Reminder!

Just a reminder that practice tomorrow (12-10) is at THS from 3:40-5:00.
We will actually meet in the THS bandroom.
See you there!

check this out

Reminders!

I hope that all of you guys had a GREAT break! As we start school tomorrow a few reminders....

• We have practice after school tomorrow until 5:00pm. Practice will be at ZEJH (hopefully the gym will be available. If not, we will do the best we can.) Bring your flag.
  

• If you owe doughnut money that is due ASAP. Please put it in an envelope with your name on it.

• We are hosting a Dance Camp on December 18th and 19th at THS. It is open to all Elementary age students K-6. (They do not have to attend school in the Talladega School System.) Information has been given at their local elementary schools, however, invite anyone you think might be interested. Registration is THIS FRIDAY! December 4, 2009 at the THS bandroom from 4:00-6:00pm. More information can be optained by calling Ms. Todd at 315-5706 or via email at THSdancecamp@hotmail.com. Registration fee is $25.00; includes instruction, t-shirt and participation in the Talladega Christmas Parade.

• As part of the dance camp all Ellis Emeralds will be performing in the Talladega Christmas Parade with the participants from the Dance Camp. The parade is on December 19th @ 5:00pm. We will meet in the parking lot of the Old Goody's. The parade will go around the square and end at Piggly Wiggly. (More info will be given later.)

This week's practice...

As you heard on the announcements Friday afternoon practice will be on...

Monday, November 16, 2009
THS Lunchroom
3:40-5:00

*be sure that you are on time and have your white flag and comfortable clothes to dance in.

We will begin at 3:40 and go til 5:00, however, remember to let your parents know that we have to put the room back together before anyone leaves. It typically takes about 15 minutes.

If you need to bring your flag to school you may bring it to the bandroom when you arrive and prop it beside the door during the day, however, don't forget to come get it so you will have it for practice.

Practice

Thursday, November 12, 2009

THS Lunchroom

3:40-5:00

Bring your White flag.

Wear clothes that you can move in and your Dance shoes.

*Notice the time change to 3:40. This is to give a little extra time between ZEJH and THS, due to the fact that demerits will be inforced for Tardies. Students should be dressed and ready to go at 3:40. Flag is considered equipment; do not forget to bring it.

*5:00 is when we will stop practicing. We will still have to move tables back; it typically takes about 10 minutes. Students are not dismissed until all tables are put back in proper position.

November Winter Guard camp

Students have been given information regarding camp for this weekend. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. This will kick off the winterguard season for the Ellis Emeralds.

Please review your handbook regarding all rules and regulations. Demerits will be enforced in order to maintain the quality of the group.

As always if you have any questions feel free to ask.

DT

Practice 10/13

We will have Ellis Emerald practice on Tuesday, October 13, 2009. It will after school (3:30) until 5:00 p.m. In the Zora Ellis Gym.

See you there!

GREAT JOB!

GREAT job Ladies!

I am proud of the job you did today at the pep-rally and game. Great work! The recovery that you had at the pep-rally will become one of those 'remember when' moments later down the road. It was not near as bad as you guys thought it was. Every group I have ever had has had a CD skip one time or another. However, I must say that to see a group of 14 7th and 8th graders hold their composer in front of the entire student body and recover... WOW! I was impressed!

You made up for it at the game anyway. Great performance... just great. Many people throughout the game commented on what a great job you did. Congrats!

Thanks to Lacey for all of her hard work and also to the other members of the Dega Darlins and Dega Addition that have helped and supported the Ellis Emeralds non-stop!

I will post a few pictures soon.

Rehearsal

Ellis Emeralds will have practice on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at THS from 5-6:30.

We will also have practice on Monday, September 28, 2009 at ZEJH from 5-6:30.

Both of these are the in preparation for the Homecoming Pep-rally and game.

2009/2010 Ellis Emeralds...are....

Congratulations to all of the young ladies that auditioned for the 2009/2010 Ellis Emeralds. What a great audition year. A special congratulations to those that won a spot on the line....
(in no particular order)

Amber Robinson
Alex Horn
Anna Whitworth
Cate Joseph Rasco
Grace Byrd
Gabby Easterwood
Andrea Adams
Destiny Lawler
Lindsey Isbell
Chicaree Barclay
Jessica McKenzie
Kayla Mellon
Ashleigh Farmer
Savannah Stillwell

If you did not win a spot on the 2009/2010 line we invite you to audition next year for the 2010/2011 Ellis Emeralds. If you are an 8th grader you may be interested in auditioning for the Dega Darlins Addition in the Spring for the 2010/2011 year (auditions will be announced at a later time, but are typically in April. Keep up the hard work and continue to work on the info from clinic. I am very proud of EVERYONE for thier hardwork and dedication!

