Halloween game!

Good News!

Keith Taylor, sports producer at ABC 33/40 sent an email stating, "I'm currently putting together tomorrow night's Friday Night Blitz show, and would love to make your band our "Blitz Band of the Week." "

How GREAT you guys! So set your VCR's or TiVo or whatever for ABC 33/40 at 10:30, so that you can see the show. You know we will probably still be on a bus somewhere. They are using clips from the Pell City vs Dega game.

Congrats everyone!

Parent Xtravaganza and John Carroll game this Friday

Tom,
Great job at the Talladega City Schools Parent Xtravaganza. The band looked and sounded great!

I am looking forward to our halftime show at this week's game at John Carroll High School. This will be our last week performing the full show. Next week we will modify the show some to allow for our Halloween Costumes.

Our schedule for this Friday:
4:00 Leave for JCHS. We will eat fast food along the way. Weather; It will be chilly and wet - be prepared! We will have ponchos ready.
6:15 Warm-up
7:00 Kick-off
11:30 Arrive at THS

Game PLUS Competition!

Wow, can you believe that it is time for our LAST home game? It's my absolute LAST one at Mary Dumas Stadium, how weird this will be. It's been a long week, with practices trying to prepare for competition and knowing that it is also homecoming week, and senior night tonight. Well, I figured I would take time to post a small amount of information as to the itenerary for tonight and tomorrow.

5:30- Band report to warm up in front of Dixon Building
6:00- Seniors report to the field with parents
6:20- Band marches into the stadium
6:30- Homecoming & Senior Night festivities
7:00- Kick off

PELL CITY HS MARCHING BAND COMPETITION

12:00-1:00 Practice (stadium) - eat lunch before you arrive;
1:00-1:45 Load (BBOT will have snacks and drinks);
1:45 Leave for Pell City; 2:15 Arrive and unload (bathroom, etc.);
3:30 Warm-up;
4:00 PERFORMANCE 3-A (THS, Stanhope-Elmore, Tusc. Co., Eufala) - After the performance we will load, change, then go into the stadium for dinner;
7:30 Exhibition by the Huntingdon College Marching Band;
8:00 AWARDS – all seniors accept awards.
10:00 Home

Little notes..

Heyyyy guys! I was walking down the hall a minute ago and just thought, its almost time for our homecoming festivities! I really want the band to show some class and pride and just go all out this year, paint your car windows, dress up to the extreme, make signs for the game. I feel if i start telling about it earlier, the better prepared we might all be!
How is everyone doing with their ideas for Halloween? I really don't even have a clue who i am going to be. Considering I'm the only drum major, it doesn't take much preparation. I asked that all section leaders please take care of setting what you are going to be, so as a group you can all look alike and whole. I am pretty happy our LAST, acually my LAST high school game (AWW!) falls onto this years Halloween. I think its gonna be a lot of fun and everyone will enjoy it!

OHHH BY THE WAY, we are planning to leave an extra thirty minutes earlyer than we had previously thought to go to the Talladega County Band Exhibition! Please remeber who we represent, and we have a level of conduct to maintain while we are there! Other than that, I want this to be a great experience to see other kids in our county doing and working toward the same thing we have been doing, and a chance to show our show to everyone else! See you there!

Talladega County Band Exhibition

I thought I would steal a few photos from my fellow guards web page, just so i can show it off and you can see for yourself what all we have worked to hard to achieve. Am i wrong or right?

It was indeed an amazing weekend, full of games and competition! We cant dwell on it forever however, so we must now shift our attention on to more important things, such as the Talladega County Band Exhibition which is Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. located ac Childersburg High Schools Stadium.

I'll give a note about our schedule on tomorrow:

• 3:30 - 4:30 Practice. NO uniforms ; kahki's and band shirts!
• 
  
• 5:00 Leave for Childersburg HS. Bring $ to eat when we get there at concessions!
• 
  
• 5:45 Everyone moves to their area in the stands:

6:00-Childersburg; 6:20-Winterboro; 6:40-Munford; 7:00-Talladega Central;

7:20-Break (Warm-up for second group); 7:40-Lincoln; 8:00-Talladega;

8:20-B.B. Comer; 8:40-Sylacagua

• 9:30 Arrive at THS Please note that practice for Monday, September 29, 2008 has been cancelled. One more change has been that the football game scheduled for Friday has been rescheduled to Thursday against Briarwood.

