Tuesday, August 18, 2026

This Week! (8/18)

Hi Everyone,


Here is everything you need to know about this week:


Tuesday -

Marching Band Rehearsal - 3:45 - 6:30 PM

Band Booster Club Meeting - 7:00 PM in the band room


Wednesday - OFF


Thursday -

Marching Band Rehearsal - 3:45 - 6:30


Friday -

First game of the season! We are HOME vs PCHS. It is also 8th grade night. Depending on the weather, we may wear our casual uniform or our regular uniform. We will let the students know as we get closer to Friday. Students should plan to be in the band room, ready to go, no later than 6 PM. Members of the student leadership team should report by 5:15 PM.

Kickoff is at 7:30 PM. High school football games are generally over between 10 PM and 10:30 PM, but that varies depending on how much we run the ball vs. throw the ball.

Here is the link to purchase tickets for the game: South Paulding High School Events and Tickets by GoFan

Other important things to keep on your radar:

1 - Our annual March-A-Thon is next Saturday, 8/28, from 8 AM to 12 PM. This is a rehearsal for the marching band, but is also used as a way for students to raise funds towards their fees. It works like any "pledge" type fundraiser where people can choose to give as much as they like. Our goal is to have this run ONLINE this year through Simple Raise. More information to come on this tomorrow.

2 - Today is the last day to buy spiritwear items from the spirit wear store. Here is the link:

South Paulding High School Band Store

3 - Band Composite Photos. We sent order forms home TODAY with your students. We will be taking photos during the school day on August 25th. Please see the message below from PDI, our photo company, and let us know if you have any questions.

PARENTS, 


BAND PICTURES ARE TUESDAY, AUGUST 25th!


Parents, your child will be bringing an order form home. If you do not get the order form you can order online. We encourage parents to Pre-Order Online at pdiportraits.com. If you pre-order online BY picture day you will receive a FREE 2027 Photo Calendar. Parents will have to enter the coupon code from the order form or in this email below, in order to NOT be charged shipping when you order online. If you DO NOT have an order form please use the Coupon Code below at checkout for online orders. ALL Orders will be shipped back to the Teacher UNLESS You pay the $6.95 shipping fee ONLINE.

The Coupon Code is (Online Orders ONLY): 082526

AUGUST 25th is the LAST DAY to take advantage of the FREE 2027 PHOTO CALENDAR OFFER! 


Order Today at pdiportraits.com! Or scan the QR code!


Monday, May 18, 2026

End of Year Information

Good Afternoon Everyone!


We are looking forward to performing at graduation this week!  All of our underclassmen are required to perform at graduation.  Students who are performing at graduation should be at the school no later than 5:30 PM on Thursday the 22nd.  We have told students to wear "Sunday Best".  This means no blue jeans, no tee shirts, and no tennis shoes.  We have also told them that what they wear must be school appropriate. The band is providing pizza for our kids on Thursday.


Students who are driving themselves should pick up a parking pass from Mr. McConnell tomorrow in class.


Students who are being dropped off for the performance should plan to be dropped off at the street near the bus entrance and walk down to SPHS. PARENTS - please don't pull into SPHS to drop off your student - it will be almost impossible for you to get back out and it will significantly slow down the flow of parking on Thursday.



The ceremony begins at 8:00 PM and should conclude sometime around 10:00 PM.



**Parents!  We are seeking help to sell water at Graduation this year!  You can sign up to help directly on Cut Time.  We currently need 7 more volunteers. Parents who are helping should plan to arrive around 5:00 PM.  Parking for water volunteers is by the SPHS Softball Field.  We are sending Parking Passes for those who are selling water home WEDNESDAY the 20th with your student. **


We are planning on loading as much of our equipment as possible on our trailers immediately following graduation on Thursday to transport to Scoggins for the summer. We will take as much parent help as we can get loading Thursday evening. We have to have everything out of SPHS for the renovation on Friday.


