HHS BAND WEEKLY NEWSLETTER APRIL 6-12, 2026

4/5/2026

Things We Like

Our leadership team had a blast kicking off the ACAP Pep Rally at Blossomwood Elementary.

Our JV Winter Guard wrapped up their season as Alabama Novice State Champions. Varsity also delivered a standout performance, hitting a season-high score. Congratulations to all our performers on a fantastic season!

Help Wanted: HHS Band Video Coordinator for 2026–27

We’re looking ahead to the 2026–27 school year and have an important HHS Band Parents Board position we need to fill — Video Coordinator.

This role is responsible for capturing and sharing the story of our band throughout the year by filming band events that are meaningful and fun for our students, including:

Marching band competitions
Halftime performances, stand tunes, and rehearsals
Concerts and special events

The Video Coordinator helps record, create, and upload videos to our HHS Band YouTube channel, preserving memories for our students and families while showcasing our program to the community.

This is a great opportunity to get involved, be creative, and document everything our students work so hard to achieve. If you already have video equipment and love capturing moments, we’d love to have you — or think of this as a great excuse to finally get the camera you’ve always wanted. No professional experience required, just a willingness to help and learn.

If you’re interested or have any questions, please reach out to
[email protected]

Schedule of the Week

Monday: Symphonic Band 4-5:30. Dr. Dalton from Samford working with 4th block percussion.
Tuesday: Fall 2026 Auditions during Class - 8th grade Woodwinds after school
Wednesday: Fall 2026 Auditions during Class - 8th grade Brass after school
Thursday: Fall 2026 Auditions during Class - 8th grade Percussion after school
Friday: Marching Uniforms cleaned and due back by Today.  Special Performance by Belmont University (Nashville) Wind Ensemble during 1st block (9-10 am)

Marching Band Uniform Return
Marching Band uniforms must be dry cleaned and returned to the band room by Friday, April 10th with the dry cleaning receipt. This includes the jacket, shako, gauntlets, and garment bag. These must be the correct items that we loaned you in the Fall. Bibbers, Gloves, and Shoes (and socks) belong to you. If you are graduating or not returning and would like to donate these, we will gladly take them!

Color Guard marching band uniform return should follow the instruction of Mrs. Morales.

Percussion Ensemble/Chamber Music Concert
One of our favorite concerts is coming up on Tuesday, April 28th - our Percussion Ensemble and Chamber Concert. Students who would like to perform at the concert in a small group or solo can sign up here.

2026-27 Information
Band Contract/REGISTRATION!!
BAND (not class) registration - All students who plan to do band next year must register here. This is replacing the band contract. This is also your indication whether or not you are doing marching band. The deadline to register is April 9. Any final changes to your commitment to marching band must be made by the last day of school.

Auditions -  Auditions for next year are held during class on April 7-9. Current 8th graders will audition after school. Audition music was passed out prior to spring break and can also be located here. All 9-11 grade students must audition regardless of your intent for next year - it's part of your grade.

Student Leadership Team 26-27- Students interested in being our leadership team for next year can apply using this form (due April 30th)

You must also plan to attend our leadership meetings Tuesday, April 14; Wednesday, April 15; and Thursday, April 16th from 4-5 pm each day.

2026-27 Football and Tentative Marching Competition Schedule
August 14 - vs. Florence (Milton Frank)
August 21 - vs. Jasper (Milton Frank)
August 27 vs. Mae Jemison (Thursday) (Milton Frank)
September 4 vs. Grissom (Milton Frank)
September 11 at Buckhorn (school buses)
September 18 vs. Sparkman (Homecoming)
September 25 Open
September 26 - Rocket City Invitational Marching Competition
October 2 at Hazel Green (school buses) (Required game right before Fall break)
October 9 vs Gadsden City - Senior Night (REQUIRED FALL BREAK GAME).
October 16 at Bob Jones (Madison City Stadium - school buses)
October 17 - Possible competition
October 23 at James Clemens  (Madison City Stadium - school buses)
October 24 - Possible competition
October 30 at Muscle Shoals (school buses)
October 31 - Possible Competition

Mrs. Flippo wants the band at all of the games including the game before and during Fall break. This is a change from past years as the game during Fall Break has been optional. We plan to do the halftime show at the Fall break game.  We will excuse anyone from this game who has already spent money on a 2026 Fall break trip and let us know prior to April 1st.

