Our Panther-In-Training or PIT Crew began four years ago and it was a huge success, so we want to continue to bring the opportunities to the upcoming 8th grade students at Hampton Cove and Huntsville Junior High. THIS IS FOR 8TH GRADE STUDENTS IN BAND or middle school siblings of current band students who are also in band!
We created this group to give your student a reward for being successful in your middle school band and to give you and your family a hint of what high school band is like. Students must be in good behavior, good attendance, and good academic standing with your band as well as your school.
If selected, you would participate in select high school band events. To give you an idea, PIT Crew members were asked to choose at least 4 events in the Fall (football games, band competitions, parades) last year, but some chose to do more and that's great! Most of these happen on Friday night or Saturday. As a member of PIT Crew, you will get a band t-shirt, sit in the stands with the band (no instruments at least at first), learn our stand choreography, make new friends, and perhaps be given some additional responsibilities. In the case of a competition or away football game, you would get to travel with the band. You will also get to help do some important things in the band such as help move props or instruments to prepare for the game or halftime - basically learning some of the responsibilities of a HHS Band member! There are other perks along the way. We will also invite you to our big band banquet (typically at Stovehouse Banquet hall) at the end of the year. Parents are responsible for getting students to the home game (Milton Frank) or to HHS to leave on a school bus for an away game.
To apply, fill out this application. We will also check your standing with your band director! Not sure if you want to apply? Talk to a member of the pit crew from your school last year! They had a blast! If you get accepted, a second form will come out for you to officially select your events.
**As always, YOUR band events at HCMS or HJHS will trump being a member of PIT Crew, so you would never be asked to sign up for an event to miss a HCMS or HJHS band event**
Here are a list of events you will be able to sign up for:
Events to choose from (pick 4 minimum)
Friday, Sept 1 - Game against Oxford at Oxford HS (we will depart DURING school hours, so please be aware of this) 2:00-12:00 am. School buses
Friday, Sept. 8 Game against Grissom at Milton Frank. 5:30-10:00 pm (meet at Milton Frank)
Friday, Sept.15 Away Game vs. James Clemens at Madison City Stadium 5:00-10:00 pm (travel on school buses)
Friday, September 22nd - Game against Bob Jones at Joe Davis Stadium 5:30 - 10:00 pm (meet at Joe Davis)
Saturday, Sept 23 - Marching Competition at Madison City Stadium - School Buses. Depart in the early afternoon. Return late.
Friday, Sept. 29 Game against Mae Jemison at Milton Frank. 5:30-10:00 pm Day before Fall Break starts. (meet at Milton Frank)
THURSDAY, Oct. 5 - FALL BREAK GAME vs. Albertville at Milton Frank This is a game during Fall Break 5:30-10:00 pm Meet at Milton Frank
Thursday, October 12 - Homecoming Parade. 5- 7 pm (tentative). Meet at Huntsville High School.
Friday, Oct. 13 - Game against Florence at Milton Frank Stadium (Homecoming) 5:30-10:00 pm. Meet at Milton Frank.
Friday, Oct.20 Away Game vs. Sparkman at Sparkman High School. 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm. School buses
Saturday, October 21 - Marching Competition at Hoover, Al. Depart early afternoon and return late. Charter Buses
Friday, October 27th - Game vs. Austin at Alabama A&M. 5:00 - 10:30 pm (We take school buses to this game)
Saturday, October 28th Competition at Rome, Georgia. Leave early afternoon and return late. Charter buses.
THURSDAY, November 2nd - Game vs. Hazel Green at Milton Frank (senior night). 5:30-10:00 pm. Milton Frank (meet at game)
Nov. - Possible playoffs
Saturday, November 11th - Veteran's Day Parade. Downtown Huntsville. 10 am - 1 pm
Pit Crew members are invited to the end of the year band banquet with the HHS Band.
