wednesday night full ensemble rehearsals, and other special rehearsals. More details are listed below.

NEW MARCHER CAMP

2024: June 10-14 at AHS, 5-8pm each day

This introductory camp is designed for all NEW members, to give you a head-start on the Summer season.  Members will learn visual technique, music technique, and put music on the move under the guidance and leadership of our instructional staff and student leaders.  This is a great way to meet your section leaders, make new friends, and ease the transition to the AHS band program.   Email all questions to Mr. Sherrill ksherrill@ausd.net and Mr. Tom Plunkett tplunkett@ausd.net.  See you soon!

SUMMER SECTIONALS

2024: June 17 - July 19 at AHS

Throughout June and July individual sections get together 1 day a week for 2 hours and prepare for the upcoming marching season. During these sessions, section leaders lead their section mates through music and marching practice. These sectionals are the perfect time for section members to bond and especially for freshmen to get to know their new family!

SUMMER CAMP

DRILL CAMP

2024: July 29 - August 2, 9am-4pm each day

Drill Week is a time for students to learn and refine movement technique and also learn the marching drill component of the competitive field show and parade block.  This camp is held at AHS and takes place 

Marching instructors come to teach students the beginning parts of our field show. They will work with us throughout the entire season.

MUSIC CAMP

2024: August 5-9, 9am-4pm each day

Traditionally, the summer's activities are closed out with a week up in Idyllwild Pines Camp where Music Camp is held. Here, students are able to work closely with professional instructors and expand their musical ability. Various nightly activities are also held, giving members a chance to bond with their new friends.  Music Camp will be held at AHS, including bonding activities! 

SEASON REHEARSALS

SECTIONALS

Each section of the band will have after school sectional rehearsals to work in smaller groups with student leaders, instructional staff, and directors.  Traditionally, these have been organized as follows:



WEDNESDAY NIGHT REHEARSAL

Starting on the first day of school, the band will meet for Wednesday Night Rehearsals until the week of Championships. Rehearsal begins at 5:30 and ends at 9pm. These mid-week rehearsals are very important for us to learn new drill, clean old drill, and test anything from body to audio to prop placement. Frequent water breaks take place throughout rehearsal to keep everyone well hydrated. Although we have weekly sectionals, Wednesday Night Rehearsals are usually the last chance for us to run through a show before a football game or even competition.

SATURDAY REHEARSALS

2024: August 17, 24, September 7, 21 - 5-9pm 

There are only a few Saturday Rehearsals which are scheduled in the beginning of the year, from 5 PM to 9 PM. These rehearsals are very important since we put together most of, if not all of the first part of our show during this time. Although the few hours are tiring and require a lot of effort, members enjoy the time they get to spend with their friends while also working on their show.  

MORNING CLASS PERIOD REHEARSAL

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Since Marching Band is first period for all members, students will meet at 8:10am sharp in the stadium to practice the field show. This time is spent learning and continuously running through parts of the show to clean it. Although mornings are tiring, band members are expected to show up with focused energy and a driven attitude. This allows for a very productive practice!  

Tuesday, Thursday 

On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, members will meet in the parking lot between the trailers for warm-up at 8:10am sharp. Tuesday and Thursday mornings are dedicated to practicing for street parades, known as Band Reviews. Students will be in Varsity or JV block by auditions with section leaders and directors.