4/25/10 UPDATE

The final concert in the University Jazz Series brought the Jazz Ensemble from Mississippi State University, under the direction of Dr. Clifton Taylor, to the JA Performing Arts Center on Friday evening. With many MSU alumni in the audience, the high energy performance was a fitting end to the series.

Thank you to JA band members Will Commarato, John Humphreys, Annie Campbell, and Samantha Hill for their help at the three concerts in the series, collecting admission fees and assisting behind the scenes.

PRESIDENT'S CORNER - Jim Lowery

I am looking forward to hearing one more concert of the Jackson Academy Band before my youngest child graduates next month. This month has offered some amazing performances that many of you heard. The Jackson Academy Band continues to set the standard for bands in the MAIS. The performance in the PAC was even more impressive when you realize that former JA band member Corey Carter wrote one piece and arranged one piece of the three pieces of their performance. The outstanding performance at the Township Festival was part of what is becoming a significant local event. All the feedback I have received from my friends in Ridgeland has been amazing. What a way for our family to leave the band! I am looking forward to a most interesting night as we change how we close the year on May 13th. More information on this will be shared with you soon.

On a somber note... Any band family that has had children pass through the JA elementary grades is shocked by the sudden death of Jane Gibbons. Your band booster officers are preparing to make a gift from our budget in her honor to Jackson Academy. Gifts to the school will be focused on a yet to be determined project leaning toward a music area due to Jane’s love of music. One of the most mentioned projects is a scholarship for musically interested students. The band boosters are preparing to donate to this or a similar idea and I would solicit those of you who want to donate through the band boosters and be included with the band boosters to increase our donation send checks so marked to the band boosters to be included with the booster check. Please understand that this is only an option to increase the booster presence with a major project. This is your personal decision on how to honor our beloved teacher. My suggestion if you choose to join with the band boosters would be to have all donations received by the May 4th concert to be presented at the awards meeting on May 13th. If you have any questions, please contact me.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday, May 4 - JA Band Program Spring Concert, PAC, 7:00 - performances by the Sixth Grade Band and the Concert Band

Thursday, May 13 - JA Band Program Awards Ceremony - cookies & punch served at 6:30 in the PAC lobby, awards in the auditorium beginning at 7:00

JA Dance Camp - June 1-4, 12:00 - 5:30 each day

Capital City Jazz Camp - June 7-11, 1:00 - 5:00 and 6:30 - 9:00 each day

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