SVMS Band Update
May 1, 2026
End of School Update
Hi all! We've almost made it! The end of school is in sight! Please look carefully at the Upcoming Events section below for info about Beginning Band Bash, Spring Concert, Graduation Band, Drumline Mini-Camp, and a mandatory Marching Band Parent Meeting.
Any students with a practice instrument at home needs to return that to school the night of the spring concert. Mr. Fields has already announced this in class.
We will be having a mandatory parent meeting for all marching band winds & percussion parents/guardian on Tuesday, May 19, 5:30 pm, in the SVHS Band Room. We will go over important information for the coming year!
Also, if you are involved in Marching Band next year and haven't joined our Band App group, please download the Band App and CLICK HERE TO JOIN!
Also, after much consideration, the band program will be changing music stores and will now be using Art's Music Shop. They have a representative that lives in Northport and will be available to call on the band much more regularly. If you have an instrument from Gadsden Music that you are renting-to-own and need it serviced as part of your insurance plan, let Mr. Fields know and he will contact them to have it picked up. Our new Art's rep will be able to work on any name brand instruments in the band room or take them in for service.
Important Dates
May 6 – Beginning Band Bash (Band 1) - Leave @ 8:45, Return before school gets out.
Field trip to UA to perform with other TCSS beginning bands
Must be continuing in band next school year to participate!
Attire: SVMS Band T-Shirt & Jeans
Bring instrument & band binder
Thursday, May 7 – Spring Concert @ SVMS Gym (Band 1 & 2) - 6:30 pm – Free Admission
Band 1: Warm-Up @ 6:00; Wear SVMS Band T-Shirt & Jeans
Band 2: Warm-Up @ 5:30; Wear Formal Concert Attire
Wednesday, May 13 -- Graduation Band (8th-11th Grade Members Only)
- 8th Graders report directly to SVHS Band Room that morning
- 8:30 - Depart for Coleman Coliseum/Unload/Set-Up
- 10:00 - Graduation Practice
- 11:00ish - Move instruments/etc. to storage area
- 11:30ish - Lunch @ Cook Out (BRING MONEY!)/Walking Tour of UA Campus
- 2:00 - Arrive back at Coleman Coliseum/Change into Concert Attire
- 2:30 - Wait to enter Coliseum floor
- 3:00 - Warm-Up
- 4:00 - Ceremony Begins
- 5:30ish - Depart for SVHS
- 6:00ish - Arrive @ SVHS & Unload
Monday, May 18 - Drumline Mini-Camp (SVHS Band Room), 3:30-5:00
Tuesday, May 19 - Drumline Mini-Camp (SVHS Band Room), 3:30-5:00
Tuesday, May 19 - Mandatory Winds & Percussion Marching Band Parent Meeting (SVHS Band Room), 5:30 pm
Supplies
If you need to purchase supplies for your student, you may do so in one of several ways:
- Online at https://www.artsmusicshop.com/
- Call Art's Music Shop (Birmingham - 205-995-8376) and order via phone with a card
- Send cash or check to Mr. Fields (see the image at right for prices)
Beginning Band clarinets & alto saxes should have strength 2.5 reeds until they are told otherwise. All others should have strength 3.0.
Amazon Supplies
Good Clarinet Reeds - Recommended for Beginning Band or Marching Band
Synthetic Clarinet Reed - Marching Band Only - Get Strength 2.5
Good Alto Sax Reeds - Recommended for Beginning Band or Marching Band
Synthetic Alto Sax Reed - Marching Band Only - Get Strength 2.5
Better Bari Sax Reeds - Get Strength 2.5
Snare Drum Practice Pad - Recommend 12"