Robbinsdale Armstrong High School Bands - Plymouth, MN

Concert Band is the middle band here at Armstrong High School.  It is made up of mostly 10th and 11th graders with some 12 graders and the occasional 9th grader.  Concert Band meets Monday through Friday during 3rd period and is under the direction of Mr. Todd Burkholder and Mr. Colin Woelfle.  Concert Band performs at three Armstrong band concerts, Classic Lake Festival, Solo & Ensemble is optional, and on tour each year.  This group traditionally takes a 2 day-1 night tour to a nearby destination, with last years' trip being to Univeristy of Wisconsin-Madision and Wisconsin Dells.  Students ARE able to sing in 3rd period choir as well as play in 3rd period band.  These students alternate daily between choir and band.  Auditions are not neccesary for this group with the exception of 9th graders.  Ninth grade students may audition with a recommendation from their middle school band director.  Students in Concert Band are eligible for audition into Jazz II with auditions taking place in late September or early October.  For more information check out the Concert Band Handbook on our Handouts page.

Jazz I is the top jazz ensemble here at Armstrong High School and is made up of students from Symphonic Wind Ensemble.  Under the direction of Mr. Todd Burkholder, this group meets Wednesdays during 6th period and Monday nights from 7:00-8:30p.m.  Jazz I performs at 2 Armstrong band concerts, Solo & Ensemble Festival, tours the middle schools, tours with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and plays occasional outside gigs. Jazz I auditions occur in late September or early October.  Instrumention for Jazz I is as follows: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, bari saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, drum set, and bass. 

Click below to here the 2004-2005 Jazz I at their Spring Concert May 19, 2005 under the direction of Todd Burkholder.

Symphonic Wind Ensemble is the top band here at Armstrong High School.  It is made up of mostly 11th and 12th graders, with some 10th graders.  This group meets Monday through Friday during 6th period and is under the direction of Mr. Todd Burkholder.  The Symphonic Wind Ensemble performs at three Armstrong band concerts, the District Music Festival at Orchestra Hall, Solo & Ensemble Contest, Large Group Contest, Classic Lake Festivals, and on tour each year.  Each student must audition with auditions occuring at the end of April or beginning of May.  Students in Symphonic Wind Ensemble are eligible to play in Full Orchestra by seeing Mr. Kevin Martin.  For more information check out the Symphonic Band Handbook on our Handouts/Letters Page.

Click below to hear the 2004-2005 Symphonic Band at their Spring Concert May 10, 2005 under the direction of Todd Burkholder.

· Symphonic trip - St. Louis cost approximately $490, April 13-17th, trip will include visiting the Arch and listening to some blues. · Concert Band trip - Wisconsin Dells, cost approx. $200, Date TBD: Spring. · Freshman Band trip - Duluth cost approximately $100. Not an overnight. Late April: eat, take harbor tour, play at a school. · We have access to a free D.J. for a dance. We will revisit at the next meeting as a suggestion for a fundraiser. Perhaps a theme dance? Have the band officers put it together as they would know what might work. The date TBD by when school is available. · Symphonic Band tours cycle: · Year 1 Marching Band trip · Year 2 Bus trip (shorter) · Year 3 Big Symphonic Band trip · Year 4 Bus trip (shorter) Announcing our 2006 Symphonic Band trip: HAWAII !! · Performance on USS Battleship Missouri · Perform at the Gateway Honolulu Music Festival · Possibly an exchange concert with a Hawaiian HS · Clinic at the University of Hawaii · Sightseeing/Activities · Pearl Harbor Touring · USS Arizona Memorial Tour · USS Missouri Tour · Habauma Bay Snorkeling gear rental included · Diamond Head Hiking · 6 nights/8 days at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel · 6 breakfasts · 2 lunches · 4 dinners $1,572: four per room · 18 months away For the first time ever Mr. B. will have an outside director come in to audition for Symphonic Wind Ensemble for next year

