Dear marching band member and parent,
The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information concerning the Waverly Place Tree Lighting this Friday evening and the Raleigh Christmas Parade this Saturday morning. Upcoming events are also listed at the end of this letter. PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE LETTER!
The administration at Waverly Place has requested that our marching band perform for about 15 minutes at 6:00pm this Friday, Nov. 22nd for the beginning of their tree-lighting ceremony. As Waverly Place has generously donated the space for our Dewey’s Bakery Store, we are performing this service as a way of saying “thank you”; however, it is also a wonderful way to bring joy to our community! Students may use this performance as “hours” for Tri-M, Key Club and NHS Honor Societies.
Volunteers interested in chaperoning these events can visit the sign up HERE.
Listed below is the schedule that we will follow for the evening:
WAVERLY PLACE TREE-LIGHTING CEREMONY
Friday, November 22, 2024
4:00pm Report to Athens – Change into full uniform
4:30pm Depart for Waverly Place (via activity buses)
5:00pm Arrive Waverly Place -Add plumes, lights for music -Warm-up
5:30pm March to performance area
6:00pm Performance
6:40pm Depart Waverly Place
7:00pm Arrive Athens Drive
*Students may take instrument and uniform home (plus hats) with them on Friday after school and just meet us at Waverly Place at 5:00pm in the lot across from Chick-fil-A. Look for the activity buses. Please make certain that you allow extra time for travel and parking (parking will be hard to come by).
We anticipate a large audience for this event—so it is going to be great PR for our band program! And, we will have lights affixed to our uniforms, so we’ll be “lit” just like the tree😊
RALEIGH CHRISTMAS PARADE
Saturday, November 23, 2024
7:00am Report & Dress
7:30am Group Photo in Stadium
8:00am Depart for downtown Raleigh (via activity buses)
8:30am Arrive at parade site
9:45am Approx. “Step-Off” Time (we are in the first 1/3 of the parade)
11:15am Return to ADHS
Group Photo: Because we did not get the opportunity to have a formal group photo taken during any of our competitions, we wanted to schedule one before the season ends. We will make this photo available on Smug Mug. (Might make a nice holiday gift☺)
The Raleigh Christmas Parade is a beautiful event, one that our band has marched in since our school was founded over 40 years ago. The parade is one of the largest parades in the region with over 100 entries. It is also well attended and televised: The students will have the opportunity to perform for more people than all our previous performances combined. But most importantly, it is an opportunity for both band members and families to share another one of those “feel good” moments!
The parade will begin at 9:30am on Hillsborough St. near St. Mary’s College and move east to the Capitol. The parade will then trace part of the perimeter of the Capitol and turn south onto Fayetteville Street. The total length of the parade is about 1.5 miles. It will be televised on ABC-11.
Other information:
Winter Guard & Winter Percussion are presently holding orientation rehearsals for interested students. Be sure to get on board if you are interested as membership in these outstanding groups will close in just a few weeks!
Please visit our Dewey’s Bakery Store at Waverly Place!
Important Upcoming Dates:
12/7 Apex Christmas Parade 3:00-7:30pm (parade begins at 5:00pm) We’ll have lights on our sashes; students will be encouraged to light-up their instruments
12/14 Cary Christmas Parade Noon-4:00pm (parade begins at 2:00pm)
12/19 Grand Holiday Concert 7:00pm (Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble)
Hope to see you along the parade route cheering on our wonderful band!
