HHS band hosting 7th annual marching festival

By Staff
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
The high school football season may be half over, but a season full of musical events is just getting under way for the band.
The Hartselle High School Marching Band will hold its 7th annual Southern Hospitality Marching Festival on Saturday, Oct. 26 at the stadium starting at 2:30 p.m.
Band director Dexter Greenhaw said the all-day event will feature more than 20 bands from North Alabama and southern Tennessee, including the University of North Alabama Marching Band.
"This will be a homecoming for many Hartselle High students," Greenhaw said. "Several of our students continue on to play for the UNA band. It will be nice for them to play on their home field again."
Other high schools attending the festival are Falkville, Curry, Sheffield, Danville, Madison County, Fyffe, Hazel Green, Good Gope, Elkmont, Moody, Oak Grove, East limestone, Sparkman, Brewer, and Ardmore.
Greenhaw said the band is seeking financial support for the event from local merchants. Funding will be used to buy trophies and merchants will be recognized in the event's program.
"Hartselle is a hospitable town and has an excellent facility to host this event," Greenhaw said. "Many of our visitors will antique shop and eat downtown between performances. It's just a great opportunity for the entire town and fundraiser for the band."
Festival trophies will be awarded in the following categories: marching, music, majorettes, color guard, drum major and percussion.
Adult and student admission for the event is $5. Non-student children's admission is free.
But that's not all the band has been up to.
The HHS Marching Band will leave tomorrow for a four-day trip to Orlando's Walt Disney World where they will participate in the "100 Years of Magic Walt Disney World Birthday Parade" in the Magic Kingdom.
Band members plan to enjoy the theme park, dine at Planet Hollywood and stay at the All-Star Music Resort.
Earlier this month, Greenhaw said the band attended the Greater Birmingham Marching Festival and received superior ratings in each category.
"With homecoming, the Disney trip and the festivals all happening within a span of three weeks, things have really been hopping for the band," Greenhaw said. "The band has really worked hard this year and they make me work hard to find the right kind of music for them."
Greenhaw said the band's musical presentation for football season is entitled "That 70s Show." The band, 120 members strong, plays disco-era favorites like "Evil Woman," "Got to Get You in My Life," "I've Got the Music in Me," and "Brick House" in the stands and on the field.
Another musical season the band is currently gearing up for is Christmas.
"The band will be on hand for the annual Christmas parade, Christmas Open House and the Christmas concert," Greenhaw said. "Usually the band is busiest in the spring, but this year has just been packed full of exciting events from the day we started back to school."