hhs band weekly newsletter nov 27-dec 1, 2023

Things we like

Marching Uniforms

Marching uniforms will not be collected until sometime mid January. Even if you are not going to London, please hold on to your uniform. More information will be given as the time to turn them in gets closer. ​

Uniform for London

​It is highly encouraged that you have your uniform dry cleaned before going to London. Packing a clean uniform is going to be much nicer than packing a stinky one in with your clean clothes. And we all want to be looking top notch for the parade!

Schedule for the week

Monday-Christmas Concert Rehearsal (Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band) 4-5:30 pm
Tuesday-Wind Ensemble 4:00-5:30
Wednesday-Off
Thursday-London parade rehearsal 4-5:30 (we will go to 5:30 today and next Thursday)
Friday-Off.  Deadline to sign up for all state / district honor band auditions.

Christmas Concert - Tuesday, December 5
Combined Concert with Band and Choir.
Concert starts at 7:00 pm
Students should arrive at 6:15 with warm up around 6:30 pm.
Dress is formal concert tux/dress with Christmas decorations/accessories encouraged.  Holiday bow tie, Santa Hat, antlers, etc.  as long as it doesn't affect how you perform.

Silent Auction will start before the concert and go through intermission.

All State / District Honor Band Auditions Registration - Due by Friday, December 1st (optional)
When:  All State Auditions are Friday, January 26 and Saturday, January 27th at Huntsville High School!  Generally all high school students audition Friday evening except for Flutes and Bb Clarinets.

Cost:  $30 per student.  You can choose your method of payment, but clearly label it as all state audition for your student.  If you are using a credit, you must inform Mrs. Tapia by the deadline!

If you audition, you must be able to attend district honor band (February 16-17 at Grissom HS) and/or All State Festival (April 25-27 at the VBC) in it's entirety (every rehearsal + the concert) if you were to be selected.

Everyone auditioning must own a copy of the book from which the audition music comes from (this is a copyright issue and a state rule).  Please let us know if you need help with this!  Audition music has already been shared with all students.
Deadline is Friday, December 1st.

London Instrument/Equipment Shipping - Important
There are many details that go into the shipping process.   We provided a manifest to the shipping company with every piece of equipment we are taking (weight, dimensions, value, serial number) - this is due to the shipping company Wednesday, November 15th and no changes are possible after that date.    We outline who's exact instrument, equipment, or shako is in each shipping container.  

We believe that alto saxophones and trumpets should be able to be shipped with our other large equipment instead of being taken as carry-on luggage!!  This is good news and should make your airport travel easier.  Clarinets, flutes, and majorette baton will still take instruments in checked luggage

If there are any changes to what was submitted to the instrument form, I need to know BEFORE Wednesday, November 15th.  All equipment will be shipped the week of December 11-15 and will return by January 15th.  

What can I do to help?  Please make sure instruments being shipped is labeled with your full name on the outside (instrument tag or just get a piece of tape and write it with a sharpie).  Also - please put a peice of tape and write your name on your SHAKO BOX!  Take extra things out of your case and make sure it's secure for shipping before you turn the instrument into the band room to ship!

We will be giving further instructions on dropping off equipment in the band room as we get closer to the week of December 11-15.  Please adhere to our deadlines!  We will have very little wiggle room!

Summer Schedule 2024
April 29-May 3 Color Guard Auditions 4-6 pm.
May 10-11 - Marching Percussion Auditions - Fri - 4-8, Saturday 8:30-12:30 (required for all percussion in marching band).
May 28-31 (Tuesday - Friday)  Rookie Camp 8 -12 (required for new members and leadership team), Color Guard Camp.
June 30 - July 2 - Leadership Camp.  Sunday, June 30th will be afternoon/evening.  July 1st and 2nd - all day. (leadership team only)
July 10-12 Make up Rookie Camp 8-12.  Marching Percussion Camp 12-4. (required for percussion in marching band)
July 15 - 19 Band Camp Week #1.  All Day.  (required for all marching band students)
July 22-26 Band Camp Week #2.  All day (required for all marching band students).  Band Camp on July 26th will dismiss at noon.
Juily 29-31 Additional rehearsals 6-9 pm.
July 26 - optional trip to DCI in Murfreesboro for additional cost.


Winter Guard Schedule 23-24
Our color guard is transitioning into their winter guard season and working on their production called "Bluebird."  

Winter Guard Show Camp
 December 15-16th
Friday 1:30 - 5:00 pm 
 Saturday 9-5 (bring lunch).
Huntsville Junior High School Gym

Rehearsal Schedule
Tuesdays from 4-6 pm and Fridays before competitions from 4-5 pm.
Exception - Friday, January 26th 4-6 Small Gym

Competition Schedule
February 3 - Mortimer Jordan (Birmingham Metro) - carpool
February 10 - Green Hills High School (Nashville Metro) -school bus
February 17 - Bob Jones (Madison, Al) - carpool
March 9 - Columbia Central (Columba, Tn) - carpool
April 6 - SCGC Championships (Bowling Green, Kentucky)-school bus


Upcoming Events
Tuesday, December 5 - Christmas Concert (combined with Choir!)
Monday, December 11 - Friday, December 15th - Large instruments and equipment being shipped to London
Friday, December 15-Saturday, December 16 - Winter Guard Camp at HJHS Gym
Wednesday, Dec 27 - Thurs, Jan 4 - London Trip!
Friday, January 26 and Saturday, January 27 - hosting All State Auditions
February 1-3  Winter Camp (all Symphonic and Wind Ensemble students required to attend)​

HHS Band would like to thank our generous sponsors: