What a proud moment for the HHS Band as Alumni performed in front of 88,000 at the Iron Bowl this past Saturday!  Band takes you to amazing places - Southern Cathedrals of culture around the Southeastern Conference.  Many thanks for coming together!  Alabama and Auburn Marching Band students travel to select road games with charter bus, police escort and catering.  In a 48 hour span, the Million Dollar Band members traveled to New York City (New York City!!!) to headline the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade... in CHARTER AIRPLANES... returned home, immediately loaded to Auburn, and Sunday performed at the Bama Women's Game.  In some cases - even getting paid.  This is an extraordinary way to go through college - and it all starts by learning basics of technique, theory and musicianship.  Visit with Mr. Tankesley, Mrs. Connell, or any band parent of a college student to learn more about the incredible opportunity BAND offers you in college!  This is the Big Leagues!  And the HHS Crimson Panther Band is so proud!

Weekly Schedule
Monday - Symphonic Band 4:00- 5:30 pm.  Deposit for Disney/Universal Due to website (see below!)
Tuesday - Wind Ensemble 4:00-5:30 pm
Wednesday:  Off.  
Thursday:  No Wind Ensemble rehearsal.  HCMS Band Christmas Concert 6:00 pm in the Auditorium!
Friday:  Off.  

Disney/Universal 2022 - April 20-24, 2022.

Update:  Chaperones that want to go should register like a student, but there are adult options in the registration.  Adults can sign up for rooms of 2 or single rooms.
Below is a link that will allow you to purchase the Group travel protection plan for your trip. Rates are based on overall trip cost and not age. You will need to enter the cost of your full trip cost and make your purchase prior to final trip payment.   For questions on the plan, coverage or procedures, please contact the Group Desk at Travel Insured 844-440-8113.
https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=137699&guid=ddd54d8958fa4bb4abd73057125adb02
To register for the trip and make your deposit go here: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/huntsville-disney-trip-2022-ur-tours-and-events-orlando-fl-usa-91214405. 

All payments will be made directly to the travel company through this website.  Do not submit any payments for this trip to the band box!  If you wish to use funds from your Charms band account to make a payment, please email Brenda Tapia ([email protected]) with how much you would like to use prior to the payment due.  Because we send the travel company a check from the boosters, there may be some lag time in processing it on the website.  When you register an account on the website, you will be asked to make your deposit at that time.  

The payment schedule is as follows:

Deposit of $250 due by Monday, November 29th.
$300 payment due by Friday, December 24th
$300 payment due by Friday, January 21st
Remaining balance due by Monday, February 21st

Anyone going is VERY strongly encouraged to purchase "Cancel for any reason" trip insurance.  You will find an option to purchase "Cancel for any reason" trip insurance on the website or you can use your own insurance to do so.  Anyone without "Cancel for any reason" trip insurance is risking not receiving a refund if the trip were to be cancelled or you were not allowed to go due to quarantine/Covid.  A form will be out soon to indicate your choice with this.  In the case of the trip insurance offered by our travel company, you can purchase it anytime up to the last payment.  Once you have paid your trip in full, you are not eligible to receive trip insurance. 

 Band trips are open to ALL students in the band program, which includes anyone in a band class including Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Color Guard, or Percussion.  

Winter Christmas Concert

Our Winter Christmas Concert is Tuesday, December 7th.  The concert is free of charge and open to the public!  Final information will be in next week's newsletter.

Schedule
5:45 Gadsden Music set up in the lobby with upgrade instrument petting zoo
6:15  Student Call time
6:30 pm  Warm up (Stage/Band Room)
7:00 pm Concert Begins

Silent Auction
There will be a silent auction taking place during the concert, so bring your checkbook and check out what we have to offer!

Gadsden Music Petting Zoo
As indicated on the special newsletter last Sunday, Gadsden Music will set up an upgrade instrument petting zoo in the lobby of the auditorium.  Students and families can go try upgraded instruments before or after the concert with no obligation to purchase.

Upcoming Schedule

Auditions for Spring semester 2022 are December 8-10.  Music is in schoology!

Winter Camp is Feb 3-5, 2022 (Thursday evening, all day Friday, Saturday until 1:00 pm).  This is a big deal!  Wind Ensemble and Symphonic band attendance required.  

This is a special edition Holiday Shopping newsletter.  We hope this gives you some ideas of items that you can buy in varying price ranges for your student to support their musical pursuits! If we can be of any help, please let us know!  The websites linked on this email have lots of options including fun jewelry, clothing, and other fun items related to different instruments.

For everyone in Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Bands:

Tuner/Metronome:  There are lots of option out there.  Here is one.  There are also apps available for phones.  We like the tonal energy tuner app - it's a $10 app.

