Giving Back....

It is great to have students in the classroom learning daily. It is also a wonderful happening when those students move on from jr. high and high school and continue thier endeavors at the college level. However, better than both of those is when that same student returns and gives back to his alma mater by offering his talents to those younger.

Zack is a great example of just that. He travels to Talladega each Friday from Jacksonville State University, where he is a music major, to give lessons to French Horn students at both Talladega High School and Zora Ellis Jr. High. We are very happy to have him and just as happy to have students open and willing to 'pick his brain' for any tips or knowledge that he may have. What better way to learn than from someone who has been exactly where you are sitting.

Double Reeds!

What is a double Reed instrument? A double reed instrument refers to an instrument that has two reeds made of cane that produce a sound by vibrating. Double reed instruments do not have a typical mouthpiece with which we are familiar.

Examples of these are the oboe and the Bassoon.

Most of the reed instruments that we are familiar with are single reed instruments such as the clarinet and saxophone. Single reed instruments are those that have a reed made of cane attached to a mouthpiece.

We are very excited about our recent interest in double reed instruments at Zora Ellis and THS. We have several students that have chosen to begin oboe and bassoon this year. They are dedicated and off to a very good start. Each friday Eric, an oboe student from Jacksonville State University, travels to Talladega to give lessons to these very enthusiastic students. We are very thankful for the hard work of the students and the connection of such an outstanding institution such as that of Jacksonville State University.

Merry Christmas

The Annual Christmas Concert will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2008.

• Begins at 7:00 p.m.
• Admission: $3.00 ; 12 and under- $1.00
• Location: Harwell Auditorium
• Performances by the ZEJH and THS Bands.

Spaghetti Supper

• 5:00-6:30 in the ZEJH lunchroom
• Takeouts welcome
• Plates include; Spaghetti, salad, bread, dessert and a drink
• Tickets are $6.00
• Please see a band student to purchase a ticket.

ATTENTION ALL TUBA AND EUPHONIUM PLAYERS

The tubas and Euphoniums from Talladega High and Zora Ellis will be attending Tuba Christmas in Atlanta this year. Below is a little information and a video clip of previous events.

TUBACHRISTMAS was conceived in 1974 as a tribute to the late artist/teacher William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902. Through the legendary William J. Bell we reflect on our heritage and honor all great artists/teachers whose legacy has given us high performance standards, well structured pedagogy, professional integrity, personal values and a camaraderie envied by all other instrumentalists. The first TUBACHRISTMAS was conducted by the late Paul Lavalle in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, December 22, 1974. Traditional Christmas music performed at the first TUBACHRISTMAS was arranged by American composer Alec Wilder who ironically died on Christmas Eve, 1980. Wilder composed many solo and ensemble compositions for tuba and euphonium. He was a loyal supporter of every effort to improve the literature and public image of our chosen instruments. Through Alec Wilder we express our respect and gratitude to all composers who continue to embrace our instruments with their compositions and contribute to the ever growing solo and ensemble repertoire for tuba and euphonium.

Click Here to view a youtube clip of last years performance in NYC.