This week has been very challenging for us as we've mourned the unexpected passing of the Huntsville Junior High School Band Director, Dr. Stan Torain.  When Dr. Torain joined us a few years ago, he faced the daunting task of revitalizing a band that had experienced instability with three directors in less than a year. His belief in the students, coupled with his patience and infectious personality, transformed the HJHS band into something truly special. His passion and love for his students will be deeply missed.

Dr. Torain was also passionate about worship, serving as a worship leader at multiple churches. His incredible energy and talent as a musician were evident in everything he did. I encourage you to visit his Facebook or Instagram pages to see his inspiring vocal performances. We had even discussed having him sing with one of our groups this year.  He had recently received his doctorate in theology in Biblical studies.

I got to know him and his family over the past few years.  Among our busy schedules, we always made time to go grab lunch on many occasions.  We often shared stories about our families, especially our kids. My son and his twin boys were only eight months apart. Please keep Dr. Torain's wife, who is also the principal of Lee High School, and their six-year-old twins, Aidan and Allen, in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. You can find his obituary and information about services at this link: Obituary | Dr. Stanley Allen Torain, II | Royal Funeral Home, Inc.  The Huntsville High Band is planning to send a flower arrangement.
​
Stuart Tankesley

Monday:   Off
Tuesday:  Off
Wednesday: Off
Thursday:   Off
Friday:  Off

**You are not required to attend your winter band exam period during exam week unless you have not completed your band audition.  We encourage you to stay home and use this time to study for your other exams.  Your band final grade is a combination of your winter concert and your audition. Please note that if you are on campus during your assigned band exam time, you are still required to be in the band room for the full length of the exam time - you can't roam around campus or be in the hallway.   This is school policy. **

Help the Color Guard!
Our color guard is on a mission to raise money to purchase a new custom floor mat and custom flags for their 2025 winter guard show "Life in a Lava Lamp."  They are selling a variety of delicious popcorn and cookies (preorder) through January 10th.  Find a color guard member or check their social media pages to purchase these items!


All State / District Honor Band Auditions Registration 
The following students have told me they are auditioning for district honor band and/or all state band. I need to know by Monday at noon if there are any changes and all payments must be made!!  The easiest way to pay is to the Huntsville High Band Parents Association Venmo, but you can also turn in money to the band box or use credits by emailing Mrs. Tapia.

If you are auditioning you must be able to go to the audition on Friday, January 31st (all instruments except high clarinets and flutes) or Saturday, February 1st (flutes and clarinets).  All auditions are here at Huntsville High.  

If you are auditioning for District honor band, you must be able to attend district honor band IN FULL (every rehearsal and the concert) February 21-22 at Grissom.
If you are auditioning for All State, you must be able to attend all state band IN FULL (every rehearsal and the concert) April 10-12 at the conference center in Mobile, Alabama.

Abriel Acray(paid)
John Arriaga (paid)
Lila Boyd (paid)
Joey Calavita (paid)
Emma Coburn
Jasmine Courtier (contra) (paid)
Madison Ennix (paid)
Savannah Flores 
Roxie Foster (paid)
Qloe Foster (paid)
Gray Gaba (bari sax) (paid)
Jayne Hansberger (paid)
Josh Hutcherson (paid)
Tucker Lambert
Cole Long (paid)
Calen Miller 
Aidan McDavid (paid)
Layla Mumper (paid)
Shelby OLinger (paid)
Anna Osborne (paid)
Carsten Pass (paid)
Sarah Schultz
Charlier Schuyler (paid)
Oliver Sieja (paid)
Tori Smith (paid)
Mackenzie Webster
Tulli Williams (paid)
Makayla Wood (paid)

Summer Schedule and April/May adjustments
We are making some adjustments to our April/May schedule that will hopefully be beneficial to our families and program.  The most impactful change is we are eliminating Rookie Camp after Memorial Day and replacing it with "Spring Training" sessions held in April and May after school.  We will have all of the percussion and winds in marching band attend a couple of these sessions.  This will allow us to plan better for the Fall while giving leadership team students and upcoming 9th grade students an extra week of off time in the summer.  

There are a few other additional changes that will mostly impact in class activities or leadership selection.  You can view the whole schedule and a more detailed explanation here.   We are updating our CutTime calendar to reflect these changes.  

Summer Schedule 2025June 30 - July 2 Leadership Camp (Leadership team only - mornings and afternoons)
July 9-11 Marching Percussion Camp (required for all marching band percussion)
July 14-18 Band Camp Week 1 - All Day (required for all marching band students)
July 21-25 Band Camp Week 2 - All day (required for all marching band students)
Friday, July 25th  Optional DCI Trip to MTSU (afternoon and evening)
Tuesday, July 29 Rehearsal  6-9 pm (required for all marching band students)
Thursday, July 31 Rehearsal 6-9 pm (required for all marching band students)
Monday, August 4th First Day of School

Winter Guard 

The schedule can be viewed here.  
Color Guard Auditions for next year have been set for April 21- April 25 from 4-6 in the Freshman Cafeteria. Color Guard Camp has been set for Tuesday, May 27 - Friday, May 30 (morning and afternoon).

After some requests from families and a need to provide more guard equipment, we are going to do a color guard specific fundraiser where 100% of the profit will go towards our winter guard needs.   This will be an item fundraiser consisting of a variety of flavors of popcorn (gallon size) and cookies.  We will kick off later in December and it will run over the holiday to January 10th.   We will give information in class on December 10th.  All of this money will be used exclusively to benefit our color guard.  

St. Louis Trip Update! Thursday May 1 - Saturday, May 3.

Cardinals update:  We received an email from them before Thanksgiving:

"We have not started our outreach for the 2025 season just yet.  We have had some internal restructuring that has caused some delays.  We hope to have all of our information out to you to complete by the end of the month."

So sorry for the delay - we are working as fast as the Cardinals let us!

To sign up and make a deposit, please click on this link to make an account - https://urtoursandevents.wetravel.com/trips/huntsville-high-school-band-trip-ur-tours-and-events-84984574  All payments for the trip will be made through this portal, directly to our travel company, UR Tours. There is also an option to mail a check directly to them.

UR Tours offers OPTIONAL "cancel for any reason" travel insurance through a 3rd party provider.  Information on travel insurance can be found in the portal or by going to this link: https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=158894&guid=06909dd1c24a4008bc2d21d72663716e

Payment Schedule
$150.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31ST TO CONFIRM TRIP DETAILS
$200.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 2024
$250.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 3, 2025
BALANCE DUE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 14, 2025

Upcoming Dates
January 2-3  - Winter Guard Camp at HJHS
January 25 - Winter Guard Competition at Mortimer Jordan HS 
January 31-February 1   All State/District Honor Band Auditions at Huntsville HS - Optional
February 13-15   Winter Camp!! (Required for all Symphonic band and wind ensemble students)
February 15 - Winter Guard Competition at Bob Jones HS
February 22 - Mattress Sale!

