2015-2016 COLONIA MARCHING PATRIOTS
Kevin Perdoni, Band Director
COLONIA HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING PATRIOTS
STUDENT PACKET
2015-2016
Congratulations to all who went to Florida, and welcome to all of our new members. Summer is finally here! I hope you are enjoying it and spending your time relaxing and having fun. It’s been a long year and you deserve it. Unfortunately, we all know that summer will be over way too soon so we have to be ready for next year.
WHY IT’S GREAT TO BE A MARCHING PATRIOT!
New members means new friends, more friends, more fun, better sound and better performances.
Awards! Visit our band room and you will see that we are the most celebrated group around. Last year we earned over a dozen awards and honors. Individually our members are routinely selected by staff for awards and scholarships because of our reputation for hard work and responsibility.
‘The Roaring Twenties’ Our field show theme this year is really fun and amazing! We’ll definitely get the crowd on their feet. The music and drill are custom written to our specification.
New Uniforms! Not only is the design brand new, the uniforms will be fitted to your specifications.
Songs for the football stands! FUN! FUN! FUN! Some tunes we may do this year;
Rollin’ In The Deep, Some Nights, Locked Outta Heaven, I Gotta Feeling, Forget You,
All the Small Things, Poker Face, Enter Sandman, The Hey Song, Tequila
TRIP! The trip is always the highlight of our year and this year’s trip will definitely be great as well! We’ve been to Disneyworld, Cleveland, Boston, and Washington DC
Athletes in the Band. Nobody should be denied the opportunity to participate in both activities. It will take some extra work, but it is possible to commit to both groups. We practice is the evenings so this will enable athletes to attend rehearsal.
Band staff! We have a great staff this year! We are ready to help you learn and have fun!
Mr. Perdoni- Band Director Mrs. Boulton- Asst Director
Mr. Barbato- Asst. DirectorMr. Marando- Percussion
Ms. Yaniga- ColorguardMs. Benkert- Pit Percussion
Please check the website for more info and especially the schedule. Please mark the dates on your calendars so that there are no conflicts. See you all soon, but until then enjoy the rest of your summer!
F.A.Q's for Prospective Band Students
1. “What bands do you offer at Colonia High School?”
Concert Band- is a class. Sign up with your Guidance Counselor. All instrumentalists should be in band class.
Marching Patriots- Perform at football games, parades, competitions, pep rallies and trip.
Jazz Band- Audition only. Meets Tuesday after school. Concerts, and other functions.
2. “With so many required subjects, will I be able to fit Concert Band into my schedule?”
All high school students are required to take a Fine Arts class to graduate. Concert Band counts as that graduation requirement and 9th grade is the best time to take it. Since you have to take a Fine Arts course anyway, it might as well be band!
3. “I’m tired of band – should I quit?”
After all the years you have invested, you are now getting to the point where you are good enough to really enjoy it. Don’t drop out now when you’re on the threshold of getting the most out of it and enjoying it to the fullest. At the very least, try band in 9th grade!!
4. “Can I be in sports and band?”
Of course. You can be a member of all band groups and play a sport. You just have to be willing to work out your schedule. Concert Band meets during the day so that is never an issue. Jazz Band meets after school on Tuesdays and Marching Band rehearses at night. Most of the Marching Patriots and Jazz Band members participate in at least one sport. HS is the time to participate in as much as possible, not limit yourself to a few things.
5. "Do I have to be in the Marching Band?"
The Marching Band is optional, however this group is the one that does the most performances and has the most fun. We attend football games, parades, competitions, and travel every spring on a competition trip. Past trips have been to Orlando, Boston, Cleveland, Virginia, and Canda. Do not worry about time. We are really only busy for the first two months of school. If you're not sure- give it a try. It's a lot of fun! We rarely have any students want to quit!
6. “Band takes too much time. Will I have time to study?”
Many students in band are at the top of their class. As a matter of fact, colleges and organizations like NHS require activities like band in order to be accepted. Band members learn to manage their time. Being involved makes you a better student. Join all the bands that you can! Click here to read about how music makes you smarter.
7. “I’m in middle school and have never marched before. Will I be able to do it?”
There are many students in the Marching Patriots right now who asked themselves the same question but tried it and were glad they did. The marching band camp takes place in August at school #21. During that time we will teach you marching fundamentals, learn music for the fall, issue uniforms, and get you ready for the marching season. If you have a positive attitude and are willing to learn, you will do fine!
8. "How do I join Jazz Band?"
Jazz Band tryouts take place in September. First- sign up for Concert Band class with your guidance counselor. Then- stay tuned for announcements. Do not worry about being good enough to make it. Just try!
2015SUMMERREHEARSALS
Many band and colorguard members have said that they would like to be better prepared entering band camp so we are starting something new. We will meet Wednesdays during the summer from 10am-12noon in the CHS band room.
