DEGA DARLINS

We have several rehearsals on the calendar for this month. Please check www.degaband.com often for updates and such.

We will have our regular scheduled practices with Brian to work on the show. We will also have a rehearsal on Thursday, December 18, 2008, following band practice.

Please work on the material that Brian has already written for us on your own. Keep in mind that due to our schedules now, we do not have class time to work on this.... it will require that you do a little more on your own. It will also mean that we will have to add rehearsals here and there so that we can clean and prepare between visits from Brian.

Reminder: please keep up to date on your fees.

I hope you guys are doing well and I look forward to the upcoming concert and hearing you guys perform!

Just a reminder that our Monday night rehearsals begin with Brian tomorrow night, Monday, December 1, 2008. It will be from 5pm-7:30pm.

I will announce the location in class tomorrow. (We are hoping ZEJH).

See you tomorrow night!

took a while, but here they are... and I really need the ones from the pep-rally off of Mr. McDaniels computer for you guys... I will check on that.

Finally... I had a minute to put some pictures on here... enjoy.

These are from the camp, which I have to say again was GREAT!

Last year we took a fieldtrip to see the Alabama Ballet perform the Nutcracker. I just ran across this and thought I would share.

Click Here to see a clip from this years preparation of the same event.

So marching season is officially over. Which means we are now in the concert season and about to enter winterguard! I am so extremely excited about it this year, and especially our lock-in next weekend.
Start thinking about everything you will need to bring. (and fun stuff we can do!)

Congratulations to everyone for doing so well in chair tryouts! We all just jumped right back into playing our instruments. And good luck on learning your instruments Bobbi, Kelsey, Kayla, and Chrissy :)



i love you all!

I just wanted to let you know that the Dega Darlins Addition and the Ellis Emeralds will be rehearsing afterschool until 5:00 tomorrow (11/4). As always you help is welcome and appreciated. The younger girls really benefit from your expertise.

Also, stop by www.scgconline.org and see who all is signed up for you class.

There is never a time that you perform that I don't just stand back and watch with pure amazement. Tonight was one of those instances for sure! YOU LADIES did an awesome job. I know that the Ellis Emeralds and the Jr. High band enjoyed having you as a part of their homecoming festivities, as well, as the very complementary and receptive audience.

As for the C.D. mishap... well... apparently those happen .... a lot... but you could not have handled it any better. I was in the press box and could hear the music and was simply convinced that you could too by the way I saw you guys performing....what GREAT teamwork and performance ability..... and I must say... rhythm...wow... you were with the c.d. and could not even hear it...haha.

Next week is your homecoming week and of course we have a full plate.... along with all of those festivities, we need to forge ahead and clean, clean, clean, on the show work. At the next contest they recognize best in class.... that's our goal! What am I talking about... we want best for the day!

Brian will be here on Monday, Oct. 18th, from 5pm-8pm to finish the pep-rally dance and to further clean the show stuff... so like always, you do not have to come to the normal rehearsal on Monday.

Meanwhile... I look forward to a great rehearsal on Thursday and a great game... AT HOME this week... woohoo!

By the way, how about those halloween costumes?

I just wanted to remind you guys about practice on Monday, October 6, 2008. It will be at THS from 5-6:30 p.m. The major issue at hand is the dance for the ZEJH Homecoming game.

Also, Tuesday, October 7, 2008, will be the ZEJH Homecoming game.

The game begins at 5:00 p.m. There has been talk of you guys performing between the two games, or at the beginning following the homecoming festivities. I will find out for sure and post it as soon as possible. You do need to plan on attending normal after school practice on Tuesday, however, you will be released early. (I am sorry to be so vague, but I want you to have an idea of what is going on. You will get the DETAILS at practice on Monday.) We will also discuss what we will wear on Monday.

Ladies keep up the good work and hold your head high knowing that the Dega Darlins are an important part of not only the Talladega High School Band, but Talladega High School in general. I am so proud of you guys and look forward to what is to come.

I also wanted to let you know that the schedule for winter guard will be given at the next band booster meeting, which is Tuesday. Please let your parents know so that they may attend and ask any questions that they may have. This is the regularly scheduled meeting and begins at 6:30 p.m. in the THS Bandroom.

I wanted to let all of you know that I am very proud of the way that we all dealt with such chaos last night! So good job! (and Kayla, we will definitely have to alter what you set. ha)
Throughout this week, we need to get completely prepared for Friday and especially Saturday.

Also, I have been looking for themes for our Halloween costumes. I have several ideas that have more than 10 characters each, so we need to get together (maybe Wednesday after practice) and decide which theme we will go with.

See you Monday!

Good job at practice Saturday! (I hope you all aren't as sunburned as me. Ha)

This week, I really want to focus on the new work we got monday and yesterday. And more cleaning! So be prepared. :]

-Make sure you have all of your equipment everyday (if any of it needs to be re-taped or exchanged, tell me and I'll make sure you get it.)
-Practice your sabre work (correctly!).
-Bring clothes everyday to dress out during class.

And if we are completely set on our Halloween costumes, we need to pick characters :)

Thank you girls! <3





Oh, and thanks those of you who stuck around on Wednesday to help out with the Emeralds. I appreciate it, and always feel free to do so.

Remember that practice tomorrow will be from 5:00-8:00, and we get to learn the last portion of our show! Make sure you are prepared (eat, bring water...)

We start dressing out in class tomorrow and pass offs start too. So definitely be prepared for that.

Have a wonderful Sunday! <3

Lacey, Ariel, Gereka, Bobbi, Kayla, Kelsey, Meggi, Tisha, Chrissy, and Allison.

