The Arcadia Apache Marching Band, directed by Mr. Kevin Sherrill and Mr. Tom Plunkett, is one of the largest and most successful high school bands in the state.  The band performs in local and regional parade and field competitions, consistently earning high honors.  The group has performed in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade 17 times, will appear in the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade in the fall of 2023, and was the first band to perform in SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.  The Arcadia Music Club hosts the historic Arcadia Festival of Bands, regarded as the season culminating event for the SCSBOA parade season, and the SCSBOA 6A Field Championships at Citrus College each year.  

AHS Marching Band Photo Link:  https://www.arcadiamusic.photography/BAND

In the Fall Marching Season the band prepares a field show production and a parade march for competitions.  Students begin working on the fall music and drill during the summer months with instrument sectionals, drill camp, and music camp.  This summer work creates the foundation of music and marching technique needed for the season.  The culmination of the fall season is the annual Spaghetti Dinner, the band’s major fundraiser, in which the band and color guard perform fall repertoire one last time, additional special selections, and includes time honored traditions and highlights from the season.   

In the Spring Concert Season the band is split into three concert ensembles as students prepare wind literature for school events, community concerts, and local music festivals. 

Concert Band consists of all 9th grade band members. Students prepare traditional and contemporary wind band literature at the intermediate level.  Basic fundamentals and technique are explored and refined.  This ensemble performs at two school concerts and one local festival and does not require an audition to enroll.

Symphonic Band is an intermediate 10-12th grade ensemble which prepares traditional and contemporary wind band literature at the intermediate to advanced level.  More advanced fundamental skills and techniques are explored and refined.  This ensemble performs at two school concerts and one local festival and does not require an audition to enroll.

Wind Ensemble is an elite upper class ensemble by audition only.  Students prepare advanced high school and college literature for several events in the second semester including school concerts, local adjudicated festivals, community events, performance tours and exchange concerts. Recently the band has performed with the St. Olaf College Band, the Azusa Pacific University Wind Ensemble, and the Bob Cole Wind Ensemble from Cal State University, Long Beach.

Members of the Wind Ensemble form the Pep Band throughout the school year.  The Pep Band performed at football games, and various special community events, performing traditional Arcadia HS school songs, contemporary pop tunes, and includes entertaining choreography and vocals.  This group is a favorite at charity events and AHS reunions. 

Marching Band Rehearsals and Events (Aug 2023 - Jan 2024)