Please fill out the absence form if you will be missing a rehearsal or performance.

Belmont Middle + High School Band Program

Marauder Marching Band

26-27 Important Dates & Information

Subscribe to the season google calendar here (click from laptop or computer, not mobile to add to your google calendar): https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=MTdmYTMwODU2MTJlNDcyZDM1NjFkYzEzMGFmMTE4ZmJiYjYyN2RjYWI2NTg3MGMxNDdhNjZmMTkxYTMxZTUwZkBncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t

🎵 Leadership Training (Student Leadership Team Only)

August 26, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

🥁 Drumline Mini Camp (Percussion Only)

💃 Color Guard Mini Camps

🎶 Full Band Camp (All Marchers)

Thursday, August 27, 1PM-7PM
Friday, August 28, 1PM 7PM
Saturday, August 29, 1PM-7PM
Sunday, August 30, 1PM-7PM
Monday, August 31, 1PM-6PM
Monday, August 31, 5PM: End-of-camp performance for families and friends!

🏈 Fall Game Schedule (2026-2027)

📅 MMB Rehearsal Schedule Fall Rehearsals (Tuesdays, 4:00–7:00 PM)

September 1, 15, 22, 29
October 6, 13, 20

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE: Tuesday, September 8, 2026

MMB performs National Anthem at Fenway Park! Details coming soon!

Spring Rehearsals

May 18, 4:00–5:30 PM
May 25, 4:00–5:30 PM (Drum Major Auditions)
May 31, Memorial Day Parade
All current members, including seniors, are expected to attend.

🎷 Performances Throughout the Year

The Marching Marauders perform at:

All home varsity football games (weather permitting)
Thanksgiving Day Game vs. Watertown
Belmont Porchfest (September)
Thanksgiving Pep Rally
Memorial Day Parade
Other special community events that may arise

📋 Attendance & Absence Policy

Attendance is expected at all performances. Rehearsal conflicts must be communicated in advance.

Missing part or all of a Tuesday rehearsal during game week = You won’t march at halftime (but will participate in stand tunes).
Use the Absence Form for any anticipated or last-minute absences:
👉 Absence Form

After two absences or partial misses, we’ll reach out to families to schedule a check-in to discuss ongoing participation. Clear and open communication is key!

🤝 Balancing Marching Band & Other Activities

For students involved in other BPS activities (e.g., fall sports), here’s our decision-making policy:

Band rehearsal (once/week) takes priority over sports practice (daily)
If there’s a game and band rehearsal at the same time → game takes priority
If there’s a game and a band performance at the same time → performance takes priority
For conflicts with non-BPS organizations, we’ll evaluate on a case-by-case basis
If there are any BPS athletic related conflicts, the student is expected to send an email to Ms. Lacasse and copy their coach, asking for guidance on decision-making for those conflicts. The above guidance is correct for most cases, but there are times when it requires more in depth conversation.

Be sure to mark your calendars now, and communicate conflicts as early as possible.

💵 Fees & Payments

$60 Membership Fee – due at Band Camp
Covers T-shirts, cookies at games, and other group treats
Marching Shoes & Gloves – required, order and pay by first day of Band Camp:
👉 Order Form
$335 VPA Fee – covers all after-school arts activities
👉 Pay or apply for waiver
Full Fee Breakdown
👉 View the breakdown

🌐 Stay Connected

All schedules and announcements are posted on the BHS Band Website:
👉 Band Website

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions!
📧 Ms. Lacasse — alacasse@belmontschools.net

We can’t wait to see you on the field!

Meet Our Staff!

Evan Tropp, Assistant Director

Evan earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from UMass Lowell in 2005. His passion for the marching arts began with East Coast Jazz in 2001 where he marched until his age out in 2004. The following year, Evan joined the visual team for ECJ for the 2005 and 2006 season. In the 2007 season, he began working with the Citations Drum and Bugle Corps as Caption Head and visual instructor through the 2008 season. From 2009 to 2014, he was the visual instructor at the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps. Evan worked with Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps from 2015 to 2017 as interim Visual Caption Head, visual tech and visual coordinator respectively. The 2018 Drum Corps season found Evan sharing his experience and passion for with Cadets 2 in PA. Currently, he is the ensemble coordinator for the Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps. Evan has also written for multiple bands in Massachusetts. For 2016 and 2017, he was the drill designer for Hendrickson Hawks Indoor Percussion out of Pflugerville, TX. He has also enjoyed success for the past 3 years as the drill writer for Upper Darby Marching Royals out of Upper Darby, PA and Downingtown East from Downingtown, PA. For the past 15 years, he has been the Assistant Marching Band Director for Belmont High School in Belmont, MA as the visual instructor, drill writer and music arranger. Evan is excited to continue to work with the talented staff and members of the Marching Marauders.
Email: etropp@belmontschools.net

Shon Brown, Percussion

Shon Brown is currently an instrumental music teacher at F.A. Day Middle School in Newton, MA. He is also the percussion instructor for the Belmont High School Band in Belmont, MA. He received his undergraduate degree from Anderson University in Anderson, SC. Shon began his career at T.L. Hanna High School in 2008 where he worked as the music arranger, visual designer, and Assistant Band Director for 10 years. He has also worked for several years as the Adjunct Jazz Professor at Erskine College in Due West, SC. He has performed with many South Carolina based ensembles including the Anderson Symphony Orchestra, South Carolina Collegiate Honor Band, GAMAC Symphony Orchestra, and the Electric City Big Band.Shon enjoys being very involved in the music community. He spends his spare time writing music for several high school bands, serving on the board of Directors for Equinox Percussion Ensemble from Athens, Georgia, and serving as the Worship Leader at Hope Community Church in Marlborough, MA. Email: browntro@newton.k12.ma.us

Alli Reese, Colorguard Coach

Coach Reese has been dancing since the age of four. She started off twirling baton at a local studio; before freshman year of high school, one of the instructors at the studio convinced her to join the Chelmsford High marching band and she was immediately hooked. Coach Reese went on to become the majorette choreographer my junior and senior year as well as captain her senior year. In the off-season, she danced in musicals and did costume design for the theatre guild. When Coach Reese went off to college at Lesley University, there was no marching band, but that didn’t stop her- she travelled 45 minutes one way on the T three times a week to march with the Boston University marching band and was captain her senior year. BU Bands was one of her favorite parts of undergrad and gave her the opportunity to travel and perform all over the northeast. During undergrad, Coach Reese also learned to swing dance and is now a nationally-ranked competitor. Coach Reese graduated from Lesley with a B.S. in Expressive Therapies & Counseling Psychology. I currently work full-time as an early intervention clinician while I pursue my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Email: areese@belmontschools.net

Allison Lacasse,
Band Director

Allison Lacasse is the Director of Bands at Belmont High School in Belmont, Massachusetts. Allison is the Artistic Director for the University of Rhode Island Summer Music Academy Chamber Music Intensive program. Other current positions include staff appointments for the Western International Band Clinic (WIBC) in Seattle, Washington and the American Band College (ABC) in Ashland, Oregon. Allison also serves as the Assistant Conductor of the Senior Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble as part of the New England Conservatory Preparatory School.
Email: alacasse@belmontschools.net