JACKSON ACADEMY BAND: 1/24/10 UPDATE

Thanks to the Jazz Band members who played at the ribbon cutting of the PAC on Tuesday. The performance was very well received, and the venue is outstanding. See the photo gallery below for some pics from the event.

Here are a couple photos from the Jazz Band's performance at the PAC reception on January 10:

Thanks to JA Band alumni Corey Carter (current member of the USM Jazz Band), Derrick Marchant, & Adam Ray (current members of the Ole Miss Jazz Band) for participating:

JACKSON INDEPENDENT WINTERGUARD

The JI Winterguard will have rehearsal this week on Tuesday, January 26, from 4:00 - 7:00.

Thanks to Annie Campbell, Samantha Hill, & Abbi Thomas for helping to paint the mat at the fairgrounds this weekend.

The group's first performance event will be the MIA Field Day on Saturday, January 30, at Pearl High School. The schedule for the day:

9:45 - 12:00 - Practice at JA (wear guard t-shirt and black pants)
12:00 - 12:30 - Load truck

12:30 - 1:00 - Snack

1:15 - 1:45 - Drive to Pearl

1:45 - 2:15 - Unload truck

2:30 - Move to warmup

3:00 - PERFORMANCE

Evening Schedule

7:30 - Change into purple dresses

8:00 - Unload truck

8:45 - Move to warmup

9:30 - PERFORMANCE

10:30 - Retreat

We need four parents to help drive the students to Pearl. Please send Cammie an email at crc38@aol.com if you are available to help.

PRESIDENT'S CORNER - Jim Lowery

All Band Booster members should have received the following information in a email earlier this week. As a reminder:

Now that we have all had a rest from the work of marching season, we now have some opportunities ahead that need to be met. For that reason, we need to have a booster meeting on February 2 at 6 PM. The list of activities that follow make it very important that you attend.

1. The Mississippi Indoor Association (MIA) is the organization that sponsors indoor drum line and color guard competitions. Since the organization of the association, JA has not had an opportunity to host one of these events. The reasons for this has been a concern that our gym was too small for the crowds at these events and the logistics of moving equipment past the concession stand. Brandon High School was to have hosted the MIA event on February 6 and has declined that opportunity. JA has been asked to host the event on that date. After talking with the Carters and board members, we have accepted hosting this event. When I last talked with Mr. Carter, 5 drum lines and 13 guard groups were on the program. The event has the promise of good exposure for the school since most of the groups are within 60 miles and will bring many spectators to our campus. There is some cost to hosting, but the opportunity for fund raising is great. There are many details that must be discussed prior to February 6, so at this time I am asking that you save the date and be available to help. The day event will take all afternoon and into the evening, we need people to make this work. The details will be discussed at the meeting.

2. The MAIS Concert Band Festival will be hosted by JA in the Performing Arts Center on April 1. The event will be entirely held in the PAC. If you did not hear the jazz band perform on Tuesday at the ribbon cutting, you will enjoy the sound. Mr. Carter will fill us in on what details are available when we meet.

3. The concert has been moved to May 4th. Change your calendars.

4. The banquet is scheduled for May 13. Please be available to help with preparation for this.

See you on February 2 at 6 PM.

MSU HONOR BAND CLINIC

Congratulations to JA senior band members Will Commarato, Jonathan Sandlin, & John Humphreys for being selected for the the Mississippi State University Honor Band first band, as well as the Honor Jazz Ensemble. Will is first chair trombone, Jonathan fourth chair trumpet, and John eighth chair trumpet. These students will participate in the Honor Band clinic from Thursday to Saturday.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please mark the following dates on your calendars:

Tuesday, February 2 - JA Band Booster meeting, 6:00

Tuesday, March 23 - Full Band evening rehearsal, PAC, 7:00 - 8:30
Tuesday, March 30 - Full Band evening rehearsal, PAC, 7:00 - 8:30
Thursday, April 1 - MAIS Concert Band Festival, PAC, all day

Tuesday, May 4 - JA Band Program Spring Concert, PAC, 7:00
Thursday, May 13 - JA Band Program Banquet

BAND CAMP - July 26-30 and August 2-6, JA campus, 8:30 - 5:00 each day

SECTIONALS

The only change to the usual sectional schedule this week is that all brass will be added to the Monday sectional, due to several students attending the MSU Honor Band clinic Thursday and Friday:

MONDAY - tenor saxes, clarinets, trumpets, & low brass
TUESDAY - alto saxes & flutes
WEDNESDAY - percussion
THURSDAY - none
FRIDAY - none

PHOTO GALLERY - Wendy Hutchins

See these photos from the PAC Dedication Ceremony and more at the JA Band Photo Gallery