Questions/Concerns?  Please contact the following:
Grades, missing rehearsals/absences, conflicts, instruments, general band questions - [email protected] or [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)  
• Color Guard including uniforms (except for absences, conflicts, or grades) 
• Percussion 
• General Band Boosters Questions 

Join us on Tuesday, December 10th, for the HHS Band Winter Concert! The concert begins at 7 PM, but be sure to arrive early to browse our silent auction items and enjoy a signature sip.

Before and during the concert, we will host our annual Silent Auction. This is a fantastic opportunity to find those last-minute Christmas gifts and support the band.
​
The Biscuit Express will also offer a variety of their Signature Sips for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the band.

Monday: Symphonic Band Rehearsal 4:00-5:30 pm
Tuesday:  Winter Concert 7:00 pm
Wednesday:  Off.  Auditions in Class.  Band Christmas Party 4-5 pm.
Thursday:  Off.  Auditions in Class
Friday:  Off.  Auditions in Class.  All state/District honor band registration due!!!

Winter Concert - Tuesday, December 10th
Concert Time - 7:00 pm
Call time for students - 6:15 pm
Dress - Tux/dresses with holiday accessories (santa hats, antlers, etc) as long as it doesn't impact your ability to perform.
Silent Auction will be held before and through the intermission of the concert.  

All State / District Honor Band Auditions Registration - Due by Friday, December 13th (optional)
When:  All State/District Honor Band Auditions are Friday, January 31 and February 1st 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 in the box.  If you are using a credit, you must inform Mrs. Tapia by the deadline!  All payments must be submitted or declared to Mrs. Tapia by the deadline!

Your payment to the band box or credit email to Mrs. Tapia is our indication to register you for all state!!

If you audition, you must be able to attend district honor band (February 21-22 at Grissom HS) and/or All State Festival (April 10-12 in Mobile  - additional hotel cost) in it's entirety, which means every rehearsal in full  and 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.

Summer Schedule and April/May adjustments
We are making some adjustments to our April/May schedule that will hopefully be beneficial to our families and program.  The most impactful change is we are eliminating Rookie Camp after Memorial Day and replacing it with "Spring Training" sessions held in April and May after school.  We will have all of the percussion and winds in marching band attend a couple of these sessions.  This will allow us to plan better for the Fall while giving leadership team students and upcoming 9th grade students an extra week of off time in the summer.  

There are a few other additional changes that will mostly impact in class activities or leadership selection.  You can view the whole schedule and a more detailed explanation here.   We are updating our CutTime calendar to reflect these changes.  

Summer Schedule 2025
June 30 - July 2 Leadership Camp (Leadership team only - mornings and afternoons)
July 9-11 Marching Percussion Camp (required for all marching band percussion)
July 14-18 Band Camp Week 1 - All Day (required for all marching band students)
July 21-25 Band Camp Week 2 - All day (required for all marching band students)
Friday, July 25th  Optional DCI Trip to MTSU (afternoon and evening)
Tuesday, July 29 Rehearsal  6-9 pm (required for all marching band students)
Thursday, July 31 Rehearsal 6-9 pm (required for all marching band students)
Monday, August 4th First Day of School

Exams
You are not required to attend your winter band exam period during exam week unless you have not completed your band audition from the previous week.  We encourage you to stay home and use this time to study for your other exams.  Your band final grade is a combination of your winter concert and your audition.

Please note that if you are on campus during your assigned band exam time, you are still required to be in the band room for the full length of the exam time - you can't roam around campus or be in the hallway.   This is school policy. 

Some classes during the SPRING exams will be required to meet to rehearse for graduation.  

Winter Guard 
 The schedule can be viewed here.  

Color Guard Auditions for next year have been set for April 21- April 25 from 4-6 in the Freshman Cafeteria.
Color Guard Camp has been set for Tuesday, May 27 - Friday, May 30 (morning and afternoon).

After some requests from families and a need to provide more guard equipment, we are going to do a color guard specific fundraiser where 100% of the profit will go towards our winter guard needs.   This will be an item fundraiser consisting of a variety of flavors of popcorn (gallon size) and cookies.  We will kick off later in December and it will run over the holiday to January 10th.   We will give information in class on December 10th.  All of this money will be used exclusively to benefit our color guard.  

St. Louis Trip Update! Thursday May 1 - Saturday, May 3.

Cardinals update:  We received an email from them before Thanksgiving:

"We have not started our outreach for the 2025 season just yet.  We have had some internal restructuring that has caused some delays.  We hope to have all of our information out to you to complete by the end of the month."

So sorry for the delay - we are working as fast as the Cardinals let us!

To sign up and make a deposit, please click on this link to make an account - https://urtoursandevents.wetravel.com/trips/huntsville-high-school-band-trip-ur-tours-and-events-84984574  All payments for the trip will be made through this portal, directly to our travel company, UR Tours. There is also an option to mail a check directly to them.

UR Tours offers OPTIONAL "cancel for any reason" travel insurance through a 3rd party provider.  Information on travel insurance can be found in the portal or by going to this link: https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=158894&guid=06909dd1c24a4008bc2d21d72663716e

Payment Schedule
$150.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31ST TO CONFIRM TRIP DETAILS
$200.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 2024
$250.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 3, 2025
BALANCE DUE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 14, 2025
​
Upcoming Dates
January 2-3  - Winter Guard Camp at HJHS
January 25 - Winter Guard Competition at Mortimer Jordan HS 
January 31-February 1   All State/District Honor Band Auditions at Huntsville HS - Optional
February 13-15   Winter Camp!! (Required for all Symphonic band and wind ensemble students)
February 15 - Winter Guard Competition at Bob Jones HS
February 22 - Mattress Sale!

Questions/Concerns?  Please contact the following:
Grades, missing rehearsals/absences, conflicts, instruments, general band questions - [email protected] or [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)  
• Color Guard including uniforms (except for absences, conflicts, or grades) 
• Percussion 
• General Band Boosters Questions 

Huntsville High School Band was well represented at the Iron Bowl!
Top row: Natalie Winters, Jack Mitchell, Thomas Tonsmeire, Ashley Ortel, Hayden Miller, Winton Williams, Alton Hudson, Jason Wimsett, Jackson Miller, Matthew Hutcherson
Bottom row: Grace Bradt, Iyana Lucas, Ansley Boles, Jillian Boles, Will Anderson
Not pictured: Gabbi Smith, Daniel Starnes, Carley Bourland, Haylee Jeffress, and Chase Ruffing

Monday: Symphonic Band Rehearsal 4:00-5:30 pm
Tuesday:  Wind Ensemble Rehearsal 4:00-5:30 pm.
Wednesday:  Off
Thursday:  Off
Friday:  Off

Winter Concert - Tuesday, December 10th
Concert Time - 7:00 pm
Call time for students - 6:15 pm
Dress - Tux/dresses with holiday accessories (santa hats, antlers, etc) as long as it doesn't impact your ability to perform.
Silent Auction will be held before and through the intermission of the concert.  

