Snapshots from the Christmas Concert, 2010

Sparkman High School Indoor Percussion, 2010-2011

The Winter Indoor Percussion Ensemble previewed the first movement of the 2011 Show, Con fuego at the Winter Symphonic Concert on Dec. 9. Can't wait to hear and see it all!!!

Stand Tunes...

 Fall, 2010 Marching Season

Star Spangled Banner, Fall, 2010

Pre-Game Warm-up #2 from Game 9: Sparkman vs Buckhorn

Pre-Game Warm-up : Game 10 - Sparkman vs Minor, October 29, 2010 063

Drumming...pre-game warmup, Game 9 vs. Buckhorn

Mark Your Calendars!

Indoor Percussion Parent/Student Meeting

Written by Jack Albert
Thursday, 04 November 2010 06:53
On Tuesday, November 30th, there will be a quick informational meeting regarding the 2011 indoor season from 6:00-7:00 pm in the S9GS Auditorium.

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If you've never been involved with Indoor, you're in for a real treat...totally not what I had anticipated when I was first exposed to it but so full of energy and exciting! Last year was the first year that Sparkman competed and although it was a "learning" year for them, they had a great first year. (You can go to the links posted on the right side of the page and click on"Winter Indoor Drumline-2010-End of Season Performance, to watch their final performance last year.) Find out how you can help as a parent. Be sure to attend the Informational Meeting that Mr. Albert has set on Tues., Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. in the S9GS Auditorium.

"Catch-Up" Post from Game 8, Sparkman vs. Bob Jones, October 15, 2010

This post will be one of several catch up posts. I had a hard time keeping my head above water with blogging and posting pictures/videos when competition time hit and got behind on the last couple of games of the football season so the next few posts may be a strange collection of pictures and videos.  If you're anything like me though, hopefully, you'll enjoy looking at them and hearing the videos.

I thought our new mascot, the Senator, deserved a spot on the blog.  He really was entertaining and did a good job.  Don't know who he is. I actually think he's two different people but "hats off" to him (them).




The Senator coming up with a new play for the football team!




The Senator going after the Bob Jones Patriot!





Bob Jones Band during their half-time performance.



Photos from Jacksonville State Competition, Thanks to Cindy Conner

INDOOR DUMLINE HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED...

 Tryouts for Sparkman's Indoor Drumline Unit were Monday Nov. 1.  Results were posted Wednesday. Congratulations to all of you.  We're looking forward to an exciting season. They are as follows:

Snare Derek Conner Matt Uptain DiDi Bowden Judy Slagle Tenors Zac Swanner Matt Tolliver Bass Drums Chase Harrison Makayla Smith Joyce Kenon Ben Brice Rick Munts Cymbals Jordan Davis Xavier Brooks Andres Waters Anthony German Bells/Chimes/Crotales Jacob Freed Xylophone William Crubaugh Vibraphone Miguel Ladrillono (1) Brad Lanford (2) Marimba Colleen Smith (1) Anna Huddleston (2) Spencer Davis (3) Rack Brett Pierce Jonathan Sanford Jeff Kramer George Sheil Synthesizer Haley Carnes Bass Guitar Zach Watson Drumset James McKee

Jacksonville State Competition, October 30, 2010 005

This is the preliminary performance that put Sparkman's Band in the finals at Jacksonville State's Contest of Champions. With this performance, the Percussion Unit placed 1st in their class in their preliminary performance. The final score based on their final performance? Sparkman's band placed 2nd overall out of 19 bands. CONGRATULATIONS! What a way to end an awesome marching season!

Jacksonville State University Contest of Champions, Final Score

Sparkman placed 2nd out of 19 total bands that competed at the Contest of Champions on October 30, 2010! Congratulations Marching Senators!

Special Treat for Hard Work!

Wanda Uptain and Cindy Connor, Matt's and Derek's moms, treated the percussion unit and Mr. Albert to cookie cake after practice this week in honor of their recent award received at the Hoover Marching Band Festival. I know the kids really enjoyed that!

Homecoming Parade/Pep Rally

I only have a couple of pictures from the parade/pep rally, thanks to Nancy Tolliver.  If you have any of the drumline/Pit at the parade or homecoming pep rally, please e-mail them to me at missbevs@gmail.com.




