Update for the Week of 5/25/26 – 5/29/26

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Mr. Wright

Today, we will enjoy the day off for Memorial Day. The Symphonic Band Members will continue to complete their performance exams while we also continue to sight-read each day. This week, we also have to say “goodbye” to our Seniors as they graduate on Wednesday morning. Wednesday evening, we will have our second night of our 2026 Marching Band Mini-Camp.

Looking ahead to next week, we will have our third night of the 2026 Marching Band Mini-Camp from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. We will also have our last monthly Band Parents Meeting for this school year on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM.

Here is what our schedule looks like this week:

Monday – NO SCHOOL! MEMORIAL DAY!!

Tuesday – No After School Rehearsals.

Wednesday – Asynchronous Classes Class of 2026 Graduation @ 10AM
2026 Marching Band Mini Camp 6-8PM

Thursday – No After School Rehearsals.

Friday – No After School Rehearsals.

2026 Chestertown Tea Party Parade (Weather Decision)

Posted on May 22, 2026 by Mr. Wright

Due to the continued forecast of steady rain for most of the day, we have decided to withdraw from the parade this year. Thank you for the work that everyone has put in to be ready for this performance, and I am sorry that the weather isn’t cooperating. I hope you all have a great weekend and look forward to seeing everyone at our second night of Mini Camp next Wednesday evening.

Update for the Week of 5/18/26 – 5/23/26

Posted on May 18, 2026 by Mr. Wright

Congratulations to all of the students who made up the 1 Solo and 6 Ensembles that attended the Maryland State Solo and Ensemble Festival at Towson University on Saturday and earned 2 ratings of “Excellent” and 5 ratings of “Superior” for their performances. This week is the last week of school for our Seniors. They will take their written Final Exam on Thursday. Wednesday will be our Awards Day during our class 3rd period. Saturday, we will march in the Chestertown Tea Party Parade in Chestertown at 10:00 AM. This week will also be our first night of the 2026 Marching Lions Band Mini-Camp nights on Wednesday from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.

Here is what our schedule looks like this week:

Monday – Marching Band Rehearsal (6-8PM)

Tuesday – No After School Rehearsal

Wednesday – No After School Rehearsal
2026 Marching Band Mini Camp 6-8PM

Thursday – No After School Rehearsal

Friday – 1/2 Day 12:00PM Dismissal
No After School Rehearsal

Saturday – Chestertown Tea Party Parade @ 10:00 AM

Report @ 8:00 AM

Prep, Pack, and Load @ 8:00 – 8:30 AM

Depart @ 8:30 AM

Arrive in Chestertown @ 9:00 AM

Warm-up @ 9:00 – 9:45 AM

Line-up @ 9:45 AM

Parade step off @ 10:00 AM

Return to QACHS @ conclusion of marching Tea Party Parade

2026 Maryland State Solo and Ensemble Festival Results

Posted on May 16, 2026 by Mr. Wright

Today, 15 of our kids traveled to Towson University to perform and be adjudicated at the Maryland State Solo and Ensemble Festival after qualifying at the Maryland District V Solo and Ensemble Festival back in February. These 15 kids performed as part of 7 different events, made up of 1 solo, 2 duets, and 4 quartets, that were all student-led and rehearsed. The outcome of the day is that they brought home 5 Superior Ratings and 2 Excellent Ratings.

Update for the Week of 5/4/26 – 5/8/26

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Mr. Wright

This past weekend, we traveled to Hershey, Pennsylvania, for our annual band trip and participated in the Music in the Parks’ Hersheypark Festival. The Symphonic Band and the Marching Lions Band each presented performances. The Symphonic Band received an “Excellent” rating and was awarded 2nd place in the HS Group AA Concert Band I category. The Marching Band received a rating of “Superior” and was awarded 2nd place in the HS Parade Band Category.

This week we have the Jazz Concert on Wednesday.

