The first semester flew by and the second will do the same with each of you as busy as you are. I am excited about Winter Guard and the season upon us, it appears as if it is going to be a great year. Keep up the good work. Over the holidays get lots of rest and enjoy your friends and family.

Oh yeah, we will have practice the Tuesday we come back to school, Tuesday, January 6, 2009, from 3:30-5:00. I will post the location as soon as possible.

Merry Christmas!

GREAT JOB!

Great job today! I am very proud of the work that you acheived today! You really got a lot done and from seeing you work with Brian it is evident that you have a desire to be outstanding. I am excited about the winter guard season and what you have to offer.

Keep up the good work.

We will have practice on Tuesday after school until 5:00. I will let you know the location ASAP.

We will also have to schedule a Saturday in January for Brian to come back and do the finishing touches. I will post that date as soon as we are able to secure it.

Practice

We will not have practice on Tuesaday, December 9, 2008, due to the band concert. This practice has been rescheduled for Saturday, December 13, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00p.m. At this rehearsal we will spend the entire time on staging and choreography. We hope to get a major part of our show completed during this time. Please be sure to eat before you come.


We will have practice our regular Tuesday practice on December 16, 2008, to review the work learned with Brian.

Christmas Parade

The Parade was a success!

Each girl did a great job decorating the float and representing Zora Ellis and the Band. I am very proud of you and happy that we have such an outstanding group of Ellis Emeralds.
I hope you recovered from the cold. And... mental note... one cooler full of candy is not quite enough..haha... who knew. Also, If you have more pics bring them and I will add them to the blog... I can't believe I left my camera.

I look forward to the upcoming winter guard season and the fun times that we will have together!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

PICTURES!!!

I finally had some time to put some pics on here... enjoy!

These are from camp... and again.. I must say that it was OUTSTANDING!

and... more pics.. let the games begin

Christmas Parade

The Ellis Emeralds will be participating in the Talladega Christmas Parade on Tuesday, December 5, 2008. We will ride on a float that Mr. Rasco has agreed to provide for us. (Thank you Mr. Rasco.) The Theme is going to be Rockin Around the Christmas Tree. Dress for this event is WARM and Christmas Themed... Lots of bright red and green.

We will decorate the float at our regular scheduled Tuesday Practice; We will have this float building experience at Zora Ellis. (We typically meet at THS on Tuesdays, but will not on the 2nd)

We will gather candy to throw during the parade... if you would like to donate some please feel free to do so.... you may send it to ZEJH on Monday or Tuesday.

The details are still in the works. I will let you know on Monday when we return to school. In the meantime, have a great Thanksgiving break!

Krispy Kreme...yum.

Sale those Doughnuts!

Don't forget that forms are Due on Monday, November 17, 2008.

Ask EVERYONE... teachers, friends, family, church members, etc.

Also, don't forget to tell them about the NEW! coupon option that you have to offer;
Pay for the doughnuts now, but keep the coupon to get them when you want them at any
Krispy Kreme location.... and... they NEVER expire!

Check it out!

Every year the Alabama Ballet performs the Ballet the Nutcracker. Click here to see a clip of their preparation. Ballet is awesome.... enjoy!

Fundamentals Camp! (11/14- 11/15)

Friday: (when you arrive come straight to the bandroom)
-- We will begin rehearsal at 5:00 p.m.

-- Eat before you come. We will have snacks and drinks after practice.
-- Please be on time. In order to bring in your bags and such, you may have to arrive before

5:00. Walking through the door or the parking lot is considered late.
--We will rehearse until 9:00 pm.
--We will then have snacks and drinks, watch videos and play some fun-filled games.
-- What to wear:
Each group will be assigned a color… you may wear anything this color. Please make the

majority of what you have on this color… particular shade doesn’t matter.
*Ellis Emeralds – Green
*Dega Darlins – Pink
*Dega Darlins Addition - Blue

Saturday:
--8:00 - Wake up/eat breakfast (provided)/shower
--9:30 – 12:00 – rehearsals.
--12:00 – lunch (provided)
--1:00-5:00 rehearsals
--What to wear:
o Ellis Emeralds: Ellis Emerald Shirt, red shorts, leggings are optional
o Dega Darlins: Purple Dega Darlins shirt, black shorts
o Dega Darlins Addition: Red Dega Darlin Addition Shirt, red shorts… (just because I am sure

most of you have that color….we will have to order a matching pair in the future.)

