TCBDA Spring Meeting

The band directors met for dinner at their spring meeting on March 31, 2010 at Matahuela Restaurant in Talladega. The main topic of discussion included the upcoming TCBDA Solo & Ensemble festival on April 20, 2010.

Spirit of Cooperation

Just before chair auditions for the University of Alabama Honor band on February 4, 2010, clarinetists Keyauna McKenzie (Talladega High School) and Payton Raines (Sylacauga High School) joined together to practice the audition material even though they were in direct competition for chair placement.


This “Spirit of Cooperation” is becoming more and more evident with the directors and band students of Talladega County, Talladega City, and Sylacauga City as the TCBDA continues to find ways to improve the band programs in our schools.

ABA State Music Performance Assessment

Four bands from Talladega County and Talladega City Schools will participate in the Alabama Bandmasters Association State Music Performance Assessment on Feb. 24-26, 2010 at Gadsden City High School.

The participating bands and their performance times are: Zora Ellis Junior High School Band (Wednesday, Feb. 24, 8:30 a.m.); Talladega High School Band (Wednesday, February 24, 4:30 p.m.); Lincoln High School Band (Thursday, February 25, 2:30 p.m.); and Winterboro High School Band (Friday, February 26, 2010, 12:00 noon).

Good luck to all the participating bands.

1st Annual Concert Band Preview

The Talladega County Band Directors Association held their 1st annual Concert Band preview on Tuesday, February 9, 2010. The exhibition was designed to serve two purposes; the first to allow concert bands of our Sylacauga City, Talladega City, and Talladega County schools an opportunity to perform for an audience and judge as preparation for upcoming festivals and competitions. The other purpose was to raise money for the Talladega County Band Directors Association's Scholarship fund. $700 was raised for this important cause.

Listed are the participating concert bands and their conductors: B.B. Comer HS Band (Dan Seaborn), Fayetteville HS Band (Melissa Padgett), Lincoln HS Band (Felisha Romine Wach), Munford HS Band (Mike Sims), Sylacauga HS Band (David Simpkins), Talladega High School (David McDaniel), Winterboro HS Band (Grayson Lawrence), and the Zora Ellis JH Band (Danielle Todd).

Dr. Frank Buck was our guest judge and offered valuable commentary about each band's performance.

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