2026 Maryland District V North Solo and Ensemble Festival

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Today QACHS had 22 students who went to Chesapeake College to participate in the Maryland District V North Solo and Ensemble Festival.  This festival provides an opportunity for students to perform in small chamber ensembles and/or as a solo artist for adjudication and/or comments for growth.  We had 2 solo and 9 ensembles, which performed.  The results on the day are that for the two solo performances, one received a rating of Superior and the other Excellent.  The results of the small ensemble performances are that two ensembles received a rating of Excellent and seven ensembles that received Superior.  The 8 events that qualified with the Superior rating have also qualified for the Maryland State Solo and Ensemble Festival at Towson University in May.

Update for the Week of 2/16/26 – 2/20/26

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Today is a regular school day, as it is being used as a make-up day for the excess inclement weather that we have had.  Tuesday will be the last rehearsal day for our small ensembles, as they will attend our District Solo and Ensemble festival at Chesapeake College on Thursday.  The Symphonic Band will continue to prepare for our District Band Festival, which is coming up in three weeks.

Here is what our schedule looks like this week:

Monday – Full Ensemble Rehearsal (During Class)
No After School Rehearsal

Tuesday – Small Ensemble Rehearsal (During Class)
No After School Rehearsal

Wednesday – Full Ensemble Rehearsal (During Class)
No After School Rehearsal

Thursday – Solo and Ensemble Festival @ Chesapeake College. (8:00 AM – 11:15AM)
No After School Rehearsal

Friday – Full Ensemble Class
No After School Rehearsal

Update for the Week of 2/9/26 – 2/13/26

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This week, we will continue preparing for Solo and Ensemble Festival, which is next week at Chesapeake College, and District Band Festival, which is four weeks from Wednesday.  If you would like to travel with us to Kent County HS for District Band Festival as a chaperone, please send me an e-mail so I can put you on the list.

Chaperone packets went home with students for the spring trip to Hershey.  We will be completing the Student Rooming List next week.  We need all payments up to date before we complete and submit the rooming list to the hotel the following week.

Here is what our schedule looks like this week:

Monday – Full Ensemble Rehearsal (During Class)
No After School Rehearsal

Tuesday – Small Ensemble Rehearsal (During Class)
No After School Rehearsal

Wednesday – Full Ensemble Rehearsal (During Class)
No After School Rehearsal

Thursday – Small Ensemble Rehearsal (During Class)
No After School Rehearsal

Friday – Full Ensemble Rehearsal (During Class)
No After School Rehearsal

Update for the Week of 2/2/26 – 2/6/26

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This week, we are finally starting our second-semester classes after not having any classes last week due to ongoing hazardous travel conditions throughout the county resulting from last weekend’s major winter storm, which brought snow and ice.  During our Symphonic Band classes this week, our small ensembles continue to prepare for Solo and Ensemble Festival and the large ensemble for District Band Festival.  Tuesday night, we welcome the 8th-grade students from SMS, and Thursday 8th-grade students from CMS, as they visit for their scheduling night for next year.  All of our current 9th – 11th-grade students will have their scheduling night on Wednesday night.  Thursday night, we will also have our February Band Parents meeting.

Here is what our schedule looks like this week:

Monday – Full Ensemble Rehearsal (During Class)
No After School Rehearsal

Tuesday – Small Ensemble Rehearsal (During Class)
No After School Rehearsal
SMS 8th Grade Scheduling Night @ 5:30PM

Wednesday – Full Ensemble Rehearsal (During Class)
No After School Rehearsal
9th-11th Grade Scheduling Night @ 5:30PM

Thursday – Small Ensemble Rehearsal (During Class)
No After School Rehearsal
CMS 8th Grade Scheduling Night @ 5:30PM
Band Parent Meeting @ 7PM

Friday – Full Ensemble Rehearsal (During Class)
No After School Rehearsal

Update for the Week of 1/26/26 – 1/30/26

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Today was to be another day off for students, as it was scheduled to be a staff professional development day.  However, as a result of the Winter Storm that moved through our area yesterday, the roads are still in poor condition for safe travel in many areas of the county.  This has caused the school system to be closed completely today.  Tomorrow we are scheduled to start our second semester, but we will see what the clean-up process of today brings us.  But, once we do return, the Symphonic Band will continue working on ensemble music for Solo and Ensemble Festival on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while also continuing to work as a large ensemble on the music for District Festival on the other days.  This will allow us to prepare adequately for all of our upcoming performances.

