Proud of GUARD!  Excellent show at Mortimer Jordan.  Please enjoy "Turning Tables"

This is our biggest and most important fundraiser of the year.  It's easy for you - mostly involves social media.  We need your help shooting a video.  Here is a 22 second demonstration of exactly what you need to do with your student.  

HERE IS A SAMPLE SCRIPT:

I'm (first, last) with great news! You can get a better night's sleep and help the Huntsville High School Band with our biggest fundraiser of the year. It's our mattress sale and we are going to save you money!

Once you are happy with your video, text it to 256-651-5690 and we will edit the final video for you.  You can then post it to your social media.  We need these as fast as possible.  Your student can make at least $30 per sale to their CHARMS account.  It's very easy to sell 1, not a stretch to sell 2... and we have had several years where students have sold as many as 8.  Be sure to have your friends mention your student's name to get credit for the sale.  

All State Audition and District Honor Band Audition recap
Thank you to EVERYONE who volunteered time this weekend.  I hope you enjoyed doing it.  You certainly made a huge difference.  We couldn't have done it without you.   Special thanks for Kristina Hutcherson, Christine Starnes, and Audrey Beumer for coordinating volunteers and hospitality.   

Congratulations to our students that made all state and district honor band!  I am equally proud of everyone that auditioned. It takes effort, time, and guts to do this. We are proud of your pursuit of this goal.   It's very worthwhile goal to pursue.  Winning an audition is always a big accomplishment, but band is always more than that.  

Red Band:
Grace Bradt - Trumpet
Matthew Hutcherson - Euphonium
Allie Polzin - French Horn

White Band:
Jillian Boles - Trombone

Blue Band:
Maggie Tonsmeire - flute

Alternates (pending a call up):
Jayne Hansberger - French Horn
Calen Miller - Alto Saxophone
Kristina Olszowy - Bassoon
Daniel Starnes - Trumpet
Jody Shaw - flute

District Honor Band:
Maggie Tonsmeire - flute
Jody Shaw - flute 
Giselle Andrade - clarinet 
Tori Smith - Oboe (1st chair)
Kristina Olszowy - Bassoon

Calen Miller - Alto Saxophone
Grace Bradt - Trumpet
Daniel Starnes - Trumpet

Lila Boyd - Trumpet
Allie Polzin - French Horn
Jayne Hansberger - French Horn
Jillian Boles - Trombone
Gabby Millar - Percussion

IMPORTANT VBC UPDATE
We have heard feedback on the difficulty booking shifts.  The only way to get added to the Sign Up Genius notifications is to actually sign up for an event.   We are working with the VBC to have a training class that you can sign up for.  This will activate the distribution list.   


Winter Camp February 2-4, 2023

Just a reminder that this is a required event for ALL brass, woodwind, and percussion students in band (everyone but color guard).   We invest lots of money to bring in great guest clinicians to work with our students.  It's a terrific experience!

The schedule is the same as it has been in past year.

Thursday, February 2nd
4:00 - 9:00 pm Rehearsal with dinner provided from 6-7

Friday, February 3rd
(all students excused from school today)
8:30 - 11:30  Rehearsal
11:30 - 12:30 Lunch (as you would normally eat lunch at school - no food provided by band)
12:30 - 3:30  Rehearsal
4:00 - 6:00 pm Section Masterclasses

Saturday, February 4th
8:30 - 10:00  Section Master Classes
10:00 - 11:30 Rehearsal
12:00 - 1:00 pm Concert in the Auditorium!  Please come and watch!  It is a "work in progress" concert for our MPA Performance.  Students should wear polo shirt.  It is an informal concert.    

Winter Guard Information
No competition this week!  Normal schedule.

Competition and Rehearsal Schedule 
*Every Tuesday from 4-6 pm Winter Guard has rehearsal 
February 11 - Competition at Thompson HS (Alabaster)
February 25th - Bob Jones HS (Madison)
March 25 - Spain Park HS (Hoover)
Marching 27th - Goodies with the Guard at Bob Jones HS (Madison)
April 1 - Championships at Western Kentucky University. (Bowling Green)

Please contact Mrs. Jeffress if you have any questions.  [email protected]

Upcoming 9th grade (current 8th grade) band meeting
Our annual meeting for all current 8th graders and parents interested in the band program is scheduled for Thursday, February 9th at 6:00 pm.   This meeting has been communicated to the HJHS and HCMS bands, but if you know anyone interested, encourage them to attend!  We will need leadership team members this night!