It is going to be a GREAT year!

Good Luck

Ladies I would like to wish each of you luck as you audition tomorrow for the Ellis Emeralds. You have had an OUTSTANDING clinic week and Iwish you all the best.

Remember to wear white shirt, red shorts and white shoes.

Pull your hair back and don't forget your smile.

Also, don't forget your FLAG!

You may arrive any time after 9:00a.m. as long as it is before 10am. Some of you have expressed the need to practice and get ready at the school beforehand. That will be fine.

See you Tomorrow!

Getting Started!

I am very excited about the GREAT group of young ladies that came out today for Ellis Emeralds Clinic. Thank you to the Dega Darlins and Dega Addition members that stayed today to help as well; it was appreciated. Great Attitudes and hard work will prove for a great 2009-2010 Winter Guard group. I look forward to the rest of clinic and tryouts on Saturday.

See you tomorrow at 5:00
Wednesday at 3:30, Thursday at 5:00 and Saturday at 10am.

Keep up the good work!

Auditions

7th and 8th grade girls
Ellis Emerald Tryout Clinic will begin on August 31, 2009.
Please see Ms. Todd for the packet and additional information.
If you previously picked up a packet and did not have the permission form,
please see Ms. Todd to get one prior to the first day of Clinic.
Money and forms are required on the first day of clinic.
Tryouts will be on Saturday, September 5, 2009.

2009/2010 Auditions

Just to let everyone know. Information regarding tryouts will be going home soon. I am in the process of finalizing some details. Several students have asked and I am very excited about the interest and the prospect of this upcoming season.

DCI

Interested in seeing a drum corp performance up close and personal? You still have time.

Drum Corp season is quickly coming to an exciting end, but you still have a few options to catch a show either live or in a theater. Visit www.dci.org for ticket information. There is a show in Gadsden, AL, on this Friday, July 24, 2009 and a show in Atlanta this Saturday, July 25, 2009. Ticket information can be found on the dci website.

Click the picture above to see the trailer for the Quarter-Final LIVE broadcast in theaters on August 6, 2009. The closest showing for us is in Trussville, AL.

Grab some friends and go see for yourself! You won't regret it.

Ever thought how cool it would be to start your own rock band? Jam Studio (click here) can give you the opportunity to experiment and do just that. It is a free online studio that helps you easily create tracks that you can play along with on any instrument. Beginning or Advanced it is entertaining to play around with.

Have Fun!

Practice.

Practice for Thursday has been cancelled.
It has been rescheduled for Monday, May 4th, 2009, at the Talladega High Gym.
Practice will begin at 3:30 and end at 5:00p.m.
This is to prepare for the Spring concert on the 5th; all three groups will rehearse.

Spring concert '09

Spring Concert

May 5, 2009

7:00 pm/ THS Gym

Admission:$3 (adults) $1 (10 and under)

All ZEJH band members and Ellis Emeralds will meet in the THS Bandroom at 6:15 p.m. Please be in full uniform; Vest, black shirt, shoes and socks, bowtie and white shirt.

* Each student is responsible for all equipment and music.

Ellis Emeralds should wear their winter guard outfit.

The concert will last approximately an hour and 15 mins.

Don't forget about the BBQ dinner before the concert. (from Millers BBQ) See a band member to purchase a ticket. Tickets are $6 and will not be sold at the door.

*After School 7th grade band practice will be on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. Ellis Emerald practice time will have to be changed from its original time. (TBA)

Performance photos from Championships....

Have you checked out the performance photos from championships? Click here

2009 THS Auxiliaries!

Congratulations to our sister Groups for the 2009 season!

DRUM MAJOR
Blake Matson

DEGA DARLIN
SECTION LEADER
Lacey Lackey

DEGA DARLINS
(no particular order)

Shonquita McDaniel
Riley Rutledge
Meggie Lewis
La'Tisha Wilson
Lateriya Stamps
Lacey Lackey
Kelsey Paris
Ingram McCollum
Chrissy Moore
Chelcia Mosley
Ashley Goggans
Angelic Curry

DEGA DARLINS ADDITION
(no particular order)

Jatonica Whitson
Morgan Davidson
Kayla Langley
Robbyn Stratton
Mya Thomas
Lexie Gates Rasco
Kayla Mowery
Terencea Holtzclaw
Heather Blocker
MaKayla Montgomery

*We will have tryouts for Ellis Emeralds in August at the start of the 2009/2010 school year!

