HHS BAND WEEKLY NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 3-9, 2025

Things We Like

What a great Thursday night wrapping up the football season as our band delivered their final Amped Up-The Power of Sound show! Huge thanks to everyone who cheered us on and helped finish the season on a high note. See game HHS vs Lee photos here.

The concert season kicked off with an outstanding Fall Concert featuring the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble. Each gave a wonderful performance, with the evening concluding in tradition with the Armed Forces Medley and The Stars and Stripes Forever. We’re so proud of this strong start to the season and of having three full bands for the first time in years!​

View concert photos here and watch the full concert video here.

​Schedule of the Week

Monday:  Off
Tuesday: Off
Wednesday:  Winter Guard practice/placements 4-6
Thursday: Winter Guard practice/placements 4-6
Friday:  Winter Guard practice/placements 4-6

After School practice schedule
Symphonic Band will start after school rehearsals on Monday, November 10th.  (Every Monday until 5:30 pm).  They will rehearse after school Monday November 10,  November 17, November 24, and December 1st before taking a break until January.

Wind Ensemble will start after school rehearsals on Tuesday, November 18th (Every Tuesday/Thursday until 5:30). They will rehearse after school Nov 18, No 20, Dec 2, and Dec 4 before taking a break until January.

Winter Guard schedule and info will be released soon!

Veterans Day Parade
Reminder that the marching band is performing in the Huntsville Veterans Day parade next Tuesday, November 11th (no school this day).  A full schedule will be out next week but we typically meet around 9:30 or 10 am in the parking lot ("Lot K") across the street from the Post office on Clinton Ave (near the VBC).   Parking can be difficult, so plan ahead!  We will be in full uniform (Guard in school uniform - same as the last game).   We are usually done by 1:30 pm at the latest, but often earlier depending on our place in the parade.    The parade route can be found here.
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Holiday Gifts

Do you ask your student what they want for Christmas and they tell you "I don't know."   Do you need a stocking stuffer?  We have solutions!  Instrument accessories and even upgraded instruments make great holiday gifts!    Most of the items below can be found locally at Gadsden Music or Hallman's Music or also on Amazon or you can order from the links provided.    

For Clarinets and Saxophones - a box of new reeds is always needed and can fit inside a stocking.  Students are supposed to be rotating between about 4-5 reeds at a time.  We recommend Van Doren 3 or 3.5 strength reeds.  The v21 model of reeds is even better!  You may need to ask your student what reed they like to play on as it varies and if they plan on getting a harder strength reed next time.  

Neck Strap (saxophones only).  You may have lost yours or want a more comfortable/upgraded one.  

For Trumpets, Trombones, and French Horns:  Mutes make great gifts.  All students should have a straight mute and all straight mutes are not equal.  Straight Humes and Berg stoneline mutes (the white and red ones) are cheapest but don't play in tune very well.  We recommend a metal mute.  Good brands include Tom Brown, Dennis Wick, and Jo-Ral.

If you are in wind ensemble and already have a good straight mute, a cup mute (any brand - even the red and white stoneliner) is a good optional purchase.  

Practice mutes are also valuable if your student plays at home and it's too loud!

Percussion:  Sticks, Mallets, practice pads, a new/upgraded stick bag, 

All Brass:   Tuning Slide grease, valve oil, trombone slide grease, and polishing clothes (there is a different cloth for SILVER instruments) make great stocking stuffers! 
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Woodwinds - new Cleaning rod/cloth/swab, cork grease.

Color Guard- new gloves! black electrical tape for taping flags, cheer/jazz shoes (if yours are wearing out), your own rifle or equipment to practice at home, Novelty items like these

All Instruments:   Does your student own a metronome/tuner?  Many students like to use apps on their phone, but with our school policy of no cell phones and if your student gets their phone taken away from them, then having a metronome/tuner comes in very useful.  This is on the cheaper end of tuner/metronomes but would do great Tuners & Metronomes | Music & Arts.  There are more fancier ones if you want.  

Do you have a folding stand at home for practicing?  Not using a stand can create bad habits.   You can also invest in a real stand but they are more pricey ($50). folding stand results | Music & Arts

Instrument Upgrades  If you are playing on a beginning instrument that you played on in 6th grade, it's time for a new instrument.  If you plan to play on your instrument through college and beyond, it may also be time to invest in a professional level instrument that will remain with you as long as you want to play.  We can help!  If you plan on purchasing a new instrument whether at Christmas time or during the year, please consult with band directors and private teachers!  We will help find the right one for you - including buying a used one for a better price.  

While specialty/toy instruments are fun to own, upgrading your current instrument is always better.  There is often little use for a pocket trumpet, soprano trombone, etc in band other than playing it at your home.  

Novelty items (all instruments):  Lifestyle | Music & Arts

Spring Trip - Important Update 10/26
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.
This week we have enough travelers to add a third bus.  Thank you for those who have agreed to add to our trip!!!  If you are on the wait list, you should have received an invitation and should make a payment.

There are some families who are behind in payments.  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

Color Guard Information!
Football season is wrapping up and we are beginning to set up for our winter guard season.  
Color Guard will have a required practice/winter guard placements November 5, 6 and 7 from 4-6 pm with our color guard staff.

Clarinets and Saxophone - Reed Day on Wednesday, November 5th.
Dr. Melissa Koprowski is a VanDoren performing artist who lives here in town.  Although from Alabama, she has taught all over the US including being a clarinet professor at the University of Wisconsin.  She "retired" to be a full time mom to her 6 kids.    Every few years, she comes and does a special reed presentation during class to our clarinets and saxophones that's really helpful to them.  She will have free reeds for them to try and give away as part of the presentation. Unfortunately, she is only available during our B day 1st period band class, but if there is a concert only student who wants to join us, please see Mr. Tankesley and we can ask your teacher for permission to come.  

Courtyard by Marriott Performance - November 13th
Courtyard by Marriott on University Dr is doing a grand re-opening on Thursday, November 13th after school from 4-6.  Our leadership team will be performing.  Any other marching band students that want to join us are welcome!    Courtyard by Marriott is giving us a donation and allowing us some free hotel rooms for our clinicians.

​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).  ​

UAH REED DAY:  Saturday, November 8th (oboes, clarinet, bass clarinets, saxophone, bassoon) in grades 6-12 are invited.  FREE event that includes masterclasses on instruments, performances, vendors,  free food, and a free t-shirt.  This is a full day event but you are welcome to attend in part if you would like but you must register!
Registration: https://www.uah.edu/ahs/departments/music/events/rocket-city-reed-day
Questions?  [email protected]  

• UAB Honor Band December 11-13th  UAB High School Honor Band Festival - UAB Bands
• University of Alabama Honor Band Feb 5-7   High School Honor Band – The University of Alabama Bands (application coming soon)
• Auburn Marching Honor Band November 22nd Marching Honor Band - Honor Bands - Events - Auburn University Bands
• Auburn University Honor Band Dates TBA Auburn University High School Symphonic Honor Band
• University of Tennessee Chattanooga Band Day - UTC Band Day | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
• Tri-State Honor Band (University of Tennessee Chattanooga) - UTC Tri-States Honor Band | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
• UNA Honor Band:  Dates for 2026 not announced yet.... UNA Invitational Honor Band
• Mississippi State Honor Band 2026 MSU Honor Band Clinic Audition Information | The Famous Maroon Band

Upcoming Dates

​November 5 - Reed Day for Clarinets and Saxophones during 1st block
November 11  Veterans Day Parade 
November 13th - Leadership performance at reopening of Courtyard by Marriott Huntsville.
December 8 - Winter Concert

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 Rizzardi 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 

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