2/19/12 UPDATE

CONGRATULATIONS to the JA Winter Guard for their FIRST PLACE finish at the Brandon MIA show on Saturday. Front: Annie Campbell, Caroline Burford, Sarah Allen Bowman, Elizabeth McDaniel. Middle: Abbi Thomas, Samara Dallaire, Hannah McCowan, Samantha Hill. Back: Will Tribble, Zack McWilliams, Christian Burford, Chase Oswalt

The JA Guard won their class by almost 5 and a half points, over units from Clinton, Brandon, and Warren Central. They were also the highest scoring group of the entire day, outscoring groups from Pearl, Petal, Northwest Rankin, Hillcrest, and Florence. The JA Guard improved their score by over 10 points in just 3 weeks since the last show, and they remain undefeated in MIA.

The guard will travel to Nashville, TN this weekend for the WGI Nashville Regional. Good luck to the girls as they compete against units from 11 states.

A photo of the capacity crowd watching the JA Guard's performance:

During the performance:

Unit captains during retreat:

UPCOMING WINTER GUARD SCHEDULE:

MONDAY, Feb 20 - Rehearse 12:30 - 5:30

Feb 24-26 - NASHVILLE WGI REGIONAL

FRIDAY - Depart JA 11:30, Rehearse at site 6:30 - 8:30, check in to hotel

SATURDAY - Performance 9:05 AM, Regional Class retreat 12:00, afternoon and evening schedule dependent on results but will include a possible second performance, watching other groups' performances, and time at Coolsprings Galleria Mall and Nashville
SUNDAY - Check out of hotel, breakfast at Cracker Barrel, return to JA approximately 6:00

Click HERE for full itinerary and maps.

TUESDAY, Feb 28 - Rehearse 4:00 - 7:00

Schedule for the remainder of the season is still being determined.

BAND BOOSTER UPDATE from Hope Burford, Vice President

To all JA Band Boosters: We have an awesome opportunity to promote the Vienna Boys' Choir Concert coming to our Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 @ 7 p.m.  

Each band member has been given 4 tickets to sell for this concert.  The tickets are $20 each.  The sale of these tickets is a fundraiser for our band.  The school has given us an opportunity to make a few dollars on each ticket.

HAVE YOUR STUDENT RETURN ANY MONEY AND/OR UNSOLD TICKETS ON TUESDAY!  You may treat your family by purchasing the tickets yourself.  

CONCERT BAND

Sectional rehearsals will continue until the concert band begins weekly evening rehearsals after Spring Break (March 20, March 27, and April 3). All sectionals are 3:00 - 3:45.

MONDAY - Piano

TUESDAY - Saxes

WEDNESDAY - Clarinets

THURSDAY - Brass, bass clarinet, and bass

FRIDAY - Flutes and percussion

The JA Concert Band has been invited to perform at the Mississippi Music Educators Association Conference. The schedule is yet to be finalized, but it will be the afternoon of  March 23. We will announce further details as they become available.

CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI CONCERT FESTIVAL

The Concert Band will again perform at the Central MS Concert Festival at Ridgeland HS on Thursday, March 29, in the afternoon. Further details are TBA.

NORTHWEST RANKIN HS JAZZ CLINIC

JA Band students are invited to attend the Northwest Rankin Jazz Clinic April 12-14. The clinic will start after school on April 12, meet all day Friday, April 13, and finish with a rehearsal and concert on Saturday morning, April 14. Cost is $25 per student.

UPCOMING EVENTS

(See Winter Guard schedule above)

March 6 - Jazz Band at Features Pageant

March 20 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00

March 23 - Concert Band at MMEA Conference

March 27 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00

March 29 - Concert Band at Central MS Concert Fest, Ridgeland HS

March 31 - Winter Guard at MIA Championships, Coliseum

April 3 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00

April 5 - MAIS Concert Band Festival, JA PAC

April 12 -14 - Northwest Rankin Jazz Clinic

May 8 - Spring Concert

May 17 - Band Banquet