Lastly... we are looking for three people to pull trailers for us on Friday morning. Our plan is to leave SPHS at 9 AM to take our first load of equipment to Scoggins, return to SPHS and take a second load of equipment. We should be done by 12 PM. Parents - please let Mr. McConnell or Dr. Lightner know if you are available and would be willing to pull a trailer for us on Friday.


Please let us know if you have any questions.

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Upcoming Events

Hi Everyone,

The end of the semester is quickly approaching! Here is everything you need to know about the next few weeks:

Spring Concert:

Monday the 11th is our Spring Band Concert.  The concert will start at 6:30 PM and students are wearing their formal wear (tuxedos and concert dresses.)  All students should plan to arrive by 5:30. We are excited to show you what we have been working on since LGPE and, as always, the concert is free to attend.


Band Banquet Information:

Thursday the 14th we are holding our annual end of year Band Banquet!  This year we are again hosting the event in the SPHS Football Stadium.  Food Trucks will be ready to serve at 5:30 pm. This should provide enough time for everyone to eat before the start of our banquet at 7 pm.  We will have multiple trucks here, including: Doughnut NV, Tom's Coffee, Kona Ice, Triple B's, Vivi's Empanadas.  All awards and recognitions will begin promptly at 7 PM, so we encourage you to arrive early!

Here are the menus for the banquet:

Doughnut NV

Triple B's

Vivi's Empanadas


Spring Carnival:

We are looking for volunteers to work for the band's booth this weekend at our SPHS Spring Carnival from 9:30 PM - 2:00 PM. Anyone interested should reach out to Mr. McConnell.


Performance Projects:

End of semester performance projects are due back in on May 15th. STUDENTS - it is OK to turn them in BEFORE the 15th. SENIORS should plan to turn them in the day they take their final exam in band.


Graduation:

The band is performing at graduation this year. All of our underclassmen are required to perform at graduation.  Students who are performing at graduation should be at the school no later than 5:30 PM on Thursday the 21st.  Students will wear "Sunday Best".  This means no blue jeans, no tee shirts, and no tennis shoes.  We have also told them that what they wear must be school appropriate. The band is providing pizza for our kids on Thursday.


The ceremony begins at 8:00 PM and should conclude sometime around 10:00 PM.

Parents!  We are once again seeking help to sell water at Graduation this year!  You can sign up to help directly on Cut Time.  Parents who are helping should plan to arrive around 5:00 PM.  Parking for water volunteers is by the SPHS Softball Field.  We are sending Parking Passes for those who are selling water home WEDNESDAY the 20th with your student. 

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Monday, May 4, 2026

This Week! (5/5)

Hi Everyone,


Here is everything you need to know about this week:

  1. Our next Band Booster Club meeting is tomorrow (Tuesday the 5th) at 7:00 PM in the SPHS Band Room.

  2. Our marching band commitment fee is due tomorrow (Tuesday the 5th). As a reminder, this MUST be paid on time in order to secure your child's spot in the marching band next year. Payments can be made online through Cut Time or using cash / check / money order in person during our booster club meeting.


Thanks!

Monday, March 23, 2026

This Week! (3/24)

Good Afternoon,

 

Last week was an incredible week of performances for the band program!  Our students represented South with class, dignity, and excellence last week.  To say we are proud of them would be an understatement.


  Below is an update for everything happening this week:

 

Monday –

8th Grade New Member Meeting @ 6:00 PM

 

Tuesday –

Percussion Ensemble Rehearsal at 7:45 AM

Percussion Spring Training from 4 PM – 7 PM. 

Winterguard Rehearsal from 3:45 PM – 6:45 PM

Winterguard “Friends and Family” performance in the Main Gym at 6:45 PM. 

