Sunday, January 31, 2010

Congratulations All County Band Participants!

Congratulations to the following student for taking on the challenge of auditioning and making the Talladega County Honor Band. We are very Proud of each of you!
Jessica W.
Destiny L.
Whitney D.
Courtney D.
Grace B.
Jakia C.
Cate Joseph R.
Nelson B.
Jordan H.
Khason L.
Amber R.
Kelvin C.
Sarah S.
Regan B.
These students spent time learning scales and practicing sight-reading skills in order to audition. Upon making the honor band they spent a day and a half learning music with other great musicians from our county and performed a concert for parents, friends and family on Saturday, Jan. 30th. I am very proud of each of you for accepting the challenge and using this opportunity to make yourself a better musician. Our Band will grow from your experience.
Also, a special congratulations to Jordan, who received 1st chair percussion.

Congrats at Oak Grove!


Wow! What a whirlwind of a week you have had. It has been great watching you learn and grow this week, as well as except challenge after challenge with a smile on your face and with a great attitude. :) I am so proud of your first performance and you should be too. Congratulations on 1st place. You had a great score for your first time out. I am also VERY excited about the way you conducted yourselves at the competition. If I did not know I would not have guessed that it was your first performance. I look forward to Hoover on February 27th. Lots of work to do by then, but with your work ethic we will get it done. And, what a great fan base we had with us. It is so wonderful to have OUR parents yelling in the stands!
We will Have practice on Monday at ZEJH from 3:00-5:00. We will listen to judges tapes and watch the video, as well as begin to clean and fix some things. See you then!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Congrats!

Congratulations to 8th grade band percussionist Jordan H.

He auditioned for All-state band against several other students from our district and came in 4th, winning a spot in the District II 2010 Honor Band. We are very proud of Jordan and his efforts and are excited about him representing Zora Ellis and the Talladega City School System at Honor Band.

He spent a lot of his time learning scales on Mallet instruments, rudiments on the snare drum and tympani tuning as well as preparing musical excerpts on all of them. He then did sight-reading as well. A challenge for sure, but nothing that hard work can't handle. Good job Jordan!

Way to go!

Talladega County Honor Band

Anyone who would like to try-out for Talladega County Honor Band should sign up with Ms. Todd immediately. We have had several sign up already, but I hope for a few more. I know we have more great musicians that are capable to do so.

Auditioning is the only way to get better. Even if you do not make it this year, you will learn the process and know what to do in the future. Don't let fear be the reason you miss out on fun with great musicians.

Cost of the honor band is $7.00 to audition. Auditions are on Tuesday, January 26th at Talladega High School beginning at 4:00 p.m. until we finish. Be sure to sign up with Ms. Todd on Monday! You may leave after you audition. You will find out the results on Wednesday morning. Each student who makes the honorband receives a medal to wear at concerts. T-shirts will be for sale for $10-$12.

Those making honor band will attend on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 29th and 30th, at Childersburg High School. A bus will take you to and from on Friday. On Saturday a bus will take you and then leave. Parents will need to make plans to pick students up at 11:30 to get dressed and eat lunch. The concert will begin at 2:00pm at Childersburg High School. (You will need food money for Friday; we will eat fast food for lunch.)

Mr. McDaniel will be in charge of this trip. Ms. Todd will be there on Friday morning, however, will have to leave in the afternoon for duties with the winter guards. Saturday Mr. McDaniel will take honor band students to Childersburg, Ms. Todd will go to Oak Grove with the Winter Guards.

If you have more questions contact Ms. Todd.