EPFM

Marching Band is a Fall season, with rehearsals/practices beginning twice a week starting in July. In August, students learn the show during a 1-week Band Camp (M-F, 1-9 pm) and a shorter mini-Band Camp (extended practice sessions Tu/Th, 3rd week in August) in preparation for the competition season, which begins in September. The season ending state championships occur the last weekend in October. Once the season begins, Saturdays become a third practice day. Students rehearse before competitions that usually occur in the evenings.

In the Spring, parade season begins in late April/early May. New members are recruited during the Winter and learn the skills they need to be ready for the Fall season.

East Irondequoit students in grades 7-12 can join the Marching Band, Color Guard, or Pit. Students in grades 6 can join the pit.

Marching band meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. During competition season, we also meet on Saturdays for either practice or competrition.

YES! There are marching band members who play a sport. The director and staff are flexible with scheduling. Students should let the directior know in advance when conflicts arise and do their best to attend rehearsal/practice after the sport's committments are done.

Like a sport, marching band requires hard work, dedication, and lots of practice. Practices occurs outdoors unless the weather prevents it, so it could be hot, humid, windy, or cold! Practices can be very long too, 3 hours is quite common during the main parts of the season.

Competitions are held on Saturdays or Sundays throughout the marching band season almost every weekend in September and October. We typically compete in 5-6 competitions, both in town and out of town (all within 1.5-2 hours driving distance). Our season ends at the NYSFBC Championships at the Carrier Dome. Competition days typically begin with practice on Saturday morning at the High School. After practice, the band eats lunch then takes a bus to the competition. They will eat dinner at the competition then take the bus back to school. Generally, they will arrive home between 10 and 11:30 on Saturday night.

Rainbow of Stars (ROS) is the annual competition held at East Irondequoit-Eastridge in early September. It is the first competition of the year, and our biggest fundraiser (see Rainbow of Stars page for more information or to volunteer).

Dome Day refers to the New York State Field Band Championships (NYSFBC) held annually at the Carrier Dome on the last Sunday in October. This is the biggest competition of the year and is a day long event. Our day starts with the traditional Dome Day breakfast, hosted by the EPFM. This is a special breakfast where the band celebrates all the hard work that they have put into the season. Many long standing traditions come forth during the breakfast (the Bacon Bowl, and the Dome Cone). After breakfast, there is a special recognition for all graduating seniors, including pictures on the Ridge Culver Fire truck. After breakfast, there is a short practice, then it is off to the Dome. Once at the Dome, the band practices at Sky Top, then enters the Dome and gets ready for their performance.

While the championships begin early Sunday morning, East Irondequoit typically performs late Sunday afternoon. After the performance, the band is allowed to eat dinner at the Dome and wait for Retreat. After all bands have completed performances and awards have been presented, the band boards the bus and returns home. They will typically arrive around 12:30-1 AM.

Winter Drumiline is the Indoor Percussion and runs from November until April. Similar to Marching Band, Winter Drumline meets 3 times a week, with competitions on Saturdays. Winter Drumline is a much smaller group (about 40 members vs 90 for Fall Marching Band). It consists of cymbal players, percussion, pit (front ensemble). Students don't have to play percussion to participate! Many students learn to play something new. Try-outs start the week after Dome Day. Saturday competitions are generally during the day vs the night time performances of Fall Marching Band, so the students are usually home by 5 PM. The season culminates with the state championships in Syracuse in April.

Spring Parade Band starts in April and runs until July 4th. Spring Parade Band marches in both Memorial Day Parades and the 4th of July Parade. Rehearsals/practices are typically Tu/Thur nights. Eastridge marches in the Irondequoit Memorial Day Parade and the Pittsford Memorial Day Parade (separate days) and the Irondequoit 4th of July Parade.

School bands usually take one trip in the Spring. In recent years, they have traveled to Virgina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania for band competitions. Generally, multiple bands are part of the trip (Marching Band, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Chorale). Drum line has also traveled out of state to regional competitions.

First, to volunteer with Marching Band, or with any event sponsored by EPFM, you need to become a member of the club. All band members are expected to have at least one family member to volunteer during Rainbow of Stars. In addition, there are many other ways to volunteer. We are always looking for volunteers throughout the year and it's a great way to feel part of the marching band family. Here are some examples of volunteering:

• Uniforms

• Fundraising

• Rainbow of Stars Chairperson(s)

• Band Camp

• Pit Crew

• Chaperones

• Dome Day Breakfast

• Committees to help run the organization (membership, finance, nominations...)