Sight Reading Factory Subscription - a great way to work on your music reading.  Especially helpful for those that are trying out for honor bands!  $35 yearly subscription.  

Wire Music Stand or regular music stand to practice at home

Instrument Stands - Don't want to put your instrument back in it's case when you are done playing or need a place to rest it?  These stands are great for at home and sometimes at school.  They can be very useful.

Private Lessons!  Private lessons range from about $20-30 per half hour per weekly lesson. If you are interested, please let us know and we can find the best teacher for your student within your means.   

Upgraded instruments:

Students should be performing on an intermediate to professional level instrument to be successful.  Beginning instruments should only be used at the middle school level.  If you are playing on the same beginning instrument you started on in 6th grade or you are looking to play in college, it may be time for an upgrade.  If you are looking to upgrade your instrument, we have some options for you to consider.

The instrument you play on impacts the quality of sound that you get, ease of playing, it's durability, and in some cases the range of notes of the instrument.  Buying an upgraded instrument is like buying a car - it's an investment,  You want to test drive it (play it) before you buy it, and you can often get a pretty good deal on a used one that would do a great job.  

Gadsden Music is planning on setting up an instrument petting zoo in the auditorium lobby the night of our Winter Concert (December 7th) for students to try upgraded instruments.  They will be there starting at about 5:45 and will be there after the concert.  This is a great chance to see what an upgraded instrument sounds and feels like when you play it with no expectation to purchase.  

Woodwind Gifts (mostly clarinets and saxophones)

Box of reeds for clarinets and saxophones! (Stocking stuffer!)  Vandoren V12, V21 or Rue Lepic reeds are the best (very reasonable from Amazon)!   Students should be on a 3 or 3.5 strength reed.  You should consult with your student on what reed strength they use.  We also defer to your lesson teacher on this for those that take private lessons.   Bassoons and Oboes should get with your private teacher on additional reeds.  

Cork Grease  - can also easily be found at any music store.  For Clarinets and Saxophonesl  Great stocking stuffer!

Instrument Cleaning Swab/Rod if you don't own one or it's old!

Mouthpieces -Clarinets and Saxophones:

Mouthpieces are VERY important. A good mouthpiece can make a huge different inyour playing. If you can’t afford a step-up instrument purchase, an upgraded mouthpiece is the next best thing! Sometimes mouthpieces are more important than the instrument.(Clarinet-Vandoren 5RV or 5RV Lyre, Saxophones- Vandoren Optimum AL3 .

Ligatures - Clarinets and saxophones- Rovner Dark

Brass Gifts

Valve oil  (great stocking stuffer) 
Slide Grease (great stocking stuffer)
Brass Cleaning kit - do you have one? is it worn out?

Sonic clean at Southeastern Instrumentument repair - deep clean your instrument and they shine it up!  You should do this every few years! - Price ranges by instrument but typically costs a few hundred dollars.

Brass Mutes (trumpet, trombone, and french horn)  - All Trumpets, Trombones, and French Horns should own a straight mute.  Generally metal mutes are better quality than cardboard/plastic mutes.  They sound better and play better in tune.  Trumpets, Trombones, and French Horns should all own their own straight mutes.  Jo Ral, Dennis Wick, and Tom Crown (brands of mutes) are typically very good mutes.  

Particularly in trumpet and trombones, cup mutes are often very useful if you are looking to add to your mute collection.    They are used in both concert band and jazz.  It is ok to get the card board (red/white Stoneline) mutes for a cup mute.  

Trumpets also use "wah-wah" or harmon mute sometimes.  This is mostly a jazz mute.  

Practice Mute   - These mutes are great for late night practicing or situations where the sound might disturb others in your house.  

There are also lots of mutes for "toys" like a pixie mute that may not have much practical purpose but are fun to have.  

Mouthpieces:

The mouthpiece you played on as a beginner may not be good for what you need in high school. Trumpets should have a 5C or 3C mouthpiece and trombone/euphonium players will need a 51D or comparable. If you do not already have these, this change will make a significant difference. Please ask if you need assistance!  We also defer to private lessons instructors on this if you student takes lessons.  

Percussion Gifts:

All percussion should own a stick bag with 2 sets of yarn mallets, 1 set of rubber mallets, a pair of concert snare sticks, and a pair of timpani mallets.  Click here for some prepackages although you can order all items separately.

Pitch pipe for timpani tuning (Great stocking stuffer!) - around $20.

Practice pad and music stand.  

Concert Snare drum with stand.

Kelon Xylophone - More expensive gift.  Around $1200 to work on your mallet playing

Check out these great percussion resources for gifts!