Winter Guard 
The schedule can be viewed here.  
Color Guard Auditions for next year have been set for April 21- April 25 from 4-6 in the Freshman Cafeteria.

Color Guard Camp has been set for Tuesday, May 27 - Friday, May 30 (morning and afternoon).

After some request from families and a need to provide more guard equipment, we are going to do a color guard specific fundraising where 100% of the profit will go towards our winter guard needs.   This will be an item fundraiser consisting of a variety of flavors of popcorn (gallon size) and cookies.  We will kick off later in December and it will run over the holiday to January 10th.   We will give information in class on December 10th.  All of this money will be used exclusively to benefit our color guard.  

St. Louis Trip Update! Thursday May 1 - Saturday, May 3.

Cardinals update:  We received an email from them before Thanksgiving:
"We have not started our outreach for the 2025 season just yet.  We have had some internal restructuring that has caused some delays.  We hope to have all of our information out to you to complete by the end of the month."

So sorry for the delay - we are working as fast as the Cardinals let us!

To sign up and make a deposit, please click on this link to make an account - https://urtoursandevents.wetravel.com/trips/huntsville-high-school-band-trip-ur-tours-and-events-84984574  All payments for the trip will be made through this portal, directly to our travel company, UR Tours. There is also an option to mail a check directly to them.

UR Tours offers OPTIONAL "cancel for any reason" travel insurance through a 3rd party provider.  Information on travel insurance can be found in the portal or by going to this link:https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signupgroup=158894&guid=06909dd1c24a4008bc2d21d72663716e

Payment Schedule
$150.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31ST TO CONFIRM TRIP DETAILS
$200.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 2024
$250.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 3, 2025
BALANCE DUE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 14, 2025

Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, December 10th - Winter Concert

Questions/Concerns?  Please contact the following:
Grades, missing rehearsals/absences, conflicts, instruments, general band questions - [email protected] or [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)  
• Color Guard including uniforms (except for absences, conflicts, or grades) 
• Percussion 
• General Band Boosters Questions 

We are asking for your help to make our next auction a huge success!  We would like each section to work together to come up with a themed basket to include in our silent auction at the Christmas concert on December 10.  There will be a sign up sheet in the band room this coming week for each section to claim a specific theme so that we don’t end up with duplicate baskets.  Each basket should have a value of no less than $50, but feel free to make it higher.  The key is to have a lot of items up for auction that people are interested in purchasing (think Christmas presents) all while supporting the band!  All baskets need to be turned in to the band room by Friday December 6. In addition, please provide a list of the items in your basket including their retail value.  

Some ideas for your baskets include a game night basket, a college themed basket, or a movie night basket.  I’m sure you will come up with some cool ones!  Let’s see which section can raise the most money!!!

If you have any questions, you can email Lisa Allport [email protected]

Monday: Symphonic Band Rehearsal 4:00-5:30 pm
Tuesday:  Wind Ensemble Rehearsal 4:00-5:30 pm.
Wednesday:  Off
Thursday:  Off
Friday:  Off

Winter Guard 
Every newsletter will have a winter guard section for upcoming events and schedules for our color guard families.  Our schedule has been confirmed and no changes have been made from the original. The schedule can be viewed here.  

Winter Guard Uniform 
Now is the time to order your students winter guard uniform! As communicated in the cost section of the Color Guard contract, at the beginning of the year, parents are responsible for the cost of the winter guard uniform. The store linked below is open and will be through Friday, November 15th. Please place your order before then. 
Please contact Nicole Gorman if you have questions about what size to order, she can give you your students measurements.  You are responsible for ordering your own uniform through the following link:  Huntsville High School Winter Guard November 2024 | DeMoulin Bros. & Co. | powered by OrderMyGear

St. Louis Trip Update! Thursday May 1 - Saturday, May 3.
We need students to pay their initial deposit and register for this trip if it's going to happen.  Please do so ASAP. We had around 100 students indicate they wanted to go on this trip on the google form.  We need a minimum of 90 for the trip to happen (this also can include chaperones/family members paying).  We should be in very good shape, but we just need you to register on the website and pay the initial deposit!  We should know details about the St. Louis Cardinals game soon....

Based on the survey sent out, we have over 90 students interested in the trip, so we are confident we will have the number to support 90 paid travelers. All students in the Huntsville High School Band (which includes concert only students and color guard members) are welcome to join us!

To sign up and make a deposit, please click on this link to make an account - https://urtoursandevents.wetravel.com/trips/huntsville-high-school-band-trip-ur-tours-and-events-84984574  All payments for the trip will be made through this portal, directly to our travel company, UR Tours. There is also an option to mail a check directly to them.

UR Tours offers OPTIONAL "cancel for any reason" travel insurance through a 3rd party provider.  Information on travel insurance can be found in the portal or by going to this link: https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=158894&guid=06909dd1c24a4008bc2d21d72663716e

Payment Schedule
$150.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31ST TO CONFIRM TRIP DETAILS
$200.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 2024
$250.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 3, 2025
BALANCE DUE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 14, 2025

Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, December 10th - Winter Concert

Questions/Concerns?  Please contact the following:
Grades, missing rehearsals/absences, conflicts, instruments, general band questions - stuart.tankesley@hsv-k12.org or [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)  
• Color Guard including uniforms (except for absences, conflicts, or grades) 
• Percussion 
• General Band Boosters Questions 

Monday: No School.  Veterans Day Parade (marching band).
Tuesday:  Wind Ensemble Rehearsal 4:00-5:30 pm
Wednesday:  Off
Thursday:  Off
Friday:  Basketball Game Pep Band 7:00 pm 

St. Louis Trip Update! Thursday May 1 - Saturday, May 3.

We need students to pay their initial deposit and register for this trip if it's going to happen.  Please do so ASAP. We had around 100 students indicate they wanted to go on this trip on the google form.  We need a minimum of 90 for the trip to happen (this also can include chaperones/family members paying).  We should be in very good shape, but we just need you to register on the website and pay the initial deposit!  We should know details about the St. Louis Cardinals game soon....

Based on the survey sent out, we have over 90 students interested in the trip, so we are confident we will have the number to support 90 paid travelers. All students in the Huntsville High School Band (which includes concert only students and color guard members) are welcome to join us!

To sign up and make a deposit, please click on this link to make an account - https://urtoursandevents.wetravel.com/trips/huntsville-high-school-band-trip-ur-tours-and-events-84984574  All payments for the trip will be made through this portal, directly to our travel company, UR Tours. There is also an option to mail a check directly to them.