We will talk about the band program - scheduling, auditions, time commitment, answer questions or concerns.
  
Senior New York Trip
 The remaining balance is due February 1st.    

London Connection!
Next Payment
Friday, March 31st is the next Payment- $400 per traveler. 

What do I need to do right now?

 1.  Get your passport now!  It should be valid 6 months past our return date!
 2.  Investigate your best option for overseas phone possibilities.  Each phone company has different options.  You will need to have access to phone communication while you are in London!
  3.  Research and investigate your credit card and financial options.  Each bank and card is different.  Make sure your card won't lock you out when you get to London  

FAQ: 
 Can I still sign up?  
Yes - but you must pay for all missed deposits on your first payment or else you can't be locked into the trip.  At some point, there will be price increases, room assignments done, airline flights arranged, and other logistical things related to the trip completed.  After we do those things, anyone added will just be accommodated the best we can.  Our contract is for 150 people so we must be atleast at this number of travelers.  If you have not signed up, the sooner you can do this the better for us because numbers dictate many things!

When do you have to declare if you are doing land only or full trip?  
I don't have an exact date, but my best estimate is early Fall 2023.

London information can be found in our google drive. Click here to access google drive

Upcoming Events
February 9 - 8th grade meeting 
February 11 -Winter Guard Competition at Thompson HS
February 17-18 District Honor Band at Grissom for those selected.
February 25th - Mattress Sale!!  Winter Guard Competition at Bob Jones

Music Performamce Assessment - dates tba
Band Camp / Summer Schedule 2023

Tuesday, May 30 - Friday, June 2  Rookie Camp (new members only), Marching Percussion Camp, and Guard Camp
July 6-8 - Leadership Camp (leadership team only)
July 12-14 Make up rookie camp (new members only) and Marching Percussion Camp.  
July 17 - 21 Band Camp Week 1 - All Marching Band Students + any concert only students going to London that want to march in the parade.
July 24-28  Band Camp Week 2 - All Marching Band Students
July 31 and August 1 - Rehearsals before school starts.
August 2 - 1st day of school

Student involved with marching band are required to attend these dates in full!  Students who miss because of summer activities may be removed from the halftime show.  We have worked hard over the past few years to improve our summer schedule to give a full break and options for camps and vacations.  Our dead time this coming summer is June 3 - July 5 although some students have much longer than this!

​Weekly Schedule 

Monday - Symphonic Band Rehearsal 4-5:30.  New York Payment Due for Seniors.
Tuesday - Wind Ensemble 4:00-5:30   Winter Guard 4-6 
Wednesday - Off

Thursday -  Wind Ensemble 4:00-5:30 
Friday  -  All State Auditions (all hs except flute and clarinet) at HHS
Saturday - All State Auditions (all MS and HS Flute/HS Clarinet) at HHS.  Winter Guard Competition at Mortimer Jordan HS (Bimringham)

VOLUNTEERS!!  All State / District Honor Band Auditions - January 27th and 28th

Thank you so much for those that have volunteered!  There are still a few spots left to cover for both parents and students!

ADULT REGISTRATION AND HOSPITALITY volunteering is posted on charms or by contacting Audrey Beumer at [email protected].  We have the 2 days divided into shifts.  We will do brief training (easy job but still need some instructions) when you arrive.

STUDENTS can sign up to volunteer on our sign up genius link:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A084BA4A72DA0F85-allstat
All students will be trained on what to do the week before in class.  

 Students Auditioning for All State / District Honor Band Auditions - January 27th and 28th

​Information for your audition can be found here

Winter Camp February 2-4, 2023
Our winter camp is approaching quickly!  Just a reminder that this is a required event for ALL brass, woodwind, and percussion students in band (everyone but color guard).   We invest lots of money to bring in great guest clinicians to work with our students.  It's a terrific experience!

