Band

__ Rockin’ the Cradle __  This program is searching for the next rock star, but this isn't your every day singing competition. They are putting the spotlight on the //children// of rock stars to see who has what it takes to accomplish what they have always dreamed of. Nine upcoming singers will get a chance to stand out and “ Rock the Cradle”. Each week they have the opportunity to get up on that stage and show that their talents can break out of the shell of mom and dad, but some have come up short. All of them have the talent running throughout their veins, but do they have what it takes to excel out of their parent’s shadow?

Every week each child singer will get a chance to perform, and one will be sent home, but who are these rock star kids? While watching the show you will get to know Landon Brown, son of Bobby Brown; Lucy Walsh, daughter of Joe Walsh; MC Hammer's daughter, A'Keiba Burrell; Lara Johnston, daughter of Tom Johnston; Chloe Rose Lattanzi, daughter of Olivia Newton-John; Crosby Loggins, Kenny Loggins' son; Jesse Money, Eddie Money's daughter; Jesse Snider, son of Dee Snider; Lil B. Sure, Al B. Sure's son. As you can see, each one of these kids have come from great legends, but the question is, how great? Also while watching this you will get to know the parents of these kids very well, and see what really goes down behind closed doors. I guess you could say that maybe the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Each of these kids will perform in front of a group of prestigious judges, who will help the up-and-coming musicians discover the business and be content in the spotlight. While the judges will share their opinions after each performance, you will ultimately decide who will stay and who will go. In the end, one winner will be crowned and take their first step toward becoming a superstar, just like their mom or dad. Who will emerge from their parent's shadow and become triumphant in the spotlight? Find out by watching Rock the Cradle each week to find out who will be kicked out of the cradle.     

No more telephones? Here in America, there are many different types of music played all over the country. Many of these styles of music came from immigrants (coming from other countries), new discoveries, and the inspiration found in many people. We use instruments and have vocals, but all of this is usually used for another reason, and that is to communicate through music. Words may not mean enough, but lyrics and sounds can mean so much more. Music is written to show emotions, moods, issues, and so much more. Music is also used to try and get “the message” to the people. All of this even occurred back when the world was just starting and obviously, it still occurs today. One way that music is currently being used to communicate is popular and known artists are producing lyrics in song about the war in Iraq. This usually goes on during every war though. The lyrics are almost speaking to you about this issue and also trying to get you to understand this problem facing America. Many other songs have been produced about the president and his good or bad decisions. This also has gone on for many, many years. Basically, what the artists are trying to do is prove to you that their views on the world need to be heard as well as others. Another way that music is showing communication is when someone needs to let out their emotions inside, and they find this to be possible when that write it as a tune. Music allows you to express feelings in so many ways that aren’t limited at all. Messages are passed through this type of communication as well. But no matter how you say it, what you are trying to get across to someone can be said easily through music. Atlanta here we come! On the other note, our HTMS band is setting off to Atlanta for the Thrills and Chills Competition on May 3rd. The Symphonic and Concert band will be teaming up in the competition, and the next day they will enjoy Six Flags! Good Luck!

Evanston, Illinois holds a great tune Our band has no upcoming events as of now so do I have an interesting topic for you. The Northshore Concert Band located in Evanston, Illinois has 110 members in its symphonic band that perform all through the Chicago metropolitan area. They are respected for their musical distinction, leadership in community music, and service to the music culture. Dr. Mallory Thompson, head of bands and professor of conducting at Northwestern University, is also NCB’s artistic director. She is widely known as one of the chief wind conductors in this nation. NCB was founded in 1956 and led for 40 years by John P. Paynter. Mr. Paynter built what began as an 11 member band, into one of the most powerful symphonic bands in the world at the moment. Some other things that they accomplished include performances with internationally-famous soloists and conductors, including William Warfield, Doc Severinsen, Wynton Marsalis, Frederick Fennell, Leroy Anderson, and the Chicago Symphony Chorus at Orchestra Hall. The Northshore Concert Band performs 12-15 concerts a year in the Chicago city area, playing to over 20,000 people. These performances include a concert series at Northwestern University’s Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, educational events at local area schools, many summer concerts, and professional band festivals. Their concert series features many guest soloists. Usually these soloists are Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians that include Christopher Martin, Mathieu Dufour, Adolph Herseth, Dale Clevenger, and Larry Combs. NCB has created eight CDs and receives playtime on Chicago’s classical music station and WFMT. The band has also toured in Canada and Europe and broadly throughout the United States.

