12/12/10 UPDATE

Thank you to everyone who attended the Christmas Concert on Tuesday evening. All the groups performed well, and it was a good opportunity for the JA Band families to get together before the holidays. Thanks to Trey Waltman for sharing these photos.

Thank you also to Sim Dulaney for the slide show, to Stacy Overstreet and her students for providing the readings, and to Martha Ray for organizing refreshments for the reception after the concert.

We have several students who have indicated they plan to attend the MAIS Clinic January 6-8 but have not yet sent payment.

It is not too late to sign up; however, all clinic attendees need to bring a payment of $65, made out to JA Band, by Wednesday of this week.

Each student was given a letter to bring home, describing the clinic, including information about auditions for placement in one of the two bands. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like me to email you a copy of the informational letter.

12/5/10 UPDATE

Please join us for the JA Band Program Christmas Concert this Tuesday, December 7, at 7:00 in the beautiful JA Performing Arts Center.

The concert will be a multi-media experience, with performances by the Sixth Grade Band, the Jazz Band, & the Concert Band; readings by JA Drama students of Ms. Stacey Overstreet; and video interludes provided by JA teacher and technology coordinator Mr. Sim Dulaney, including the new slideshow video featured to the right. Refreshments will be provided at the conclusion of the concert.

Sixth Grade Band members should be in their seats on the stage in the PAC by 6:45. Attire for the concert will be Sunday dress up (coats and ties for the boys, pants or skirts knee length or longer for the girls).

High School Band members should be in the PAC by 7:00. Attire for high school students is black for the boys and dark pants or skirts (knee length or longer) for the girls.

UNIFORM TURN-IN

All band students need to turn in their band uniforms Wednesday or Thursday of this week. All uniform parts should be clean and hung neatly in the uniform bag (with name tag), with gauntlets. Students keep their own shoes and gloves. The uniform bags should be hung on the rack at the front of the band hall, and the student's name should be checked off the list in the band hall office.

The 2011 MAIS Concert Band Clinic will be held at the Regency Hotel January 6 - 8. We expect about 100 students from independent schools around the state. It is open to any band member in grades 7-12, and we encourage our student musicians to participate.

Clinic participants will be placed into two bands, based on auditions at the beginning of the clinic Thursday afternoon. For the auditions, each student will play a short prepared piece (30 sec - 2 min), two major scales, and a sight reading exercise. All students who audition will be chosen for one of the two bands, and we will help our students prepare.

Cost per student will be $65. We will cover the rest of the clinic expenses, including lodging, but they will need to bring enough money for meals other than the complimentary continental breakfast at the hotel, and the pizza dinner on Friday night. There will be a lunch available in the hotel restaurant for about $7. We will try to coordinate transportation among our parents for some of the meals, if necessary.

All clinic events, including auditions, rehearsals, social events, and the final concert, will be at the Regency. Even though this is a "local" event for us, all students are required to stay at the hotel and participate in all scheduled activities. This is an opportunity for these student musicians to share not only rehearsal and performance time, but also some more relaxed activities. Cammie and I will be staying at the hotel to monitor our students during the clinic.

Here is the schedule of events:

Thursday, January 6
1:00 - Audition warmups in the auditorium
1:30 - Auditions begin in posted rooms
5:00 - Dinner Break
6:30 - Seating of Bands
7:00 - 10:00 - First Rehearsal

Friday, January 7
Complimentary Continental Breakfast at Hotel
8:00 - 11:00 - Rehearsal
11:00 - 12:30 - Lunch Break – Lunch available at hotel
12:30 - 5:00 - Rehearsal
5:00 – 6:30 – Free time
6:30 – 9:00 – Pizza dinner and evening entertainment at the hotel

Saturday, January 8
Complimentary Continental Breakfast at Hotel
8:00 - 12:00 - Rehearsal
12:00 - 1:30 - Hotel checkout, lunch break
2:00 - Final Concert

If your student wishes to participate in the MAIS Clinic, please send a check for $65, made out to the Jackson Academy Band, by this Friday, December 10. 

JACKSON INDEPENDENT WINTER GUARD

The Jackson Independent Winter Guard began their season in earnest on Saturday, with a 12-hour rehearsal to learn this year's show. Show designer Lenny Westmoreland and instructor Ashleigh Bradley were in town from North Carolina to work with the girls.

A couple photos from the rehearsal:

 

The guard members worked very hard to learn the complex show, which features the song, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, by Leona Lewis. Their competition season begins on January 29, with Field Day at Pearl High School.