The schedule is the same as it has been in past year.

Thursday, February 2nd
4:00 - 9:00 pm Rehearsal with dinner provided from 6-7

Friday, February 3rd
(all students excused from school today)
8:30 - 11:30  Rehearsal
11:30 - 12:30 Lunch (as you would normally eat lunch at school - no food provided by band)
12:30 - 3:30  Rehearsal
4:00 - 6:00 pm Section Masterclasses

Saturday, February 4th
8:30 - 10:00  Section Master Classes
10:00 - 11:30 Rehearsal
12:00 - 1:00 pm Concert in the Auditorium!

Winter Guard Information
The schedule and information for this week's competition at Mortimer Jordan High School can be found here:  https://www.huntsvillehsband.com/color-guard.html

Address:  1920 Blue Devil Drive Kimberly, AL 35091

Mortimer Jordan HS- Guard only (scgconline.org) 

Transportation: In previous seasons, parents have helped transport students to/ from our competitions.  If you are able to help with transportation of another student, please let Mrs. Jeffress know.  Students who drive may drive themselves to the competition if parents are comfortable with that, but we ask that they not transport any other students. 

Competition and Rehearsal Schedule 
*Every Tuesday from 4-6 pm Winter Guard has rehearsal 
February 11 - Competition at Thompson HS (Alabaster)
February 25th - Bob Jones HS (Madison)
March 25 - Spain Park HS (Hoover)
Marching 27th - Goodies with the Guard at Bob Jones HS (Madison)
April 1 - Championships at Western Kentucky University. (Bowling Green)

Please contact Mrs. Jeffress if you have any questions.  [email protected]

Upcoming 9th grade (current 8th grade) band meeting
Our annual meeting for all current 8th graders and parents interested in the band program is scheduled for Thursday, February 9th at 6:00 pm.   This meeting has been communicated to the HJHS and HCMS bands, but if you know anyone interested, encourage them to attend!  We will need leadership team members this night!

We will talk about the band program as a whole.  
 
Senior New York Trip
Payment #3 of $500 per traveler is due to the travel website by January 23rd and the remaining balance is due February 1st.    

London Connection!
Next Payment
Friday, March 31st is the next Payment- $400 per traveler. 

What do I need to do right now?

 1.  Get your passport now!  It should be valid 6 months past our return date!
 2.  Investigate your best option for overseas phone possibilities.  Each phone company has different options.  You will need to have access to phone communication while you are in London!
  3.  Research and investigate your credit card and financial options.  Each bank and card is different.  Make sure your card won't lock you out when you get to London  

FAQ: 
 Can I still sign up?  
Yes - but you must pay for all missed deposits on your first payment or else you can't be locked into the trip.  At some point, there will be price increases, room assignments done, airline flights arranged, and other logistical things related to the trip completed.  After we do those things, anyone added will just be accommodated the best we can.  Our contract is for 150 people so we must be atleast at this number of travelers.  If you have not signed up, the sooner you can do this the better for us because numbers dictate many things!

When do you have to declare if you are doing land only or full trip?  
I don't have an exact date, but my best estimate is early Fall 2023.

London information can be found in our google drive. Click here to access google drive

Upcoming Events
February 2-4 - Winter Camp for ALL Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble!
February 11 -Winter Guard Competition at Thompson HS
February 17-18 District Honor Band at Grissom for those selected.
February 25th - Mattress Sale!!  Winter Guard Competition at Bob Jones

Band Camp / Summer Schedule 2023
Tuesday, May 30 - Friday, June 2  Rookie Camp (new members only), Marching Percussion Camp, and Guard Camp
July 6-8 - Leadership Camp (leadership team only)
July 12-14 Make up rookie camp (new members only) and Marching Percussion Camp.  
July 17 - 21 Band Camp Week 1 - All Marching Band Students + any concert only students going to London that want to march in the parade.
July 24-28  Band Camp Week 2 - All Marching Band Students
July 31 and August 1 - Rehearsals before school starts.
August 2 - 1st day of school

Student involved with marching band are required to attend these dates in full!  Students who miss because of summer activities may be removed from the halftime show.  We have worked hard over the past few years to improve our summer schedule to give a full break and options for camps and vacations.  Our dead time this coming summer is June 3 - July 5 although some students have much longer than this!