Auditions!

Auditions for the 2009-2010 Ellis Emeralds will be held in the Fall, just after school starts.

There have been many questions about this, which is great. The reason they will not be until the fall is that auditions are open to band members that are in the 7th and 8th grade. Since we do not know who the 7th grade band members are yet, we cannot audition.

Handouts and information will be given out at the start of school. In the meantime, talk to any friends that you may have interested and let them know that we would love to have them.

Pictures

The Group photos that were taken by Bateman Photography are now online for viewing. You can go to http://www.photoreflect.com/ or click here. Be sure to click the next arrow so that you can view both photos of the group. You can also view all of the other groups that performed over the weekend.

There are several purchasing options. I suggest the digital file. They email you this and you have it on your computer. It is just under $5.00.

Enjoy!

Congratulations!

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

What an amazing year you have had! I am so very proud of each of you and I know you know that. Congratulations once again on the 4th place finish at championships and for your placement as Alabama State Runner-up. To finish this well after being promoted earlier in the year is a great accomplishment for each of you young ladies. Mr. McDaniel, Brian and I are VERY proud of you. Keep up the good work!

I also want to tell you thank you for the great trip that you had to Nashville. It is great to travel with such a great group of girls!

By the way, I NEED YOUR PICS! I will put them on the blog if you can either bring me your card from your camera or put them on disc. Email typically does not work well due to file size.

See you tomorrow. Don't forget we have a light practice at 5:30 at ZEJH.

Congrats at Hoover!

Congratulations at Hoover on your 2nd place finish!

I am so proud of the work that you ladies have put forth this year. Wrapping up our last regular season competition and getting ready to head to Nashville seems unreal. Time has really flown. I am so proud of the individual and group improvements that you have made this year. To get promoted to the next class and to actively hang in there with the competition, always finishing in the top of your class is a great accomplishment, something to be extremely proud of.

I am excited as we prepare for Nashville and I look forward to the trip. I hope that you do too!

Enjoy the rest of your spring break and get lots of rest.

>>>notice>>>rehearsal>>>change>>>

We will rehearse on MONDAY, after spring break, immediatly after school until 5:00pm.

We will not rehearse on Tuesday, but will also reahearse on Wednesday until 5:00pm.

**There is a possiblity of a run through on thrusday during 6th period... I will let you know.

I should have the schedule for Nashville on Thrusday. I will post your time on here and I will put the updated itinerary under March 27 on the calendar on www.degaband.com. I am looking forward to a great trip with you guys.

See you after the break!

Hoover Additional info

Hey Again!

We have decided to do a brief practice for last minute run throughs and such on Friday, right after school until 4:30. Dega Darlins will go for an hour after you and then Dega Addition after that, with everyone being done by 6:30. You are welcome to stay to watch the other groups, but not required to by any means.

Click here for an itinerary for the Hoover Compeition. YOu will get a hard copy on Tuesday.

The Contest is held at Hoover High School.

Hoover

Hey Ladies!

I am sorry for not being with you at practice on Tuesday. I heard that you got some much needed cleaning done with Lacey, which is why I did not cancel practice. Next week is the Hoover Competition. I will post an itinerary soon and give you one in class on Monday.

We will rehearse our normal time on Tuesday (3/10) as soon after school as we can until 5:00.

We will also have a short rehearsal on Wednesday (3/11) as soon after school as possible to 4:30.

Keep in mind that on Friday, all three groups may do a basic run through or last minute fixes. I will let you know about Friday after we see how rehearsals go earlier in the week.

Meanwhile practice at home. I know we always do our best, but we need to make sure that we give it our all at Hoover, our scores at Hoover will determine where we are placed at championships and we need a good spot.

Our performance time so you can tell people coming to see you is 5:16pm. In your class is you, the Pell City Panteras JV and Shades Valley JV.

See you next week!

Practice Thursday!

I originally changed the schedule of winter guard practice from Tuesday to Thrusday due to Honor Band auditions. However, since then we have discovered that the ZEJH band that traveled to district assessment in Gadsden, AL, will now travel to state contest on March 2nd in Birmingham. In preparation for that we need to have after school practice for band on Thrusday ... therefore, we cannot have Ellis Emeralds. It appears that this week has no open spot for a practice. We will simply have to do what we can and not practice this week.