I just wanted to tell you guys that I hope you have a great Friday. The pep-rally, game, etc. I hope it all goes really well. I know you will shine, because you always do. I am so proud of each of you guys and look forward to what the rest of the season has to offer. I think you are off to a very good start. Keep working hard and keep raising the bar!

• For the Pep-rally: Pep-rally uniforms, black pep-rally shoes with black socks earrings, hair up in a bun (if I were you I would go ahead and fix it for that night; no bangs or loose hair hanging down) Hairspray.... girls... hairspray.... and pins! No exceptions.


• Make up should be visible.... Kelsey will do eyes this year... be sure to look Performance READY!


• Don't forget your Gauntlets, both red and black! You will not perform without them!


• YOU must take care of your equipment. Even if someone else offers it is ultimately your responsibility. (Red flag, sabre, poms, bags, etc.)


• Uniforms for band members this year will be in the ZEJH Bandroom. Because they are using Dixon while doing renovations on Graham we will have to make adjustments. (it is possible that we can use the bathroom in the gym.. it is hot in there, but you will need some access I am sure; I would get as close to ready as I could before coming.)


• All band members will meet at Dixon for warm-up. Warm-up BEGINS at 5:30.... be early... do not get in the arc late. We will go over together... meet at the bandroom first!


• We will put some things on the cart, such as hats and tamborines....


• Be sure to use your flag bag for your flag, sabre and cape....if you do not still have yours its is probably in the guard room or see.... Lacey.

Just a reminder..... we are a group. It is not about individuals on the night of a game. Come prepared to do your part and participate as a piece of a puzzle and not a star of a show. Everyone is visible and must do her part the entire night... not just on the field.

Remember that our practice time for tomorrow has been changed. We do not have to be at practice directly after school, because Brian is coming to teach more choreography. :D
Practice will start at 5:00 and will last until 8:00. So make sure you have enough water and eat something beofore you come!
Thank you.

What a great surprise for so many of you to stay after your already long day today and help with the Dega Darlins JV and Ellis Emerald clinic. The atmosphere that was created by the additional help and willingness of all involved was GREAT! I am so excited to see such a great group of young ladies so involved in what they are doing and sharing that with others.

As I walked around the room today and observed you all working in small groups with the younger girls, I knew then that I had to mention the amount of quality leadership that we are soooooo fortunate to have in our group. Ever single one of you was very effectively giving instruction, examples and encouragement from the oldest girl there to the newest. WOW! and Thanks! I appreciated your efforts and I know the younger girls did too.

A special Thanks to Lacey for all of your instruction and guidance, as well as Rebekah for taking the time to come back and help out as well.

I just wanted to remind you all about picture day this Monday. As we should all know, it starts at 3.30 and is going to be at the stadium. Make sure you have your hair in a bun and your make-up! Also be sure you wear the appropriate undergarments and bring BLACK SOCKS. The last I heard is that we aren't sure if our shoes will be in by then so socks are crucial (and if you have black jazz shoes from a previous year it wouldn't hurt to bring those).
and thank you for a great first performance last night. Good job :)

See you Monday!

Santa Clara Van Guard arrived on campus early this morning. They are scheduled to rehearse today from 1:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m. before going to Jacksonville State University for the show scheduled for tonight.

Feel free to come by and observe an award winning group in action. Stay for 10 minutes or for the entire 4 hours, its up to you!

Don't miss this great opportunity!

Hey girls!
I know recently we have been trying to learn some leaps, turns, and and such,so I figured I could find something that can break down the basics of how to do them a whole lot better than I can. :)

Justforkix.com ( youtube.com/jfkvideos )has a wide variety of leaps, turns, and stretching techniques that we could all adopt to make us just that much stronger.

I hope they help!

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.

The Rehearsal time for Tueday, July 22, 2008, has been changed. We will have rehearsal during the day from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. in order to accomadate the seamstress for our uniform fitting. This is the only time that she can come and fit the uniforms, so be sure you are there. We will practice following the fitting. (Be sure to eat an early lunch before you come.)

The above Composite picture is the start of a new tradition. This composite was put together to showcase the 2007-2008 Dega Darlins and their season, featuring an individual picture of each member, a group shot in the middle and a written summary of each competition attended, as well as all awards won. These composites will be made yearly and displayed outside the THS Bandroom in the hallway.

Do you want to own your very own copy of this poster? Cost per poster is $20.00 and can be purchased at the THS Bandroom, on a first come first serve basis. Get your poster now!

There are also several other picture opportunities available through Bateman Photo, a professional photography group. You may view those options by clicking on the links below.
(on some links you may need to click the play button)

SCGC Team Poster
Action Photos from SCGC Championships
Group Photos (click on the next arrow to view both pictures)

The Dega Darlins kicked off the year with thier annual Dance Camp held each June. Choreographer Brian McLemore came in and began the routines for the upcoming Fall Show, "Who's That Masked Man?" With a lot of promise from just three days of work, this looks like it is going to be a GREAT year. Thank you ladies and Brian for a job well done!

If you will notice at the very bottom of the blog there is a section that has pictures. Anyone who has additional pictures of the Dega Darlins and would like to share them please email them to Ms. Todd or drop them by the bandroom if you have several.

The Dates and Times for the June Summer Camp have been set for the Dega Darlins. We will meet on:
Thursday, June 12, 2008; 8a.m. - 11:30a.m.
Friday, June 13, 2008; 5 p.m - 9 p.m.
Saturday, June 14, 2008; 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Brian will be here on Friday and Saturday to start Choreography for the show! Be sure to wear clothing and shoes that are appropriate for this.