Helpful Information

WELCOME!

About the 2006-2007 Band:

333 Total Students (Last year 332)
JV Concert Band - 50 members
Symphonic Band 1st hour - 56 members
Symphonic Band 2nd hour - 47 members
Wind Ensemble - 52 members
4 Percussion Classes - 106 members
Color Guard - 22 members
Marching Band - 160 members

If you are new to our organization, we welcome you. If you are a returning member, welcome back to what promises to be another GREAT year. In either case, we invite you to participate actively in this vibrant and energetic booster group. Below are a few brief reminders of marching and concert season band etiquette and other salient points.

At football games, if you are in doubt as to where to sit — look for the sea of bright yellow shirts. For HOME games, we sit on the HOME side; for AWAY games, we sit on the AWAY side (visitors). We sit in the section next to the Band. Again, look for the sea of yellow shirts. Did we mention that the band really receives a lot of support from seeing that SEA OF YELLOW? Corona performs the half-time show when at HOME, and the pre-game show when AWAY. Be sure to allow extra travel time so you will not miss out on their performances.

Boosters always stand when our band comes onto the field. We also stand for the opposing school band's entrance. The reason for this is to show respect to all of these students for their hard work and dedication. During the games, whenever Corona plays the fight song, we all stand up. You'll recognize this song before long. Don't worry if you don't know the words.....(but if you are truly interested, here they are...) Aztec fight song

And, yes, you do need to pay to get into the game. For adults, this is $4 for home games. Student prices are less (with ID), and away games differ depending on school.

Your band student is responsible for properly hanging the uniform after each performance. The uniforms are kept at Corona at all times. Parent volunteers are needed after each game (home and away) to assist the students with hanging and storing away the uniforms. At some point during the marching season, Mr. Richardson will let the students bring the uniforms home. You can get your own close up photographs at that time. Of course, there is never any eating or drinking (except water) while in uniform. Buddy pictures will be taken toward the end of the season — watch for information! Also, each member is responsible for having the uniform dry-cleaned once during the season. Specific information will be given as to any cleaners in the area offering discounts and the dates when the uniform will be due back at Corona. The cost is usually about $10.00.

We know how much you love your CdS Marching Band and how you would like to tell them so. We would just respectfully ask you to refrain from talking to the Band during the football games. This causes us to lose concentration and breaks us temporarily from our "family". Band members already know this rule; we ask you to honor it also. And please remember, band members are not allowed to eat or drink (except water) while in uniform. Thank you!

Ratings by the judges at Band Days are based on nationally-accepted music education standards. These are:

For more about the Arizona band festival system (AMEA/ABODA), read the background article.<Click Here>

Concerts are FREE! This also applies to concert festivals. Regional and State honor bands ask a small fee for their concerts, generally about $4. This offsets the costs of a well-known conductor and top-notch clinicians.

It is customary and considered good concert manners not to applaud between movements or sections of a piece, but rather to hold your appreciation until the completion of the entire artistic work. Also, solo performers will be recognized after the end of the piece. We ask that you switch off all beepers and cellular phones (or use the vibrate setting) and refrain from using flash photography during the performance. Please enter and exit the auditorium only during the applause breaks. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

To perform in the marching show and concert festivals, the band member MUST TRAVEL WITH THE BAND TO THE EVENT. The students should also return with the band. Marching band members turn in their uniforms at the band room upon arrival at CdS. After concert festivals, Mr. Richardson reviews the performance with the bands. Mr. Richardson does have special parent request forms to use, if the rare situation arises where a student cannot return with the band. This form must be completed and returned to Mr. Richardson at least 24 hours in advance. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Band members are required to stay through the entire football game. At home games, they then march in parade formation to the band room. This is a performance in itself. Don't miss this. The band members then usually view the videotape of that evening's performance with Mr. Richardson. If you are providing the ride home, please allow time for this and to check in uniforms.

Usually on a Friday night and all day Saturday in mid-to-late January. Judges sit behind a screen so as to not know the identity of the auditioner. Auditions are closed to the public. Auditions consist of scales, three etudes and sight-reading.

Solo and Ensemble Festival runs concurrently with the auditions on Saturday. The public is invited to attend the Solo and Ensemble portion. Judges need an ORIGINAL copy of the music so they can follow along. Soloists are reminded that they must furnish their own ACCOMPANIST, live or recorded. Medals are awarded for performance.

For your convenience, the following merchants are listed here as a service to help you with your instrument repair and maintenance needs. Please use whomever you wish. We make no specific recommendations.

Brengle's Music (see Randy)
5818 E. Desert Lane
480-981-0914
Directions: US60 to Higley, S to Baseline, L on Baseline to Recker, R on Desert Lane. Look for a farmhouse.