Here is what our schedule looks like this week:

Monday – No School! (Teacher Professional Development) SNOW DAY!

Tuesday – No After School Rehearsals No School – SNOW DAY!

Wednesday – No After School Rehearsals No School – SNOW DAY!

Thursday – No After School Rehearsals No School – SNOW DAY!

Friday – No After School Rehearsals No School – SNOW DAY!

2026 All-Shore Audition Results

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Today, 4 members of the QACHS Lions Band traveled to Parkside High School in Salisbury, Maryland, to audition for a spot in the 2025 All-Shore Honors Band.
Here are our results:
6th Chair Flute – Averie M.
3rd Chair Alto Saxophone– Thomas G.
3rd Chair Trombone– Seeley G.
The concert will be held at 4:00PM on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Wicomico High School in Salisbury, MD.

Update for the Week of 1/19/26 – 1/24/26

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This week we close out the first semester with one full day and two half days for exams. We also continue our preparations for Solo and Ensemble Festival and District Festival.  Saturday will be All-Shore auditions at Parkside H.S. in Salisbury.

Here is what our schedule looks like this week:

Monday – NO SCHOOL! (MLK Jr. Day)

Tuesday – No After School Rehearsals

Wednesday – No After School Rehearsals – 12:00 PM Student Dismissal (Pd. 1 and 2 Semester Exams)

Thursday – No After School Rehearsals – 12:00 PM Student Dismissal (Pd. 3 and 4 Semester Exams)

Friday – NO SCHOOL! (Teacher Grading and Semester 2 Prep Day)

Saturday – All-Shore Auditions at Parkside H.S. in Salisbury.

Update for the Week of 1/12/26 – 1/16/26

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This week is our last full week of the first semester.  The Symphonic Band will be sight-reading three new pieces that will be on the Spring Concert.  The various small ensembles will continue their preparations for Solo and Ensemble Festival next month.  We will also be completing our registrations for Solo and Ensemble Festival in class on Tuesday.  Friday will be our Lions Band Family Game Night.

Next week will be final exams for semester classes and Mid-term exams for the Hybrid classes.  Next Saturday will also be the All-Shore Honors Band auditions at Parkside High School in Salisbury.

Here is what our schedule looks like this week:

Monday – Full Ensemble Rehearsal
No After School Rehearsals.

Tuesday – Small Ensemble Rehearsals
No After School Rehearsals.

Wednesday – Full Ensemble Rehearsal
No After School Rehearsals.

Thursday – Small Ensemble Rehearsals
No After School Rehearsals.

Friday – Full Ensemble Rehearsal
No After School Rehearsals.
Lions Band Family Game Night (6:00-8:00PM)

Update for the Week of 1/5/26 – 1/9/26

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This week, we return from our Winter Break and make our final push towards the end of the first semester.  It will be a busy three weeks as we get back into our routine of things this week,  the various state assessments this week and next week, and our final exams for semester classes and midterm exams for the hybrid classes in two weeks. The Symphonic Band will continue to work on its music in preparation for District Band Festival in March.  Our Small Ensembles will continue working on their music for Solo and Ensemble Festival in February.  Thursday will also be our January Boosters Meeting.

Here is what our schedule looks like this week:

Monday – No After School Rehearsals.

Tuesday – No After School Rehearsals.

Wednesday – No After School Rehearsals.

Thursday – No After School Rehearsals.
Band Booster Meeting @ 7:00PM

Friday – No After School Rehearsals.

Update for the Week of 12/29/25 – 1/2/26

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This week, we say goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026. We are still on Winter Break for another week.   I wish everyone a very Happy New Year and look forward to all of the exciting things the new year will bring us as we continue to move forward and work together in providing the best musical experience for all of the students involved in the QACHS Band Family.

In looking ahead to next week, the Symphonic Band will continue with its preparations for District Band Festival in March, and the small ensembles will continue their preparations for Solo and Ensemble Festival next month. We will hold our full ensemble rehearsals on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and use our rehearsal time on Tuesdays and Thursdays for our small ensembles.  All-Shore Pre-Registration forms will be available on Monday for those who are planning to audition for the Senior All-Shore Band.  These need to be returned with the registration fee to Mr. Wright before the end of the week.  We will also have our January Booster meeting on Thursday at 7:00PM in the Band Room.