AHS Marching Band
Senior night & Atascadero Colony days
Senior Night
The AHS band Senior night rang true in the stadium, everyone playing loud and proud. Although a hot night and having to wake up early to participate and win the Atascadero Colony days parade; our marching band played strong leaving it all in the stands. Bringing out our beautiful orange plums to celebrate our hardworking and more than deserving soon to be graduates.
I speak on behalf of all the AHS Marching band when I say we’re all more than excited to see what wonderful upperclassmen take their future by storm wherever that may take them. Appreciating all the great times and advice they gave us the last four years. Making us laugh, cry and cheer; helping us achieve great success and making us all want to become not only great musicians but better people. We cherish the memories that we’ve gained and the time spent. After asking many of our graduates how they felt about our marching band the consensus was that it felt like one big family; that feeling is shared amongst the young years in great help due to our teaching by Mr. Conrad, who’s name appears many times. Our Seniors have worked hard and would like to share some words of wisdom and their fondest memories, the things that they think make the marching band so great and even some of their future plans.
¨It doesn’t feel real, but I’m excited to see how the rest of the year goes.” Paige Elliot
¨Your last year feels great, you’re at the very top of the band and some of the best players in the band it feels awesome. If you’re able to give some lower-classman advice it feels good to know you helped make the band improve. It’s sad to see every day the time is ticking, but it’s so exciting to be able to finally be a senior.¨ Clarie Woodland.
¨How do I feel? Honestly, I’m sad to leave. I’ve been in the band program since 6th grade, and hopefully I get to continuously go on to play music in college.¨ Carson Lee
¨The AHS band program has been a wonderful lens through which I have experienced high school. It has been both an emotional support and inspiration that has kept me involved in all the best parts of a high School experience.¨ Ian Kinnear
¨I feel sad but happy at the same time. It was an amazing experience from day 1.¨ Alondra De Leon
¨sad! I’m going to miss the music, people and the hard work. Mr. Conrad the band director is the most caring supportive teacher i’ve ever had in my life. Him and band has saved my life.¨ Lexi Leon
Colony Days
For the Atascaderos 50th annual colony days parade, The Sultans of Sound, The AHS marching band took home first place. Strong marching in time, playing great tunes like no other. Being led by Drum Major Reese Griffiths; being their second year as drum major they make strides of improvement. After asking Reese about their time in the band I received a heartfelt response that deserves to be shared; “Band had given me a place where I could belong. Without the band’s community I wouldn’t be who I am today. I am a Drum Major in the band and through this I have found confidence in myself and have gotten better at speaking socially or in front of crowds. Music also has always been important to me, helping me focus or making me happy. Being able to make this music with so many other talented musicians is my favorite part of my days.Reese Griffiths.” While collecting members’ thoughts it’s beautifully apparent how much all students appreciate the hard work of our one and only, Mr. Conrad. Who without a doubt can be found marching alongside his student, putting great effort into making his students better. Through a long and hot day with ups and down the support of the AHS band boosters and caring parents, they were able to troubleshoot all anything that was thrown at them. Grateful, though may be an understatement, is how we all feel about our victory and the support that helped us secure it.