Marching down Jeff Road in front of the High School.

 




Performing their Half-time Show at the Homecoming Pep Rally.

 

Marching into stadium for last home game of 2010 Football Season...

Pre-Homecoming Game Warm up

Game 9 - Homecoming - Sparkman vs. Buckhorn - Pre Game



Some kids will drum on anything!




Can I hitch a ride, Mr. Black?





Snares: Didi, Matt, Derek, and Judy




Bass:  Chase, Mikayla, Ben, Everett, and Rick





Tenors: Zach and Tolliver




Cymbals: Anthony, Andre, Xavier, and Jordan



The 2010 Sparkman High School Drumline




The Front Ensemble close by while the Drumline practices before marching
into the stadium.



Hoover Competition Video - Wide Angle

Hoover Invitational Marching Band Festival Sights...October 16, 2010, Hoover, AL



The competition was held at Region's Park, the same field where the Hoover High School
football team plays, the Birmingham Barons baseball team plays, and the SEC Baseball
tournament is held.  It is an ideal facility for such an event.



Warm-Up Time... (Picture supplied by Matt U.)



Color Guard entering the field.

The band entered the field from the same entrance but marched to two separate sides with the majority of the band turning left once they entered the stadium as you see here.



The drum line and tubas continued on around to the opposite side of the field nearest to the
audience and entered the competition field directly behind the Pit.



Looking good...all in step!



Mr. Albert getting ready to make sure everything is set up correctly in the Pit section.



 At this point, the band is set up and ready to perform. To see the show, scroll down the page. 



The band waits patiently for their call to Attention for scores.



Drum Majors and Section Leaders wait on the field for scores and awards
 to be announced.



Sparkman's name is called for scores.  Abby calls the Section Leaders
to attention.

 


Sparkman's Band received 1's in every category...Drum
Majors, Color Guard, Percussion, and a 1 from each of the judges
who scored the band for an Overall 1! Abby and Hannah
accept the trophies for the band.

 

Best in Class AAAA Drum Majors:  SPARKMAN HIGH SCHOOL!!!!!
Abby and Hannah accepting their trophy. Awesome job girls!
Congratulations!



Best in Class AAAA Percussion:  SPARKMAN HIGH SCHOOL! 



TOTAL EXCITEMENT.

  



The smiles say it all...



 What an honor to accept the Best in Class AAAA Percussion Trophy
on behalf of the entire Unit. 

 
 


THIS ONE BELONGS TO THE TEAM - THE 2010-2011 PERCUSSION UNIT
OF SPARKMAN HIGH SCHOOL AND MR. JACK ALBERT.
ALL OF YOU ROCK! (Picture supplied by N. Tolliver.)

  

BEST IN CLASS AAAA PERCUSSION---SPARKMAN HIGH SCHOOL!!!!!

WAY TO GO SPARKMAN!

A huge congratulations goes out to our Percussion Ensemble who scored a 1 and placed Best in Class in their division at the Hoover Invitational Marching BandFestival on Saturday, Oct. 16!!! The competition was stiff. There were 5 other schools in their division with awesome percussion groups but our kids showed that hard work really does pay off...eventually! Congratulations also go out to Abby and Hannah who placed Best in Class for Drum Majors along with the entire band who scored all 1's on their performance!

Let me apologize in advance for the "shakiness" of some parts of the video - especially in the presenting of Best in Class AAAA Percussion. I left my tripod at home and my hands were quite shakey from excitement! (Not being able to yell and clap while I was videoing was sheer torture!)

WAY TO GO SPARKMAN!!!!! ENJOY IT! YA'LL EARNED IT!

Game 7 Halftime Show - October 7, 2010

Funnies... from Game 7.



Look at all of those uniform coats folded nice and neatly.  News Alert! Guess that means
that they really do know how to fold clothes! 



I will not listen. I will not listen. You cannot make me listen!
La de dah de dah...

I really need to get some sleep!

Awwww. Come on! Do I have to?




It rarely does leave his side.  Just what does Mr. Albert carry in that trusty backpack?



Yes it is Fall Break and yes, we are here at the football game...on
a Thursday night and I will not win the Happy Face Award for the
evening!