Looking ahead: Next week, we will begin playing exams. Also on Wednesday, May 13th, the Marching Band Leadership Interviews and Auditions will be held after school with the Percussion and Color Guard Clinic from 6 -8PM that evening. In two weeks we will have Senior Exams. Our final Marching Band rehearsal will be held on Monday, May 18th for the Chestertown Tea Party Parade on Saturday. We will also have our awards day during each band’s class time on Wednesday, May 20th. Also on May 20th, we will have the first night of Mini Band Camp. Then, on Saturday, May 23rd, the Marching Lions Band will perform in the Chestertown Tea Party Parade.

Here is what our schedule looks like this week:

Monday – No After School Rehearsal

Tuesday – Jazz Band Rehearsal (After school)

Wednesday – Jazz Band Rehearsal (After school)
2026 QACHS Night of Jazz with the QACHS and CMS Jazz Ensembles in the QACHS Cafeteria @ 7:00PM. (Report @ 6:30 PM)
*Jazz Band Members need to bring the following items (Saxes = Baked Goods / Brass = 1 [2 Liter] Bottle of Soda, Tea, or Lemonade / Piano and Vibes = Gallon of Water / Percussion Section = Assigned Paper Products or Forks)

Thursday – No After School Rehearsal
Band Booster Executive Meeting Only @ 6:00 PM

Friday – No After School Rehearsal

Update for the Week of 4/27/26 – 5/1/26

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Mr. Wright

This week will be very busy, but one that we have been looking forward to for several months. Today is the final rehearsal for the Marching Band in preparation for their performance on the Spring Concert and in Hershey as well. Jazz Band will have its next-to-last regular rehearsal before the Jazz Concert next week. We will have a dress rehearsal on Tuesday during 3rd period, the Spring Concert on Wednesday evening, and the spring trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania, on Friday through Sunday.

REMINDER! We are going to have a couple of themed baskets for a basket raffle at the Spring Concert on Wednesday night. This is to help with our end-of-year awards expenses. One basket will be themed “All Things Summer”, and the other will be a gift card basket. We are accepting donations of beach items such as beach towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, flip-flops, a beach umbrella, water bottles, Stanley Cups, s’mores supplies, etc., and gift cards of any amount. Please send these items in to Mr. Wight by the end of the day tomorrow (Tuesday).

Next week, we will have the Night of Jazz concert on Wednesday at QACHS and a Booster Meeting on Thursday in the Band Room.

Here is what our schedule looks like this week:

Monday – Marching Band Rehearsal (After School)

Tuesday – Dress Rehearsal (3rd Period)
Jazz Band Rehearsal (After school)

Wednesday – No After School Rehearsal
Spring Concert @ 7:30PM (Report & Dress @ 6:30PM/Warm-up @ 7:00PM)

Thursday – No After School Rehearsal

Friday – Depart for Hershey HS, Hershey, PA @ 1:00PM
Symphonic Band Performance at Hershey HS @ 4:50PM

Saturday – Marching Band Performance at Hersheypark Tram Stop 3 @ 9:20AM
Spend the day at Hersheypark.

Sunday – Return from Hershey @ about 12:30PM.

Update for the Week of 4/20/26 – 4/24/26

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Mr. Wright

Today, we are 11 days away from our departure to Pennsylvania for the Hersheypark Music in the Parks Festival. Just a reminder that all Emergency Medical Forms are due by the end of this week. This week, we will continue our preparations for both our performances at the Spring Concert, which is next Wednesday, and in Hershey next Friday.

For our Spring Concert, we are going to have a couple of themed baskets for a basket raffle to help with our end-of-year awards expenses. One basket will be themed “All Things Summer”, and the other will be a gift card basket. We are accepting donations of beach items such as beach towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, flip flops, a beach umbrella, water bottles, Stanley Cups, items for s’mores, etc., and gift cards of any amount. They can be sent in to Mr. Wight over the next week, and by Tuesday.