__One Fire for the HTMS Band__ Our HTMS Band will hold a Solo and Ensemble contest on Saturday, May 10, 2008. This will be held at Thompson Middle School in Alabaster, AL. They are eligible to participate in up to three events except beginner band will only be able to participate in two. Another exciting thing is that the Band Boosters are going to pay for your $5.00 fee on each event for you, but if you drop out for any reason after the fee has been paid, you must pay them back. Mr. Holmes will provide you with your music as well. Have Fun! __ Music around the world __

Classic Chinese music could date back 5000 years ago performed with eight kinds of natural materials: namely stone, metal, silk, bamboo, wood, skin, gourd, and clay. The music could be a solo, or in a group. The group is an orchestra-like performance made up of all kinds of instruments. Based on the sound production, the Chinese music instrument family can be classified as the string instruments to be bowed or plucked, the woodwind instruments to be blown, and the percussion instruments to be struck. In the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties, only royal families and worthy officials enjoyed music, which were made on chimes and bells. During the Tang Dynasty, dancing and singing entered the mainstream, spreading from the royal court to the common people. With the introduction of foreign religions such as Buddhism and Islam, exotic and religious melodies were absorbed into Chinese music and were enjoyed by the Chinese people at fairs prepared by the religious temples. In the Song Dynasty, original opera such as Zaju and Nanxi was performed in tearooms, theatres, and showplaces. Writers and artists liked it so much that Ci, a new type of [|literature] similar to lyrics, thrived. During the Yuan Dynasty, Qu, another type of literature based on music became admired. This was also a period when many traditional musical instruments were developed such as the pipa, the flute, and the zither. During the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing Dynasties (1644 - 1911), the art of [|traditional opera] developed quickly and diversely in different regions. When these distinguished opera styles were performed at the capital (now called Beijing), artists united the essence of the different styles and created [|Beijing opera], one of three cornerstones of Chinese culture (the other two being Chinese medicine and traditional Chinese painting) which continue to be respected even in modern times.

__Love Daughtry?__ We all listen to different kinds of music, so every week I’ll have a new type of music for you to read about, and this week is rock. We found this man out of the small town of McLeansville,, North Carolina who one day decided to go out for the hit television show American Idol. He auditioned in Denver, Colorado. His hopes were high and he came out fine with not being eliminated and making it to the bottom four, but some say that he was more successful. Now with his band, Daughtry, he has hand many hit singles including “Over You”, “Feels Like Tonight”, “Home”, and “It’s Not Over”. He has taken this low know band right to the top and is loving every minute of it. People are wanting more, and he and his band are giving out more and more. You’ve just got to love Daughtry. Our HTMS band performed at the Alabama Band Master’s Association District Concert Band Assessment at Vestevia Hills High last Thursday February, 14th. Symphonic placed with all ones, and Concert did very well also. We love the band so much for representing HTMS well and to show other schools how well they can do. Honestly, we love you guys and keep up the great work! More updates will be available soon.

In 1917, under the guidance of Nick LaRocca, the Original Dixieland Jazz Band (ODJB) made their first jazz recording. This first and many to follow were instant sensations that were inspiring and prominent beyond imagination. The success of the ODJB recordings was enormous and musicians worldwide changed instrumentation to imitate the sound and style they made famous. From 1917 to 1936 they recorded fifty-two 78’s that are still sold today on various CD compilations. On February 8, 2006 the Original Dixieland Jazz Band was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for their 1917 recording of the “Darktown Strutter’s Ball.”  The ODJB is back in full swing under the direction of the original leader’s son, Jimmy LaRocca, on trumpet and vocals, with a fine ensemble of New Orleans musicians. They have performed at concerts and in jazz festivals worldwide and have two nationally selling CD’s on the Louisiana Red Hot Records label. Jimmy and the ODJB are devoted to jazz education through clinics, lectures, and workshops. The ODJB shines the brightest on a concert stage and it is refreshing to see so many people tap feet, clap hands, smile and comment on how good they feel when they listen to this music from New Orleans. This picture shows the second generation. On the other hand, our HTMS band did great this past Thursday performing at their Annual February Concert. Mr. Holmes conducted which I bet kept them sounding great the whole time. We love our band and what all they do for us. The next event will be a contest at Vestevia Hills High School next Wednesday, February 13th. Our Concert and Symphonic Bands will also be performing at this and they will be gone the whole school day.
 * Time to head down south to New Orleans**