-This practice is optional. Summer is a busy time and many of us will be on vacation or working. However, it is only for your benefit if you can arrange your work schedule to be available for that short amount of time. I would expect that all members should be able to make at least half of these practices. It will be very informal, and we will work on whatever you need help on. Think of it as a tutoring session.
-Please add the email of Drum Majors- Angie-
Please email all questions about summer practices. If necessary, they will direct you to email the director.
-Follow us on Social Media!
Twitter: @CHSMarchingPats- For general announcements and pictures.
Instagram: Colonia_Band- For fun stuff
Facebook- Join the Facebook group- (Search CHS Marching Patriots)-For parents and specific info and sign up lists.
FALL 2015 SCHEDULE
Information will be updated as soon as it is available.
Competition times will not be known until about a week before. They will be posted as soon as possible, or visit for info.
Summer Practices Every Wednesday after 4th of July.
-Please try to make at least 3 of these Wednesdays.
Wed. July 8, 10am-12
Wed. July 15, 10am-12
Wed. July 22, 10am-12
Wed. July 29, 10am-12
Wed. Aug 5, 10am-12
Wed. August 12, 10am-12
BAND CAMP Part 1 (mandatory)
Monday August 17-Friday August 211pm-8pm at CHS
BAND CAMP Part 2 (mandatory)
Monday August 24-Friday August 28 1pm-8pm at CHS
Stadium Practices Wednesdays at 5:30 PM
Friday Sep. 11 Bishop Ahr Home7:00PM
Friday Sep. 18 @ J.F. Kennedy HS7:00PM
Saturday Sep. 19WOODBRIDGE COMPETITION
Friday Sep. 25 Perth Amboy Home7:00PM
Saturday Sep. 26PISCATAWAY COMPETITION
Friday Oct. 02 @ Carteret HS7:00PM
Sunday Oct. 4Colonia Pride Parade and JP STEVENS COMPETITION
Friday Oct. 09 Matawan Home7:00PM
Saturday Oct. 10SOMERVILLE COMPETITION
Friday Oct. 16 @ Woodbridge HS7:00PM
Saturday Oct. 24 @ St. Joseph'sHS1:00PM
Saturday Oct. 24TOMS RIVER COMPETITION
Friday Oct. 30 New Brunswick Home7:00PM
Saturday Oct. 31USBANDS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday Nov. 06 South Plainfield Home7:00PM
Friday Nov. 13?Playoffs TBA
PARADES-
Colonia Pride Day Parade- Sunday October 4?, 2015
Woodbridge Holiday ParadeSunday December 6?, 2015
South Amboy St. Patricks Day ParadeSaturday March 5, 2016
Woodbridge St. Patricks Day Parade Sunday March 6, 2016
Spring Trip- TBAMemorial Day Weekend 2016?
2015BAND CAMP INFO
Please try to make at least 3 of these Wednesdays.
Wed. July 8, 10am-12
Wed. July 15, 10am-12
Wed. July 22, 10am-12
Wed. July 29, 10am-12
Wed. Aug 5, 10am-12
Wed. August 12, 10am-12
BAND CAMP Part 1 (mandatory)
Monday August 17-Friday August 21 1pm-8pm at CHS
BAND CAMP Part 2 (mandatory)
Monday August 24-Friday August 28 1pm-8pm at CHS
WHAT TO BRING
Sunscreen, hat, sneakers (band shoes if you have them)
Food and snacks
Water
Instrument and music (even if it’s memorized)
WHAT TO REMEMBER
Attendance is MANDATORY at all rehearsals and performances. Every single person has been written into the drill. If anyone is missing the entire group suffers.
Please be early! Early is on time! On time is late.
Always report to band room for music warm up.
Learn your music during the summer so it’s easy at camp.
The last day of band camp will be a trial performance for your parents. We will march the entire show and play the music.
You are required to buy parts of your uniform. Your order form and check is due before the first day of band camp. If you don’t bring it, you don’t get a uniform.
MUSIC
As always- If you have any questions, please email me!
Do not lose your music. Bring it with you to band camp, even if you have it memorized.
Brand New Members: Do not worry about memorizing! Just learn the music as well as you can before band camp. It’s not as hard as you think and you will have a lot of help!
Returning HS students: You are already familiar with this music. Memorize it now so it’s easier in August. Then you can help the incoming freshman.
TIPS FOR PRACTICING/ MEMORIZING MUSIC
- -Take it one section at a time.
-Do not go on to the next section until you learn the first.
-Learn one song at a time. Do not go on to the next song until you know the first.
- Listen to it, then practice along with it. I have CD’s available and there are recordings on the internet that you can find too.
- Practice the harder spots. Don’t waste time on what you already know.
- A little each day is better than cramming a lot of practice into one day.
- Learn it now instead of later. You’re going to have a marching routine to learn also at band camp.
- Listen to yourself when you play. Don’t just put your fingers down and blow. Try for a nice, loud tone.
Have a great summer.
Confidential Medical Form
Student Information
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