Band plans Community Night
By Sidney Bartee
Members of the Ragin’ Red Band are hosting a Community Night in a little over a week to which everyone in the community is invited.
The event is scheduled for the last night of summer band practice on Monday, Aug. 16, starting at 8:00 p.m. at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.
The Albany High School musicians will perform what they have been working on during summer rehearsals, including playing and marching the opening of their show, warm-ups and drills, playing some of the other show music, and stand tunes.
Band director Will Vaughan said the event will be an opportunity to recognize all students in the band.
“This will give us a chance to show off all of the hard work andprogress we have made during camp,” Vaughan said. “Many larger schools hold a ‘meet the band’ night to allow the community to see what is coming for the new school year, and we wanted to bring this same thing to Albany.”
The band will perform the show at the UIL Marching Contest on Oct. 2 and potentially move to the area competition.
Students will also begin working on music for the all region audition and the solo and ensemble contest later in the year.
During the Aug. 16 Community Night, the Band Booster Club will have tables set up to order decals, t-shirts, snacks, and yard signs.
Fundraisers throughout the year will help the Booster Club fund the band’s trip to Colorado during Spring Break.
According to Booster Club secretary Kelli Kreitler, parents will be able to sign up to purchase water for game nights, rehearsal treats, and concession stand shifts.
Vaughan also said that band members are getting new uniforms this year.
“Uniforms should come in sometime this October,” Vaughan said. “Due to COVID, production has been slower than what it usually would be.”
Students will continue summer rehearsals from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