Band Booser Club Meeting @ 7 PM

 

Wednesday - 

Jazz Band Rehearsal at 7:45 AM


Thursday –

Winterguard Rehearsal from 3:45 PM – 7:00 PM

Paulding County Honor Band (located at NPHS)


Friday - 

Paulding County Honor Band @ NPHS

 

Saturday -

 

SAPA Championships for our Winterguard.

 

Logistics for Saturday, March 28th.

Our official performance time is 12:52 PM.  

Our students should plan to meet at our equipment van located in the parking lot at UTC Arena.  Here is the address: McKenzie Arena University of Tennessee Chattanooga 720 East 4th Street Chattanooga, TN 37403

 

Here is the schedule:

10:45 AM - Students Arrive at UTC

11:45 AM - Unload Equipment

12:27 PM Official Warm-up Time

12:52 PM - Performance

3:36 PM - Retreat

 

Tickets for this weekend are $28.50 and are good for admission on Saturday and Sunday.   Tickets can be purchased through the link below.  Parking is free.  Tickets cannot be purchased at the door and no cash will be accepted at the event for concessions.  Here is the link to purchase tickets:  


SAPA 2026 | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - UTC 


Please let us know if you have any questions.  Thank you!

Saturday, February 28, 2026

LGPE 2026 Schedule

Hi Everyone,


Below is all of the information you need to know about LGPE for this year.

Our Concert Band and Symphonic Band both perform on March 17th.  Our Wind Ensemble performs on March 18th.  All performances will take place at the Carroll County School District Performing Arts Center.  Parents - this event is free for you to attend.  We would love to have your support in the audience!  As always, parents are more than welcome to take their children home after they perform and sight-read.  Please just sign your child out from our lead chaperone so that we may keep track of everyone.  Please feel free to let us know if you have any questions.


South Paulding Concert Band and Symphonic Band 

Tuesday, March 17th, 2026


Students in the Symphonic Band and Concert Band will need bring money for dinner!


10:10 AM - Students report to the band room.  Students change into Formal Wear / load equipment on the trailer.

10:15 AM - Students eat lunch

10:45 AM - Students depart for the Carroll County Performing Arts Center

11:45 PM - Students arrive at the Carroll County Performing Arts Center

12:45 PM - Concert Band starts Warm Up

1:30 PM - Concert Band Performs

2:40 PM - Symphonic Band starts Warm Up

3:40 PM - Symphonic Band Performs

5:00 PM - Symphonic Band and Concert Band load equipment and depart for Carrollton Chic fil A.

5:30 PM - Arrive for Dinner

6:30 PM - Depart for SPHS

7:15 PM - Arrive at SPHS


South Paulding Wind Ensemble
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026


Students in the Wind Ensemble need to bring money to eat dinner!

4:30 PM - Wind Ensemble Departs SPHS

5:20 PM - Wind Ensemble Arrives at Carroll County Performing Arts Center

6:40 PM – Wind Ensemble Warms Up

7:20 PM – Wind Ensemble Performs

8:15 PM – Wind Ensemble loads equipment and departs for Carrollton Chic fil A.

8:35 PM - Arrive for Dinner

9:20 PM - Depart for SPHS

9:45 PM - Arrive at SPHS

Monday, February 9, 2026

Pre-LGPE Concert Information

Hi Everyone,


Our Pre-LGPE Concert is on Tuesday, February 24th.  This is the Tuesday right after we get back from the break.  Here is everything you need to know:


This is a preview concert.  There is no cost to attend and we would love to have as many people there to support our students as possible!  This will be the first time we wear our concert tuxedos and dresses this year.  Our $20 Concert Uniform fee will also be due on 2/24. Parents, you should see that charge on your student's account sometime today.



SPHS Pre-LGPE Concert - 2/24/2026

5:00 PM - All Students arrive at SPHS and change into Concert Uniforms

5:15 PM - Students warm up in the Band Room

6:00 PM - Austin Middle School performs in the theater.  All of our students will be in the theater to support AMS!

6:30 PM - SPHS Bands begin to perform

8:00 PM - Concert Ends