1) Anoka Halloween Parade 2) Band Booster Meeting Minutes 3) Marching Band Banquet Information 1) ANOKA HALLOWEEN PARADE 2004 Please remember your black gloves, black shirt and black socks Clean up your marching shoes. 12:15 - Arrive at Armstrong and get your uniform on 12:30 - Load the 4 buses 1:15 - Arrive in Anoka 2:15 - Step off in the Parade 2:45 - Complete the Parade, have food and drinks 3:10 - Load the buses for home 3:40 - Arrive back at AHS, turn in uniform The times toward the end of the day are approximate. 2) ARMSTRONG MARCHING BAND BOOSTER MEETING NOTES OCTOBER 11, 2004 · AHS Band Website: www.eteamz.com/armstrongband · It includes photos, calendars, schedules & events. . Bruce Gunderson is taking care of the site. · Band Booster Meeting goals include providing info/updates, gathering input from parents, creating a manual/guidebook for each area of Band programming to assist future parent volunteers. Please begin a draft of your volunteer area (examples: Fundraisers, Parades, Uniforms, Banquet) to be included in manual · Orchestra Hall: Symphonic students should have information. Concert practice Tuesday, 10/12 at 6:00pm at AHS. Another practice will be Monday 10/18 at 11:00am. Attire – men: tuxedos, women: long black dresses. · Senior Recognition: 35 students to be introduced Wednesday 10/20 before the game – exact timing TBD. Football boosters to buy roses for all the senior band students. · Discussion of what happened on Friday night with football players coming onto the field before half-time was over. · Middle school band night at AHS at the next football game, 10/20. Incoming band students are invited to attend game and play school song with band. They will all be given a slip for a hot-dog, soda, a bag of chips at the concession stand. Current band members are encouraged to go into the stands and invite them to participate next year. Big deal for the kids. In addition to the hot dog they will have the chance to mingle with the band after the game and enjoy the snacks we provide for the marchers. · A big Thank You for all of the snacks and water that has been donated. Kids are very appreciative of the goodies. We have enough on hand for the final football game and the parade. Any leftovers will be used at future events. · Thank you for bringing the four-wheeler and trailer to assist with moving the band equipment. · Marching Band Banquet - · Date: Tuesday, November 9th · Time: 6:30 p.m. · Location: Plymouth Creek Center (same location as last year). · The flyer to make reservations is being sent home on Tuesday, 10/12. Help needed for set-up, an email will be sent with additional details. · Menu: meat lasagna, manicotti, salad, seasonal vegetables, rolls and butter · Cost: $15.50 per person (parents and students same price) · Will try to get an update to funds balance in individual student accounts for posting at the banquet. · Citrus Sale fund-raiser: no additional information at this time, details will follow in a separate email. A complete packet will be coming with the students. Fruit, chocolate tins, etc. Great community sale because no other group does it. · Star Tribune: Band will start to work on this fundraiser again beginning either October 23rd or 30th – Val Sprynczynatyk to coordinate. Choir will do it through January 1st. 1:00pm start time to put together 3 sections of newspaper. . Must be age 12 or over to work. Schedule 14 workers at a time. PLEASE NOTE: The Star/Tribune building has MOVED! The address of Star Tribune’s new site will be coming. · Happenings books are done - please turn in any outstanding money or books. · Securitas is happy with the work we did. They are looking for more people to work. Additional info to follow. Note: must be 16 to work. · Blanket sales: need people to help sell at conferences. . Anoka Parade: see separate note attached to this email. · List of band booster officers and event coordinators has been published (It is attached to this email). · Band tour info: · Symphonic trip - St. Louis cost approximately $490, April 13-17th, trip will include visiting the Arch and listening to some blues. · Concert Band trip - Wisconsin Dells, cost approx. $200, Date TBD: Spring. · Freshman Band trip - Duluth cost approximately $100. Not an overnight. Late April: eat, take harbor tour, play at a school. · We have access to a free D.J. for a dance. We will revisit at the next meeting as a suggestion for a fundraiser. Perhaps a theme dance? Have the band officers put it together as they would know what might work. The date TBD by when school is available. · Symphonic Band tours cycle: · Year 1 Marching Band trip · Year 2 Bus trip (shorter) · Year 3 Big Symphonic Band trip · Year 4 Bus trip (shorter) Announcing our 2006 Symphonic Band trip: HAWAII !! · Performance on USS Battleship Missouri · Perform at the Gateway Honolulu Music Festival · Possibly an exchange concert with a Hawaiian HS · Clinic at the University of Hawaii · Sightseeing/Activities · Pearl Harbor Touring · USS Arizona Memorial Tour · USS Missouri Tour · Habauma Bay Snorkeling gear rental included · Diamond Head Hiking · 6 nights/8 days at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel · 6 breakfasts · 2 lunches · 4 dinners $1,572: four per room · 18 months away For the first time ever Mr. B. will have an outside director come in to audition for Symphonic Wind Ensemble for next year · Next month's Band Booster meeting is November 8th, 7:00pm. WE WILL NOT HAVE A DECEMBER MEETING. Submitted by Cindy Morin, Secretary 3) MARCHING BAND BANQUET INFORMATION This years Marching Band Banquet will be Tuesday, November 9th at 6:30. Flyers were passed out during class this week. The information is also copied below and attached. Please return the reservation forms with your payment as soon as possible. If parents would like to help we do need a few people to run errands,set up before the (4:00-5:30) and help at the banquet. If you have questions or would like to help please contact Karen Mastel at 763-557-1475 or email to Karen_Mastel@rdale.k12.mn.us.