Remeber that this IS race weekend in Talladega, so parents who plans to attend both band and football, PLEASE be safe, and i wouldnt advise I-20 for all interested haha. (Highway 280 heller?) :)

Mid-South Results!

I want to just be the FIRST to say how PROUD I am of the Talladega High School Marching Band. We pulled off our show in a spectacular way. I have never experienced such an event as i did when we took to the field in competition! I feel a need to express that after the competition attitudes and conduct was left at an extremely high level and i think every member should be recognized for representing Talladega in such a positive light! It was a interesting night at Pell City's game, and a long one at that, and i appreciate everyone waking up early and dealing with the circumstances that we had at the stadium saturday morning with smiling faces and willing to work hard before we left for Gadsden! Enough of the words, left me put up some scores and numbers up on here so we can see the results for yourself!

Drum Major - 1

Percussion - 1

Colorguard - 1

Band - 1 , 1 , 1 , for a overall 1

BEST IN CLASS COLORGUARD!

BEST IN CLASS DRUM MAJOR!

Congrats to all it pertains to. The biggest thanks to Mr. McDaniel, Ms. Todd, Mr. Gann, Josh Light, Brian McLemore, and Trey Trescott for all of the hard work, effort, and thought that went into our field show production and put us in a prepared place to do well at competition!

Busy week!

It has been pretty obvious JUST how much has been going on lately. We did put part of the last music on the field last Friday when we played Chelsea at home. I do know that yesterday we completely finished all of our drill on the field, and now we are beginning to go back and clean and critique the whole show overall.

Friday we will be packing up our show and traveling to our neighbors of Pell City High School. Buses will be leaving sharply at 5:00 p.m.! Mr. McDaniel has told us we must eat before you load the buses. 

This IS a competition week and we have had practices from 3:30 until 5:30 Mon, Tues, and Thurs. On Wed. we have a practice from 3:30 until 4:30. Please understand that we take competition weeks fairly serious! I thought i would include some information about our schedule for Saturday at Gadsden City High School:

10:-11:30  Practice at the stadium (lunch will be served after practice)

12:15           Leave for Gadsden City High School

1:30            Arrive at Gadsden City High (restroom, unload truck, etc.)

2:45            Warm-up

3:45            PERFORMANCE (students bring money for dinner in the concession stands

9:00           Awards Ceremony (section leaders, i ask specifically  for full uniform!)

10:00         Leave for Talladega High or released to parents

A Helpful Note..

All members of the Talladega High School Band are invited to take part in the 2008 JSU Band Day. This event is to be held on Saturday September 6, 2008. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. at Gate D behind the score board at Paul Snow Stadium in Jacksonville Alabama. If you are interested please feel free to contact me for more information, or visit the Marching Southerners website at http://www.marchingsoutherners.org/.

Please note all proper updates that have been given and told for tomorrow game against Moody High School! Busses will be pulling out AT 4:00 p.m.! Cant wait to see you there!

remeber there is a pep rally. If you are a person who gets out of school at 2:30, remember that you must stay for the pep rally until 3!

Get ready!

WOW! Our first football game against Smith Station was an absolute success! Our show came off to the crowd just like we wanted! The hard work you put into everything from this summer is now beginning to pay off. Howeve, don't get to far ahead of yourself just know that the best and the hardest is YET to come

• There will be a pep rally the same as last week, please bring all of your spirit to the arena! Please make sure you keep your full attention and both eyes on me however, since we are a band, i need you ready at a moments notice!


• Some uniforms have been taken home, please be aware you need to bring those back and have them checked in by Mr. McDaniel! Before walking out of the band room to get on the bus, You must be in partial uniform which is minus the jacket and shako. When we return your uniform must be checked back into the uniform room.


• We will be leaving at exactly 4:00 p.m. and eating dinner at the concession stands when we arrive at Moody. I will make sure that everyone knows the correct times for eating and start time and such.


• Please understand and think about our rules for after halftime and behavior expectations. This goes without saying that students are not allowed to go out of the designated areas for our breaks! Like I said before, we can not keep a watchful eye out for those who chose to not follow given instructions.


• While on the bus there is to be no cell phones, this also goes for during and after the football game. It is the same routine we always have about cell phones. Your Chaperones will allow a specific time to use a phone when we enter the city limits on the way home to notify or call parents and let them know where we are!


