Last Minute Reminders!

Tonight's game vs. Catholic
Band members are to report no later than 5:30 p.m. to the band room in half uniform. Please make sure you have every part of your uniform, black socks, black shoes, black gloves, black Band T-shirt, jacket and shako. Also, remember to hang your uniform neatly tonight so it will look nice for tomorrow's competition!

Transportation Fee
Please remember to bring your $10 transportation fee for our "away" trip to Phenix City tomorrow for competition. The transportation fee helps offset the costs of chartering buses. This is not meant to create a hardship on anyone. If you need a scholarship, please see Gary or Tracey Kirksey. It will be handled with the utmost of privacy.

Tomorrow's Competition in Phenix City
Don't forget to be at the Band Room no later than 8:00 a.m. Also, bring a change of clothes (jeans and band t-shirt) and don't forget a sweatshirt or jacket as the temps will be dropping in the evening.

If you have any questions, please email Gary or Tracey Kirksey at acabands@yahoo.com or traceykirksey@knology.net. Go Eagles!

Announcement for 7th Grade Band Parents

Need New Book!

Mr. Harrell would like all 7th Grade Intermediate Band members to have a copy of the Standard of Excellence, Book 2, by the time the students return from Fall break (October 9th & 10th). This book can be purchased at Art's or Capitol Music.

If you have any questions, please email Mr. Harrell at eharrell@alabamachristian.com.

More Announcements...

6th & 7th Grade Band Members
Your Band T-shirts will be in this Friday! Elizabeth Staten will have them available at the Band Booster Concessions Tent in the end zone at this Friday's game. If you have not paid for your t-shirt, you can pay her Friday night. If you have any questions, please email Elizabeth at Epoohstaten@aol.com.

Shakers Available this Friday!
All Band parents that have joined the Band Boosters are entitled to one free shaker per family. There will also be extras for sale for $2. Please stop by the Concessions Tent to pick up your shaker! Let's get that Maroon & White shaking in the crowds!

Information for Saturday's
Marching Competition
Band members are to report to the Band Room at 8:00 a.m. in half uniform (carrying jacket). Please do not forget any part of your uniform, black socks, black shoes, black gloves, Band T-shirt and shako. Students WILL be changing after their first performance. This is to prevent any lunch from ending up on your uniform! Bring jeans or shorts to change into and wear your Band T-shirt. Then you will be changing back into your uniform before the afternoon performance. The temperatures should be pretty cool Saturday evening, so it would be a good idea to have a sweatshirt or jacket with you too.

Details on performance times and directions to the stadium are available in a previous post. If you have any questions, please email Gary or Tracey Kirksey at acabands@yahoo.com or traceykirksey@knology.net.

Saturday's Competition Details...

The details for competition this Saturday,

September 30th, are as follows:

• Students are to be at the school at 8:00 a.m. for warm-up (Central time)
• Buses will depart ACA at 9:00 a.m. (Central Time)
• Performing for Festival at 12:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
• Performing for Competition at 4:40 p.m. (Eastern Time)
• Awards Ceremony at 8:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Phenix City is in the Eastern Time Zone and all times for performances are EASTERN time. Please make a note of that! The awards ceremony will not take place until 8:30 p.m. Eastern time. Our estimated time of arrival back at ACA is approximately 11:00 p.m., but students will be instructed to call when we depart.

Please make sure your uniform is dry cleaned this week so it will be clean and sharp for competition!

Band members are to bring money for lunch and dinner. There will be various food vendor tents in the stadium, as well as fast food places adjacent to the stadium. There will be chaperones that will accompany the students if we decide to leave the stadium to eat.

Directions to Competition Location/Garrett-Harrison Stadium:

I-85 North to Opelika

Get off at US 280 South (Exit 62)

Go about 29 miles to US 80 and go east to Columbus

Exit at Summerville Road and the stadium is at the corner of Summerville and Airport Road.

Garrett-Harrison Stadium

If you have any questions, please email Gary or Tracey Kirksey at acabands@yahoo.com or traceykirksey@knology.net.

This Week's Announcements...

Countdown to Competition!