Things to remember:
--Sleeping bag, cot, or blow up mattress (whichever you prefer)
--Toiletries (shampoo, soap, etc.)
-- Towel/Washcloth, etc.
-- P.J.’s

--Clothes that are comfortable for rehearsal… check above for group colors.
-- Shoes you can point your toe in for rehearsals.
--Great attitude and the desire to have fun!


Important!!!
Due to the fact that we want this to be a group bonding experience and you cannot do so if you are on your cell phone, we ask that you do not bring or turn on your cell phone during this camp. We will be in the bandroom, where there is a phone for the use of any student. Parents you are more than welcome to call the bandroom if you need something… 256-315-5677. We will check the messages often.
I am excited and looking forward to a great time with all of you. See you Friday!

Reminder!

Tomorrow (11/4)... after school rehearsal from 3:30-5:00 p.m. at THS.

This rehearsal will be with the Dega Darlins Addition.

Wear comfortable clothes.

Practice Tuesday!

We will have practice on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at Talladega High School after school until 5:00 pm. This practice will be with the Dega Darlins Addition. We will focus mainly on flag fundamentals. See you there!

Congrats to the DEGA BAND!

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! Hard work does pay off. So set your VCR's or TiVo or whatever for ABC 33/40 at 10:30, so that you can see the show. They are using clips from the Pell City vs Dega game.

We are proud of the Talladega High School band and for the great following they are creating by people and the media. Tune in to watch the show and support your band. I can't wait until you guys are in the High School band and getting the same experiences.

Be sure to tell a High School band member congratulations!

GREAT JOB!

WHAT AN OUTSTANDING JOB! I am so proud of you guys. The first performance is now under your belt, not to mention that it was in front of the entire school. I had no idea that you would do even better at the game... wow! What a great job. That just makes me excited about the Winter Guard show. By the way, I was in the pressbox and you really did well performing all the way to the top of the stands!

Just so you know.... several of you have asked about performing again somewhere. I think we can make that happen. When something arises I will let you know.

Also, on the original handout it said that you would have a winter guard meeting on the 13th of October. Due to circumstances that I cannot control we are moving that meeting to October 14th. I am sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause.

A special thank you to Lacey and Kelsey for their hardwork! We appreciate you. Also, thank you to all of the Dega Darlins for helping at practice, showing up to performances and actually performing at the homecoming game. We love you guys!

ZEJH Homecoming

I am looking forward to you guys performing at the pep-rally and the game on October 7, 2008. We will have our final practice on Monday, October 6, 2008, from 2:00-4:00 at ZEJH; meet in the bandroom.

Dress for both the events is an outfit that you do not yet have:

Ellis Emerald T-shirt, Black Leggings, Red Shorts, black leggings and white shoes.

The pep-rally will be during school hours...usually 6th period. You will be called to the bandroom at the appropriate time. For the game we will meet at 4pm in the bandroom. We will performing after the homecoming festivities prior to the game, as far as I know. I will try to give you a more accurate time as soon as possible. The game begins at 5pm.

UPDATE!

Just to let everyone know where we are..... the SCGC Winter Guard schedule has been published and is listed on http://www.scgconline.org/. We are in the process of securing a show idea and have considered several.

VERY soon we will have a parent meeting to answer any questions, as well, as give additional information to both the parents and the young ladies.

I will say that as far as the schedule is concerned, we are very fortunate that the contests that we are able to attend this year are all fairly close(Pell City, Oak Grove, Hoover). Yea! Championships will be held in Nashville again this year.

Fruit Sale!

The ZEJH band will participate with the Career Tech department in our first fruit sale! For the Ellis Emeralds a percentage of your sales profit can go toward your fees for the Ellis Emeralds. More details on actual amounts will be given when we kick-off the sale. Go ahead now and get together your contact list.

Rehearsals!

I just wanted to let you ladies know that I am so very proud of how you are doing on rehearsals! The light spirited atmosphere, hard work ethic and somewhat comical relief is adding up to be great days spent together. I look forward to seeing what the rest of the pep-rally routine has to over.

Practice, Practice, Practice! We want to look as good as possible on Homecoming.

Practice

At this point, everyone should have a copy of the song that we are learning the dance to, Burnin Up by the Jonas Brothers. If your C.D. did not work correctly, let me know as soon as possible.

Don't forget that we have practice on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the high school lunchroom.

Great job last week! I am looking forward to rehearsal this week.

