Main Page Expectations, Requirements, & Grades Program Opportunities Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphonic Band Jazz Ensembles Percussion Ensembles Marching Band Marching Band Camp The Staff Pre-Season Training (Band Camp 2008) Frequently Asked Questions What are they saying about the RHS Marching Band? Winter Guard / Twirlers Performance Calendar Rehearsal Calendar Staff Fundraising Band Parents Association Links Photos Band Travel Online Payments Band Travel During each typical school year when appropriate, the band program offers some sort of a travel experience to all members. These trips are designed for all band program participants to be able to experience the camaraderie that is unique to our program. In a four year sequence, each band member may expect to have the opportunity to participate in one six-day concert-performance tour, one weekend concert-performance tour, and two one day events. The order in which these trips occur is dependent upon the student's year of entry into the program. For example, if a student's first band travel experience is the six-day tour, year two would be a one-day event, year three would be a weekend tour, and year four would be a different one-day event. Each travel experience meets the philosophical belief that each day must include a musical focus, must meet educational objectives, and must be affordable for all members. Families with financial need may confidentially request alternate payment methods by contacting the Director of Bands. NO STUDENT WILL BE DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE BASED UPON FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. All band travel is approved by the Board of Education, including itinerary items, lodging facilities, and transportation providers. During the planning stage for any trip, a packet of information is sent to each student's home, and must be filled out in its entirety. Prior to departure on any overnight trip, there is one mandatory meeting, which must be attended by the student and at least one parent or guardian in order for the student to be eligible to travel. The Six-Day Concert-Performance Tour Over the past twelve years, the band has enjoyed one tour of Canada (Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal) and 2 tours of southern California (Los Angeles and San Diego). Each of these tours included performances and workshops for each seasonal group. In our most recent southern California tour, the bands worked with professors from the University of Southern California, and San Diego State University, while our dance ensemble worked with choreographers from Disneyland. Performance opportunities included Disneyland, Block at Orange, and Steamers Jazz Cafe. The bands also enjoyed a concert performance by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, which was followed by an after concert meeting on stage with the conductor! The Weekend Concert-Performance Tour Over the past several years, weekend tours have included the Washington, D. C. area, Boston, and central New York State. Although less involved than the six day tour, the bands still receive clinics with college professors, performances at major venues, and the opportunity to attend performances by major orchestras or ensembles in places like the Kennedy Center and Boston Symphony Hall. One-Day Events One-day events are typically centered around opportunities in New York City. Clinics are either held at universities or on-site at Ridgewood High School. In the past, the bands have performed lunch time concerts at Lincoln Center and South Street Seaport. The trips also typically include a Broadway show. Co-Curricular Travel Separate trips may be planned which are specifically related to co-curricular groups (i.e., marching band, jazz ensemble, winterguard, etc.). These trips are planned by the activities' advisors and must be approved by the Board of Education. Copyright © 1999-2002 RHS Bands