The Pride of Anchor Bay High School

The Marching Tars are a musical marching unit that meets as a 7th hour class during the first semester of the school year. The prerequisite for the Marching Band class is concurrent enrollment with concert band or jazz ensemble study during hours one though six. The ensemble consists of woodwinds, brass, percussion, and a color guard. Membership requires total dedication and maximum effort in all aspects of marching, playing, rehearsal, and performance. Failure to meet these requirements can result in dismissal from the ensemble.

The Marching Tars provide entertainment at home football games, community outreach through local parades and events, and an opportunity for our student musicians to perform in front of experience professionals in the Marching Arts. The class meets mid-August through mid-October in after school and evening rehearsals. The color guard and percussion sections may be expected to rehearse once every week in addition to the scheduled class meetings. Participation in the Marching Band will result in mandatory attendance at all rehearsals and performances, including the parades and band camps during the spring and summer.

Both mini-band camp and band camp consist of training and instruction in marching and music. At mini-camp, incoming freshmen are shown the basics of marching, while older students get to brush up on their skills. Music for the fall show is distributed, to allow for memorization over the summer, and often sectional practices are planned. At band camp in August, the band reviews the basics of marching, and begins learning the drill for the show. The group will divide into sectionals to practice the music and develop skills. This time is crucial for preparing the band for later performances, and molding it into a team. Band camp takes place at the beginning and end of the summer. Mini-Band camp takes place at the end of the season to do final polish work on our show before Festival Adjudication.

Marching Tars News