12/13/09 UPDATE

Thank you to everyone who attended the Christmas Concert on Thursday. This will be the last scheduled weekly newsletter until after the holiday break.

PRESIDENT'S CORNER – Jim Lowery

My appreciation goes to all who helped with the refreshments at the Christmas Band Concert. With the attendance filling the library, it will be nice to have the next concert in the Fine Arts Center!

Thanks for those who helped with the delivery of Christmas flowers. Since Shae was unable to lift anything due to her surgery, the help from John, Kevin, and Jonathan moving the flowers was especially welcome. This continues strong as a fund raiser for the boosters.

I am thankful that the boosters were able to bring Christmas wishes to the staff. It was a special fall season and we are blessed with those who work with our children. While the hard work of marching season is complete, we still have opportunity to hear the talent of our children in the upcoming concerts.

As a member of the Lions of Mississippi All-State Band Committee, I am especially proud of our children that are a part of the 2010 band. (All four seniors-what a group!) If you want to hear the finest band musicians in Mississippi, travel with me to Ellisville in June to hear the concert before they travel to Sydney, Australia for parade competition at the Lions Clubs International convention in July.
See you in 2010.

DIRECTORS’ REPORT – Bruce & Cammie Carter

We were very proud of the Sixth Grade Band, the Concert Band, and the Jazz Band for their performances at the JA Band Program Christmas Concert on Thursday.

Thank you to Kristal Golden for organizing the refreshments for the concert, and to those parents who contributed items and helped with setup, serving, and cleanup.

The following students have indicated that they are planning to participate in the 2010 MAIS Concert Band Clinic January 7-9:

Caroline Burford
Annie Campbell
Samantha Hill
John Humphreys
Brandon Hutchins
Bryant Hutchins
Zack McWilliams
JP Pierce
Alex Ray
Jonathan Sandlin
Jace Stanley
Luke Strong
Jacob Theisges
Will Tribble

If your student is not on this list and wishes to participate, please send me an email so I can add them to the roster.

Clinic Details:

-Student Cost - $75 (checks made payable to JA Band, due by Tuesday, January 5)

-Students will have excused absences from school for the afternoon on Thursday, January 7, and all day Friday, January 8

-All students must stay at the Regency Hotel, where all clinic events will be held. Cammie & I will also be staying at the hotel to supervise.

-Students will be placed in one of two ensembles based on auditions Thursday afternoon, which will consist of a short prepared piece (30 sec - 2 min), two major scales, and a sight-reading exercise. We will assist our students with preparations for the auditions.

-Final concert, for parents and the public, will be Saturday, January 9, at 1:00 in the Regency Hotel Ballroom.

Please send me an email if you have any questions about the clinic.

PHOTO GALLERY - Wendy Hutchins

Here are a few photos from the Christmas Concert. These and many more are posted in the online gallery at JA BAND GALLERY.