Solo and Ensemble

Today, 44 excited 7th and 8th grade band students boarded the bus and traveled to Solo and Ensemble Competition held in Lincoln, AL.  Nervousness, anticipation, excitement and pride could all be felt from the students as they awaited their time to perform.  Encouraging words from a friend, a listening ear and reassurance were offered from many students both before and after performances.  The task at hand can be one that is difficult at an age when students have so many reservations.  However, the many hours of preparation that each student put into their solos, duets and trio performances did not go unnoticed by the judges.  The students received a total of 46 superior ratings, something to be very proud of.   

Not only did the students have success musically, but each parent should be gleaming with pride from the representation that your student had today of their school, their band, themselves and you.  Discipline was not an issue.  EVERY student was well behaved and respectful the entire day to everyone they encountered, including the stop for lunch and the actual event.

I am so proud of each student for the hard work portrayed, the desire to be good and the outstanding behavior.  Accomplishments such as these only continue to increase the quality of each student and our band program, not to mention the effect that it will have for future experiences at ZEJH and as the students continue on to Talladega High School as members of the band.  I hope that everyone involved feels that they gained something from the experience and that those students that did not have the opportunity to participate this time will join in the fun next time. What a good day for the students of the Zora Ellis Band.  Keep up the good work and continue to grow both musically and as an individual.  :)

 

Congratulations to Ms. Keisha Johnson winner of the Ipod touch.

Thank you to everyone that participated and supported the ZEJH band program. 

ORDERS DUE!

ALL Krispy Kreme Doughnut orders are due on MONDAY, March 8, 2010. 

Turn them in to Ms. Todd before the end of the school day. 

Be sure that you have clearly marked ALL orders and collected the money for those orders placed.

REMINDER!!!!

REMINDER:  8th grade Band Meeting (Mandatory)

Talladega High School Band Room

Monday, March 1st
6:00pm

MPA

 After many weeks of hard work, practice, preparation and perseverance the time had finally come for the 42 7th and 8th graders from Zora Ellis to sit on stage and present to the listeners their best musical efforts.  Butterflies were amidst as the young musicians entered the warm-up room, many of them for the very first time.   However, focus, preparation and good listening skills aided them in getting off to a great start.  The travel from room to stage was very brief, yet the anticipation of what was about to come was almost overwhelming.  Fear, anticipation, nervousness, excitement and pride could be seen among the bright faces of the 47 musicians as they took the stage at Gadsden High School to present their musical selections:  Mt. Vernon March by Tom Molter, Dancing the Skies by Kevin Mixon and Furioso by R.W. Smith. 

The moment they had been waiting for was more than some expected.  As the students looked across the audience and saw the groups of other musicians and parents that had come to see them, including the Talladega High School Band, you could see a sense of wonder in their eyes.  Wonder if what they very about to do would be good enough, wonder if a much rehearsed passage would be correct, wonder if the judges would like what they hear and the reoccurring question "what if I mess up?".

It was quite a large gathering for 8:30 a.m as the group presented with pride the final product of their many weeks of hard work, receiving ratings of  "Excellent" from all three judges.  As each piece ended and the next began you could see the wondering looks and fear turn into accomplishment and pride, as they successfully accomplished the task at hand. 

But it's not over yet.  We very quickly were escorted from stage to the sight-reading room so that we could give our best efforts to present a never seen before piece to the overseeing judge.  The 18 7th graders and 24 8th graders eagerly waited as they listened to the judge explain the rules and distributed the folders.  Opening the folders with wide eyes the students began to listen and prepare as we began going through the NEW piece.  The process was the same as we practiced; yet time seemed to fly.  It was very quick that we were given the signal to go ahead and present the piece to the best of our ability.  The students did so with great effort, receiving a rating of "Excellent" from the sight-reading judge as well. 

I am very proud of our students and the and the musical accomplishments that they made not only on Wednesday at MPA or during the weeks leading up to MPA, but for the entire time that they have been in band, whether it is the two years the 8th graders have spent or the almost one for the 7th grade beginners.  The cooperation, behavior and efforts of these young student's should be commended.  What great young people with great futures ahead of them.  Congratulations Band!!  Keep up the good work.

Make that SALE!!!

The annual cookie dough fundraiser is underway!
This year the sale includes cookie dough, cheese cake, pretzels, funnel cakes, coffee and other items that might be of interest. The quality is top notch!

Student Prizes: One free item for the first 10 items sold.
Then a free item for every 5 sold after the initial 10.
The top seller receives $50.00 cash.

Money and forms are due to Ms. Todd on February 25, 2010
Make checks payable to ZEJH.

Items will be in the week following Spring Break. As soon as I know
the exact delivery date I will let everyone know.

Thank you for your help raising funds for the ZEJH band program!

Hoover Winter Odyssey

The Ellis Emeralds, Dega Darlins and Dega Addition will be competing at Hoover High School in the Hoover Winter Odyssey winter guard competition on Saturday, February 27, 2010. This is the closest competition to Talladega. We invite everyone to come see the guards in action. The competition starts at 12 noon with percussion groups. Our groups perform at the following times.

Ellis Emeralds: 4pm
Dega Addition: 4:55pm
Dega Darlins: 8:05pm

Awards are at 9:45pm

Admission is $7.00
We hope to see a large crowd from Talladega.
See you there.

MPA practice

7th and 8th Grade Students attending MPA

Just a reminder that we have after school practice this Thursday immediately following school until 4:30


Please review your schedule that I gave you
in class for rehearsal and sectional information

In the meantime PRACTICE at HOME!

Low Brass Sectional

Low Brass Players for MPA

Don't forget about our Sectionals
scheduled for this week;
Monday and Wednesday.
Immediately after school

Good rehearsal!

I am really proud of the work you guys are getting done in class. I can hear and see accomplishments daily. You are growing musically and it is GREAT to watch. Keep up the good work and continue to practice at home, and in the mornings before school starts.

Reminder: Concert - Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010
Harwell Auditorium
5:00- 8:20 (ish) (may be a little earlier or later.)
Dress: Black vest, black pants, white shirt and bowtie and band shoes
We will meet at 4:30 in the bandroom.
Admission: $3 (adults) $1 (5 and under)
Concessions will be sold.

Don't forget practice on Monday til 4:30.

Be sure to invite friends and family to come see you perform. It may be the only chance that some of them get to hear your MPA music. Also, they will be interested to know that all of the bands in our county will be there.

Come out and support Music in Talladega County!