What is your 2009/2010 show?

Take a minute and tell everyone your band show for the 2009/2010 season.

You can either click on Comment at the bottom of this post or you can simply do a new post on the blog.

I look forward to hearing what is going on with each of you at your schools and the ideas that you have for no doubt outstanding marching band shows.

Summer is gone....

Well... I guess all good things eventually come to an end. I hope that each of you and your band students have had a great and relaxing summer making you energized and ready for band camp.

I just wanted to wish you all luck as you start or have started your first week of band camp. The 2009/2010 school year is officially beginning for all of us. I hope that it turns out to be amazing!

I look forward to seeing each of you and your bands this season.

Good Luck!

DCI

Interested in seeing a drum corp performance up close and personal? You still have time.

Drum Corp season is quickly coming to an exciting end, but you still have a few options to catch a show either live or in a theater. Visit www.dci.org for ticket information. There is a show in Gadsden, AL, on this Friday, July 24, 2009 and a show in Atlanta this Saturday, July 25, 2009. Ticket information can be found on the dci website.

Click the picture above to see the trailer for the Quarter-Final LIVE broadcast in theaters on August 6, 2009. The closest showing for us is in Trussville, AL.

Grab some friends and go see for yourself! You won't regret it.

Ever thought how cool it would be to start your own rock band? Jam Studio (click here) can give you the opportunity to experiment and do just that. It is a free online studio that helps you easily create tracks that you can play along with on any instrument. Beginning or Advanced it is entertaining to play around with.

Have Fun!

2009 Talladega High School Graduation

The graduating seniors of Talladega High School were very fortunate to receive their graduation address from someone very well known, Dr. Condoleezza Rice. The week was filled with prepartation as the entire community anticipated her visit. Prior to the ceremonies graduates of the 2009 Class were permitted to meet Dr. Rice and take their picture with her individually. Below is a slide show including pictures from the ceremony as well as a recording of the speech given by Dr. Rice. What a wonderful experience for our graduating seniors, an event to remember for a lifetime.

What a Gig!

On April 23, 2009, the Talladega High School Jazz Band was invited to perform for the International Motorsports Hall of Fame ceremonies. With great preparation, lots of anticipation and much excitement the group of young musicians took on this adventure with great enthusiasm. Much is to be said about the musical presentation and outstanding representation of the Talladega City Schools from this group of young people; it was truly outstanding.

A special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Smith for their help providing dinner for the group, as well as Mrs. Rasco. Also to Dr. Frank Buck for his attendance and support at this event. It is wonderful to have such great support from parents and administrators in the Talladega City School System.

To see pictures Click Here

District II Concert Band Assessment

Each year bands from across the state of Alabama rehearse, prepare and perfect three pieces of music to present to a panel of three judges at District Band Assessment. This year was no different. On February 19 & 20, 2009, District II Concert Band Assessment was held at Gadsden High Schoool in Gadsden, Alabama. Along with many other schools from our district three schools from Talladega County and two from Talladega City participated at this years event.

Talladega High School kicked off performances of the TCBDA bands on Thursday night at 7:30. The following morning lead to back to back performances beginning at 9:00 by Zora Ellis Jr. High School, followed by Lincoln High School at 9:30 and Winterboro High School at 10:00. Munford High School performed shortly thereafter at 2:30 in the afternoon. Determination, pride, and accomplishment filled the stage as melodious sounds were eagerly presented to an awaiting audience by each band; efforts did not go unrecognized by audience members or judges.

The Munford High School Band, led by band director Mike Sims, received an overall Excellent rating from the judges on their performance of: "A March on the King's Highway" (LaPlante), "And Hold In Memory" (Vinson), "Abracadabra" (Ticheli).

The Talladega High School Band, under the direction of David McDaniel, performed: "Rough-Riders" (King), "A Song of the Universe" (Melillo), and "The Spirit of the Falcon" (Saucedo) for which they were awarded Superior ratings. Talladega High School will travel back to Gadsden High School on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, to participate in the Alabama State Concert Band Assessment.

Lincoln High School Band and director Felicia Romine, received superior ratings for their performance of: "Conquista" (Shaffer), "Childhood Hymn" (Holsinger), and "The Maelstrom" (Smith).

Zora Ellis Junior High performed: "Forward March" (Murtha), "As Winds Dance" (Hazo) and "Dark Adventure" (Ford), under the direction of Danielle Todd, receiving ratings of Superior. They will travel to Briarwood Christian Church in Birmingham, AL, for Alabama State Band Assessment on Monday, March 2, 2009, at 1:00 p.m.

Winterboro High School also received Superior ratings for their performance of: "Spania" (Shaffer), "By Dawn's Early Light" (Shaffer), and "Fanfare and Dance" (Edmondson), under the direction of Grayson Lawrence.

What a great accomplishment for the bands in Talladega County and City Schools, a proud representation no doubt. Congratulations to the directors, students, parents and administration at each of these schools. Good Luck in all of your future endeavors!

TCBDA Honor Band Schedule

Here is the schedule for the TCBDA Honor Band, held at Zora Ellis Junior High School on Friday-Saturday, Feb. 27-28, 2009.
Fri., Feb. 27: 8:30-12:00 Rehearsal (HS, Harwell auditorium: JH in ZEJH bandroom).
12:00-1:30 Lunch
1:30-5:00 Rehearsal (HS, Harwell auditorium: JH in ZEJH bandroom).
Sat., Feb. 28: 8:30-12:00 Rehearsal (JH, Harwell auditorium: HS in ZEJH bandroom).
12:00-1:30 Lunch and change into concert attire.
2:00-3:30 Concert ($3 admission).

2009 All-County Honor Band requirements

Audition Date: Tues., Feb. 24, Talladega High School, begin at 4:00.
Fee: $5 per student auditioning. $35 school fee. Make checks payable to Talladega High School.
Auditions:
Jr. High Brass/WW: Concert F, Bb, Eb, and Ab major scales/arpeggios; Chromatic Scale Bb – Bb (one octave); Sightreading, Tone Quality.
Sr. High Brass/WW: Concert Bb, B, C, Db, D major scales/arpeggios; Chromatic (same as All State requirements - see ABA Handbook; Sightreading, Tone Quality.
Percussion - both Junior and Senior High: Percussionist will audition on both mallet and snare drum: Mallets: Concert F, Bb, Eb, and Ab major scales/arpeggios; Mallet Sightreading; Snare Rudiments: Long Roll, Flamacue, 9-stroke roll, triple ratamacue, flam tap, flam paradiddle; Snare Sightreading.