Four more days to the Phenix Invitational Marching Competition! Mr. Harrell was out sick today (get well soon!) and Mr. Stough worked the kids very hard in practice cleaning up a few sets and also added a new ending to the show! It's looking better kids, but stay focused and work hard the rest of the week to prepare for competition. Thank you, Mr. Stough, for stepping in today and running rehearsal. Mr. Harrell, rest and get over that viral infection soon!

The details for competition this Saturday, September 30th, are as follows:

Buses will depart ACA at 9:00 a.m. (Central time). Mr. Harrell will let you know what time to be at the school Saturday morning for a run-through and to load the buses. The band will perform for the Festival portion of the competition at 12:30 p.m. EASTERN time. Please make a note of that! Phenix City is in the Eastern Time Zone and all times for performances are EASTERN time. The Band will perform again at 4:40 p.m. Eastern time for the contest portion of the competition. The awards will not take place until 8:30 p.m. Eastern time.

Band members are to bring money for lunch and dinner. There will be various food vendor tents in the stadium, as well as fast food places adjacent to the stadium. There will be chaperones that will accompany the students if we decide to leave the stadium to eat. More details will be emailed and posted as soon as they become available.

ACA vs. Catholic ~ this Friday, September 30th

Students are to report no later than 5:30 p.m. Please make sure you have every part of your uniform... black socks, black shoes, black band T-shirt, jacket and shako.

Band Booster Concessions Tent

This week we will be selling some new items at the concessions tent. Mr. Randy Porterfield has graciously agreed to head up the boiled peanuts sale. We will need several parents to volunteer to sell these pre-packaged in the stands. We also will be selling funnel cakes and try to squeeze in one last night of selling snocones before the cooler weather hits! Mrs. Michele Hensley has organized 7th grade parents to work the first half of the game through half time, but we are still in need of Marching Band parents to work 3rd quarter through clean-up. If you would like to volunteer for any of the above mentioned, please email me at traceykirksey@knology.net or acabands@yahoo.com.

SHAKERS available this Friday!

Please stop by the Band Booster Concessions Tent to pick up your maroon & white rooter pom (shaker). If you have joined the Band Boosters, you are entitled to one free shaker per family. They will also be for sale for $2 each. Let's show our school spirit by getting the maroon & white shaking in the stands! Go EAGLES!

VIDEOGRAPHER still needed!

We know you're out there and you're wanting to volunteer for something, but don't know what! If you're not afraid of heights, and you would be willing to be the official ACA Band videographer, please contact Gary or Tracey Kirksey. We will provide the video camera--we just need the operator!

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please don't hesitate to send us an email. We love our Band Boosters! Remember, Together We Achieve Much!

Information and Directions for Friday!

Directions to Ashford High School Stadium:
From Montgomery on 231 South
At the Ross Clark Circle in Dothan (Wiregrass Commons Mall will be on your left) turn left
Stay on the circle until you reach the intersection for Hwy. 84 East (Southeast Alabama Medical Center will be through the intersection on the right) turn left (this will be a four lane)
Stay on 84 East (approximately 8 miles) until you come to a caution light this will be County Rd. 55, turn left.
Go to the traffic light, turn right.
Go approximately 2 miles and you wil see the stadium on the left (behind an old feed mill)

Important Information:

Students will be dismissed from class on Friday at 1:30 p.m. and buses will be departing at 2:00 p.m. Please make sure you have every piece of your uniform, black socks, black gloves, black shoes, black Band T-shirt, jacket and shako. You will need money for dinner. We will be stopping in Dothan for our dinner break and to change into uniforms. Estimated time of arrival back at ACA will be around 12:30 a.m., but students will be instructed to call with a more specific time of arrival. Please make sure you are on time picking up your child.

Transportation Fee:

Please remember to bring your $10 transportation fee by this Friday! This fee can be given to Tracey Kirksey or Elizabeth Staten. DO NOT turn your money in to Mr. Harrell. We need to make sure we record your name as having paid!

Coke Sales

There are a couple cases of Coke and one case of Blue Powerade left over from our Coke sale. Please email Peggy Oliver at poliver@alabamachristian.com if you are interested in purchasing any of these items.

If you have any questions, problems, concerns or suggestions, please email Gary or Tracey Kirksey at acabands@yahoo.com. Remember, Together We Achieve Much!