Rome New Year's Parade 2028
We are going to Rome for the 2028 New Year's Day Parade! The approximate dates for the trip are December 27, 2027-January 3, 2028.

You can view the presentation from March 23rd, sample itineraries and other information in this google drive.

A survey will be sent out in late May to get an idea of commitment for this trip.

New Event - Trash Pandas Night
Huntsville High School is partnering with the Trash Pandas to have Huntsville High School night on Thursday, April 30th. The band is planning to perform. There is no cost to our students to attend the game and all students will receive a t-shirt. They will also have free time to enjoy the game and grab dinner. Concert only students and 8th grade future band members are invited to join us including performing and riding the bus.

Tentative Schedule
4:00-5:00 pm Spring Training music rehearsal (pep tunes with 8th graders)
5:15 pm Load School buses and depart for Trash Panda game. 8th graders are invited to join us for this game.
5:45 pm - Arrive, unload and play as people enter
6:30 pm - Games Starts
9:00-9:30 pm - End of Game
10:00 pm - Back at School

We will wear the free t-shirt provided. You will need money for dinner at the game.

Color Guard
Friday, April 17th - Open Rehearsal (any new members are welcome to come and watch - all are welcome!) 4:30 6:00 pm FA Cafeteria
Monday, April 20th - Juniors/Seniors travel to HCMS to recruit
Monday, April 20 - April 23 Color Guard Auditions

Color Guard Uniform Return
ALL of the following uniforms are due by April 10th in class:

Pep Rally Uniform Top and Skirt
Parade Uniform
Marching Show uniform (unitard)

Summer Dates and Band Camp 2026
May 26-29 (Tues - Friday) Color Guard Camp (Color Guard Only)
June 29 - July 1 Leadership Camp (leadership team only)
July 13-14 (Mon-Tues) 9th grade marching band students, leadership team, all percussion, all color guard.
Wednesday, July 15 - Monday, August 3 Band Camp - All Marching Band Students (excluding weekends)
**Friday, July 24th Optional DCI Trip to Nashville (afternoon and evening)
Tuesday, August 4th - Parent Preview Performance (evening)
Wednesday, August 5th First Day of School (pending school board approval - this is not official yet).

Spring Training / Audition Dates for Spring 2026
April 7-9 - Concert Band Auditions for 26-27 during class (8th grade after school).
Monday, April 20 - April 24 Color Guard Auditions
THURSDAY, April 30 Spring Training - 4:00- 6:00 pm. Music! (all winds and percussion)
Monday, May 11th Spring Training 4:00-7:00 pm. Marching Fundamentals (leadership and 8th graders) and Percussion Placements (all marching percussion)
Tuesday, May 12th Percussion Placements 4-7 (all marching percussion)
Wednesday, May 13 Spring Training 4:00-7:00 pm Marching Fundamental (leadership and 8th graders)
Monday, May 18th Spring Training 4:00-7:00 pm. Marching Fundamentals (leadership and 8th graders

Upcoming Dates
April 14-16 Leadership Interest meeting/training 4-5 pm
April 16-18 All State (Mobile) - for those that made it
April 20-23 Color Guard Auditions (April 24th is a weather day)
April 23 - Spring Concert, Mandatory photos taken from 5:00-6:15
April 28 - Percussion / Chamber Concert
April 30 - Spring Training Music (all winds and percussion students!) and TRASH PANDA NIGHT

The 25-26 Band Schedule can be found here and on the Cut Time calendar.

Questions/Concerns? Please contact the following:
Grades, missing rehearsals/absences, conflicts, instruments, general band questions - stuart.tankesley@hsv-k12.org or [email protected]
For color guard, contact Annabelle Morales at [email protected]
If you have any of the following issues, please direct your questions to [email protected]. They’ll be able to guide you to the appropriate point of contact.