Next weeks practice will be on Tuesday as scheduled. I will let you know if we will have another practice to make up for this week's missed practice.

In the meantime.... practice on your own at home.

Also, remember to turn in any rooming information to me ASAP. There are several who have not turned it in. I cannot promise you the room you want if you don't turn it in.

See you at school!

Practice 2/24

Don't forget that Practice for Feb. 24th has been changed to Thursday Feb. 26th due to honor band try-outs. This practice will end at 4:30 since it is not our regularly scheduled day. Please get to the high school as quick as possible so that we can get started.

Practice the new stuff at home, especially the toss.

I hope that each of you plan on auditioning for honor band and do well. Good Luck!

Pictures!

There are some great pictures available for viewing and purchase on the Photo Reflect website from the competition Saturday at Oak Grove. To view the picutures click here. This company takes pictures at all of the SCGC events and are usually up the week following the competition.

Enjoy!

Wow!

Congratulations! Robbyn, Mya, Alex, Amber, Cate Joseph, Morgan, Anna, Jatonica and Terencea. I am so proud of the accomplishments that you have made over the past two weeks. To have your first competition, get promoted and then add so much new material, compete again and come home with another trophy is a great accomplishment. The work, dedication and pride that you are taking in yourself and the group is being recognized. Congratulations on your 3rd place finish, a close third too, 2nd was not that far away.

I hope each of you have a great feeling of accomplishment right now... because you should.

We will have regular practice on Tuesday, where we will listen to judges tapes and try to start fixing some things. Our next contest is a good ways away, however, we do not need to relax too much. Let's take advantage of this time opportunity to clean and get better daily. Practice at home, that will help as well. We will take off Tuesday, Feb. 24th due to honorband auditions. I am sure ALL of you are trying out!

I am currently working on information for championships and will have that to you soon. I will get the Hoover contest information to you as soon as I know it.

Check out the band blog for a writeup about you guys too!

Performance times are finally here!

Ellis Emeralds 4:39
Dega Darlins Addition 5:13
Dega Darlins 6:55

You are the first group in your class to perform. After you perform you will have about 10 minutes for a quick change before we help the Addition pull their floor. Please change quickly, but make sure you hang up your outfit nicely for retreat. After we help Addition pull their floor, the Dega Darlins do not perform until 6:55. You will have about an hour to go eat, visit family and watch a few groups. We will report back to the warm-up area at 6:20.

The good news is that at Oak Grove things are not too far apart. The gym, warm-up area and our hallway will all be in the same building.

Competition in your class is: Shades Valley JV, Pell City Panteras JV, Fort Payne H.S. ( So basically in order to come home with a trophy we need to beat at least one group.)

Oak Grove is coming quickly!

Great job today! I am proud of the work you have done this week. Who knows what lies ahead with our new classification, but I tell you... I am so proud of the work and accomplishments of this week.

We will have practice on Thursday as soon after school as possible until 4:30, mainly for cleaning and review. In the meantime, practice the new stuff at home.

Don't forget to bring your skirts and shoes to practice on Thursday.

If you have questions from the handouts today about Saturday, let me know.

See you Thursday!

check it out

Go to the Dega Addition blog and check out the comments under the post... Counting down.
Angelic posted something good.

ATTENTION - TIME CHANGE!

I am so sorry about this change. Usually after something is set I try not to change it because I realize this causes confusion, however, there has been a large conflict with Friday nights practice at 5:30. We will change our practice time to 7:00-9:00. Brain will be here either way, so I just swapped the times for the Addition and you guys. Please not that there is a change...... this will give everyone the opportunity to get to practice and we for sure need everyone there. Brian cannot write drill with anyone missing and this is the only day he can come.

See you there!

Rehearsals!

Great job at rehearsal today. Experiment a little with the new stuff we did. I feel like you got a good bit of cleaning done towards the end of rehearsal on the beginning of the show. Practice the things that we fixed so that you can keep them fresh. If we can clean and increase the quailty every single time we meet, you will have an outstanding year.

Don't forget about practice on Friday night in the ZEJH gym from 5:30-7:30. Brian will be here to add some stuff to the show and possibly change a few things, you never know. We are hoping to finish the show at this rehearsal so that we can focus on cleaning.

Next week we will have our regular rehearsal on Tuesday in the ZEJH gym until 5:00 p.m. Since it is competition week next week, we will also have a rehearsal on Thursday after school until 4:30 in the ZEJH gym. (Some people asked about Friday during 6th period. There is a possibility, but not a regular occurance. I will let you know if we are.)

