HHS BAND WEEKLY NEWSLETTER JANUARY 26 - February 1, 2026

Things We Like

We are proud of our eleven talented musicians who were selected for the UAH Honor Band, under the direction of Dr. Jack Hontz: Abriel Acray, Logan Eley, Maddison Enix, Rhylan Flamm, Gray Gaba, Aidan McDavid, Shelby O'Linger, Carsten Pass, Cate Patterson, Emily Raburn, and Oliver Sieja.

Thanks to Fifth Third Bank for inviting members of our Color Guard to perform at their grand opening ceremony this week. It was an honor to represent the Huntsville community at such an exciting event. We love seeing our students out in the world, and we appreciate the bank’s support of our local arts programs.

​Order Optional Spring Shirt by Sunday, February 15, 2026

Order form link: https://forms.gle/upSG7W4NQujEm23k6

VBC Volunteer Shifts 

Our volunteer presence at the VBC is a huge win for the HHS Band. To help us maintain our great reputation, please ensure you attend your scheduled shifts. If a conflict arises, please keep the shift active and notify the board immediately at [email protected]. We will work to swap the shift with another band family to ensure we stay covered. Staying reliable helps us keep our priority status for future sign-ups and keeps our program at the top of the list.

Schedule Of The Week

Monday: Weather day, no events
Tuesday: Wind Ensemble 4-5:30. 
Wednesday:   8th Grade Day!!! (see below) JV Winter Guard 4-6.  Varsity Winter Guard 6-8:30 pm.
Thursday: Wind Ensemble 4-5:30 pm
Friday:  Hosting all state auditions! (all high school instruments except trumpets, flutes and Bb clarinets)
Saturday:  1st Winter Guard Competition at Mortimer Jordan HS (Bham area).  Hosting All state audition! (middle school day + HS trumpets, HS flutes, and HS clarinets).  

8th Grade Day! - Wednesday
All of the 8th grade BAND students from Hampton Cove and Huntsville Jr High will be coming over on Wednesday morning so we can welcome them to the Huntsville High School Band.  We plan to give them information about the band, perform, and we have ordered pizza for everyone for lunch.  Thank you to the band boosters for helping feed all the students!!

ALL BAND STUDENTS (including concert only, color guard, etc) will be excused from 1st block, advisory, and some of 2nd block this day.
Students should wear band polo and jeans.  Color Guard follow guard staff instructions on what to wear.  

8:30 - 9:15 am  Set up for event (auditorium)
9:30 - 8th graders arrive.  Performances by HHS Band, small group sessions, and information about joining band.
11:00 - Pizza lunch in the auditorium for everyone
11:30 - 8th graders leave and clean up.
12:00 pm - Back in class

Friday and Saturday - Hosting All state and district honor band auditions.
If you signed up to volunteer at registration, thank you!!!  We will briefly give you some training when you arrive and then we will start registering students.

If you would like to volunteer, check the cuttime calendar for sign up or email [email protected].  Students have a sign up in the band room and we still had a few openings last week.

I want to reiterate that these volunteer positions are vital to the success of this event - both for students and adults.  Please communicate any illness or emergencies ASAP if you are unable to fulfill your role so we can fill it.  Your role is crucial to the event's success.  

Pizza will be available around dinner time on Friday and lunch on Saturday for all volunteers.

All State and District Honor Band Auditions - information for those trying out!

Here is the student information sheet given to all students attending.

A few things to remember:

• You will be asked at registration whether you are trying out for district honor band (Feb 20-21 at Lee HS), all state (April 16-18 in Mobile) or both.  While most people do both, do not sign up for something you are not able to commit to IN FULL!).  I am aware that Auburn honor band is the same weekend as District honor band.  If you plan on doing Auburn honor band, DO NOT audition for district honor band - just audition for all state.  You cannot change your mind after the audition and you are expected to honor your commitment.  
• Remember to bring your method book that has your audition music in it.
• Take your instrument and supplies home and bring it with you Friday night.  You will not have access to the band room!

Music Performance Assessment (MPA)
Based on the feedback we have received regarding conflicts, we are planning to request to perform at MPA on Wednesday, February 25th at James Clemens High School.  This will be a full day event that may go into the evening.  All students (excluding color guard) are required to play as this is the most important concert performance of the year for us.  

Spring Trip 
Disney has informed us that they have put us in the Epcot parade.  This may change our itinerary and parks.  We should have more information in the next week...   So sorry for the last minute itinerary change, but this is beyond our control.

Our hotel is Drury Inn  (7301 West Sand Lake Road).

Students who do not have parents on the trip, must follow the following procedures and deadlines regarding medication:
Orlando Trip - Nurse parent letter
School Medication Prescriber/ Parent Authorization Form

We have officially been approved for the Orlando trip departing Wednesday evening March 11th and returning Monday morning, March 16th.  Full information on this trip is found in Cut Time in an announcement/email message from August 19th.

Make sure you are making your scheduled payment directly to the travel company using the link below.  If you miss 2 payments in a row, it is the policy of the travel company to remove your name from the trip.   If you are waiting to pay due to fundraising credits, please make sure you let us know [email protected]
  
HUNTSVILLE HS BAND in Orlando, FL, USA

Winter Camp 2026
Our annual concert band camp will take place Thursday evening, February 12th; all day on Friday, February 13th; and Saturday morning, February 14th.  It will conclude with a "work in progress" concert at noon on Saturday that we invite parents to come to!  Detailed information will be sent out as we get closer.

