The Rebel band family consists of the students, directors, staff, and parents of the Rebel Marching Band. We couldn't accomplish everything we do without the help of our parents. We rely on our band parents to fill many vital volunteer roles throughout the year. Parents and families support the band through fundraisers, parade day activities, concert raffles and much more. We believe in offering our full support to our students, both behind the scenes, and as we sit in the auditorium or along the parade route. Please look at the volunteer opportunities for the band program, and fill out the form below to help in any way possible.
a note leading into the 2020-2021 school year from Mr. Veiga, Director of APW Jr/Sr High Bands
Hi everyone,
It is July 15th and I am already looking forward to what next year for the Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Band Program could bring to all of us! The summer is a great time to relax from a long school year, but it also a good time to get things ready for the beginning of your students 2020-2021 school year! If you are reading this post and your son or daughter did not sign up for band for next year, it’s not too late! Just send me an email at [email protected], or have your student contact their school counselor and we’ll get them signed up! On the first day of school your student will receive a calendar of all of the performances that are a requirement for concert band. On average, the concert bands will perform 4 or 5 times during the school year at concerts in our Auditorium, at NYSSMA events, at the Sherburne Pageant of Bands, and some other community performances that we may be offered. Concert attire for all CONCERT BAND performances will be the following three options: Option 1: Black Dress Pants, White Dress Shirt, Any Tie, Black Dress Shoes Option 2: Long Black Dress, Black Dress Shoes Option 3: Black Dress Pants, White Blouse, Black Dress Shoes Please make sure your student has the appropriate attire at every CONCERT BAND performance. If you are interested in the Jazz Ensemble or the Percussion Ensemble your student can sign up for those classes with their school counselors. If you are interested in Marching Band or Drumline and are not yet signed up contact Mrs. Madden at: [email protected] or Mr. Patterson at [email protected]
One great way to get a head start on the school year is to continue, or begin taking, private music lessons on your instrument. Music & Arts offers a search engine that allows you to find a teacher in CNY that can help your student. The link for that resource is here: https://stores.musicarts.com/north-frederick/nationwide-experts?JobTitleDisplay=Instructor&areas-of-instruction=&ZipCode=13131&Sort=distance The summer is also a good time to look at doing maintenance on an existing instrument or upgrading to a new more advanced instrument. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you would like some assistance in choosing an instrument or where to get repairs done. Standard school owned instruments are available for the summer from the high school. These instruments include Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, French horn, Trombone, Baritone/Euphonium, and Tuba. Contact me at: [email protected] to set up an appointment to check out an instrument for the summer.
Students will be keeping their wind instruments in cage lockers here at the school during the day, please bring a combination or key lock in the first week to be sure your equipment is safe. Brass players: All brass students should own their own mouthpiece, and valve oil regardless of whether you use a school owned instrument or not. The mouthpiece can be one of the most important investments in the overall sound of the instrument you play. Here are some brand and model suggestions from our staff: Trumpet: Bach 5C or 3C Horn: Holton Farkas MC or Yamaha 30 Trombone: Shilke 51D or Bach 5G Euphonium: Shilke 51D or Bach 5G - (Double check the shank size with Mr. Veiga BEFORE buying) Tuba: Conn-Helleberg or Yamaha 18 Woodwind Players: All woodwind players, including oboes, should have at least 3-4 good quality reeds with them at all times. Vandoren reeds are very high quality and consistent. Percussion Players: Please come prepared with one pair of SD1 General Sticks. All of these items can be purchased through our local music dealer, Midstate Music. I hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me via email and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for reading this! I am already looking forward to meeting my new students and seeing my returning students! Have an excellent summer, Anthony Veiga Director of APW Jr/Sr Bands