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!!