Scheduling

You get to travel throughout New England and places much farther - like Disney!!

Do I have to be a great player to join band?
NO!! We have summer sectionals and band camp to provide students focussed time to practice with their instruments.


Does marching band involve students to the exclusion of other school activities?
No. We have students that are involved in all aspects of student organizations, clubs, and sports. Students will have to learn to manage their time wisely to be involved in several school activities, but it can be done and has been done successfully for many years.  We have had captains from all sports be members of the band including the Varsity Football starting quarterback - he was even our band president!


Do I have to be in Marching Band if I join band?
Yes.  The only students who don’t take marching band are the band members who are on the Varsity football team. Those students do not perform the half-time show, but they do join us for parades, when possible. Students soon discover that it is the marching band that does the majority of traveling to places such as the “BIG E”, “McCOY STADIUM, NEW YORK CITY. Ask any current band student and they will tell you that majority of the “fun” events and activities occur with marching band - even having a cookout at Mr. Rausch’s house after a parade!


What if I am not good enough to be in the PHS Band?
All you need is the want to be a part of the PHS Band and we will help you with the rest!


Can a student be in marching band if they are not in a band class?
No. Students must also be enrolled in a band class. Students with irreconcilable situations need to speak with their guidance counselor and band director for solutions.


How many students are in the PHS Patriot Marching Band?
For the 2009-2010 season, we had about 145 students in band, including color guard.


Why does the marching band rehearse so much?
The Marching Band actually rehearses just once a week.  Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 5:00-7:00pm.  When compared to sports, we rehearse just a fraction of what sports teams do.


Is marching band actually fun? Or just a lot of work?
Marching band is so much fun that most students think of it as the highlight of the year! Each section has their own secret traditions and activities, and being able to hang out with the rest of the band and make new friends is a really neat experience. Yes, marching band is a lot of work, but everyone agrees at the end that it was well worth the effort.


What are the key parts of the marching band?
Drum major - lead the parades and field show. The drum majors leads the band in preparation and training. They also lead the section leaders. Drum majors put on clinics for aspiring drum majors to learn from them. They also attend drum major camp.

Band section leaders - one or more people from each section (depends on section size) are chosen by the band director to assist with organizing training and practice for their sections. They assist as leaders during band camp.

Percussion - This is the drumline and front ensemble. In parade, the drums are in a block in the middle of the band and the front ensemble typically plays other instruments. For field show, the drums are part of the marching unit and the front ensemble is set up in front of the band with the assistance of the equipment crew. The front ensemble has multiple xylophones, an electric piano, gong, and glockenspiel.

Color guard - This group is incorporated into the field shows, demonstrating a variety of artistic and physical skills during the show. They use flags and air blades. For parade, this group leads he marching band in the front.

Band - Everyone else. Lots of instruments. Lots of sound. Lots of marching.


What are the key parent volunteer parts of the band?
The Equipment Crew is a special set of volunteers. They load, drive, and unload the trucks. On the trucks are drums, sousaphones, xylophones, drum major conducting stands, food, tables, uniforms, hats, repair tools, and other items. They attend football games and help set up equipment for the field shows.

The Uniform coordinators match uniforms with students during the summer. They keep track of the inventory of all of our uniforms.

Bus chaperones go on one or more trips. They assist on the busses, help with food preparation or serving, assist with uniform adjustments, provide water, and assist with moving equipment on and off of the field for field shows. They also assist with the attendance of each bus.


Perhaps I should just try it later.
You don't want to make the mistake of not being a part the PHS Band. You only get four years.


I didn't sign up for band. Can I still be in the PHS Band?
Yes. Just speak with band director, Mr. Rausch.


How can I get in touch with the band director?
Band Director:  Ted Rausch

401-683-2124

phsbandmusic@gmail.com

Please feel free to email at any time.

 

What are Summer Marching Band Rehearsals?
Summer Music Rehearsals are full band practices at PHS.  They are from 9-12 on August 11 and 12.  Music is passed out and it allows time to explore the new music for the Marching Band season.  Students will receive their flip folders with music to practice.  Students who cannot attend will get their music on the first day of band camp.

Performances

How many marching band performances are there and what do they entail?
Typically there are 4-5 home football games that are held on Friday nights.  There are also various performances, parades, and festivals that we attend.  Performances include the Big "E", Elementary school tours, Umass Band Day, Thunderbolt Invitational, and the Somerset Musictown Festival.  Parades include Homecoming, Newport Columbus Day Parade, Taunton Christmas Parade, and the St. Patrick's Day Parade.


Does my student need to ride the bus to a performance?
Anytime students are representing Portsmouth High School, they are expected to travel on district approved vehicles, as a member of the group, at all times.


Can I drive my student home after a performance?
At the band director's discretion, students may be released after the performance to travel home with their parents.
 

Do I Have to audition to be in the percussion section at the high school?

Percussionists need to audition only to be in the Marching Drumline.  We have had consistently 20-25 percussionists in the band program.  Unfortunately, we do not have enough equipment for everyone to be in the drumline.  Students may have to be patient to work towards a spot in the drumline.  Everyone however, plays in the Concert or Symphonic Band.
 

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Color Guard

What is Color Guard?

The PHS Color Guard/Dance Team is an auxiliaries of the PHS Marching Band under the direction of Mr. Ted Rausch (Band Director) and Lisa Mailloux (Color Guard & Dance Team Coach).  Typically, the guard/dance team consists of 12-16 girls. The band performs at all home football games, school pep rallies, local parades, band festivals and performances. The group also travels on a band performance trip each spring. Past trips have been to New York City, Florida, California, a Bahamas cruise and Washington DC. The group is very proud to be a part of the Marching Band and support them and the Music Booster Organization in all of their efforts.  Several members of the Color Guard are also members of the band. Students who are in band and color guard play their instruments in band class during the day but take part in the color guard for Marching Band.
 

When are the Music Booster meetings?
Boosters meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7pm in the Chorus room. Try to attend if you can as it provides a wonderful opportunity to meet other band parents.


My child is a new band member. Do I need to come to Music Booster meetings?
New members are strongly encouraged to attend Music Booster meetings. A lot of the information discussed there will only affect marching band members, but you also have an opportunity to hear what events are coming up and to interact with other band parents.


How can I find out what happened at a meeting that I missed?
The website for the Music Boosters is a great resource for information. You can also sign up to be added to our email distribution list at this location:


When the band makes a big event trip, can I as a parent travel along with the band?
Chaperones are chosen from those who have volunteered their time throughout the band season.  Chaperones are responsible for supervising students on the trip. If parents want to chaperone we strongly encourage them to volunteer for our band events.


How can I find out information on band events and schedules?
The first thing you want to do is to join our email distribution list HERE.  The band director and the Music Boosters will post information on upcoming events, fundraisers, and general reminders throughout the school year.  You will also want to check our website and calendar frequently as we try to keep our most up-to-date information posted.