Merry Christmas 2015!

Loyola Jazz Camp 2015

So Proud of Josh and his Friends

PLEASE SHARE!!! Hey guys check out my band's EP at https://soundcloud.com/wearecatalyst Help us spread the word! Please change your post to PUBLIC before you share!!

Posted by Josh Constantine on Saturday, June 13, 2015

All State Jazz

HHS All-State Jazz Band participants, from left: Nick Greengard, Richard Chen, Cory Cheung, First Edition Jazz Band Director Sallie White, Taylor Battles, Chris Preuc, Will Roberson, Lee Roberts, Kristina Darroch, Preston Beatty, Conner Jackson, Josh Constantine and Director of Bands Ryan Fitchpatrick.

Hoover High School was represented at the 2014 Alabama Music Educators Association Conference held at the Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center in Montgomery in January. Eleven students were selected from among hundreds of statewide applicants who performed in the Gold and Silver All-State Jazz Bands.

Richard Chen, Cory Cheung, Kristina Darroch and Nick Greengard represented HHS in the Gold Jazz Band. 

Taylor Battles, Preston Beatty, Josh Constantine, Conner Jackson, Chris Preuc, Will Roberson and Lee Roberts were selected to the Silver Jazz Band. Tyler Greengard and Daniel Phillips were chosen as alternates.

Hoover High has historically placed a significant number of musicians in the AMEA All-State Jazz Bands. 
See Article Here

Jen Conference in Dallas

Hoover High’s First Edition and Jam bands recently experienced the thrill of performing along industry greats at the 5th annual Jazz Educators Network.

It’s not every day that young musicians get a chance to rub shoulders with the biggest names in the industry, but that’s exactly what the Hoover High jazz bands recently got a chance to do. First Edition and Jam mingled with some of jazz music’s greatest artists and performed before enthusiastic audiences of musicians, performers and students from around the world at the fifth annual Jazz Educators Network (JEN) Conference in Dallas in January. 

The bands, which have not had opportunities to perform at the same venue in years, were among more than 3,000 students, teachers, artists, performing arts presenters, music industry partners and jazz enthusiasts at the four day conference, jam-packed with ongoing clinics and concerts that also featured more than 100 exhibitors. The numerous artist-led clinics covered a variety of topics, including performance enhancement, improvisation techniques, jazz composition, the latest in technology and inspiration from jazz greats. 

The award-winning First Edition Jazz Band, which also won accolades at the Midwest clinic in 2012, was selected as an official performer at the 2014 JEN conference. The 22-member band was joined by internationally renowned guest artists Tom Walsh and John Fedchock. Various big band styles were performed, including Alabama favorite “Tuxedo Junction.” A rousing rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In” led by Will Roberson on trumpet and lead vocals, Chris Preuc on trombone, Cory Cheung on sousaphone and Nick Greengard on clarinet concluded the evening concert.

Hoover Jam was selected to perform at the JENerations Jazz Festival, held in conjunction with the conference, along with more than 800 elementary, middle, junior high, high school, college and community musical groups of all ages. Their performance was followed by a clinic session with industry professionals who offered praise, critiques and suggestions to the band.
See Article Here

We Elfed ourselves for you :)

3rd Best in the State!

About a month ago, Josh recorded a rendition of Autumn Leaves  that made our heart sing. A link to the recording is below if you would like to hear it. This recording was submitted to the Alabama All State Jazz Band association and Josh placed 1st chair in the silver band and 3rd best in the state. This is an honor not easily achieved at such an early age. He has loads of talent but his hours of practice made it possible to do this. His dad and I love his music but we are even more proud of his character and the young man he is turning out to be.  Constantine https://www.dropbox.com/s/83kqaa9mymg4koi/Autumn%20Leaves.wma

Here is some Christmas Music from his jazz band for you to enjoy.

Naji

Naji is enjoying his work and loves spending Saturdays with his family at the restaurant. Here are many of the constantine' s  plus a few friends!

Proud daddy

Veteran's Day

Every year for as long as I can remember I go to the Veteran's Day parade with my dad. This year was no different and now my children go with us. Every year more and more people show thanks to the veterans. Many people in the parade salute my dad, wave to him, and actually step out of the parade to come over and salute him face to face, or shake his hand. It's so nice to see this and I know my dad appreciates it.

