Band
Students at Tuscaloosa County High School have countless opportunities to get involved—from participating in ensembles to performing at annual events to earning state recognition. TCHS boasts a rich fine arts legacy and our band students are no exception!
On this page, you'll find a band calendar, audition details, important documents and resources, and so much more. Please email Director of Bands Mr. Nick McDonald or Associate Director of Bands Ms. Emily Gray with any questions.
Important Documents
- Fall 2026 Marching Band Schedule
- Football Game Itinerary
- Band Camp Schedule
- Program Information Flyer
Fall 2026 Marching Band Schedule
Fall 2026 Band Schedule
- Aug 21, 2026: TCHS vs Hillcrest (HOME) 7:00 PM
- Aug 28, 2026: TCHS vs Central (AWAY) 7:00 PM
- Sep 4, 2026: TCHS vs Prattville (AWAY) 7:00 PM
- Sep 11, 2026: TCHS vs Hewitt-Trussville (HOME) 7:00 PM
- Sep 18, 2026: TCHS vs Thompson (AWAY) 7:00 PM
- Sep 25, 2026: OPEN (No Game) —
- Oct 1, 2026: Homecoming Parade*
- Oct 2, 2026: TCHS vs Vestavia Hills (HOME) 7:00 PM HC
- Oct 7, 2026: Crimson Cavalcade of Bands (Hillcrest)
- Oct 8, 2026: TCHS vs Spain Park (AWAY) 7:00 PM
- Oct 16, 2026: TCHS vs Oak Mountain (HOME) 7:00 PM 8th grade night
- Oct 17, 2026 (Sat): Hoover Marching Invitational - ALL DAY
- Oct 19, 2026: TCSS Showcase of Bands
- Oct 23, 2026: TCHS vs Hoover (Home) 7:00 PM Sr. Night
- Oct 24, 2026 (Sat): Black Belt Marching Competition - ALL DAY
- Oct 30, 2026: TCHS vs Calera (AWAY) 7:00 PM
Weekly Practice Schedule (During Football Season)
• Monday: 3:15 – 5:30 PM (August Only)
• Tuesday: 3:15 – 5:30 PM
• Thursday: 6:00 – 8:30 PM
Check the school band calendar for updates or changes. We will not rehearse on school or federal holidays/workdays. October 22nd will be our final marching band rehearsal of the year.
Football Game Itinerary
Home Games
- August 21: Hillcrest High
- September 11: Hewitt-Trussville
- October 2: Vestavia Hills High (Homecoming)
- October 16: Oak Mountain High (8th grade night)
- October 16: Hoover High (Senior night)
Home Game Schedule
- 5:45 PM – Arrive at Band Hall. Follow Uniform Committee instructions, unpack instruments/music, dress appropriately, and be seated in the band room for warmup.
- 7:00 PM – Kickoff
- ~9:45 PM – Game ends (approx.). Students must be picked up no later than 30 minutes after the game. No early check-outs permitted.
Away Games
- August 28: Central High
- September 4: Prattville High
- September 18: ThompsonHigh
- October 8: Spain Park High (THU)
- October 30: Calera High
Away Game Schedule
- 3:00 PM – Students dismissed from school. Band room remains open. Pre-ordered Chick-Fil-A meals available ($10 cash only).
- 4:00–4:15 PM – Load buses (assigned seats). Attendance taken.
- 7:00 PM – Kickoff
- ~9:45 PM – Game ends (approx.)
- 10:00 PM – Load buses and equipment. Attendance taken again. Students may only be checked out by a parent or guardian.
- Upon Return – Help unload equipment. Students must be picked up no later than 30 minutes after arrival. Students will notify parents when leaving the game.
Band Camp Schedule
Program Information Flyer
Quick Links
Explore More
Band Calendar
Date Range
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Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday, June 28
Monday, June 29
Tuesday, June 30
Wednesday, July 1
Thursday, July 2
Friday, July 3
Saturday, July 4
Sunday, July 5
Monday, July 6
Tuesday, July 7
Wednesday, July 8
Thursday, July 9
Friday, July 10
Saturday, July 11
Sunday, July 12
Monday, July 13
Tuesday, July 14
Wednesday, July 15
Thursday, July 16
Friday, July 17
Saturday, July 18
Sunday, July 19
Monday, July 20
Tuesday, July 21
Wednesday, July 22
Thursday, July 23
Friday, July 24
Saturday, July 25
Sunday, July 26
Monday, July 27
Tuesday, July 28
Wednesday, July 29
Thursday, July 30
Friday, July 31
Saturday, August 1
Ensembles
The Wind Ensemble is the top performing concert group at Tuscaloosa County High School. There are a predetermined number of each instrument in this ensemble and this group usually plays advanced to collegiate-level literature (grades 5 & 6).
The Symphonic Band is the second performing concert group at Tuscaloosa County High School. There are a predetermined number of each instrument in this ensemble and this group usually plays intermediate to advanced literature (grades 3 & 4).
The Concert Band is the third performing concert group at Tuscaloosa County High School. There are a predetermined number of each instrument in this ensemble and this group usually plays intermediate level literature (grades 2 & 3).
The Tuscaloosa County High Percussion Ensemble serves various functions throughout the school year. Each member of the percussion ensemble is expected to perform to the best of their ability in every function of the program, and to hone their skills in areas of technique, sight-reading, and musicality.
