University of Alabama Honor Band 2009 Talladega Co. Recipients

Congratulations to the following students from the Sylacauga City, Talladega City, and Talladega County band programs for being selected to the University of Alabama Honor Band, announced on Monday, Dec. 15, 2008: Payton Raines, clarinet (Sylacauga HS); Brandi Woodard, clarinet (Talladega HS); Dakota Whitten, euphonium (Talladega HS); James Atkisson, flute (Talladega HS); Jay Bradford, trombone (Sylacauga HS); Jennifer Burk, trumpet (Talladega HS); Matthew Pruitt, trumpet (Munford HS); Lexie Gates Rasco, trumpet (Talladega HS); James Hubbard, tuba (Talladega HS); and Kendall Mullis, tuba (BB Comer HS).

The Honor Band will take place on Feb. 4-8, 2009. Congratulations!

Merry Tuba Christmas!

On Friday, December 5, 2008, The Talladega High School and Zora Ellis Jr. High Tubas and Euphoniums traveled to Atlanta, GA to participate in the ATL 2008 Tuba Christmas. It proved to be a rewarding experience for all involved. Enjoy the pictures!

Giving Back....

It is great to have students in the classroom learning daily. It is also a wonderful happening when those students move on from jr. high and high school and continue thier endeavors at the college level. However, better than both of those is when that same student returns and gives back to his alma mater by offering his talents to those younger.

Zack is a great example of just that. He travels to Talladega each Friday from Jacksonville State University, where he is a music major, to give lessons to French Horn students at both Talladega High School and Zora Ellis Jr. High. We are very happy to have him and just as happy to have students open and willing to 'pick his brain' for any tips or knowledge that he may have. What better way to learn than from someone who has been exactly where you are sitting.

Tuba Christmas

The tubas and Euphoniums from Talladega High and Zora Ellis will be attending Tuba Christmas in Atlanta this year. Below is a little information and a video clip of previous events.

TUBACHRISTMAS was conceived in 1974 as a tribute to the late artist/teacher William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902. Through the legendary William J. Bell we reflect on our heritage and honor all great artists/teachers whose legacy has given us high performance standards, well structured pedagogy, professional integrity, personal values and a camaraderie envied by all other instrumentalists. The first TUBACHRISTMAS was conducted by the late Paul Lavalle in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, December 22, 1974. Traditional Christmas music performed at the first TUBACHRISTMAS was arranged by American composer Alec Wilder who ironically died on Christmas Eve, 1980. Wilder composed many solo and ensemble compositions for tuba and euphonium. He was a loyal supporter of every effort to improve the literature and public image of our chosen instruments. Through Alec Wilder we express our respect and gratitude to all composers who continue to embrace our instruments with their compositions and contribute to the ever growing solo and ensemble repertoire for tuba and euphonium.

Click Here to view a youtube clip of last years performance in NYC.

On the Tube!

The Talladega High School Band is proud to represent Talladega County this week on ABC 33/40. Keith Taylor, sports producer at ABC 33/40, sent an email stating that we will be the "Blitz Band of the Week." They are using clips from the Pell City vs Dega game. The show usually airs on ABC 33/40 on Friday nights at 10:30.

Trumpet for Sale

Jeff Wood has a Kanstul 1500 A Series Trumpet for sale. The horn is lacquer, has a copper bell, and a .460 bore size. This is a beautiful instrument that retails new for $2,200. Jeff is willing to sell to a student for $750.00. Call Jeff at 493-0165 for more details.

Talladega County Marching Band Exhibition - SUCCESS!

Congratulations to the bands of BB Comer, Childersburg, Munford, Talladega City, Talladega County Central, and Winterboro High Schools for their participation in the Talladega County Marching Band Exhibition. All bands gave spirited and entertaining peformances and the spectators in attendance responded in approval!

If anyone has photographs of last night's pageantry please email them to me at dmcdaniel@talladega-cs.net. I would love to post them on this blog page.

Special thanks to Sam Ellis and the students and parents of the Childersburg High School Band for sponsoring this event.

Let's start planning now for next year's event so we can make it bigger and better. How about a massed band performance at the end of the night to cap off a great night of entertainment? Just a thought!

Sylacauga HS, Talladega HS, and the Zora Ellis JH band members enjoy Tailgate Party!

On Friday, Sept. 12, the members of the Sylacauga HS Band, Talladega HS Band, and the Zora Ellis Junior High Band got together for a Tailgate Party right before the kick-off of the THS vs. SHS game. Band members visited, ate grilled Polish sausages, then performed stand still concerts for each other and for the crowd that had gathered there on the lawn of Dixon School in Talladega.

For an encore, the three bands formed one large band to perform the "Star Spangled Banner" in honor of 9-11 and in celebration of National Anthem Day, Sept. 12, 2008!

View the minutes from the Aug. 6 TCBDA

CLICK HERE to view the minutes from the August 6 TCBDA Fall Meeting.

In the NEWS!

The Daily Home is recognizing the efforts of local bands in the community.
Click here to view.

Good luck to everyone as you put on the finishing touches and the first football game approaches. It appears that the time has come and quickly too!