UR Tours offers OPTIONAL "cancel for any reason" travel insurance through a 3rd party provider.  Information on travel insurance can be found in the portal or by going to this link: https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=158894&guid=06909dd1c24a4008bc2d21d72663716e

Payment Schedule
$150.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31ST TO CONFIRM TRIP DETAILS
$200.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 2024
$250.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 3, 2025
BALANCE DUE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 14, 2025


Huntsville Veterans Day Parade - required marching band performance
Schedule
9:00 - 9:30 am - Band Room open for anyone that forgot anything
10:00 am - Meet in Parking Lot K (parking area across from the Clinton Ave post office).   Look for the band truck!!
You can drop off in the right lane of Clinton Ave by the bridge and cross the road (they usually have a police officer there).  You cannot drive into Parking Lot K.  Leave as much as possible in your car including cases (if there is little to no chance of rain).  City Parking garages offer free parking for the parade.  Give yourself ample time to park and walk to our spot!
11:11 am - Parade starts.  We are in the "blue" section of the parade - in the first half.  This year the parade begins and ends at Parking Lot K across from the Clinton Ave post office.  
12:30 pm - Finish the parade and dismiss.  Load the truck or take your instrument with you.  
Uniform
Full Band Marching Uniform - please arrive in your uniform (don't bring your garment bag to the meeting spot)
Color Guard will be in their school color guard uniform that matches the band.
Other information
Here is a news article that shows a map of the route.

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 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! 
Woodwinds - new Cleaning rod/cloth/swab, cork grease.
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, soprano sax, etc in band other than playing it at your home.  
Novelty items (all instruments):  Lifestyle | Music & Arts

Winter Guard 
Every newsletter will have a winter guard section for upcoming events and schedules for our color guard families.  Our schedule has been confirmed and no changes have been made from the original. The schedule can be viewed here.  
​
Winter Guard Uniform 
Now is the time to order your students winter guard uniform! As communicated in the cost section of the Color Guard contract, at the beginning of the year, parents are responsible for the cost of the winter guard uniform. The store linked below is open and will be through Friday, November 15th. Please place your order before then. 

Please contact Nicole Gorman if you have questions about what size to order, she can give you your students measurements.  You are responsible for ordering your own uniform through the following link:  Huntsville High School Winter Guard November 2024 | DeMoulin Bros. & Co. | powered by OrderMyGear

Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, December 10th - Winter Concert

Questions/Concerns?  Please contact the following:
Grades, missing rehearsals/absences, conflicts, instruments, general band questions - [email protected] or andrew.kirk@hsv-k12.org

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)  
• Color Guard including uniforms (except for absences, conflicts, or grades) 
• Percussion 
• General Band Boosters Questions 

Monday: Symphonic Band Rehearsal 4:00-5:30 pm
Tuesday:  Wind Ensemble Rehearsal 4:00-5:30 pm
Wednesday:  Off
Thursday:  Basketball Game Pep Band 7:00 pm (big gym)
Friday:  Off.  Marching Seniors and Leadership going to HCES in the morning for their Veteran's Day program.  (meet there and carpool back to HHS)
Monday 11/11:  No School.  Marching Band Performance - Veteran's Day Parade in Downtown.

St. Louis Trip Update! Thursday May 1 - Saturday, May 3.
We need students to pay their initial deposit and register for this trip if it's going to happen.  Please do so ASAP. We had around 100 students indicate they wanted to go on this trip on the google form.  We need a minimum of 90 for the trip to happen (this also can include chaperones/family members paying).  We should be in very good shape, but we just need you to register on the website and pay the initial deposit!  We should know details about the St. Louis Cardinals game soon....

Based on the survey sent out, we have over 90 students interested in the trip, so we are confident we will have the number to support 90 paid travelers. All students in the Huntsville High School Band (which includes concert only students and color guard members) are welcome to join us!

To sign up and make a deposit, please click on this link to make an account - https://urtoursandevents.wetravel.com/trips/huntsville-high-school-band-trip-ur-tours-and-events-84984574  All payments for the trip will be made through this portal, directly to our travel company, UR Tours. There is also an option to mail a check directly to them.

UR Tours offers OPTIONAL "cancel for any reason" travel insurance through a 3rd party provider.  Information on travel insurance can be found in the portal or by going to this link: https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=158894&guid=06909dd1c24a4008bc2d21d72663716e

Payment Schedule
$150.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31ST TO CONFIRM TRIP DETAILS
$200.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 2024
$250.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 3, 2025
BALANCE DUE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 14, 2025

Huntsville Veterans Day Parade
The Huntsville Veterans Day parade is coming up soon on Monday, November 11th.  We will meet downtown at 10 am in the parking lot across from the post office on Clinton Ave.   The parade starts at 11:11 am and ends over by the city dog park/Furniture Factory on Meridian St.  As of today, we don't know where our spot is in the parade.  We anticipate we will be done by 1:00 pm (but could be earlier).  Maps and more detailed information will be in next week's newsletter.   We will be in full marching uniforms for the parade.   This is a required performance for marching band.  

Basketball Pep Band
Sign up to play at a basketball game in the band room!  Please wear your band dry fit shirt or solid black shirt.  Color Guard wear pep rally uniform.

Thursday, November 7 - 7:30 pm game (be in the main gym by 7)  First Home Game
Friday, November 15th - 7:30 pm game (be in the main gym by 7)  Military Appreciation Night
*The games should be over around 9:15 pm.

Winter Guard 
Every newsletter will have a winter guard section for upcoming events and schedules for our color guard families.

Guard families - please look at the below schedule.  If anyone has any unresolvable conflicts with the below schedule - particularly the January camp or competitions, please let Mr. Tankesley know by Friday.  [email protected]

Winter Guard Schedule 2025
Thursday, January 2 Guard mini camp 9:00 am - 5:00 pm TBA (bring lunch!)
Friday, January 3 Guard mini camp 9:00 am - 12:00 pm  TBA
Monday, January 6 Rehearsal 4:00-6:00 pm FA Cafeteria
Monday, January 13 Rehearsal 4:00-6:00 pm FA Cafeteria
Monday, January 20 (MLK Day) Rehearsal 6:00-9:00 pm Small Gym
Tuesday, January 21 Rehearsal 4:00-6:00 pm Small Gym​
SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 COMPETITION ALL DAY MORTIMER JORDAN HS 
Monday, January 27 Rehearsal 4:00-6:00 pm FA Cafeteria
Monday, February 3 Rehearsal 4:00-6:00 pm FA Cafeteria
Monday, February 10 Rehearsal 4:00-6:00 pm FA Cafeteria
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 COMPETITION ALL DAY BOB JONES HS
Monday, February 17 Rehearsal 6:00-9:00 pm Small Gym
Monday, February 24 Rehearsal 4:00-6:00 pm FA Cafeteria
Monday, March 3 Rehearsal 4:00-6:00 pm Small Gym
Monday, March 17 Rehearsal 4:00-6:00 pm Small Gym
SATURDAY, MARCH 22 COMPETITION ALL DAY Siegel HS-MURFREESBORO 
Monday, March 24 Rehearsal 4:00-6:00 pm Small Gym
SATURDAY, MARCH 29 CHAMPIONSHIPS ALL DAY WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY (BOWLING GREEN KENTUCKY)
Recruiting Trips - TBA
Auditions for 2025-26 - TBA
​
Competitions
All students will take the school bus to/from Mortimer Jordan, Siegel, and Western Kentucky.  All students are expected to ride the bus unless an extenuating circumstance is approved by Mr. Tankesley.
​
Winter Guard Instructors:
Our instructors Logan and Evie, have been given an incredible opportunity to perform with one of the best winter guards in the country this Spring.  They will still be very involved in our winter guard,  but will not be able to join us on Saturdays at competitions.  Mr. Tankesley, Mrs. Gorman, and Mrs. Rizzardi (our new HHS art teacher who was a guard captain at HHS many years ago..) will be with us at competitions.