11/21/10 UPDATE

Congratulations to JA Guard members Annie Campbell and Samantha Hill for earning spots on the Mississippi Lions All-State Band on flag after callback auditions on Saturday at Pearl HS. Annie & Sam are two of only 16 guard members (and the only representatives from independent schools) from around the state who were chosen as members of the Lions Band after two rounds of auditions. Abbi Thomas was named an alternate as a dancer, and Caroline Burford also earned a spot at callback auditions as an eighth grader.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT - Martha Ray

Please mark your calendars for the next JA BAND BOOSTER meeting, which will be Tuesday, November 30, at 6:00 pm in the Band Hall. We will discuss the Christmas Concert reception and review where we are to date and future plans.

Happy Thanksgiving to all JA Band families!

Please mark you calendars for the Christmas Concert on December 7. The Sixth Grade Band, Concert Band, & Jazz Band will be performing.

11/14/10 UPDATE

Congratulations to the Jackson Academy football team for earning their second consecutive MAIS State Championship on Friday against MRA. The JA Band members can be very proud of their contributions to fostering the JA spirit on campus and beyond, by playing at pep rallies, games, and other activities, such as the parade on Friday morning.

The 2011 Jackson Independent Winter Guard held their first rehearsal on Saturday, learning drill from 9:00 - 4:00. We wish the girls well as they prepare for their season.

Good luck also to JA Color Guard members Annie Campbell, Abbi Thomas, Samantha Hill, and Caroline Burford as they prepare for Mississippi Lions All-State Band callback auditions on Saturday at Pearl HS.

 Please be sure to mark your calendars for the JA Band Program Christmas Concert on December 7 in the beautiful JA Performing Arts Center. The band has begun to work on some great arrangements of holiday tunes for the concert. As always, the concert will be the first opportunity for the Sixth Grade Band to perform for families and friends.

We encourage all band members to consider participating in the MAIS Concert Band Clinic January 6-8, 2011, at the Regency Hotel in Jackson. Last year's clinic was canceled because of icy weather, so many of our students have not had the opportunity to participate.

The MAIS Clinic brings together students from independent schools around the state to spend a few days learning and rehearsing with experienced clinicians. The Director of the first band will be Dr. Craig Young, Director of Bands at Mississippi College. (Please click on his name for more information about Dr. Young.) The second band will be directed by Ms. Jennifer SIlls, Assistant Band Director at Stone High School and a saxophonist with the Mississippi Wind Symphony.

The clinic begins on Thursday afternoon, January 6, with short auditions to determine placement in one of the two bands. The students rehearse and socialize together Thursday evening, Friday, and Saturday morning; and the event concludes with a concert for the public on Saturday at 2:00.

All students stay at the Regency and are chaperoned by Mr. and Mrs. Carter. The cost per students will be $85 plus hotel cost (approximately $35 per student, with 4 students per room).

More details and sign-up information will be posted in the coming weeks.

11/07/10 UPDATE

Congrats to the JA Raider football team for a great game Friday night, and best of luck in the Championship game at 6:30 Friday at Mississippi College. The JA Band WILL be participating at the game, but we do not yet know all the details. We will post a blog update and send an email in the next day or so when we have that information.

As we have not yet had time to begin Jazz Band for the year, students will not perform at Raider Night from 5-7 on Tuesday, Instead, a jazz group consisting of JA Band instructors and other friends of the JA Band will perform. We will have a few students at the event to talk to visiting guests, and any interested students are welcome to attend.

We will begin working on concert music in class this week, specifically holiday tunes for the Christmas Concert on December 7. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for this event, featuring the Sixth Grade and Concert Bands.

Best of luck to JA Color Guard members Annie Campbell, Abbi Thomas, Samantha Hill, and Caroline Burford as they prepare for Mississippi All-State Lions Band callback auditions on November 20.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT - Martha Ray

Thank you!  Thank you! Thank you!  I really can't thank you enough for all of the support you've provided as JA Band Boosters during marching season.  From purchasing Band Booster football passes and selling magazines to showing up to help with the mat and equipment on Friday nights and at competitions, you've been there and have helped make the 2010 marching season successful for the JA Band! It's been a lot of fun!  And, we have more fun (at a less hectic pace) to look forward to through the end of the year and during the Spring semester.

