hhs band weekly newsletter november 13-17, 2023

Things we like

Both the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble played an awesome Fall concert on Tuesday night! Such great talent was on full display.  It was a great week which included the Bandies and was capped off with the Veterans Day Parade on Saturday. 

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. 

Food for thought on the 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.  LONDON MEETING 6:00 pm - Bandroom!
Friday-Off.  

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 piece 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!

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.  Checks should be made out to HHBPA. 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.

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
Tuesday, January 9th - 4:00-6:00 pm Small Gym (basketball away @Albertville)
Tuesday, January 16th - 4:00-6:00 pm FA Cafeteria
Friday, January 26th - 4:00-6:00 pm Small Gym (basketball away @Grissom)
Tuesday, January 30th - 4:00-6:00 pm Small Gym (basketball away @Sparkman)
Friday, February 2 - Run through for competition and pack/load 4-5
Tuesday, February 6 - 4:00-6:00 pm FA Cafeteria
Friday, February 9 - Run through for competition and pack/load 4-5
Tuesday, February 13 - 4:00-6:00 pm Location TBA (Cafeteria/Gym)
Friday, February 16 - Run through for competition and pack/load 4-5
Tuesday, February 20 - 4:00-6:00 pm Small Gym
Tuesday, February 27 - 4:00-6:00 pm Small Gym
Tuesday, March 5 - 4:00-6:00 pm  Small Gym
Friday, March 8 - Run through for competition and pack/load 4-5
Tuesday, March 19 - 4:00-6:00 pm Small Gym
Tuesday, March 26 - 4:00-6:00 pm Small Gym
Tuesday, April 1 - 4:00-6:00 pm Small Gym
Friday, April 5 - Run through for competition and pack/load 4-5

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 - Wed, 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)

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