It is a required event for all band students (excluding color guard). 

Camp Schedule:
Thursday, February 12
4:00 - 6:00 pm - Large Ensemble Rehearsal 1 (Dr. Nguyen with Wind Ensemble on Stage, Dr. Aarhus with Symphonic Band in Band Room, Mr. Dailey with Concert Band in Choir Room)
6:00-7:00 pm  Dinner provided
 7:00-9:00 pm Large Ensemble Rehearsal 2 (same locations)

Friday, February 13 (1/2 day of school)
8:45 am - 12:00 pm  Large Ensemble Rehearsal 3 - Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band ONLY.  Concert band goes to class. (same locations)
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch (you can bring your own lunch or get a sack lunch from school)
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm Large Ensemble Rehearsal 4 (all ensembles - same locations)
4:00 - 6:00 pm Masterclass 1 from instrumental faculty from UNA.  

Saturday, February 14th
8:30 am - 10:00 am Masterclass 2 from instrumental faculty from UNA 
10:15 am - 12:00 Large Ensemble rehearsal 5 (Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble swap locations).  We will have a few students taking the ACT this morning and may miss this rehearsal, but should make it back for the concert.
12:15 pm - "Work in progress" concert (typically conducted by our clinicians)
1:30 pm - Head home. 

Our guest clinicians this year are:
Dr. Albert Nyugen, Director of Bands University of Memphis
Dr. Craig Aarhus, Assistant Director of Bands, Mississippi State University
Mr. Patrick Dailey, Director of Bands at Arab High School
The University of North Alabama Instrumental Music Faculty.

Winter Guard 
 Please look at the winter guard schedule here.

Mortimer Jordan Competition Schedule and Information
8:30 am Arrive at School - please be aware there will be a meeting in the band room and you will not have access to that room.  Please be quiet in the hallway!
8:45 am Load Buses
9:00 am Depart for Mortimer Jordan on school bus.
11:00 am - Arrive/unload/check in
1:14 pm - JV Winter Guard Warm up
1:35 pm - JV Guard PERFORMANCE!!!
4:15 pm - JV Guard Awards
5:55 pm - Varsity Guard Warm up!
6:20 pm - Varsity Guard PERFORMANCE!!
8:00 pm Awards
9:00 pm - Depart Mortimer Jordan HS after awards
10:30 pm - Back at School!

• Girls must bring uniforms, all accessories, and makeup.  Makeup will be done on bus if needed.  Leggings and blue color guard jacket are required to change into after performing.  We will load the tarp, props, and flag bags on buses.  
• Bring money for meals at the concessions!
• Parents can stay up to date on return time and other info on the Color Guard Band app.
• Admission $15.00 General Admission Children 5 and under are free Go Fan tickets and Cash accepted day of event Spectator wristbands MUST be worn at all times
• CONCESSIONS Hot Dog $2.50 Hamburger $4.50 Cheeseburger $5.00 Chick-Fil-A Sandwich $7.00 Pizza Slice (Pepperoni, Cheese) $4.50 Nacho's $4.50 Add Jalapenos $0.50 Popcorn $2.00 Chips $1.00 Cotton Candy $2.00 Assorted Candy $2.00 All Bottle Drinks $3.00   

Competition Schedule
January 31 - Mortimer Jordan HS (Bham area)
Feb 7 - Hoover HS
February 21 - Bob Jones HS
March 7 - Columbia Central - Columbia, Tennessee
March 28 and 29 - Western Kentucky University.  Bowling Green Kentucky.  

Summer Dates and Band Camp 2026
May 26-29 (Tues - Friday)  Color Guard Camp (Color Guard Only)
June 30 - July 2 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
Wednesday, January 28th - 8th grade band student day at Huntsville High (all 8th grade band students from HJHS and HCMS will come over during the morning.
Tuesday, February 17 6:00 pm - Parent and Student Informational Meeting for 8th grade students/parents
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

 College Corner
Universities often offer marching band days, instrument days, and honor bands as a way to give high school students additional opportunities and recruit for their university.  If you are interested in doing one of these events, they are generally marked as an administrative absence or field trip (excused by the school).  I would be happy to do a form or recommendation to get anyone involved if you are interested.  I will attempt to post SOME of the events offered in our state and area, but there are many so not everything will get posted on here!  It's a great chance to meet new people, experience college music, and see a university you may be interested in attending in the future.  The vast majority of events are open to all high school students (grades 9-12).  

University of Alabama Honor Band Feb 5-7   High School Honor Band – The University of Alabama Bands 
Auburn University Honor Band Feb 27-March 1 Auburn University High School Symphonic Honor Band
UNA Honor Band:  April 24-26.... UNA Invitational Honor Band
Mississippi State Honor Band Jan 29-31

Upcoming Dates
February 7 - Winter Guard Competition at Hoover HS (varsity and JV)
February 12-14   Winter Camp (all band students required excluding color guard)
Feb 20-21  District Honor Band at Lee HS (for those that make it)
Feb 21 - Winter Guard Competition at Bob Jones
Feb 25 - Music Performance Assessment (MPA) for Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble.  

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 - [email protected] 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.

• Band Student Account Balances, band fees
• Business or Individual Sponsorships
• Fundraising Questions 
• Volunteering/Chaperones 
• Cut Time, Band App, or Social Media Questions 
• Senior Night 
• Uniforms (except color guard uniforms)  
• Percussion 
• General Band Boosters Questions 

Thank You To Our 2026 Sponsors!