It was raining again!

-- NEWS RELEASE --

The 8^th grade intermediate band students from Southside Middle School have been performing at the home games for the SMS football team this season, with their final performance this past Monday.

“These kids only have one year experience on their instruments,” said Michael Bird, band director.  “But, I feel it’s important for these students to see what it’s like to play outdoors, since they will be expected to walk out of my band room at the end of the year and march with the high school band over the summer.”

The SMS Band also performed with the Pride of Tallassee last Friday evening, so it has been a busy few days for the middle school musicians.

“We were part of a patriotic show the high school band put together,” Mr. Bird continued.  “We played ‘God Bless the USA’ while the color guard unfurled a huge American flag on the 50-yard line.  It was a great experience for the 8^th grade band members to perform for such an appreciative crowd, and the high school students made a good impression on the middle school band members.”

While the 8^th grade band has been invited to play with the high school band on many occasions over the years, this was something new.

“We used to just sit in the stands with them and play ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’,” Mr. Bird said, “but Mr. Glasscock has allowed us to become more active participants in recent years.  We played not only the National Anthem and the Lee Greenwood tune, but we also played the ‘Alma Mater’ with the high school band, which was nice.”

The 8^th grade band is through with football for now, but Mr. Bird looks forward to the upcoming Christmas programs.

“This year, our drama department is going to put on a short pageant, and the beginner and intermediate bands will perform a few Christmas songs, followed by desserts made by the band parents.”

The Christmas Concert at Southside is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8.