Good job :)

I just wanted to take a minute and tell you all that you did a great job at practice last night. I am more than excited to see what the rest of this year will hold, and I know you are all excited as well. Thank you for a wonderful first practice and a job well done.
♥

peace,love,& jonas brothers :D

Congratulations!

Auditions held on Saturday went extremely well. Thank you for your cooperation and wonderful attitudes! I am very excited about the second year for the Ellis Emeralds. With such an outstanding group of young ladies securing their place on the squad Saturday, this looks like it is going to be a wonderful and productive year; a great experience for everyone involved.

Results: ( in no particular order)

Morgan, Robbyn, Jatonica, Anna, Alex, Amber, Mya, Alexis, Terencea, Cate Joseph

The Day has Finally Arrived!

What a great week of clinic this week for all of the young ladies auditioning for the Ellis Emeralds this year. I am so excited at the prospects that have presented themselves. Clinic week has been very smooth and productive daily with great attitudes and hard work, qualities worthy of "Ellis Emerald" Status.

I hope that each young lady involved has grown in some way from this experience and I wish you the best of luck at auditions tomorrow.

A few reminders: Red shorts, white shirt, hair pulled up and appropriate make-up.

Auditions begin at 10am at the THS bandroom and should not last too terribly long. Parents and supporters are more than welcome to wait in the lunchroom.

Try not to stay up too late practicing!

GOOD LUCK LADIES!

Great Clinic today!

Today was a great start to a very long week of clinic and audition preparation. I am not alone is saying that the girls who came out today to Audition for the Ellis Emeralds was exemplary. The attitudes and cooperative nature was very encouraging and can go a long way. I look forward to tomorrow when we continue to learn and prepare even more.

Also, thank you to the Dega Darlins that so willingly gave of their time to be present today at clinic and offer additional support, encouragement and instruction. What a great atmosphere that provided.

See you guys TOMORROW!

Clinic Week!

• Monday, August 11, 2008 - Turn in forms and audition money ($20) in the ZEJH bandroom
• Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - Clinic 5:45pm-7pm at the THS Bandroom (Girls who have not turned in forms and money may do so on the first day of Clinic.)
• Wednesday, August 13, 2008- Clinic 3:30 pm- 5 pm at the THS Bandroom
• Thursday, August 14, 2008 - Clinic 5:45 pm - 7 pm at the THS Bandroom
• Friday, August 15, 2008 - Clinic 3:30 pm - 5 pm at the THS Bandroom
• Saturday, August 16, 2008 - Tryouts 10am -finish. In the THS Bandroom. (parents may wait in the lunchroom if they wish to do so. Girls should wear red shorts, white shirt, white shoes and hair pulled up in a bun or ponytail.

2008/2009 Auditions!

This is the second year for the Ellis Emeralds! We are very excited about expanding the possibilities for this group. This group is set up to be the Winter Guard Competition team for ZEJH. The girls learn a routine that they perfect and perform throughout the Spring Semester. In the Fall the girls will have a few performance opportunities that may include a ZEJH football game, a THS football game and the Christmas Parade. We will add more performances as the opportunity presents itself.

Audition clinic week will begin on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 and go through Friday, August 15, 2008. (Any girl wishing to Audition must be present for each clinic day.) Tryouts will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2008, beginning at 10:00 a.m until finished. (results will be posted at the completion of tryouts.)

For more detailed information such as; fees, requirements, rules and regulations, performance information, rehearsal information and travel requirements please see Ms. Todd in the ZEJH bandroom for a hand out and details.

You may contact Ms. Todd by calling 256-315-5706 or by email. (click here)

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.

Pictures!

There are several professional picture opportnities available that you may be unaware of. In April when the Ellis Emeralds attended SCGC championships in Nashville, TN, there were several pictures options made available for purchase by professional photography company Bateman Photo.

You may visit those by clicking on the links below.
Season Poster
Action Shots for the Championship Show
Group Shot #1
Group Shot #2

There are several options available and quite some good pictures!

Welcome!

Welcome to the official blogspot of the Zora Ellis Jr. High School Emeralds, the "Ellis Emeralds". This group is in its first year of existence and has shown to be worth the time and effort, capturing first place at every winter guard competition they attended and receiving the silver medal at the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit Championships, as well as ALABAMA STATE CHAMPIONS!

We are very excited about the future of this group. Check back often for updates, announcements, pictures, and other information.

Enjoy!