Upcoming Dates
Monday, November 11th - Veterans Day Parade (downtown Huntsville)
Friday, November 15th - Basketball Pep Band
Tuesday, December 10th - Winter Concert

Questions/Concerns?  Please contact the following:
Grades, missing rehearsals/absences, conflicts, instruments, general band questions - [email protected] or [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)  
• Color Guard including uniforms (except for absences, conflicts, or grades) 
• Percussion 
• General Band Boosters Questions 

Monday: Symphonic Band Rehearsal 4:00-5:30 pm
Tuesday:  Fall Concert!
Wednesday:  Off
Thursday:  Game vs. Lee at Milton Frank Stadium
Friday:  Off

Fall Concert Information
The Fall Concert is at 7:30 pm - please make note of this as most of our concerts generally start at 7:00 pm.

The Hampton Cove Band will be performing their Halloween Concert in the Auditorium starting at 6:00 pm.  We encourage students and families to come watch.  Please be aware of this as you arrive - audience members and students should not enter the auditorium while a group is performing and please be quiet in the lobby and areas around the auditorium until their concert has concluded

Students should be here by 6:45 pm in full concert uniform (Tuxedo, dress, correct shoes, socks, accessories).  Ladies and guys with longer hair should put their hair out of their face.   

Gameday Information and Schedule

Schedule
"B" Day load 
8:30 am - Come to school as normal WITH ALL UNIFORM PARTS. HANG UP IN BAND ROOM.
3:40 pm - School is dismissed.  Go get dinner, have dinner delivered, or have dinner with you!
4:30 pm - Set up begins for Trunk or Treat in the Northwest corner of the parking lot.
5:00 pm - Trunk or treat begins (band students welcome to have a trunk and/or participate)
5:30 pm - Unload Trucks
6:10 pm - Warm ups
6:30 pm - Enter Stadium
6:45 pm - Pregame!
7:00 pm - Game Starts.  If this game is a blow out at halftime, coaches have the option to do a running clock in the second half.  This may be a possibility and the game may end earlier than 9:30!
~9:30 pm - Game ends.  Load trucks and dismiss.

Uniform
Costumes - please make sure that your costume you can play/perform in and that it is appropriate for all ages.  

Things you need
Instrument/Equipment (you are responsible for making sure it gets loaded)
FULL WATER JUG (the one you use for rehearsal)
Flip folder with stand tunes (winds and percussion)
All accessories (guard pom poms, reeds, sticks, mouthpieces, etc...)

Repeated information about Trunk or Treat, Costumes and Game
Yes- We have a required game on Halloween.  Students are encouraged to wear a halloween costume instead of their band uniform as long as they are able to perform in it.  Costumes should not be bloody/goory, contain weapons, or be inappropriate for our Kindergarten guests.

To help make this a fun night for our students, we are joining together with the Football, Cheer, and Dance boosters to host a Trunk-or-Treat before the game starting at 5:00 pm.  We are looking for volunteers to set up a Trunk-or-Treat station for our kids to visit.  This can be Parents, Grandparents, Friends, Families, or even a section of the Band!  The more 'Trunks' we have the more enjoyable this will be.  Sign up here:  https://forms.gle/s4HjVxCftUkpSsBTA

We are also looking for candy donations to help support the event.  Mrs. Flippo has ordered some candy to give us a good start, but we will not a lot more.  Those providing a trunk will also need to provide candy if possible.  You can commit to a candy donation here or have your student drop it by the band room. 

Finally, Mrs. Flippo has invited the kindergarten students from our 6 feeder elementary schools to participate in a bridging ceremony with our Seniors around 6:30 pm prior to the game.  Those students have been invited to participate in the Trunk-or-Treat.  So, we should anticipate their participation and plan accordingly when purchasing candy.   Siblings/family of cheer, dance, football, and band will also be able to attend.

Please sign up here: https://forms.gle/s4HjVxCftUkpSsBTA
What: Trunk-or-Treat
Where: Milton Frank Stadium Parking Lot
When: Thursday Night, October 31, 2024 - 5pm 
Senior & Kindergarten Bridging Ceremony to follow at 6:30pm at the 50 Yard Line. 

Football Season Wrap Up
This week is our last football game.  We are not in the playoffs.  Please make sure and take marching band items home like water bottles, extra clothes or shoes, marching band music, etc. 
We are performing at the Veteran's Day Parade and a couple of basketball games in November (see info in this newsletter), so anything needed for those can stay at school for now!

Basketball Pep Band
Our basketball team has asked us to play at 2 basketball games this basketball season - both in November.  We are asking all students to sign up for atleast 1 game, but students are welcome to sign up for both if they would like.  We will put sign up sheets in the band room next week.

Thursday, November 7 - 7:30 pm game (be in the main gym by 7)  First Home Game
Friday, November 15th - 7:30 pm game (be in the main gym by 7)  Military Appreciation Night
*The games should be over around 9:15 pm.

St. Louis Trip Update! Thursday May 1 - Saturday, May 3
Based on the survey sent out, we have over 90 students interested in the trip, so we are confident we will have the number to support 90 paid travelers. All students in the Huntsville High School Band (which includes concert only students and color guard members) are welcome to join us!

To sign up and make a deposit, please click on this link to make an account - https://urtoursandevents.wetravel.com/trips/huntsville-high-school-band-trip-ur-tours-and-events-84984574  All payments for the trip will be made through this portal, directly to our travel company, UR Tours. There is also an option to mail a check directly to them.

UR Tours offers OPTIONAL "cancel for any reason" travel insurance through a 3rd party provider.  Information on travel insurance can be found in the portal or by going to this link: https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=158894&guid=06909dd1c24a4008bc2d21d72663716e

Payment Schedule
$150.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31ST TO CONFIRM TRIP DETAILS
$200.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 2024
$250.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 3, 2025
BALANCE DUE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 14, 2025

 End of Marching Season - Beginning of Concert Season / Winter Guard Season

 We will kick off our concert season with our Fall Concert on Tuesday, October 29th!