• I'm so excited to get the show on the road after such a great home game last week! Show some awesome support for the football team when you see them! See you Friday!

Smith Station game August 29, 2008!

Hey guys, It's me again. I have this feeling that some people are still feeling a little lost about plans tomorrow for a our first game. I will be taking this time to fill in some of the gaps that might be left for questions!

• We will be meeting at Zora Ellis Jr. High for a warm up at 5:30 sharp.
  If not present for warm up by times posted you will be marked as tardy.
  
• Marching into the stadium will begin around 6:45.
  
• The national anthem will be played at 6:50.
  

The football game begins at 7:00.
everything from that point on will be managed by myself and the directors in the stands.

Students were given a handout today as a reminder to rules describing how we deal with third quarter breaks. I will go over a few points of that:

• students are to be in the stands at 6:00 min LEFT in the 3rd quarter. At 6:00, we will begin playing. Students will also be marked as tardy if they are not back by that time.
• The location for break is limited to the area designated by the Band Directors. We cannot provide adequate supervision if students are walking around freely.
• There is to be no visiting within the stands.
• There is to be NO eating during the football game. we do not eat in uniform so we can protect the investments of the school, parents, and Band Boosters. Please make sure you either eat before or after the game!
• Restroom visits are allowed during 3rd period. Students must see a chaperone before going to the restoom.

I ask that if you have any questions to PLEASE feel free to ask or contact me at any time!

WOO HOO! IT's Football SEASON!!!!

IT IS HERE... the minute you have all been waiting for!!! Our first FOOTBALL GAME of the 2008 season. All of your hard work and preparation is going to pay off on Friday night as the Talladega Tigers open the season against Smith Station at our very own Mary Dumas Stadium. How exciting to put everything together and finally have a chance to present it to a home audience.

A few reminders....

• When you leave school on Friday ... Take your instrument with you!! Do not leave it at the school. (you laugh... it happens)


• Uniforms will be in the ZEJH Bandroom. Because they are using Dixon while doing renovations on Graham we will have to make adjustments.


• All band members will meet at Dixon for warm-up. Warm-up BEGINS at 5:30.... be early... do not get in the arc late.


• Please remember that you will need BLACK SOCKS!


• Don't forget your MUSIC for the STANDS! (flip folders everyone!)
• Come prepared to have a GOOD TIME!

In the NEWS!

Did you see the Daily Home Sunday paper? If not, there was a picture of some of our outstanding band members. Click here to view.

First of all, the picture added at the top of my blog cracks me up, check out my facial looks! =D

School has officially began for everyone in the Talladega City Schools. Some of us have been here all summer working hard for this, now we are putting in even more hours of hard work and effort! It is all beginning to pay off for anyone who hasn't noticed. The annual parent night was a huge success, and last nights rehearsal was also indeed a great one.

I want everyone to keep in mind, through everything we have put into this so far, nothing will be in vain, or wasted i promise you. For 'Johnny' freshmen, i will warn you, that first game before you step on the field you will be more than thankful you stuck it through. It's the most exciting thing to experience. Here i am, a senior this year and I'm giddy thinking about the first game of the season! From the first game we look onward to our first competition, which if I'm not wrong will be the Mid-South Marching Festival, at Gadsden City High School. I'm so excited about being able to go back this year, and I think everyone else should be feeling the same way!

Pictures went very smoothly, and the band had great comments on their excellent behavior during the time we spent trying to organize the pictures for everyone! Keep in mind that we do have our normal after school evening rehearsals next week, AND and rehearsal Friday which is said to be at Mary Dumas Stadium, but if not, will be held at the regular practice field. We WILL notify you about the location, but just plan on being there regardless!

(Grab your amazing ideas for Halloween 2008--ptsh it's gonna be great, not even trying to play around.... no lie!) =X

2008 Family Night (8/8/08)

Band Camp Pics finally HERE!

What a week!

Wow, what an amazing band camp we had this past week! I've never experienced such a successful and positive week as we did this year, and im happy and proud of each person who came out and put everything they had into this years show! I do know that by Friday we had our first movement on the field, all our music was out, and we were cleaning parts of both!

We get no where without our parental support! I want to thank everyone who brought water for us, snacks, and such! Its great to feel support from the community even when it is as close as our friends and family!

We also thank our band boosters with providing lunches and making sure that lunch was always fast and with no problems!

