Congratulations!

Congratulations to the 7th and 8th grade band students who auditioned for Talladega County Honor Band on February 28th. We had a great representation from Zora Ellis, with a total of 36 students auditioning. Of those 36, ZEJH proudly had 24 students that were selected and will be attending Honor Band on March 28th and 29th at B.B. Comer High School.

The following Students were chosen for Talladega County Honor Band:
Flute: Eryn, Marissa and Riley
Clarinet: Keyauna, Haley, Ingram, Ashley and Margaret
Alto Sax: Christian, Caleb, Brittany, and Corneisha
Bass Clarinet: Audrey
French Horn: Shelby
Trumpet: Lexie, Lacie, and Phalon
Trombone: Ayshia, Chelsea, and Tatyana
Baritone: Quindarious
Tuba: Robert and Fabian
Percussion: Luke

I commend each student that auditioned for taking out the time to work extra on the music required for the audition. Thank you for help making your band even better!

All-County Honor Band Try-outs!!

Talladega All-County Band Try-outs will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2008, at Talladega High School. Both 7th and 8th grade students are encouraged to come and audition. It is important to audition for various groups, gaining as much experience as possible.

Get Nervous? Many people get nervous when they audition. One way to calm nerves is to audition as much as possible. Even if you don' t make the honorband the first time, the experience will aid you for future auditions. We learn more by doing!

Requirements for the auditions are: C, F, Bb, & Eb Scales (Concert Pitch)
Bb Chromatic Scale (one octave)
Sight reading!
*Don't forget.... Tone Quality is a score!

We hope to see you there! For more information see Ms. Todd.

Online Music training help!

A music tool that is simply overlooked many times is the internet. Many families have computers in their homes or have access to computers in some way. Students that are having trouble with certain areas in music can use information available on the internet to help supplement what they are learning in class daily. A good resource is http://www.musictheory.net/ Click on the link and go to trainers. Under trainers you may choose which section you would like to use.

This website provides additional help with fingerings, reading music notes, etc. You can set the programs to be in bass clef or treble clef and for whatever instrument that you play. Visit this link to help you advance in your musical endeavors. For additional help or information ask Ms. Todd or visit our resource section of the blog, where you will find several other music aids.

Cheesecake Sale!

The 8th grade band students will be selling cheesecakes for the next two weeks. We have sold these cheesecakes in the past and they are a very good product. See any 8th grade Band student to place an order!

All money raised from this sale will go directly into each students personal account at the high school in an attempt to give students and parents a head start on band fees and such.
Students:

• Approach potential buyers in a positive way, explaining what you are selling and why
• Ask friends, teachers, church members, parents, co-workers of parents, relatives, etc.
• Take the money as you go.
• Make Checks payable to: THS Band Boosters (NOT ZEJH)
• Be friendly whether they buy or not.
• Donations are accepted!
• Don't forget to write in your cheesecake prizes! (indicate free in the amount column)
• Turn in forms by March 6, 2008

Excellent!

The ZEJH band traveled to Homewood High School on February 14, 2008 to participate in the alabama state wide band assessment for concert bands. Many hours of classtime and individual preparation went into this event and the students should be proud. The band recieved three scores of excellent from the panel of judges and helpful assessment comments that will aid us in future growth.

The level of discipline, class and musical presentation from this group of young students is to be commended. We are so proud of what you have done and what you will do in the future.

A special thanks to the parents that went with us on this trip. Parent support and assistance means a lot to both your student and our programs. Also, a special thanks to Mr. McDaniel for taking time out of his busy schedule to show his support and offer his assistance.

Thank you for a job well done!!

District II Honor Band Participants!

Congratulations to Keyauna(Clarinet) and Lexie Gates (Trumpet) for representing Zora Ellis Jr. High School as members of the District II honor band. The Honor Band clinic was held on February 8, 2008 at Gadsden State Community College, an Honor awarded from All-State Band Auditions. The Clinic concluded on Saturday with an outstanding concert of young people in our district. With their dedication, practice, and hard work, you will see more from these two young ladies. Keep up the Good Work!

THE CLOCK IS TICKING !

Endless days of practice, after-school rehearsals, scheduled sectionals and additional invidiual help and pass-offs have been underway preparing for the big event, District Competition. The 8th grade band and a few of the 7th graders, that auditioned to attend, will travel to Homewood High School on Thursday, February 14, 2008, to perform for a panel of three judges at District Competition in an effort to advance to the State Competition level. The clock is ticking as performance day quickly approaches; Only 5 rehearsal days left!

Students be sure to bring back your permission forms by Friday, February 8, 2008. Ask for any extra help that you may need and practice, practice, practice.

Parents are welcome to go with us or meet us at the performance. We perform at Homewood High School, in the Auditorium at 1:30p.m.

Fun and Fellowship!!

What a great turn out for the Band Boosters of Talladega BBQ dinner from both the Talladega High School band members/parents and the Zora Ellis band members/parents. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to come and spend some quality time with each other in an effort to develop our future band programs!

Off to a GREAT start!

With heavy anticipation, the "Ellis Emeralds" traveled to Killen, Alabama for their first Winter Guard Competition as a member of the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit, at Brooks High School. Nervousness filled the air as the young ladies arrived and prepared for the competition. However, the prepartation and hard work was well worth it. Performing to a large audience the "Ellis Emeralds" presented thier show, "These Boots are Made for Walking" with great precision and style. Being the only guard in their class, they easily brought home a 1st place trophy. With the dedication and willingness of these young ladies, you are sure to see more great things from them as the year progresses and the competitions continue. Their next competition will be on Saturday, March 1st at Oak Grove High School, in Oak Grove, Alabama, where they will compete against 2 other groups in their division.

Their sister group the "Dega Darlins" of Talladega High School traveled with the "Ellis Emeralds" and presented their show "The Divine Miss M", featuring the music of Bette Midler. They brought home a second place trophy for a job well done.

For more information concerning winter guard, visit http://www.scgconline.org/.