Weekly Schedule 
Monday - MLK Day (no school).  Special Wind Ensemble Rehearsal 6-9 pm on stage.
Tuesday - AMEA Preview Concert - UAB Wind Ensemble and HHS Wind Ensemble 7:00. pm Auditorium.  Winter Guard 4-6 (location confirmed!)
Wednesday - Off
Thursday -  Wind Ensemble 4:00-5:30 (short rehearsal and load truck)
Friday  -  Wind Ensemble AMEA Performance!!  See information below.  
Saturday - Winter Guard camp at HHS 9-2.  

AMEA Preview Concert - Tuesday, January 17th - HHS Wind Ensemble and UAB Wind Symphony

7:00 pm 
 HHS Auditorium
6:30 - Wind Ensemble warm up on stage (tux/concert dresses)
Please stay and support both ensembles.  The UAB Wind Symphony is making a special trip for this and we want them to feel welcome.  They will also be playing some TERRIFIC MUSIC!!!
The Concert is free and open to the public!

​**Each member of the wind ensemble will receive a program on Monday evening to keep.  We encourage them to give it to you to use for this concert.  We will also have electronic programs available, but no paper copies given out.**  


AMEA Information - Wind Ensemble -  Friday, January 20th
The performance is free and open to the public at the BJCC Theater (not concert hall) at 3:30 pm.  We would love to have family and friend attend!  There is still room on the bus to ride and chaperone as well!

Schedule for Friday, January 20th
 (Wind Ensemble and symphonic band helpers excused from school all day)

8:30 am – be in the band room – casual clothes.  Make sure you bring your uniform bag with tux/dress, CORRECT shoes, Black socks (guys), cummerbund and bowtie (guys).    Symphonic Band helpers – make sure you have dress clothes to change into.  Business casual is fine for you (no jeans, no t-shirts, no tennis shoes). Sym band help:  Carolyn Vandervere, Coulter McKinney, Aiden Hall, Colleen Pleva, Liz Tatum, Gabe Tapia, Tara McCalllion
8:30 am – triple check everything.  Personal instruments on/under the bus. 
9:00 am – meet and load 2 charter buses.   
9:15 am – depart to Birmingham.   
 
11:15 am – stop for lunch in Birmingham.  Fultondale exit:  Full Moon BBQ, Chik fila, Mcdonalds, Arby’s, Firehouse, Five Guys, Target (Pizza hut express inside). 
12:30 pm – Depart lunch 
12:45 pm  Arrive at BJCC.  Unload trucks, Unload equipment, hang out/relax, get changed.   
2:30 pm   Warm up / short rehearsal on stage.  Do not overplay.  You will have a chance to warm up on your own, we will tune,  adjust the organ and solos, and get comfortable in the hall.    There may be a group performing when we arrive so be quiet when we go inside.  We will have a place to store cases.  There are changing rooms back stage. 
 
3:15 pm – Break 
3:30 pm PERFORMANCE!!!!!!! 
4:30 pm Change out of uniform and load equipment.  Take most cases with you to dinner – we will drop them off at the bus before we go in.  Buses will be parked over by the restaurant.   Large instruments can be put on truck instead of carrying them to buses. 
 
5:45 pm – Dinner at Mugshots in Uptown (walkable).  Please bring $20 for dinner.  We have reservations.  Birmingham, AL — Mugshots Grill & Bar (mugshotsgrillandbar.com) 
7:30 pm – Depart for home 
9:30 pm – Arrive back at HHS. 



Winter Guard Information
I am sorry for having to cancel last week's rehearsal due to no available space to practice.  The issue has been resolved going forward!