Symphonic Band has their first after school rehearsal on Monday, October 28th from 4:00-5:30 and they will continue to rehearse every Monday through the Winter Concert.  They will resume the first Monday of January that students have school.

Wind Ensemble will rehearse Tuesdays only starting November 5th through the Winter concert.  Once school has returned in January, we will meet after school on Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm.

A Winter Guard schedule for our color guard is coming out this week in class and in the newsletter next week.
 
Upcoming Dates
Thursday, November 7th - Basketball Pep Band 
Friday, November 8th - Seniors and Leadership - performance during 1st block at Hampton Cove Elem.
Monday, November 11th - Veterans Day Parade (downtown Huntsville)
Friday, November 15th - Basketball Pep Band
Tuesday, December 10th - Winter Concert

Questions/Concerns?  Please contact the following:
Grades, missing rehearsals/absences, conflicts, instruments, general band questions - [email protected] or [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)  
• Color Guard including uniforms (except for absences, conflicts, or grades) 
• Percussion 
• General Band Boosters Questions

Thank you to all our amazing volunteers! We’ve had an incredible year of support.

We need your continued help. Please consider volunteering this Friday at our away game against Bob Jones. There are 6 slots open. Additionally, we need assistance distributing Boston butts on Saturday, November 2, from 12-2 PM.
​
To sign up, go to CutTime, navigate to Events, and select Volunteer.

Monday: Off
Tuesday:  Marching Rehearsal 4-6.  Color Guard only 4-7
Wednesday:  Off
Thursday:  Marching Rehearsal 4-6.
Friday:  Game @Madison City Stadium against Bob Jones
Saturday:  Trussville Marching Invitational - Hewitt Trussville HS in Trussville, Al 

Gameday Information and Schedule

Schedule
"B" Day load 
8:30 am - Come to school as normal WITH ALL UNIFORM PARTS. HANG UP IN BAND ROOM.
3:40 pm - School is dismissed.  Go get dinner, have dinner delivered, or have dinner with you!
5:00 pm - Back at school and depart for Madison City Stadium.  Traveling in uniform.
5:30 pm - Arrive at Madison City Stadium.  Unload, and warm up
6:30 pm - Enter Stadium
7:00 pm - Game Starts 
~9:30 pm - Game ends.  
~10:15 pm - Depart
~10:45 pm - back at Huntsville High School

Uniform
Full Marching Uniform

Color Guard will be in Show (Classic Rach) Uniform.

Things you need
Instrument/Equipment (you are responsible for making sure it gets loaded)
FULL WATER JUG (the one you use for rehearsal)
Flip folder with stand tunes (winds and percussion)
All accessories (guard pom poms, reeds, sticks, mouthpieces, etc...)

Check out - anyone not riding the bus home.
Reminder that any student not riding the bus home should check out with our volunteer coordinator Helena Johnson after the game.  Students must be checked out by a parent.  If a student is riding home with an adult other than your own parent, we have to have permission from that student's parents. 

Marching Competition - Saturday, October 26th 

Trussville Marching Invitational - Trussville, Al

Schedule
9:15 am  Band Room open
9:45 am  Everyone in band room
10:15 am Depart for Hewitt Trussville on 3 charter buses.
11:45 pm Arrive at lunch (Fultondale Exit - Chik fil a, Full moon bbq, Mcdonald's, Arbys, Firehouse subs, Five Guys, Target)
12:45 pm - Depart lunch
1:15 pm   Arrive at Hewitt Trussville HS 
2:45  Lined up, ready to move to warm up
2:55 pm  Warm up 
3:25 pm Travel
3:40 pm Performance!!!  After the performance, load truck, get out of uniform, and enjoy the rest of the time watching bands and visiting concessions.
4:40 pm - University of North Alabama performs!
8:00 pm - Awards!!
~9:00 pm - Depart 
~11:00 pm - Back at Huntsville High 

How to purchase tickets 
Tickets are $10 each.  Age 5 and under is free.  There is no online ticketing option.

Full Day Band Schedule
2024 TMI Registration & Schedule | hewittband

Location and Parking
6450 Husky Parkway Trussville, AL 35173

Map of Stadium area

• Spectator Parking is available, but limited, at the stadium. Spectator parking will be concentrated in front of the stadium, football field house, and at Hewitt-Trussville High School, just a short walk to the stadium. There is no charge for parking. Please pass this information along to your parents.
• We will have two shuttle buses running between the stadium and the high school parking lot throughout the day until 10pm. 
• Handicapped parking is available at the stadium.
• Gates will open at 11:30am for spectators. Concession stands will also open at this time. 

Food
You will need money for a fast food lunch and concession food for dinner. 
The food menu for Hewitt Trussville Concessions can be found here.

Students are welcome to bring snacks for the bus.  All drinks on the bus must have a screw on top.

Uniform and things you need
Full Uniform and accessories in garment bag.  Dry fit shirt on.  Color guard is in show uniform!
MONEY FOR LUNCH AND DINNER
Instrument/Equipment (you are responsible for making sure it gets loaded)
FULL WATER JUG (the one you use for rehearsal)
All accessories (, reeds, sticks, mouthpieces, etc...)

Other
Checking out after awards.  All students are expected to stay through awards.  Following awards, anyone not riding the bus needs to check out with Mrs. Johnson with their parent.  


St. Louis Trip Update! Thursday May 1 - Saturday, May 3
Based on the survey sent out, we have over 90 students interested in the trip, so we are confident we will have the number to support 90 paid travelers. All students in the Huntsville High School Band (which includes concert only students and color guard members) are welcome to join us!


To sign up and make a deposit, please click on this link to make an account - https://urtoursandevents.wetravel.com/trips/huntsville-high-school-band-trip-ur-tours-and-events-84984574  All payments for the trip will be made through this portal, directly to our travel company, UR Tours. There is also an option to mail a check directly to them.

UR Tours offers OPTIONAL "cancel for any reason" travel insurance through a 3rd party provider.  Information on travel insurance can be found in the portal or by going to this link: https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=158894&guid=06909dd1c24a4008bc2d21d72663716e

Payment Schedule
$150.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31ST TO CONFIRM TRIP DETAILS
$200.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 2024
$250.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 3, 2025
BALANCE DUE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 14, 2025

Trunk-or-Treat - October 31, 2024
Yes- We have a required game on Halloween.  Students are encouraged to wear a Halloween costume instead of their band uniform as long as they are able to perform in it.  Costumes should not be bloody/goory, contain weapons, or be inappropriate for our Kindergarten guests.