Not Afraid of Heights?

...then you're just the person we're looking for! The ACA Band is in need of a videographer to tape all the performances during half time. This would require climbing up to the top of the Press Box at both Home and Away games. If you are willing to volunteer for this position, please contact Gary or Tracey Kirksey, Band Booster Presidents. Gary can be reached on his cell at 462-3369 or email at gkirksey@knology.net and Tracey can be reached via email at traceykirksey@knology.net or acabands@yahoo.com.

Still a Few Cases of Coke for Sale!

Mrs. Oliver has 2 cases of Coke (regular, not diet) and 1 case of Blue Powerade left over from the Coke Sales. Please contact her if you are interested in purchasing any of these cases. Peggy can be reached at poliver@alabamachristian.com. First come, first served.

New Information on Rehearsals!

Mr. Harrell has cancelled the marching band rehearsal for this Saturday, September 23rd.

Marching Band Rehearsals will be as follows:
Tuesday, September 19th until 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 21st until 5:30 p.m.
Monday, September 25th until 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 26th until 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 27th until 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 28th until 6:00 p.m.

Please email acabands@yahoo.com with any questions, concerns or suggestions.

Announcements for this Week!

Rehearsals for the week of September 18th - 23rd
The ACA Marching Eagle Band will rehearse after school on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday of this week until 5:30 p.m. Mr. Harrell wants to remind you to please make sure you eat a good lunch and drink plenty of water throughout the day! Also, please note that there will be a rehearsal this Saturday, September 23rd from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. to prepare for the competition on the 30th.

Away Game this Friday, September 22nd

(ACA vs. Ashford)
Marching Band students will be dismissed from class at 1:30 p.m. and buses will depart at 2:00 p.m. Make sure you have all uniform pieces including gloves, black socks, black shoes, your black Band T-shirt, and your shako. This past Friday there were several students that did not have the black band t-shirt on and therefore, jackets were not allowed to be removed during 3rd Quarter. Please make sure you have ALL the uniform pieces listed above. There will be a dinner stop in Dothan with time to eat and change into your uniform. Parents, please make sure your child has money for dinner. There will not be a stop on the way home. Arrival time back at ACA will be announced. Directions will be e-mailed by Wednesday.

Rooter Poms (Shakers)
The rooter poms are in! If you have joined Band Boosters, you are entitled to one free rooter pom per family. Additional rooter poms may be purchased for $2.00. Let's get that Maroon & White shaking in the stands! Please see Gary or Tracey Kirksey to pick-up your rooter pom.

If you have any questions, please email us at acabands@yahoo.com or Tracey at traceykirksey@knology.net.

A Clean Band Room! Thank You!

Today was our band room clean-up day. We started at 10:00 a.m. and finished a little after 2:30 p.m. We had a great team of helpers including parents and students. The room itself was a disaster zone. I should have taken "before" pictures, but most of you saw the condition of the room. If you would have walked in around noon, you would have thought it was total chaos! It might have been a little confused chaos for a brief moment or two, but we all started pulling in the same direction and got it done! Everyone pitched in to pull everything away from the walls and we vacuumed every inch, nook and corner of the room. Shelves were dusted, music was alphabetized and filed and put away in the filing cabinet, the instrument cubbies were all individually cleaned, the trophies were dusted and rearranged, the windows were washed, chairs and music stands organized, and now the room is sparkling clean! What a great team of workers and I appreciate each of you that gave up your Saturday to pitch-in and help! Now, kids, you have to make the effort to keep the room clean!

Below are some pictures from today...

















We even organized the "lost and found" items and have a table out with items found, along with a box of clothes. The kids will have 3 days to reclaim any of their lost items and then they will disappear!



And now...the "after" pictures......

Busy Band Boosters...won't you join us?