 

The Band Booster board will be meeting in a few days to evaluate our financial situation and to plan for the remainder of the school year. If you have any suggestions or anything you'd like for us to consider, please let Terri Fisher, Hope Burford, Frances Anne Dallaire, or me know. I'll send you an update once we've met and try to keep you informed.

 

I look forward to seeing you Friday night at 6:30 in Clinton!  Go Raiders!!

10/31/10 UPDATE

Congratulations to the JA Band for earning the following awards at the Bands of America Super Regional in Atlanta on Saturday:

Outstanding Music Performance, Class A
Outstanding Visual Performance, Class A
Second Place Overall, Class A

The JA Band earned their highest score at a BOA event in the past four years. On one of the components of the total score, the Ensemble Visual Performance, the band was ranked fourth overall among the 34 bands at the event, placing them higher than nine of the twelve finalist bands, including perennial powerhouse Kennesaw Mountain.

We are extremely proud of the students for their hard work and dedication throughout the season, making their performance in the Georgia Dome their best of the year.

Thank you to all the band members for their exemplary behavior on the trip as well. They were fine representatives of the band and JA wherever we went.

Many thanks to all of the parents who came along on the trip to help by chaperoning students; loading, transporting, and moving equipment; checking rooms; and many other tasks.

Here are a few of the photos that are now posted in the online photo gallery, which can be reached by clicking the PHOTO GALLERY link in the menu bar above:

JA Guard members Annie Campbell, Caroline Burford, Samantha Hill, & Abbi Thomas in the dome Saturday night after hearing that they had earned spots at callback auditions for the Mississippi All-State Lions Band:

A few from the warmup and performance:

 

The crowd during prelims at the Georgia Dome:

A few photos from a fun day at Six Flags on Sunday:

JA BAND SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 1-5, 2010

Monday - Thursday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 2:45

Friday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 2:45, Home football tournament game vs. Presbyterian Christian at 7:00 - students report at 5:30 in half uniform

10/24/10 UPDATE

Congratulations to the students for a fine performance at the MAIS Marching Band Festival Saturday. The JA Band received straight Superior ratings from all judges, with the highest numerical score of the day among all bands. The adjudicators had many positive comments about the band's performance. One of the band judges, Wes Parker, from NC State University, commented on the strength of the show concept and the way it was executed. Chris Moss, from Madison, WI, saw the show both Friday night and Saturday and complimented the band on the consistency of their performances. This strength should serve them well in Atlanta next weekend.

Thank you to all the parents who helped at the Festival, with special kudos to Hope Burford for spearheading the volunteer effort. It was great to see many of the parents of our younger students helping out. Everything went smoothly, and we heard many positive comments from the visitors to the JA campus.

A few photos from the football game Friday night, thanks to the Clarion Ledger, where several of them were printed on the front page on Saturday:

 

 

 
JA BAND SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 25-31

Monday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00

Tuesday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 2:45, Color Guard 4:45 - 5:30, Full Band 5:30 - 7:00, Parent Field Crew 6:30 - 7:00 - VERY IMPORTANT REHEARSALS

Wednesday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00

Thursday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00, Parent truck loading 7:00

Friday - Atlanta trip - details below

Good luck to the JA Band members who will be having their MS Lions Band auditions taped on Monday: Bryant Hutchins, Samantha Hill, Caroline Burford, Abbi Thomas, and Annie Campbell

BOA ATLANTA TRIP

We will distribute and discuss the guidelines for the trip with the students this week. Here is a link to the informational handout: STUDENT ITINERARY

Please take a few minutes to look over the handout and discuss it with your student. A few important reminders:

- Please ensure your student has everything he or she needs for the trip, including all uniform parts, black band t-shirt(s), all black socks, band shoes clean and polished, and all instrument parts

- Students will need approximately $60 in meal money (lunch & dinner Friday, dinner Saturday, lunch & dinner Sunday), plus money for any souvenirs or other items they may wish to purchase. Please discuss with them the need to budget their meal money on the trip. Chaperones can assist with this if requested.

- Report time to the Band Hall on Friday morning with everything needed for the trip is 6:30 AM. It is important we depart on time to avoid traffic delays and stay on schedule. The complete itinerary for the trip is included in the handout linked above.

For those parents who are not able to join us on the trip, a live webcast of the event will be streamed through the BOA Fan Network. Click on this link: SUBSCRIBE, and scroll down for the pay-per-view option for Atlanta. The cost is $19.95. The JA Band's performance time is 11:15 am on Saturday.