To help make this a fun night for our students, we are joining together with the Football, Cheer, and Dance boosters to host a Trunk-or-Treat before the game starting at 5:00 pm.  We are looking for volunteers to set up a Trunk-or-Treat station for our kids to visit.  This can be Parents, Grandparents, Friends, Families, or even a section of the Band!  The more 'Trunks' we have the more enjoyable this will be.  Sign up here:  https://forms.gle/s4HjVxCftUkpSsBTA

We are also looking for candy donations to help support the event.  Mrs. Flippo has ordered some candy to give us a good start, but we will not a lot more.  Those providing a trunk will also need to provide candy if possible.  You can commit to a candy donation here or have your student drop it by the band room. 

Finally, Mrs. Flippo has invited the kindergarten students from our 6 feeder elementary schools to participate in a bridging ceremony with our Seniors around 6:30 pm prior to the game.  Those students have been invited to participate in the Trunk-or-Treat.  So, we should anticipate their participation and plan accordingly when purchasing candy.   Siblings/family of cheer, dance, football, and band will also be able to attend.
Please sign up here: https://forms.gle/s4HjVxCftUkpSsBTA
What: Trunk-or-Treat
Where: Milton Frank Stadium Parking Lot
When: Thursday Night, October 31, 2024 - 5pm 
Senior & Kindergarten Bridging Ceremony to follow at 6:30pm at the 50 Yard Line. 

End of Marching Season - Beginning of Concert Season / Winter Guard Season
This is our final week of marching band rehearsals.  Next week, even though we have a game there will be no Marching Band rehearsal.   We will kick off our concert season with our Fall Concert on Tuesday, October 29th!

Symphonic Band has their first after school rehearsal on Monday, October 28th from 4:00-5:30 and they will continue to rehearse every Monday through the Winter Concert.  They will resume the first Monday of January that students have school.

Wind Ensemble will rehearse Tuesdays only starting November 5th through the Winter concert.  Once school has returned in January, we will meet after school on Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm.

A Winter Guard schedule for our color guard is coming out the last week of October!  
 
Upcoming Dates

Tuesday, October 29th - Fall Concert 7:30 pm (note the time).  HCMS band will be performing their Halloween concert at 6:00 pm in the auditorium this night as well.  
Thursday, October 31st - Game vs. Lee
Monday, November 11th - Veterans Day Parade (downtown Huntsville)

Questions/Concerns?  Please contact the following:
Grades, missing rehearsals/absences, conflicts, instruments, general band questions - [email protected] or andrew.kirk@hsv-k12.org

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)  
• Color Guard including uniforms (except for absences, conflicts, or grades) 
• Percussion 
• General Band Boosters Questions 

Monday: Off
Tuesday:  Marching Rehearsal 4-6.  Color Guard only 4-7
Wednesday:  Off
Thursday:  Marching Rehearsal 4-6.
Friday:  Game @Braly Stadium against Florence HS.  
Saturday:  Stones River Marching Competition - Riverdale HS in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Gameday Information and Schedule

Schedule
"A" Day load 
8:30 am - Come to school as normal WITH ALL UNIFORM PARTS. HANG UP IN BAND ROOM.
1:45 pm - Students dismissed from class. (3rd block wind ensemble will help load trucks during class)
2:15 pm - Depart for Florence, Al
4:00 pm - Arrive at Dinner Stop near Florence Mall.  Dinner options - Chik Fil-a, Chicken Salad chick, Chipotle, Firehouse, Starbucks, Tazikis.  
5:15 pm - Depart Dinner
5:30 pm - Arrive at Braly Stadium.  Dress, unload, and warm up
6:30 pm - Enter Stadium
7:00 pm - Game Starts - we will load as much equipment as possible after halftime, to get on the road quickly after the game.
~9:30 pm - Game ends.  
~10:00 pm - Depart
~11:30 pm - Back at Huntsville HS.

Uniform
Full Marching Uniform

Color Guard will be in Show (Classic Rach) Uniform.

Things you need
MONEY FOR DINNER
Instrument/Equipment (you are responsible for making sure it gets loaded)
FULL WATER JUG (the one you use for rehearsal)
Flip folder with stand tunes (winds and percussion)
All accessories (guard pom poms, reeds, sticks, mouthpieces, etc...)

Check out - anyone not riding the bus home.
Reminder that any student not riding the bus home should check out with our volunteer coordinator Helena Johnson after the game.  Students must be checked out by a parent.  If a student is riding home with an adult other than your own parent, we have to have permission from that student's parents. 

St. Louis Trip Update! Thursday May 1 - Saturday, May 3
Based on the survey sent out, we have over 90 students interested in the trip, so we are confident we will have the number to support 90 paid travelers. All students in the Huntsville High School Band (which includes concert only students and color guard members) are welcome to join us!

To sign up and make a deposit, please click on this link to make an account - https://urtoursandevents.wetravel.com/trips/huntsville-high-school-band-trip-ur-tours-and-events-84984574  All payments for the trip will be made through this portal, directly to our travel company, UR Tours. There is also an option to mail a check directly to them.

UR Tours offers OPTIONAL "cancel for any reason" travel insurance through a 3rd party provider.  Information on travel insurance can be found in the portal or by going to this link: https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=158894&guid=06909dd1c24a4008bc2d21d72663716e

Payment Schedule
$150.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31ST TO CONFIRM TRIP DETAILS
$200.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 2024
$250.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 3, 2025
BALANCE DUE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 14, 2025

Marching Competition - Saturday, October 19th 

Stone River Classic - Murfreesboro October 19th

7:45 am Band Room Open
8:15 am  All students in the band room 
8:30 am  Meet and Load.
8:45 am  Depart on 3 charter buses to Murfreesboro.
11:00  Lunch at Town Centre on Old Fort Parkway (Exit 78B) in Murfreesboro. (Chik fil a, whataburger, wendys, Steak and Shake, Target with Starbucks, KFC)
12:00 Back on bus.  Depart to stadium.  This is the same place we ate dinner before DCI this summer (for those that went)
12:30  Change/unload truck
1:50 pm Line up to move to warm up.
2:00 pm  Warm up
2:30 pm Travel
2:45 pm PRELIMS PERFORMANCE!!
2:30  pm  Return to truck/buses.   Get out of uniform.  Watch bands/eat dinner.
4:15 pm Prelims Awards.  Get Finals times and info.
6:00 pm Finals performances begin.  We will load truck and get out of uniform after finals performance as long as time permits before awards.  Free time to watch bands or eat concessions before Awards.  
8:00 pm Last Finals performance.
8:30 pm Riverdale HS Band (host) Performs
8:45 pm Finals Awards
9:30 pm Depart  
11:30 pm Arrive Back at HHS 

How to purchase tickets 
Riverdale High School Band Boosters Club Events and Tickets by GoFan

Full Day Band Schedule
Microsoft Word - SRC Schedule 10_2_2024 (riverdaleband.com)

Location and Campus Map
Riverdale High School 802 Warrior Dr. Murfreesboro, TN 37128

SRC-Campus-Map-2024.pdf (riverdaleband.com)

Food
You will need money for a fast food lunch and concession food for dinner.  At this time, I have not been given a menu for the concessions.  Both cash and credit/debit cards will be accepted at the concession stand.

