AHS band members to start practice next Monday

Albany High School band members will meet next Monday evening for the first rehearsal of the 2018 AHS marching band, according to band director John Stockdale.

“It’s time to get ready for the 2018-2019 year,” the director said. “Our first rehearsal will be Monday, Aug. 6 at 7:00 p.m., in the high school band room. All early rehearsals will be finished by 8:30 p.m.”

The band will continue practicing each week night until school starts. 

“We will work around other conflicts, and we may end up meeting at a slightly different time depending upon scheduling conflicts,” Stockdale said.

The band meets in the evening because many of the musicians also play sports or have daytime jobs, but the practices need to begin before the start of school so that the Ragin’ Red Band will be ready to perform at the Lions’ football games.

The Albany football regular season opens at home against Colorado City at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31. The first away game will be in Dublin the following week, Friday, Sept. 7, also at 7:30 p.m. 

“We start looking at music and talking about our show at our first meeting,” Stockdale said. “We have several new pieces of music to look at, and we will do some basic marching. Luke McMillian, who wrote our halftime show the last two years, has written Rise of the Phoenix for us this year.”

McMillian, however, did not write the halftime show this year because he no longer lives in the area.

“Thomas Fogleman, a retired band director from Throckmorton, wrote our show music and will teach it to us,” said Stockdale. “It looks good and will be easy to learn.”

Band is scheduled for first period this school year, and Stockdale is expecting more students in band than last year.

“If our pre-enrollment numbers hold up, we will be stronger this year,” he said. “But numbers don’t make the difference – attitude does! I believe that together we can make this school year better than ever, and I am looking forward to working with you again.”

The band director has encouraged experienced musicians to join the band.

“Any new students with band experience, and any returning students who couldn’t get band to fit in their schedule before, and now can, are welcome to come,” he said. 

Stockdale reminded students that they will need their band instruments for the practices.

“If you have your instrument at home, be sure and bring it to practice,” Stockdale said. “The school band instruments will be ready for the students who use those.”

Cornet players use the school’s trumpets during marching band practices.

“The trumpets have a better sound in the marching band,” Stockdale said. “They are a little heavier and project a little better.”

The band will work on the traditional football season songs, alma mater, fight song, and Star Spangled Banner, but the music for the halftime show will be center stage at the rehearsals. 

A photograph of the band members will be taken during the first few days of school and will be published in the 2018 football program.

Uniforms will be assigned to the band members during the summer rehearsals.

Fundraisers

Band parents will have the first half of the season football concession stands; the athletic boosters are covering the second half, according to Stockdale.

The band went to New Orleans last year, and only takes a big trip every second year. Some of the money raised this year will be saved toward next year’s big trip.

For more information about practice times, call Stockdale at 762-5184 or at the school, 762-3974.