Also, there will be professionally recorded DVDs available for purchase. Here is a link to the information: MR. VIDEO

We are looking forward to a great trip. Please let me know if you have any questions.

10/17/10 UPDATE

 Thank you to the students who worked hard on Saturday at the all-day rehearsal. We were happy to have Lenny Westmoreland and Ashleigh Bradley back in town to work with the band, which helped to make it a very productive day.

There is one quality Lenny stressed on Saturday and we as a staff would like to continue to emphasize throughout the remainder of the season: COMMITMENT.

Commitment to the JA Band program - being at every band activity, on time and with everything you need. This often requires parental assistance, especially with our younger students.

Commitment to the performance on the field - continued effort to improve, consistent focus and concentration during both rehearsal and performance. Every day, in every way.

As you can see from the countdown to the right, time is short before the JA Band travels to Atlanta and perform at the Georgia Dome, along with 33 of the best bands in the country. Commitment from every band member will result in a performance to be proud of.

IMPORTANT UNIFORM REMINDERS

Having a sharp, consistent appearance on the field is important to a successful performance. We noticed during the dress rehearsal on Saturday that some of the students' uniform pants are not being worn correctly, some too long and some too short. We spoke with these students, and we ask that parents help in getting all of the pants to meet the following criteria: with the student's arms/upper body in "horns up" position, the bottom of the pant should hit the top of the foot without a break. This may just require adjustment of the straps, but some might require re-hemming as well.

Also, some of the pants did not look pressed. Please ensure that uniforms are laundered and hung neatly. Actual pressing should not be required as long as the uniform is hung properly.

And one more uniform reminder, all students need calf-high, all black socks. No short socks, no gold toe or colored stripes, etc. Even though shoes are not worn on the mat, they are still part of the uniform and need to be clean and polished.

Thank you for your support in ensuring the band members always look as good as possible.

MAIS MARCHING BAND FESTIVAL

 If you have not already done so, please contact Hope Buford at hburford@jacksonacademy.org to sign up for a shift or two at the MAIS Marching Festival on Saturday. We need everyone's help for a successful event. We especially need help with concessions, which are being spearheaded by Reca Girtmon. Please contact her at rejaceca@yahoo.com if you can help.

Here is the schedule of performances:

3:30 - Starkville Academy
3:45 - Hillcrest Christian School
4:00 - Copiah Academy
4:30 - Jackson Academy
4:45 - Jackson Prep
5:00 - Belhaven University - exhibition
5:15 - DeSoto Central High School - exhibition

The DeSoto Central Band requested an opportunity to perform in exhibition at the festival, and we were happy to have them perform. They are one of the largest public school bands in the state, and a former state marching class champion.

Students need to be at the band hall by 3:00 on Saturday, with all uniform parts and everything needed for performance.

BOA ATLANTA TRIP

Final preparations are being made for the trip to Atlanta October 29-31.

Students will have an excused absence on Friday, October 29, but they are responsible for all class work assigned and should discuss the absence with their teachers before the trip.

We have received confirmation that the JA Band's preliminary performance time will be 11:15 on Saturday, October 30. More information is available on the BOA site HERE.

Look for more trip details in next week's update. Please ensure you have made all trip payments to Booster Treasurer Frances Anne Dallaire. If you have any questions, contact her at bearcrew@bellsouth.net.

For those families who are not able to accompany the band on the trip, a live webcast of all performances is available with a subscription to the MFA Fan Network. Full network subscriptions are available, or pay per view for the Atlanta Super Regional only is $19.95. Click on the link HERE for more information. 

JA BAND SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 18-23

Monday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00

Tuesday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 2:45 due to JA Carnival

Wednesday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00

Thursday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00

Friday - Home football game vs. Pillow - all students report in half uniform at 5:30

Saturday - MAIS Marching Band Festival @ JA - all students report by 3:00, performance time 4:30, awards 5:30

 

 

10/10/10 UPDATE

PRESIDENT'S REPORT - Martha Ray

Thank you to all the Band parents who helped Friday night with the band show!  I thought the show is looking great!  I heard quite a few compliments from assorted people in the audience. I am confident that after working with Lenny and crew all day next Saturday, our little band will be heading to Atlanta with a competitive show. I am looking forward to the experience and hope that you are too!