Students are welcome to bring snacks for the bus.  All drinks on the bus must have a screw on top.

Uniform and things you need
Full Uniform and accessories in garment bag.  Dry fit shirt on.  Color guard is in show uniform!
MONEY FOR LUNCH AND DINNER
Instrument/Equipment (you are responsible for making sure it gets loaded)
FULL WATER JUG (the one you use for rehearsal)
All accessories (, reeds, sticks, mouthpieces, etc...)

Other
Checking out after awards.  All students are expected to stay through awards.  Following awards, anyone not riding the bus needs to check out with Mrs. Johnson with their parent.  

For additional information on the competition, visit The Stones River Classic – Riverdale Band

Upcoming Dates
Friday, October 25th - Game vs. Bob Jones @ Madison City Stadium.
Saturday, October 26th - Marching Competition - Trussville, Al
Tuesday, October 29th - Fall Concert 7:30 pm (note the time).  HCMS band will be performing their Halloween concert at 6:00 pm in the auditorium this night as well.
Thursday, October 31st - Football game vs. Lee (Milton Frank)   
Monday, November 11th - Veterans Day Parade (downtown Huntsville)
​
Questions/Concerns?  Please contact the following:
Grades, missing rehearsals/absences, conflicts, instruments, general band questions - [email protected] or [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)  
• Color Guard including uniforms (except for absences, conflicts, or grades) 
• Percussion 
• General Band Boosters Questions 

Monday: Off
Tuesday:  Marching Rehearsal 4-6.  Color Guard only 4-7
Wednesday:  Homecoming Rehearsal 4-5 pm (may be done early)
Thursday:  No after school rehearsal.  Parade 6:00 pm - see schedule
Friday:  Pep Rally at 10:00 am.  Homecoming Game vs. Albertville @Milton Frank Stadium

Thursday - Parade Information
Schedule
3:40 pm - School Dismisses.  Go eat dinner/break
5:00 pm - Back at school.
5:30 pm - Line up for parade (we are towards the very front)
6:00 pm - Parade Steps off
6:45 pm - Parade is over
7:00 pm - Go Home!

What to wear
Students will be in full band uniforms.
Color Guard will be in show uniform (Rach Star) uniform unless Huntsville Band Color Guard uniforms get situated in time.

More information:
To my knowledge, there has been no change to the parade route from previous years.  It will start by the baseball field, cross Bob Wallace, make our way to Mayfair park, and return to the school, finishing on Marcheutz Dr.  A map will be posted to social media this week.

Gameday Information and Schedule

Schedule
"B" Day load - load after pep rally
10:00 am - Pep Rally.  Band wears dry fit shirt.  Color Guard wears lululemon color guard skirts and t-shirt.  
3:40 pm - School dismisses!
5:30 pm - Meet at Milton Frank - unload equipment
5:45 pm - Sectionals/Section warm ups
6:10 pm - Full Band Warm up
6:30 pm - Line up for pregame
6:45 pm - March in!  Pregame show/National Anthem.
7:00 pm - Game Starts - we will be performing the homecoming halftime show/homecoming court announcement during halftime and our full show after the game!

~9:30 pm - Game ends.  Perform Show after the game.  Load equipment.

Uniform
Full Marching Uniform

Color Guard will be in Show (Classic Rach) Uniform unless we have our school HHS Band color guard uniforms ready.

Things you need
Instrument/Equipment (you are responsible for making sure it gets loaded)
FULL WATER JUG (the one you use for rehearsal)
Flip folder with stand tunes (winds and percussion)
All accessories (guard pom poms, reeds, sticks, mouthpieces, etc...)

St. Louis Trip Update! Thursday May 1 - Saturday, May 3
Based on the survey sent out, we have over 90 students interested in the trip, so we are confident we will have the number to support 90 paid travelers. All students in the Huntsville High School Band (which includes concert only students and color guard members) are welcome to join us!

To sign up and make a deposit, please click on this link to make an account - https://urtoursandevents.wetravel.com/trips/huntsville-high-school-band-trip-ur-tours-and-events-84984574  All payments for the trip will be made through this portal, directly to our travel company, UR Tours. There is also an option to mail a check directly to them.

UR Tours offers OPTIONAL "cancel for any reason" travel insurance through a 3rd party provider.  Information on travel insurance can be found in the portal or by going to this link: https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=158894&guid=06909dd1c24a4008bc2d21d72663716e

Payment Schedule
$150.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31ST TO CONFIRM TRIP DETAILS
$200.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 2024
$250.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 3, 2025
BALANCE DUE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 14, 2025

Marching Competition - Saturday, October 19th (scheduled edited slightly from last week's newsletter)

We received the schedule for our October 19th competition early.  We will send out more information the week before, but here is the tentative schedule for that day:

Stone River Classic - Murfreesboro October 19th

7:45 am Band Room Open
8:15 am  All students in the band room 
8:30 am  Meet and Load.
8:45 am  Depart on 3 charter buses to Murfreesboro.
11:00  Lunch at Town Centre on Old Fort Parkway (Exit 78B) in Murfreesboro. (Chik fil a, whataburger, wendys, Steak and Shake, Target with Starbucks, KFC)
12:00 Back on bus.  Depart to stadium.  This is the same place we ate dinner before DCI this summer (for those that went)
12:30  Change/unload truck
1:50 pm Line up to move to warm up.
2:00 pm  Warm up
2:30 pm Travel
2:45 pm PRELIMS PERFORMANCE!!
2:30  pm  Return to truck/buses.   Get out of uniform.  Watch bands/eat dinner.
4:15 pm Prelims Awards.  Get Finals times and info.
6:00 pm Finals performances begin.  We will load truck and get out of uniform after finals performance as long as time permits before awards.  Free time to watch bands or eat concessions before Awards.  
8:00 pm Last Finals performance.
8:30 pm Riverdale HS Band (host) Performs
8:45 pm Finals Awards
9:30 pm Depart  
11:30 pm Arrive Back at HHS 

Upcoming Dates
Friday, October 18th - Game at Florence HS (leaving before school ends)
Saturday, October 19th - Marching Competition - Stones River Classic in Murfreesboro, Tn (all day event)
Friday, October 25th - Game vs. Bob Jones @ Madison City Stadium.
Saturday, October 26th - Marching Competition - Trussville, Al
Tuesday, October 29th - Fall Concert 7:30 pm (note the time).  HCMS band will be performing their Halloween concert at 6:00 pm in the auditorium this night as well.  
​
Questions/Concerns?  Please contact the following:
Grades, missing rehearsals/absences, conflicts, instruments, general band questions - [email protected] or [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)  
• Color Guard including uniforms (except for absences, conflicts, or grades) 
• Percussion 
• General Band Boosters Questions