Keep up the good work. I am very proud of the progress that you have you made and are making daily. I am excited about the next contest at Oak Grove and I hope you are too.

Field Day Pics!

Field Day Success!

I am SUPER proud of each one of you on Saturday at Field Day. You did such an outstanding job both performing, helping the other groups, and representing your school. The compliments that I received about your group was endless from both people from Talladega and the other schools there. You should really be proud.

Congratulations on your 1st place win! That was great as well. I am also very pleased about the move to Novice class. For those who still don't quit understand, let me explain.... Junior high guards start off in Cadet class. All of the high school guards are ranked by ability starting with Novice being the new groups, then Scholastic B, Scholastic AAA, etc. Prior to field day we sign up for where we think we should be, Field day is a chance for the judges to see each group and decide whether or not we are in the right class. On Saturday night when they called me down before the awards began, the debate was that as a group you are so far ahead of the other Cadet class groups both from Saturday at Pell City and the scores from the weekend before in Tennessee that they promoted you up to the next class, which is Novice. This is a great accomplishment... Congratulations!

With good accomplish comes more work. We will have to add more to the show to compete with these groups. Realize that some of them spin together in the fall and earlier where we do not. However, from the score sheets you would not have been at the bottom of novice classification on Saturday so the outlook is good.

Typically at this point Lacey and I finish the show and there are not too many more moves, however both of us agree that we want Brian to come finish the show since we got promoted to the next class. We will have to find a day that works with his schedule. I will get this together ASAP and let you know. In the meantime..... see you Tuesday. I will announce the location of Tuesdays practice on Monday.

I am looking forward to the next competition... 2 weeks... at Oakgrove.

Great Practice Today! Just a few run throughs left before the real thing. I hope you are getting excited. I am!

3 days and counting!!!!

WOW! What a very productive and upbeat practice you had yesterday. I am very proud of you. Field day is in 3 days and you should do fine. I hope you are excited about it.

I will give another handout of reminders and answer last minute questions on Thursday during practice. Be sure to review your packet so you will be sure of everything.

Keep up the good work!

It's almost time!

The Time is drawing near. Can you believe it, field day this time next week you will be on the floor hearing scores! woo hoo! Well, maybe night right now, but when I typed this.

I did want to post a picture of your floor. Mr. McDaniel, Marcus and I worked on it today and it has turned out to be quite good I must say.

A few reminders.

• We will have practice on Tuesday. It will be at the high school. Get there as quick as you can, we have a lot to do.


• We will have a special practice on Thursday for a last minute fixing session. It should be at ZEJH, however, I will finialize that next week.


• If you are not up to date on your fees, please take care of that. Technically I am not suppose to let you perform if you are not up to date.


• Please read over your handout that I gave you at the last practice. Better yet, be sure you parents get it so they can read over it. If you have any questions email me or call me at the bandroom.


• Don't forget to bring your travel form from the packet to practice on Tuesday. I need to get those in.

Have a great Weekend!

Practice This week!

Wow, field day is coming fast. Just a few weeks left. Rehearsal this week will be on Tuesday like always, but in the Zora Ellis Gym following school. We will meet in the bandroom first, so Please come to the bandroom as quick as possible so that we can get started. We need to make the most of our rehearsal time.

Also, be sure that you have a flag at home so you can practice. I recommend going through the routine on a daily basis so that you will not forget any of it when you get in front of the crowd and get nervous. Most of you should have a C.D. of the music. If you need a copy let me know.

As some of you saw, your outfits came in on Friday! We need to try these on so that we can make any needed exchanges or alterations. However, we do not need to take any practice time to do so, therefore on Tuesday come to the bandroom as quick as possible so that we can put on your outfits.

If you are behind on your fee payments please get those in as soon as possible. If you have a question about fees, I have it on my office computer now, so feel free to come by and ask or email me.

Field Day!

The schedule has been posted for the Pell City competition on January 24, 2009. As most of you know this competion is called 'field day' and is basicially a coming out point for all guards that are participating in Winter Guard. There is another location as well in TN.

I will give you a more detailed schedule about departure times and such at your next practice, but wanted to give you this so that you can see who is coming and the estimated times. Keep in mind that sometimes they make adjustments to the schedule. Also, go ahead and start making your travel plans; Everyone must ride with a parent, either your own or someone elses. NO students will be allowed to drive.

Click here to see the schedule that was posted on the Dega Darlin Blog.

Also feel free to go to the SCGC website and explore the other groups and circuit info.