Josh

Josh is still hot and heavy into his music, he was in lots of honor bands this year, participated in All
State Jazz and is getting ready for All State Classical. In January his Jazz band will be traveling to Dallas, Texas to participate in a Jazz Conference. Here he is playing in the Hoover Jam (a jazz band). Check out his solo at minute 20:26 to the song I Saw Her Standing There by the Beatles.

Homecoming

He's growing up? Huh? This is Josh an Addy his homecoming date this year.

Smile

My little girl still loves to take pictures. This is her taking pictures of Josh and his date before the homecoming dance.

The Girls

It's become an annual event. The girls trip to the beach in September. I'm so lucky to have such great friends!

Home Sweet Home

My little girl has found a church that she can call home. The Church of the Highlands she loves it and is so happy to be worshiping and serving there. Here she is with her uncle Kirk and his family

20

No more teens for my little girl girl. Anni turned 20 this year. We celebrated with family at Stix! Yum!

We made it to 25 Years!

We got to go to New York again this summer, since it was our 25th Anniversary, we extended the trip and started out in Canada where we stayed in a beautiful hotel overlooking the Canadian and American side of the falls. From the falls we traveled to a quaint, cozy hotel in the Catskill Mountains and then on the way to New York, we stopped in Buffalo and ate at the place where buffalo wings were invented, yum! Once in New York we went to the food show, caught a few broad way shows, and ate ate lots of yummy restaurants. Naming a few of our favorites below!

1. Morton"s Steak house on 45th and 5th order desert early!

2. We used to like Stages Deli but they closed after 75 years so Carnegie's Deli on 51 and 7th is close.

3. Our favorite grab a quick good breakfast is Majestic Deli on 50th and 7th

4. Kamil's and Beirut in Clifton, New Jersey.

5. It's Greek to Me, Either in Patterson or Hoboken

6. Illili- on 5th ave between 27th and 28th

7. We sometimes go to Hard Rock just for the fun of it.

8. Ellen's Stardust Diner is always fun but the food is average.

9. George and Sally's in Brooklyn.

10. And we just learned about a new Chinese restaurant in China Town called Wo Hop. Go downstairs! Chow Fon and won ton soup were good, Naji liked the Shrimp Fried Rice, and the soft shell crab special. 17 Mott Street.

Another New Addition

You will not see another post with this title from me!! But how could I say no to this...meet Jamie.

Disney

The hoover band got to march in Disney at the end of the last school year so of course Anni and I went to help out!

We got to march in Disney! Fun!

Guitar

Josh is enjoying playing guitar. He loves to play all kinds of music on it including classical. In this picture he was invited up on stage to play in front of lots of people. He jumped right up there and had a great time.

Spring Break

Another annual trip but this time family and friends! We had a blast together.

Hoover Jam

Josh made the Hoover Jam Jazz Band this year, he has loved it and wants to try for Hoover First Edition Jazz Band next year. Cross your fingers for him! Click here to see the Hoover Jam play, scroll down on this link for more videos.

University of Alabama Honor Band 2013

Wow, what a great experience for Josh. This kind of interested him in the University of Alabama! :) He places 1st chair in his band and 3rd tenor sax out of all of the high school students in Alabama that participated. So proud of my boy. See Them play here.

A Hoover Jam Jazzy Christmas 2012

Lebanese Christmas Breakfast

My sweet husband invited family over and cooked a wonderful Lebanese breakfast before Christmas. Yum!

Sparks in the Park

Josh loves being in the band. They competed at Spain Park, received 1's in all categories, and also won best overall band! Here is there competition show entitled Angles of Reflection.

Girls Trip September 2012

What has become our annual girl's trip in September was so much fun! Nothing like getting some r and r with your girlfriends!!

Josh and Music

My boy loves music. He has taught himself to play the guitar, he is still playing the piano and his tenor sax and he has added the berry, alto and soprano saxes to his repertoire. He plays with the Hoover High School football band, Hoover Competition Band,  Hoover Symphonic Band and the Hoover Jam, which is a Jazz band.

Anni Moves In to Montevallo