Band practices continue
By Donnie A. Lucas
Summer band camp for members of the Ragin’ Red Lion Band will switch from sectionals to full band rehearsals starting Monday, Aug. 7.
Director Will Vaughan announced last week that the band is working on a show entitled “Our World” written by Luke McMillan.
The entire band will meet from 5:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday next week, with the exception of a 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. practice on Wednesday to allow students to participate in church youth group meetings.
Vaughan is expecting about 55 members in the band from grades 8-12 this season, with the group putting together a show in hopes of earning a third consecutive UIL Sweepstakes Award.
The show will include movements from “New World Symphony” by Dvorak, “Mad World” by Gary Jules, and “Russian Christmas Music” by Alfred Reed.
The band has marched shows scored by McMillan for several years, including the past two in which they earned Division I ratings on the way to Sweepstakes Awards.
Full rehearsals will continue on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 14-15, with regular morning practices beginning on the first day of class on Thursday, Aug. 17.
Rehearsals will switch to the mornings once the school year begins, with evening practices on Mondays from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon practices are also scheduled this year form 3:45 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
“The kids seem excited and are learning the music for this year’s show and music,” director William Vaughan said. “We will start going outside to work on marching starting on Monday as well.”
The band will make its first appearance at the annual hamburger supper sponsored by the Albany Athletic Booster Club at the Bank Park on Monday, Aug. 7. The band group picture will follow the hamburger supper at the high school gym.
There will be a “Meet the Band” performance at the football stadium on Aug. 21. The band will perform a portion of the contest show for parents and fans.
Students will not have practices on Fridays during summer band camp.
The first halftime performance will be on Friday, Aug. 25 at Lubbock Trinity in Lubbock.
