HHS BAND WEEKLY NEWSLETTER MARCH 23-29, 2026

Orlando 2026 was an incredible success! From recording at the professional Disney Soundtrack Sessions to marching through EPCOT’s World Showcase and enjoying the thrills of Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, our students had the experience of a lifetime. A huge thank-you to the directors, chaperones, and trip coordinators who made it all possible. Click here for Orlando trip photos.

Schedule of the Week

Monday: Symphonic Band 4-5:30.   JV 4-6 pm; Varsity 6-8:30 (FA) 
Tuesday:  Mattress Sale information during class.  International Trip Announcement 6:00 pm - Band Room.
Wednesday: JV 4-6 pm; Varsity 6-8:30 (FA) 
Thursday: Off
Friday: Performance by the Troy University Wind Ensemble during 1st block/advisory.  JV 4-6 pm; Varsity 6-8:30 (FA) 
Saturday:  MATTRESS SALE in the FA Cafeteria!!!      Winter Guard SCGC Championships - Bowling Green, Kentucky
Sunday:  Winter Guard SCGC Championships - Bowling Green, Kentucky

Mattress Sale
Parents, our mattress fundraiser is this Saturday! We need every family to help find at least one person who needs a mattress and get them to come to the sale on March 28th from 10am-5pm. Now is a great time to follow up with any people you have already talked to that need a mattress. If you have not found your 1 person, please share our Facebook event and invite all friends and family! Here is the link to our event page. https://www.facebook.com/events/2098543624222999

Charlie the Mattress Guy will be here on Tuesday to help us maximize our fundraising for this Saturday!

We will need 5-6 students at the Mattress Sale on Saturday, volunteering in 2-3 hour shifts.  We will post this list in the band room for sign up.  

2026-27 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.  
 
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. 

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

Winter Guard 
 Championships are this weekend. JV will perform on Saturday, March 28th and Varsity will perform on Sunday, March 29th. Both performances will take place at the WKU E.A. Diddle Arena University Blvd. Bowling Green, Kentucky. We encourage both teams to support each other during this very exciting event! Thank you to all of the parents for their loving support for their child and the group! 

Equipment, props, and floor transportation:
Equipment and props will be transported by Mrs. Morales and Mrs. Gorman. JV will load their equipment and props in Mrs. Morales' car during class on Friday, March 27th. Varsity will load their equipment and props in Mrs. Gorman's car after Friday's practice. Floor will be transported by parents (thank you again!). So all your child needs to worry about is getting there and getting ready!

Tickets
Tickets are on sale for family and friends who plan to attend! The prices are $25+. Please see the link below with additional details and for purchasing!
Saturday and Sunday Event Tickets

What performers should bring:

• Show Uniforms in Red Garment Bags
• Show Makeup
• Hair Accessories if needed
• Elastic and Bobby Pins
• Appropriate footwear as needed
• Gloves
• Deodorant

Getting to the Championships
As discussed, everyone is reliable for getting themselves to Bowling Green, Kentucky. Please discuss with parents/children what your plans are for getting to Championships. Some are planning to stay in hotels the night before, especially since JV will be one of the first groups to perform EARLY in the morning on Saturday. There are many hotels around the area. Some parents are already booking at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott. Please book one now if planning to stay the night before or after. 

Schedule
The schedule has not been posted yet. It will be posted on Monday, March 23rd. Below is a link to the site which will post the schedule. Please have your students keep an eye out for the Band App with official times once released. 
SCGC Championships Page for Saturday
SCGC Championships Page for Sunday

Once the official schedule is released, I will send out the time students will NEED to be ready at the arena for meet-up before performing. 

Questions:
Will my child need to stay for awards? 
Answer:   Yes. All team members must stay for awards for their team. 

What is the general time frame for the groups to perform?
Answer:  JV is subject to perform between 9:00am and 10:15am (Saturday). This does not include the practice time beforehand. Varsity is subject to perform between 11:10am and 12:10pm (Sunday). This does not include the practice time beforehand. Please keep an eye out for the Band App with the official schedule for both teams on both days. 

Practice this week, March 23rd-27th
Monday, March 23rd: JV 4:00-6:00, Varsity 6:00-8:30 (Both FA)
Wednesday, March 25th: JV 4:00-6:00, Varsity 6:00-8:30 (Both FA)
Friday, March 27th: Varsity ONLY 4:00-6:30pm in FA

As we are coming to a close of this year's season, I want to thank you all on the behalf of Evie King, Brandon Owens, and I, for our students who have worked so hard this marching and winter season. The students accomplished SO MUCH this year, and it has been a blessing to witness such growth and achievement with this group. I also want to thank the parents who have adjusted to the many changes this year. Although everything did not work out as smoothly as we had hoped for, we are so appreciative for your patience and support as we adjusted to new color guard staff. You being there for your child and helping in all the ways possible has not gone unnoticed. Thank you for all you do for this team.  -Annabella Morales-
  
Class Registration 26-27
All band students should register for 2 band classes for the upcoming year, regardless if they are concert only, color guard, or marching band.  Please ignore the title of the class as they have little meaning.(Concert only students should still register for marching band class even though they are not in marching band). It helps our counselors out. 

Upcoming 9th grade:  Traditional and Emerging Ensemble:  Marching Band 1
                                             Traditional and Emerging Ensemble Concert Band 1

Upcoming 10th Grade:  Traditional and Emerging Ensemble:  Marching Band 2 
                                                Traditional and Emerging Ensemble: Concert Band 2

Upcoming 11th Grade:  Traditional and Emerging Ensemble Marching Band 3  
                                               Traditional and Emerging Ensemble: Concert Band 3

Upcoming 12th Grade:  Traditional and Emerging Ensemble: Marching Band 4 
                                                Traditional and Emerging Ensemble: Concert Band 4

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 23 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 7-9 - Auditions for 26-27 school year
April 10 - Special Performance by Belmont University Wind Ensemble (during school).

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!