I know ill forget alot of people, but most of all just be aware that we are very thankful and appreciative for everything that took place this past week, it wouldnt have been the same without all of it!

We survived everything that was handed to us, from a heat index of 110 degrees, to maybe a little storm or two, we can happily say we lived through band camp in Alabama! Don't you agree?

Keep up to date on your calendar! See you at tonight's rehersal from 4 until 8 p.m.! Take care!

Santa Clara is HERE!

Santa Clara Van Guard arrived on campus early this morning. They are scheduled to rehearse today from 1:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m. before going to Jacksonville State University for the show scheduled for tonight. The best time to see them is around 3:00 for their run through of the show. After the run through they will begin to pack up for the show.

Feel free to come by and observe an award winning group in action. Stay for 10 minutes or for the entire 4 hours, its up to you!

Don't miss this great opportunity!

Another Drum Corp Opportunity right here in Talladega!

We have been very fortunate this year to have two great opportunities very close and convenient for everyone. In June we were honored to host Spirit Drum and Bugle Corp on our campus for an entire week and on Sunday, July 28, 2008, the 6 time national champions, Santa Clara Vanguard will be on our campus for the day. If you would like to learn more about the corp before their arrival click here.

Santa Clara Vanguard will travel from a performance in Atalanta, GA on July 26, 2008, and will rehearse on our campus in preparation for the Drum Corp show scheduled at Jacksonville State University on Sunday, July 27, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. For more information about Drum Corp or for any scheduling and ticket information click here.

Times of arrival and depart for Santa Clara Vanguard will be announced as soon as we have the information available.

Practice 7-15 Pictures

Great job at practice on Tuesday night. Click here to view pictures. See you on Thursday.

Woo! We've had a while off haven't we? Well, I think we should all get ready, cause Bands going to be kicking into gear this month! Im so excited to be getting everything ready, and see this year get started on the field! This past week i got the chance to attend Spirit Camp at UAB, which I attended last year as a rookie however, this year i took advanced classes and it really has gotten me in the mood for marching band!

Remeber, it IS summer in Alabama, and i know you've heard that a million times but, theres a million and one for you to hear it, so dress comftorably and in the proper fashion to be able to benefit yourself outside.

Remeber to check your calendars for this weeks rehersal schedule on both Monday & Tuesday, with that said, I can't wait to see you all there!!

Just A Quick Note....

I'd just love to say how happy i am with the amount of progress that we made this week during rookie band camp with our freshman. I think it was remarkably successful and it makes me even more anxious to get this show on the road and begin putting our plans on the field for this years show! Congrats and a pure hats-off to everyone who came out and gave it their all under the elements of the heat and everything else.

Let's keep in mind that all updates and information about our full band rehersal dates/times are kept on the main page of the band's website at WWW.DegaBand.Com. It may also be smart to begin thinking of how you want to prepare for the heat this summer. Make sure your going to be protected from the sun with good sunscreen, a hat maybe, or maybe sunglasses. Staying hydrated is very important, so bring enough water to last! I dont think passing out will be on anyone's agenda during camp!

I do hope that everyone has a great summer and enjoy's their time off as much as possible! If you have any further questions feel more than free to contact me or your sectionleaders for further assistance.

Marching Band!

It's 90 degrees outside, everyone is staying inside at all costs, and what do bands do? Get out there and march and play so that they can present an entertaining show for each and every football game and practice until its perfect enough to take it to competition.

Most of the time this entails standing in a position, responding to instructions as you move from position to position and somehow playing at the same time, then doing it over and over again until you have as perfect as possible.

Have you ever wondered how all of those little dots get on the paper, or how you are told where to go. Is it magic? Here is an interesting website that gives you a small and fun glimpse into the production side of the Marching Band Show process. Click here

Here you can watch shows that other people created, as well as create your own show. Its a fun way to try your hand at creating a marching band show and going wherever your imagination leads!

Enjoy!

Freshman Band Week is here!

Freshman Band Week begins Monday, June 9, 2008, at the THS bandroom. Camp will be held from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., Monday thru Thursday.

ALL FRESHMEN MUST ATTEND!

Percussion camp for the Pit is also during this time.

Be sure to dress in cool clothing, bring lots of sunscreen and cool liquid for hydration! We look forward to getting started with the newest members of the THS band. See you next week!

Please refer to http://www.degaband.com/ for up to date calendar information!