Here is what our schedule looks like this week:

Monday – Marching Band Rehearsal (6:00 – 8:00 PM)

Tuesday – Jazz Band Rehearsal (After school)

Wednesday – No After School Rehearsal

Thursday – Jazz Band Rehearsal (After school)

Friday – No After School Rehearsal

Update for the Week of 4/13/26 – 4/17/26

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Mr. Wright

The Symphonic Band will continue its preparations for both upcoming performances: the Spring Concert and the Hershey performance in two weeks. The Marching Band will continue its preparations for its performance on the Spring Concert, at the Parade Review in Hershey, and in the Chestertown Tea Party Parade. The Jazz ensemble continues its preparations for the Jazz Concert in three weeks for the QACHS Night of Jazz.

Here is what our schedule looks like this week:

Monday – Marching Band Rehearsal (6:00-8:00)

Tuesday – Jazz Band Rehearsal (2:35-4:45)

Wednesday – No After School Rehearsal

Thursday – Jazz Band Rehearsal (2:35-4:45)

Friday – No After School Rehearsal

Update for the Week of 4/6/26 – 4/10/26

Posted on April 6, 2026 by Mr. Wright

This week, we are enjoying a much-needed week off for spring break. This will give us a chance to recharge just a bit and be ready for the final push into the end of this year. We have a busy set of weeks ahead as we prepare for the Spring Concert, the trip to Hershey, and our Night of Jazz. We will then begin to shift gears and look forward to the excitement of what next year can bring as we begin our spring clinics and training camps for the 2026-2027 Marching Lions Band.

Here is what we have coming up when we return.

Monday, April 13th – Marching Lions Band Rehearsal @ 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Tuesday, April 14th – Jazz Band Rehearsal @ 2:35 – 4:45 PM

Thursday, April 16th – Jazz Band Rehearsal @ 2:35 – 4:45 PM

Monday, April 20th – Marching Lions Band Rehearsal @ 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Tuesday, April 21st – Jazz Band Rehearsal @ 2:35 – 4:45 PM

Thursday, April 23rd – Jazz Band Rehearsal @ 2:35 – 4:45 PM

Monday, April 27th – Marching Lions Band Rehearsal @ 2:35 – 4:45 PM

Tuesday, April 28th – Jazz Band Rehearsal @ 2:35 – 4:45 PM

Wednesday, April 29th – Spring Concert @ 6:00 PM (Students report @ 5:15 PM)

Friday, May 1st – Sunday, May 3rd – Music In the Parks Trip to Hershey, PA

Tuesday, May 5th – Jazz Band Rehearsal @ 2:35 – 4:45 PM

Wednesday, May 6th – Jazz Band Rehearsal @ 2:35 – 4:45 PM
Night of Jazz Concert @ 7:00 PM (Students report @ 6:15 PM)

Thursday, May 7th – Band Parents Meeting @ 7:00 PM

Monday, May 11th – Marching Lions Band Rehearsal @ 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Wednesday, May 13th – 2026 Marching Lions Band Percussion and Color Guard Clinics @ 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Friday, May 15th – Lions Band Family Game Night @ 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Saturday, May 16th – State Solo and Ensemble Festival @ Towson University

Monday, May 18th – Marching Lions Band Rehearsal @ 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Wednesday, May 20th – 2026 Marching Lions Band Mini-Camp @ 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Saturday, May 25th – Chestertown Tea Party Parade @ 10:00 AM

Wednesday, May 27th – 2026 Marching Lions Band Mini-Camp @ 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Wednesday, June 3rd – 2026 Marching Lions Band Mini-Camp @ 6:00 – 8:00 PM

QACHS's Band Blog

An Open Communication Vehicle for the QACHS Bands Past and Present

Update for the Week of 5/25/26 – 5/29/26

2026 Chestertown Tea Party Parade (Weather Decision)

Update for the Week of 5/18/26 – 5/23/26

2026 Maryland State Solo and Ensemble Festival Results

Update for the Week of 5/4/26 – 5/8/26

Update for the Week of 4/27/26 – 5/1/26

Update for the Week of 4/20/26 – 4/24/26

Update for the Week of 4/13/26 – 4/17/26