Coke Fundraiser
A HUGE "THANK YOU" goes out to all who made the Coke fundraiser a success! First and foremost, I want to thank Peggy Oliver for heading up this fundraiser, gathering the orders, placing the orders and ensuring that the Coke man brings us the right stuff! We couldn't do this without you! And to the numerous workers who helped all day yesterday in filling the orders and getting them distributed...Roger Riley, Mr. Hand Truck professional (you rock!), Bill and Deannie Morris, Elizabeth Staten, Judy Rittenour, Julia Edwards, Jackie Morrison, Mrs. Streetman and the kids she let us borrow throughout the day, Barbara Grinstead, Diane Patterson, Cecilia Porterfield, and all the band students that helped 6th & 7th period and also those that stayed after school, Zack Shields, Taylor "Jimmy" McGregor, Duncan Galbreath, Jordan Berry, Brandon Patterson, Jonathon Riley...way to earn those Key Club hours! We also appreciate all those that let us use their handtrucks. This really was a team effort and we couldn't have done it without each of you!


Band Room Clean-up Day!
We only have 6 people signed up to work on cleaning up the band room! We need MORE HELP! Boosters will provide a pizza lunch for all those that come and help. The more help we have, the quicker we can get the job done. Please join us this Saturday, September 16th from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Even if you can only be there a few hours, your help would be greatly appreciated! Please email me at traceykirksey@knology.net if you plan to attend so I can have a "head count" for lunch.

Rooter Poms (Shakers) are in!
Our rooter poms have arrived and if you have joined Boosters, you are entitled to 1 free rooter pom (per family)! Come and see me Friday night to pick up your shaker. If you have not joined Boosters, now is a great time to do so! Please see any Booster officer to make your contribution.

ACA vs. St. James this Friday!
Just a reminder that band members are to be at St. James no later than 5:30 p.m. in half uniform (carrying jacket). Please remember your gloves, black socks, black shoes and shako! See you there!

Volunteers Needed!

We are in need of volunteers to help this Saturday, September 16th from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. for our Band Room Clean-up Day! We need ALL BAND STUDENTS and ALL BAND PARENTS to come help us clean and organize the band room. The more help we have, the less time it will take! Boosters will also provide a Pizza lunch for those who come and work. Please email me at traceykirksey@knology.net or acabands@yahoo.com if you can come and help. Even if you can come for only part of the time, any assistance will be greatly appreciated! We really need some strong boys and men to help move things. Come on fellas! Don't let the ladies do all the work! If your student is in Key Club, this is a great way to earn Key Club Volunteer Hours!

Announcements for the Week!

Coke Delivery
Cokes will be delivered to the school tomorrow. We are in need of volunteers to work from approximately 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Even if you can only come for a few hours, it would be greatly appreciated. We also are in need of hand trucks. Band students can help after school and earn Key Club hours. Parents may pick up orders between 12:00 - 2:00 p.m., and then again at 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. No pick-ups between 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. due to Elementary School dismissal.

Thank You Band Concessions Tent Volunteers & Clean-up Crew
I want to say a special thank you to all the 7th grade parents that worked the Concessions Tent the first half of the game so the Marching Band parents could see their kids perform. You guys did a great job! I also want to thank the Marching Band parents that worked the second half and all of you that stayed around a few minutes after the game to help clean-up the stadium. I was very impressed and I know it was greatly appreciated by our Athletic Boosters. Thank you for your service.

Friday's game vs. St. James
Students are to be at the game no later than 5:30 p.m. (half uniform, carrying jacket). Please remember all parts of your uniform...gloves, black socks, black shoes, shako. We also are in need of volunteers to help load the truck at 4:00 p.m. Again, this is a great project for band students that are in Key Club to earn hours.

Band Room Work-Day this Saturday, September 16th!
Our band room is a DISASTER zone! We are in need of parents and students to come and help clean-up the band room. We plan on working from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and will provide a pizza lunch for those that come to work. Please email me at traceykirksey@knology.net to let me know that you will be available to help, so I can have a head count. Remember, together we achieve much! We need as many volunteers as possible!

Thank you to all our hard working band parents. We know you do it for the kids and to better the ACA Band Program. We appreciate all of you! If you have any questions, concerns, problems, suggestions, please don't hesitate to email us at traceykirksey@knology.net or acabands@yahoo.com. Go eagles!

We Desperately Need Volunteers to Work Coke Delivery!

We Need YOU!
We are in desperate need of volunteers to work this Wednesday, September 13th during our Coke distribution and delivery day. We need workers able to lift cases of Cokes, etc. and we also need hand trucks. The Cokes will be delivered between 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. and then we will start breaking down the orders and separating them.