This group performs at numerous activities throughout the year and participation in all performances is required. Membership is based on audition and selection by the Director and is open to all high school instrumentalists.
The Wildcat Marching Band is the largest organization at TCHS. Membership is open to members of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Velvet Blue Jazz Orchestra and required for members of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Velvet Blue Jazz Orchestra.
As a subdivision of the marching band, auxiliary units such as colorguard, danceline and majorettes enhance the marching band's performances during football season.
Yearly Events
Band Camp is an essential kickoff to the season for the Wildcat Marching Band. Typically held during the last two weeks of July, students focus on marching fundamentals, music preparation, and learning the drill for the halftime show.
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Each November, the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble present their first formal concert of the school year.
The Wind Ensemble joins the TCHS Choir in presenting a special Veteran’s Day program held in the gym during the school day. This meaningful event honors our veterans through music.
Our December concert features the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble performing a mix of traditional holiday favorites and classic wind band literature.
In March, all band students participate in the annual Music Performance Assessment, sponsored by the Alabama Bandmasters Association. This adjudicated event offers a valuable opportunity for musical growth and feedback.
To close out the school year, the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble perform a final concert showcasing a diverse selection of repertoire.
All band members 9th – 11th grade performs as part of the Graduation Band during the TCHS commencement ceremony in May.
Individual Events
The Alabama All-State Band is one of the highest honors for concert band students in the state. Students are selected through a rigorous audition process that evaluates tone, technique, musicality, and sight-reading.
The Alabama All-State Jazz Band is a prestigious honor ensemble that showcases the top high school jazz musicians from across the state.
The Tuscaloosa County School System (TCSS) All-County Band is a two-day honor band event that brings together top-performing student musicians from middle and high schools across the county.
The District V Honor Band is a regional honor band experience hosted by the Alabama Bandmasters Association. Students are selected from schools within District V based on director nomination or audition.
Solo & Ensemble Festival allows students to prepare and perform solos, duets, trios, and small ensembles for adjudication. Participants receive constructive feedback and ratings from qualified judges.
TCHS Band Staff
Nick McDonald, Director of Bands
Mr. McDonald serves as the Director of Bands at Tuscaloosa County High School, where he leads a comprehensive band program that includes the Wildcat Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and the Velvet Blue Jazz Orchestra. In addition to his role at County High, he plays a vital part in advancing music education across the state, having served as the Chairman of the Jazz Education Division for the Alabama Bandmasters Association and currently serving as the West Central Orchestra Division Chairman for the Alabama Orchestra Association.
Before joining the faculty at Tuscaloosa County High School in 2020, Mr. McDonald spent a decade teaching instrumental music in southern Alabama. During his time in the Ozark City School System, his excellence in teaching and dedication to student success earned him the distinction of Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2017.
Mr. McDonald holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Education from Troy University and is currently pursuing National Board Certification to further his commitment to excellence in teaching. He is a proud and active member of several professional organizations, including the Alabama Bandmasters Association (ABA), the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA), and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). In 2017, he was honored with induction into the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA), a national organization recognizing outstanding band directors for their leadership and contributions to music education.
Under his leadership, Mr. McDonald's ensembles have earned consistent Superior Ratings at district and state-level Music Performance Assessments, as well as at regional festivals and competitions. His students have been selected for numerous honor bands, including All-State and All-State Jazz Band, reflecting both the talent of the students and the high standards of instruction in his program.
In addition to his work as an educator, Mr. McDonald proudly serves as a member of the 151st Army National Guard Band, a role he has held since 2009. Through this service, he continues to share his musical talents and commitment to community and country.
Mr. McDonald resides in Northport, Alabama, with his wife and their three children. He remains passionate about inspiring students through music and is committed to building a program at Tuscaloosa County High School that fosters musicianship, discipline, and lifelong appreciation for the arts.
Emily C. Gray, Associate Director of Bands/Director of Percussion
Emily Christine Gray earned her BA from Auburn University in 2014 in Instrumental Music Education and MA from the University of Alabama in 2016, also in Music Education. While at the University of Alabama, she worked as a graduate teaching assistant for the University's School of Music and University Bands.
Ms. Gray was the Director of Bands at Brookwood High School (Brookwood, AL) from 2016-2019. During that time, the band grew both in size and in courses offered within the band program, adding concert band, percussion ensemble, jazz band, and a spring auxiliary unit to the pre-existing classes/organizations.
Since 2019, Ms. Gray has also been a part of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band drumline staff as their cymbal tech.
Ms. Gray’s TCHS Percussion Studio was selected in 2025 to perform at the Alabama Music Educators Association Conference, the highest performance opportunity for percussion ensembles in the state of Alabama.
Ms. Gray has served as the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Percussion for Tuscaloosa County High School since 2019.
Michelle McDonald, Director of Ensembles at Northport Intermediate and Collins-Riverside Intermediate Schools
Michelle McDonald currently serves as the Director of Ensembles at Northport Intermediate and Collins-Riverside Intermediate Schools. She is also thrilled to take on the role of Baroness of Band Formations and Fabulousness with the County High Marching Band. A passionate music educator with nearly two decades of experience, Michelle is excited to join her family in the Marching Wildcat Band. Her husband, Nick McDonald, is the Head Director, and their son Evan is a trombonist and section leader. She’s also proud mom to Echols Band members, Levi and Kara—her biggest fans.