Steve Weiss Music | Percussion, Drum Sets, Drumsticks, Cymbals & Sheet Music 
Drumsticks, Drum Heads, Drums & Percussion | Lone Star Percussion

Fork's Drum Closet - Store in Nashville

Monday - Off (No Symphonic Band)
Tuesday - Wind Ensemble 4:00-5:30 pm - BOARD MEETING 6pm
Wednesday:  Off.  
Thursday:  Wind Ensemble 4:00-5:30 pm
Friday:  Off.  District Honor Band and All State Audition Money due.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

District and All State honor band audition registration

Auditions for District honor band and Alabama All State bands is Friday and Saturday, January 28-29, 2022 at Sparkman High School.  This is an optional event.  Students must provide their own transportation to Sparkman for the audition.

To register, put $25 (checks made payable to Huntsville High School Band Boosters) in the band box with your student's name and :"District Honor band auditions."  If you want to use charms credit for this, please email Brenda Tapia ([email protected]) and COPY Mr. Tankesley ([email protected]).  The money is due by Friday, November 19th.

Audition music and more specific instructions regarding the audition are posted on schoology.  Students must purchase the method book in which the music comes from and take it with them to auditions for copyright reasons. 

District Honor Band is February 11-12 at Grissom High School
Alabama All State Band is April 7-9 in Mobile, Alabama.  
You must be able to attend one (or preferably BOTH), in order to audition.  There are additional hotel costs to all state band.  

It is time for all students who used a school instrument for marching season to take it to Southeastern Music for evaluation/ maintenance. This is your “rental fee” for using the instrument! All marching instruments should be turned in no later than Dec. 14 for inventory purposes! 

COLORGUARD: Because your fall costumes were purchased as part of your band fees, we are asking that you have both pieces cleaned and bring them back to school for resale. Also, any older students who have uniforms from past years, including students who have graduated or who are no longer part of the program that are willing to donate would be most welcome! We are trying to create a way to help offset some the cost of the winter season. 

Winter competition dates will be posting soon!!

Disney/Universal 2022 - April 20-24, 2022.

To register for the trip and make your deposit go here: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/huntsville-disney-trip-2022-ur-tours-and-events-orlando-fl-usa-91214405. 

All payments will be made directly to the travel company through this website.  Do not submit any payments for this trip to the band box!  If you wish to use funds from your Charms band account to make a payment, please email Brenda Tapia ([email protected]) with how much you would like to use prior to the payment due.  Because we send the travel company a check from the boosters, there may be some lag time in processing it on the website.  When you register an account on the website, you will be asked to make your deposit at that time.  

The payment schedule is as follows:

Deposit of $250 due by Monday, November 29th.
$300 payment due by Friday, December 24th
$300 payment due by Friday, January 21st
Remaining balance due by Monday, February 21st

Anyone going is VERY strongly encouraged to purchase "Cancel for any reason" trip insurance.  You will find an option to purchase "Cancel for any reason" trip insurance on the website or you can use your own insurance to do so.  Anyone without "Cancel for any reason" trip insurance is risking not receiving a refund if the trip were to be cancelled or you were not allowed to go due to quarantine/Covid.  A form will be out soon to indicate your choice with this.  In the case of the trip insurance offered by our travel company, you can purchase it anytime up to the last payment.  Once you have paid your trip in full, you are not eligible to receive trip insurance. 

 Band trips are open to ALL students in the band program, which includes anyone in a band class including Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Color Guard, or Percussion.  

Upcoming Schedule

Our Winter Christmas Concert is Tuesday, December 7th.  

Auditions for Spring semester 2022 are December 8-10.  Music is in schoology!

Winter Camp is Feb 3-5, 2022 (Thursday evening, all day Friday, Saturday until 1:00 pm).  This is a big deal!  Wind Ensemble and Symphonic band attendance required.  

Wind Ensemble After School Schedule 
Wind Ensemble rehearsals are generally Tuesday and Thursday 4:00-5:30 pm and will begin after our last regular season football game. 

Be prepared for the following schedule for the rest of the semester:

Tuesday, November 30th - 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Thursday, December 2nd -  4:00 - 5:30 pm
Tuesday, December 7th - WINTER CONCERT!

No after school rehearsals after December 7th until January.  

Simply Sheets Fundraiser forms are due on Tuesday November 16. You still have two days to sell those sheets!! Please have forms turned into the band box by Tuesday afternoon.  Thank you for supporting the band!

Looking for HHS Band spiritwear?  Support the band and order from our on-line store!
 https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/huntsville-high-school-band-315622


VOLUNTEER AT THE VBC and EARN MEGABUCKS FOR YOUR CHARMS ACCOUNT
Here are FIVE Huntsville Havoc games to sign up for.  Adults who are trained can WRISTBAND and earn $9 per hour for your CHARMS account.  Anyone 16+ can work the concession stand and earn $10 per hour for your CHARMS account.  Both activities earn the Band's general fund $3 per hour in addition to what goes into your account!  The Band marches because of partnerships like this!  Please take advantage!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4eadab2aa2fcc70-havoc7

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4eadab2aa2fcc70-havoc8

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4eadab2aa2fcc70-havoc9

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4eadab2aa2fcc70-havoc10

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4eadab2aa2fcc70-havoc11

Join us for our Fall Concert Tuesday November 9, 2021 in the Huntsville High School Auditorium! Concert begins at 7:00pm and should be under 90 minutes.  