Parents may pick up orders between 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. However, NO orders may be picked up between 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. due to the Elementary School pick-up. Pick-up times will resume from 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. All orders must be picked up on Wednesday by 6:00 p.m. Please email me at traceykirksey@knology.net or Peggy Oliver at poliver@alabamachristian.com if you are able to help us on Wednesday. Any assistance, even if only for a few hours, would be greatly appreciated!

Friday Night's Game and Next Week's Rehearsal Schedule

Friday, September 8th Football Game
The marching band is to be at the school in half uniform (pants and band t-shirt), no later than 5:30 p.m. Make sure you have every item of the uniform, band t-shirt, jacket, gloves, black socks, band shoes, shako. You must have the band t-shirt on under your uniform--no other kind of t-shirt is acceptable.

Clean-up after the Game
Don't forget that band parents need to stay a few minutes after the game and help the football parents with clean-up. This involves picking up trash in the stands and throughout the stadium and emptying the trash cans. Let's do our part in working together!

Rehearsals for the week of September 11th - 15th
The band will be rehearsing after school on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday until 5:30 p.m. Please note the change on Monday--no sectionals, full band rehearsal until 5:30 p.m. Keep it up, kids, your hard work is paying off!

Band Concessions Tent
Please stop by the Band Concessions Tent located beside the scoreboard to purchase a refreshing sno cone or sweet treat for your family! Help support the ACA Band Program and Band Boosters!

Band T-Shirts
Band t-shirts are available to all band family members, friends, etc. Band students in the 6th and 7th grade bands can also purchase a band t-shirt. Please email Elizabeth Staten at Epoohstaten@aol.com to place your order. We have to have a minimum number of shirts before an order can be placed. You can also place your order with Elizabeth at the game Friday night!

Coke Distribution Volunteers Needed
Cokes will be delivered on Wednesday, September 13th. We are in desperate need of hand trucks and some strong men and women to help us with filling the orders and distribution. More details will be emailed on Monday regarding the times we need volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, please see Peggy Oliver, Tracey Kirksey or Elizabeth Staten.

Band Booster Memberships
We are striving to reach our goal of 100% Band Booster Memberships. Please stop by the Concessions Tent for a Booster Brochure or to join the Band Boosters! Together we achieve much!

Announcements for the Week!

T-Shirts
If you have not paid for your child's band t-shirt, or if you would like to order a t-shirt for yourself or any family member, please email Elizabeth Staten at Epoohstaten@aol.com.



Travel Fee & Glove Money
I still have several that have not paid their $5 for gloves and $10 for their transportation fee from this past Friday's away game. Please email me at traceykirksey@knology.net or acabands@yahoo.com if you have any questions about whether your child has paid or not. Payment can be sent to the school and marked "Band Boosters" on the envelope and they will put it in my box, or you can see me Friday night at the football game. Neither of these charges are meant to create a hardship. There are scholarships available for those in need. Please see me and it will be handled with the utmost of privacy.



Band Booster Concessions Tent & Clean Up
Part of our arrangement with the Athletic Department and Mr. Sewell regarding the Band Booster Concessions Tent was that we would have Band Parents stay after the football game and help the Athletic Boosters clean up the stadium by picking up trash and emptying the trash cans. They were gracious enough to allow us to have a Booster Concessions Tent, but our concessions creates more trash and we need to do our part by working together to clean the stadium. Please remain a few minutes after the game and pick up any trash you may see. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! Many hands make little work!



Coke Delivery
Cokes will be delivered on Wednesday, September 13th. We need strong men with good backs to assist us in organizing and filling the orders. We also are in need of several hand trucks. If you have one we can borrow that day, or you are able to assist us with the orders, please email me at traceykirksey@knology.net or acabands@yahoo.com or see Peggy Oliver. Cokes must be picked up on Wednesday. High School pick-up time is from 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. Orders must be picked up by the band member/parent and may not be picked up by each customer on your list. It is the responsibility of the band student/parent to deliver the Cokes to each customer.

As always, if you have any questions, problems, suggestions or complaints, please feel free to email either Gary or Tracey Kirksey at acabands@yahoo.com or traceykirksey@knology.net. We thank you for your support of the ACA Band Program!