Make sure not to forget about the Annual February Concert coming up this Thursday, February 8th beginning at 6:00 p.m. This will be held in the HTHS Auditorium. All bands will participate with friends and family coming to enjoy. Also be sure to remember that the HTMS Symphonic and Concert bands will be performing at the Alabama Band Master’s Association District Concert Band Assessment at Vestevia Hills High School (whoa! is that a mouthful). The event will begin on February 13th with the bands performing all day during school. So come and see these wonderful bands do what they do best.
 * __Don’t Forget!__**

__Billboard Hot 20__ 1.  Low by Flo Rida featuring T-Pain 2.  No One by Alicia Keys 3.  Apologize by Timbaland featuring OneRepublic 4.  With You by Chris Brown 5.  Clumsy by Fergie 6.  Kiss Kiss by Chris Brown featuring T-Pain 7.  Don’t Stop the Music by Rihanna 8.  Take You There by Sean Kingston 9.  Paralyzer by Finger Eleven 10.  Love Song by Sara Bareilles 11.  Sensual Seduction by Snoop Dogg 12.  Tattoo by Jordin Sparks 13.  Bubbly by Colbie Caillat 14.  Tear Drops on My Guitar by Taylor Swift 15.  Like You’ll Never See Me Again by Alicia Keys 16.  Our Song by Taylor Swift 17.  Love Like This by Natasha Bedingfield featuring Sean Kingston 18.  Sweetest Girl(Dollar Bill) by Wyclef Jean featuring Akon, Lil’ Wayne, and Niia 19.  Hate that I Love You by Rihanna ft Ne-Yo 20.  Shadow of the Day by Linkin Park

__**Is Music Your New Love**__ As of now band does not have any more major events occurring so let’s take a look into some of our own music and what we are listening to. Many of us love to listen to music and some of the most popular bands right now are Linkin Park, Nickelback, Finger Eleven, One Republic, Daughtry, and Maroon 5. Some of the most popular solo artists are Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Fergie, Rihanna, Jordin Sparks, and Taylor Swift. Each of these has made the Billboard Hot 100 at some point and time, and here above is the Billboard Hot 20 with all of those popular artists and some others, but maybe we should take a break from all of these top selling artists and find some newer, fresher artists. One that you might want to take a peek at is Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. It seems like they came right out of the blue. But as their music goes, who would care? A main song of theirs is “Guardian Angel” rhyming through the ears of many. Try to check them out. Another great band to check out is Weezer. This top selling group has been performing ever since when most of us were born which was around 1994. This group has had many top songs including “My Name is Jonas”, “Buddy Holly”, “Perfect Situation”, and “Say It Ain’t So”. If they still haven’t triggered your memory, do you remember the song Beverly Hills? There we go. I hope that now you have a new idea of songs to listen to rather than that same old just stuff.

Wezzer's "Blue" Album

By: Taylor Gore I have received our latest update for our HTMS band, and do we have exciting news for the students of HTMS! Our very own HTMS band will be performing in the Hewitt Trussville High School auditorium for their annual February concert on February 8th beginning at 6:00 p.m., and with a ticket, you’re invited! Family and friends of all ages will be able to enjoy our great musicians doing what they do best, and performing their best to represent HTMS very well; as they always do. Our conductor for this event will be our very talented Mr. Holmes who has also arranged this concert for us to enjoy. Thank you very much and we can’t wait to see you there.
 * Get in Tune with the HTMS band**

Another exciting announcement is that our HTMS Concert and Symphonic band will be performing on February 13th at the Alabama Band Master’s Association District Concert Band Assessment at Vestevia Hills High School. The bands will perform all day during school. So come and see these fantastic bands perform their best for this honorable event.

Now we all know about Trussville and what all happens, but sometimes it’s good to look outside our own little bubble and see the world. So let’s hear some information about the San Francisco Starlight Orchestra. This 1920s-1930s style dance orchestra is playing original orchestrations of the famous dance orchestras of the Jazz Age. The Starlight Orchestra consists of 16 musicians and vocalists. This includes a male vocal trio and popular Bay Area vocalist, Janine Marie Braddock. The music is made up of original arrangements from famous orchestras as in Duke Ellington, Paul Whiteman, Bennie Moten, Ben Pollack, Ben Selvin, George Olsen, and many others. The dance rhythms include the Fox Trot, Charleston, Tango, One Step, Two Step, Carioca, and Waltz.