Shelby County High School Bands > About / Contact
The Pride of Shelby County High School Marching Band has a long history of excellence. Shelby County High School opened in 1914 as a small, rural school in Shelby County, Alabama. Beginning with instrumental music classes and the first known formation of a band in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. Beginning with the tenure of W.O Parrish in 1956, the band rose to prominence and became known for its rich tradition and excellence in performance. In 1981, with the retirement of Parrish, David Dixon began his tenure as director. During this time the band experienced growth in numbers and quality, while continuing the tradition set forth. In 1997, Tom Grigsby, became the director. The band experienced a growth in musical quality receiving its first ever Superior Rating at State Assessment in 2000, a tradition that continues to this day.
The band continued to thrive and grow along with the school and community during this time. In 2018, Matt Martindale became the band director, and ushered a long and steady climb in performance excellence and growth in numbers. In addition, the band program has begun to receive national recognition with honors for Yamaha Music, Music for All, and most recently a national featured performance at the 2024 Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The band program also features a concert ensemble, who perform annual concerts as well as music assessment events in the state of Alabama and regionally. The “Cardinal Sound” Jazz Band, formed in 2021, has already risen to prominence with a performance at the State Capital in 2024. The chamber ensembles at SCHS have also performed at the Alabama Music Educators Conference in 2022.
Beginning in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the band program began anunprecedented growth project. All students at Columbiana Middle School have the option to be in the beginner band for free their first year. As a result the entire band program has seen a growth of 60% at the start of the 2024-2025 school year. With a projected growth of over 100% (double) the following year and over 200% (triple) by the 2029-2030 school year. The funding for this was secured by grants, community donations, and booster funds. In 2029, over 20% of the high school population and 33% of the middle school population will be enrolled in the band program.
Contacts
Band Director: Matt Martindale mmartindale@shelbyed.org
Principal: Kyle Dudley Kdudley@shelbyed.org
Assistant Principal: Melissa Cates MCates8394@shelbyed.org
Band Booster President: Rhonda Price ShelbyBandBoosters@yahoo.com
Site Coordinator: Jessica Garcia jgarcia@shelbyed.org
Connect with our Band Boosters on Facebook
In the Media & Awards
October 5, 2024 Talladega Marching Competition
Superior Ratings: Drum Major, Percussion, Color Guard, Majorettes
October 12, 2024 Beaver Pond Invitational
Superior Ratings: Drum Major, Band, Percussion, Majorettes
September 20, 2024 Band of the Week
Cavalcade of Bands
September 18, 2024 featuring the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band
Article in Shelby County Reporter
Shelby County Band Directors Association
August 19, 2024
Featured on Facebook
Saint Patrick's Day parade in Chicago
Shelby County Reporter March 22, 2024
Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade
Pride of Shelby County Band Boosters
Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade Video