If you haven't already sent in your trip payment, please do so now. (Please don't make us have to call you!) Frances Anne Dallaire has a spreadsheet that shows what everybody owes, so if you don't know or can't remember, please call or E-mail Frances Anne at dallaireproperti@bellsouth.net.

Our next show will be Friday, October 22nd when JA plays Pillow Academy followed by the MAIS competition on Saturday, October 23rd. If you haven't already signed up to help on October 23rd, please contact Hope Burford (hburford@jacksonacademy.org). The MAIS Festival is going to be at a more convenient time of day and will take less time than it usually does. With everyone working together, it should be a lot of fun. This is our show, so please plan to help.

We wrapped up the magazine sale last Thursday and preliminary reports look like we did okay. If you still have outstanding orders, please send them to Cindy Harris asap. Thanks for your help with the sale. We'll try to have a full report ready for our next Booster meeting.

I hope you enjoy your Columbus Day holiday!  See you soon!

JA BAND SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF OCT 11-16

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00

Saturday - Rehearsal 9:00 - 12:00 & 1:30 - 5:00

Our drill writer, Lenny Westmoreland, is flying in from North Carolina to work with the band on Saturday to help prepare them for the MAIS Festival and BOA Atlanta.

Thanks to Hope Burford for spearheading parent help for the MAIS Marching Band Festival here on October 23. We have 5 independent school bands participating, as well as the Belhaven University Blazer Band performing in exhibition. Please sign up for a shift (or two) to help make it a successful event.

The souvenir program for the event is being finalized over the next few days and will be sent to the printer. If you would like to place an ad in support of your student, please send the information to jaband@aol.com by Tuesday at the latest. Here is an example of the kind of ad we are creating for the program:

10/3/10 UPDATE

Congratulations to the JA Marching Band members for their two fine performances on Saturday, at the West Jones Marching Classic and the Oak Grove Marching Invitational. The band earned straight superior ratings from all judges - band, color guard, & percussion. At Oak Grove, the JA Band competed in Class 6A, against bands from schools about ten times larger.

Special thanks go to the parents who came on the trip to help. Getting all the equipment loaded, transported, unloaded, put on the field, and loaded again takes a great deal of time and effort, and the parents on Saturday were asked to do it TWICE. Thanks to Reggy McDaniel and Brent Fisher for driving the equipment trucks, and to William Ray, Tim McCowan, Michelle McDaniel, Susan Clark, Tammy Mardis, and Terri Fisher for helping with the equipment and with chaperoning students. Jace Stanley's aunt, Lamonica Powell, also met us at Oak Grove and helped on the field.

A few photos from Saturday:

 

 

 

The crowd at Oak Grove watching the JA Band's performance:

  

Senior JA Drum Majors Alex Ray & Bryant Hutchins at retreat:

Many more photos from the weekend are posted on the Photo Gallery and Facebook Page, linked in the menu bar above.

JA BAND SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 4-8

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00 each day

Friday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 2:45, Homecoming Football game, students report 5:30 in half uniform.

Due to Homecoming, the band will perform the competition show during pregame this week. They will be playing to accompany Homecoming activities during halftime.

MAGAZINE SALE - FINAL DAYS

The JA Band Magazine Sale, traditionally the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Band Boosters, wraps up this week, with orders due on Wednesday, October 6. Thank you for your support of the sale.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

All rehearsals over the next few weeks are very important. Please make sure your student is at every scheduled band activity. Remember that the only all-day rehearsal of the season is Saturday, October 16, from 9:00 - 12:00 and 1:30 - 5:00. The drill writer, Lenny Westmoreland, will be flying in from North Carolina to assist at the rehearsal.

Please mark your calendar and plan to help at the MAIS Marching Band Festival on October 23. We will need help organizing and running concessions, parking, guiding bands, and other tasks.

We will again be creating a souvenir program for the event which will include both commercial and personal ads. If you wish to purchase an ad to show your support for your student, his or her section, or the band, here are the details:

Back Cover (black & white): $100   Inside Front Cover or Inside Back Cover (black & white): $75
Inside (black and white):  Full Page: $50      Half Page: $30      Quarter Page: $20      Business Card: $15
Checks payable to JA Band Boosters

You may send an ad to jaband@aol.com or email any page elements (pictures, text, graphics) you wish to include, and we will construct an ad and submit it to you for your approval.

The deadline to submit an ad is October 8.

ATLANTA TRIP

Final reservations are being made this week for the JA Band's trip to Atlanta October 29-31. If you have any questions about payments or other information, please contact Martha Ray at marthamray@yahoo.com. 