Competition and Rehearsal Schedule 
*Every Tuesday from 4-6 pm Winter Guard has rehearsal 
January 21st - Staging Camp at HHS 9 am - 2 pm (changed from 1/14)
January 28th - Competition at Mortimer Jordan HS (Birmingham)
February 11 - Competition at Thompson HS (Alabaster)
February 25th - Bob Jones HS (Madison)
March 25 - Spain Park HS (Hoover)
Marching 27th - Goodies with the Guard at Bob Jones HS (Madison)
April 1 - Championships at Western Kentucky University. (Bowling Green)


Students are responsible for working to create their own carpool to these events.
Please contact Mrs. Jeffress if you have any questions.  [email protected]

All State / District Honor Band Auditions - January 27th and 28th
An email went out Friday about the importance of this event

ADULT REGISTRATION AND HOSPITALITY volunteering is posted on charms or by contacting Audrey Beumer at [email protected].  We have the 2 days divided into shifts.  We will do brief training (easy job but still need some instructions) when you arrive.

STUDENTS can sign up to volunteer on our sign up genius link:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A084BA4A72DA0F85-allstat
All students will be trained on what to do the week before in class.  
  
Upcoming 9th grade (current 8th grade) band meeting
Our annual meeting for all current 8th graders and parents interested in the band program is scheduled for Thursday, February 9th at 6:00 pm.   This meeting has been communicated to the HJHS and HCMS bands, but if you know anyone interested, encourage them to attend!  We will need leadership team members this night!

We will talk about the band program 
  


Senior New York Trip
Payment #3 of $500 per traveler is due to the travel website by January 23rd and the remaining balance is due February 1st.    

London Connection!
Next Payment
Friday, March 31st is the next Payment- $400 per traveler. 

What do I need to do right now?

 1.  Get your passport now!  It should be valid 6 months past our return date!
 2.  Investigate your best option for overseas phone possibilities.  Each phone company has different options.  You will need to have access to phone communication while you are in London!
  3.  Research and investigate your credit card and financial options.  Each bank and card is different.  Make sure your card won't lock you out when you get to London  

FAQ: 
 Can I still sign up?  
Yes - but you must pay for all missed deposits on your first payment or else you can't be locked into the trip.  At some point, there will be price increases, room assignments done, airline flights arranged, and other logistical things related to the trip completed.  After we do those things, anyone added will just be accommodated the best we can.  Our contract is for 150 people so we must be atleast at this number of travelers.  If you have not signed up, the sooner you can do this the better for us because numbers dictate many things!

When do you have to declare if you are doing land only or full trip?  
I don't have an exact date, but my best estimate is early Fall 2023.


London information can be found in our google drive. Click here to access google drive



Upcoming Events
Friday and Saturday, January 27-28.  All State / District honor band auditions - hosted by us!  Students will be required to serve 1 time slot at this event.  We will also need parent volunteers!
Saturday, January 28th - Winter Guard Competition at Mortimer Jordan HS
February 2-4 - Winter Camp for ALL Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble!
February 11 -Winter Guard Competition at Thompson HS
Band Camp / Summer Schedule 2023


Tuesday, May 30 - Friday, June 2  Rookie Camp (new members only), Marching Percussion Camp, and Guard Camp
July 6-8 - Leadership Camp (leadership team only)
July 12-14 Make up rookie camp (new members only) and Marching Percussion Camp.  
July 17 - 21 Band Camp Week 1 - All Marching Band Students + any concert only students going to London that want to march in the parade.
July 24-28  Band Camp Week 2 - All Marching Band Students
July 31 and August 1 - Rehearsals before school starts.
August 2 - 1st day of school

Student involved with marching band are required to attend these dates in full!  Students who miss because of summer activities may be removed from the halftime show.  We have worked hard over the past few years to improve our summer schedule to give a full break and options for camps and vacations.  Our dead time this coming summer is June 3 - July 5 although some students have much longer than this!
​

Quick Heads Up:  The Mattress Fundraiser is right around the corner!  This week be on the lookout for instructions on how you can make GREAT money using social media to promote the mattress sale.  We need your help with a few video clips.    Your natural charm and charisma and a little Band Magic Editing and we will have a message that will make you $35-50 per sold mattress, depending on the model.  Much more to come this week!