Watch the Band March Thursday November 11, 2021 in the Huntsville Veterans Day Parade!   See More Below!  

​Weekly Schedule
Monday - Symphonic Band 4:00 - 5:30 pm 
Tuesday - Fall Concert (see info below), Last band booster payment due, bed sheet fundraiser due!
Wednesday:  Off.  
Thursday:  Veteran's Day Parade (no school).  See Info below.
Friday:  Off

Disney/Universal 2022 - April 20-24, 2022.

To register for the trip and make your deposit go here: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/huntsville-disney-trip-2022-ur-tours-and-events-orlando-fl-usa-91214405. 

All payments will be made directly to the travel company through this website.  Do not submit any payments for this trip to the band box!  If you wish to use funds from your Charms band account to make a payment, please email Brenda Tapia ([email protected]) with how much you would like to use prior to the payment due.  Because we send the travel company a check from the boosters, there may be some lag time in processing it on the website.  When you register an account on the website, you will be asked to make your deposit at that time.  

The payment schedule is as follows:

Deposit of $250 due by Monday, November 29th.
$300 payment due by Friday, December 24th
$300 payment due by Friday, January 21st
Remaining balance due by Monday, February 21st

Anyone going is VERY strongly encouraged to purchase "Cancel for any reason" trip insurance.  You will find an option to purchase "Cancel for any reason" trip insurance on the website or you can use your own insurance to do so.  Anyone without "Cancel for any reason" trip insurance is risking not receiving a refund if the trip were to be cancelled or you were not allowed to go due to quarantine/Covid.  A form will be out soon to indicate your choice with this.  In the case of the trip insurance offered by our travel company, you can purchase it anytime up to the last payment.  Once you have paid your trip in full, you are not eligible to receive trip insurance. 

 Band trips are open to ALL students in the band program, which includes anyone in a band class including Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Color Guard, or Percussion.  ​

​Fall Concert

Schedule
6:15 pm - Call time for students.  Students should be dress in concert uniform
6:30 pm  - Warm ups (Symphonic Band on Stage, Wind Ensemble in Band Room)

7:00 pm - Concert Starts - approximately 75-90 minute concert with an intermission

What to wear 
Concert Band Uniform 

Guys - Tuxedo with tuxedo shirt, black socks (ankles shouldn't be showing when you sit), and black dress shoes or tux shoes.  Black Marching shoes / ROTC shoes are also an acceptable substitute.   If you have longer hair, hair must be out of your face.

Girls - Concert Dress, black closed-toe dress shoes.  No undergarment straps showing and color should match the dress.  Hair should be out of your face.  
 

Our Winter Christmas Concert is Tuesday, December 7th.  

Auditions for Spring semester 2022 are December 8-10.  Music is in schoology!
Winter Camp is Feb 3-5, 2022 (Thursday evening, all day Friday, Saturday until 1:00 pm).  This is a big deal!  Wind Ensemblea and Symphonic band attendance required.  

Wind Ensemble After School Schedule 
Wind Ensemble rehearsals are generally Tuesday and Thursday 4:00-5:30 pm and will begin after our last regular season football game. 

Be prepared for the following schedule for the rest of the semester:

Tuesday, November 16th - 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Thursday, November 18th - 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Tuesday, November 30th - 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Thursday, December 2nd -  4:00 - 5:30 pm
Tuesday, December 7th - WINTER CONCERT!

No after school rehearsals after December 7th until January.  ​

Lots of you are taking advantage of this great opportunity.  $$$$ Earn MegaBucks for your CHARMS account $$$$    $9 per hour for wristbanding - $10 per hour for concessions work - with $3/hour going to the Band's General Fund.    This is the fastest way to earn money for DISNEY - plus the first three times you work at the VBC - you earn $150 as an incentive to get started!  This is a great way to help the band!

Here are upcoming dates:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4eadab2aa2fcc70-theavett  November 18

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4eadab2aa2fcc70-theory. November 12

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4eadab2aa2fcc70-havoc6 - November 25

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4eadab2aa2fcc70-havoc5 - November 26

We are rapidly approaching the deadline on this fantastic Christmas present - who doesn't love a set of fresh sheets?  These are fantastic and very affordable.  Please check out the display at the Concert Tuesday night for how to get involved in this important Band fundraiser.