9/26/10 UPDATE

PRESIDENT'S REPORT - Martha Ray

Band Friends,

 

Thanks very much for all of the support you showed Friday night at the football game. I have honestly never seen a friendlier, more cooperative group of band parents!  Thanks much to all of you for your help! Your participation made all the difference.

 

See you Tuesday night at the Band Booster meeting at 6:30 in the Band Hall.

DIRECTORS' REPORT 
 

Thanks to all the parents who helped on Friday with truck loading, the tailgate party, at the game, and unloading back at JA. We could not do it without you.

All band families are strongly encouraged to attend the Band Booster meeting on Tuesday evening, where we will discuss details about the remainder of the season, including the West Jones and Oak Grove competitions on Saturday, as well as the MAIS Marching Festival and the Atlanta BOA trip.

JA BAND SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27 - OCTOBER 2

Monday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00

Tuesday - VERY IMPORTANT REHEARSALS
Rehearsal 2:00 - 2:45
Guard 5:00 - 6:00
Percussion 5:30 - 6:30
Full Band 6:30 - 8:00
Band Booster Meeting 6:30 - 7:30
Parent Field Crew Rehearsal 7:30 - 8:00

Wednesday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00

Thursday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00

Friday -
Rehearsal 2:00 - 2:45
Home Football game - Students report 5:30
After Halftime - Truck Loading

Saturday -
7:00 - Report to Band Hall, students with all uniform parts and equipment needed for performance, and meal money for lunch and dinner
7:30 - Depart for Jones Junior College
9:00 - Arrive JCJC, Unload trucks and bus, dress in full uniform
9:58 - Warmup time
10:40 - Performance at the West Jones Marching Classic (click on link to see the lineup)
12:00 - Depart JCJC for Turtle Creek Mall, Hattiesburg
12:30 - Arrive at mall, lunch & free time
2:30 - Load bus, depart for Oak Grove
3:00 - Arrive at Oak Grove, unload trucks and bus, dress in full uniform
4:00 - Warmup time
5:00 - Performance at the Oak Grove Marching Invitational (click on link to see the lineup)
6:45 - Awards
7:30 - Load bus, depart Oak Grove, dinner stop enroute
10:00 (approximate) - Arrive JA, unload trucks

Band families may ride the bus with the band and staff or drive separately. Those driving may follow the bus and trucks, or HERE is a link to directions, and HERE a map of the JCJC facilities.

UNIFORM CARE

With the arrival of our new band uniforms, here is a reminder about uniform care:

EACH STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING CARE OF HIS UNIFORM. As parents, we ask for your help with this.

1. After each time the uniform is worn, it should be laundered. The uniforms can be machine washed, preferably turned inside-out, in cold water. They should be either hung to dry or dried on low heat.

2. Uniforms should always be hung neatly in the uniform bag between performances.

3. Students will wear the black band t-shirt under the uniform, and all black, crew-length socks (no gold toe, stripes, short socks, etc.). They should also wear their black marching shoes, clean and polished.

Thank you in advance for your support of proper uniform care. Please let me know if you have any questions.

MAIS MARCHING BAND FESTIVAL

 Please mark your calendar and plan to help at the Festival on October 23. We will need help organizing and running concessions, parking, guiding bands, and other tasks.

We will again be creating a souvenir program for the event which will include both commercial and personal ads. If you wish to purchase an ad to show your support for your student, his or her section, or the band, here are the details:

Back Cover (black & white): $100   Inside Front Cover or Inside Back Cover (black & white): $75
Inside (black and white):  Full Page: $50      Half Page: $30      Quarter Page: $20      Business Card: $15
Checks payable to JA Band Boosters

You may send an ad to jaband@aol.com or email any page elements (pictures, text, graphics) you wish to include, and we will construct an ad and submit it to you for your approval.

The deadline to submit an ad is October 8.

MAGAZINE SALE

Please continue to promote and support the magazine sale with friends, family, and businesses you patronize. Don't forget, anyone can participate online:

- Go to www.qsp.com
- Click on "Shop Now" under Supporters
- Enter the JA Code 425091239

PHOTOS

For those who were not able to attend the football game Friday to see the new uniforms, here is a pic from the tailgate party, thanks to Hope Burford:

And a few game photos, thanks to Wendy Hutchins:

Click HERE to see the JA Band's recognition as the WAPT Home Team Hero of the week.