7/20/14 UPDATE

BAND CAMP 

Horn and percussion students should report to the BAND HALL by 8:30 on Monday morning, ready to play.

Uniforms will be fitted during the lunch break Monday, so lunch will be provided by the Band Boosters. Parent help is needed with fittings. Contact Charlette Oswalt at charlette.oswalt@millsaps.edu if you are able to help on Monday.

Guard students will begin Wednesday at 8:30 am in the Activities Building.

Full camp schedule:

HORNS & PERCUSSION - Monday - Friday, July 20 - 25 and July 28 - Aug 1 - 8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 5:00

GUARD - Wednesday, July 22 - Friday, July 25 - 8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 5:00
Saturday, July 26 - 8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 4:00 (Lunch wll be provided)
Sunday, July 27 - 2:00 - 6:00
Monday - Friday, July 28 - August 1 - 8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 5:00

PREMIERE PERFORMANCE for Families and friends - Friday, August 1, 4:00 in the Activities Building

MARCHING SHOES 

A marching shoe order will be placed on Monday. If your student needs new marching shoes, which are $36, please send an email or have your student order them at camp on Monday. Checks should be made out to JA Band Boosters.

JA BAND STICKERS

From JA Band Booster VP Catherine Arnold:

New this year is the JA Band sticker! The Band Boosters are selling them next week to our band students in the mornings before camp.  These are made of durable UV laminate for use on cars or anywhere -- instrument cases, notebooks, lockers, music stands, etc. All money raised from this sale will go directly into the Band's operating budget for this year.

The stickers are $3 for one sticker, or two for $5. We will accept cash or checks made out to JA Band Boosters. Get yours next week before we run out! Here is an image of the sticker:

BAND FEES

The total fee for each band member, to cover travel and camp expenses, is $800. Here is the payment schedule:

June - $200
July - $200
August - $200
September - $200

Payments, checks made out to JA Band Boosters, may be sent with your student to camp or mailed to Band Booster Treasurer Jamie Niemeyer, 627 Forest View Ln, Brandon, MS 39047.

DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Every student should bring at least one case of bottled water for camp. Continued bottled water donations are needed throughout the season, to keep our students hydrated. Thank you!

Donations of individual snacks for breaks during camp are also much appreciated.

Volunteers are needed to monitor those students who remain on campus for lunch during band camp. Please contact Charlette Oswalt if you can help with this, for one day or more - charlette.oswalt@millsaps.edu.

7/14/14 UPDATE

BAND CAMP COUNTDOWN

One week to band camp!

A reminder of the schedule:

HORNS & PERCUSSION

Monday - Friday, July 21 - 25 and July 28 - August 1 - 8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 5:00 each day

Meet in the BAND HALL on Monday, July 21

COLOR GUARD

Wednesday - Friday, July 23 - 25 - 8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 5:00
Saturday, July 26 - 8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 4:00
Sunday, July 27 - 2:00 - 6:00
Monday - Friday, July 28 - August 1 - 8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 5:00

PREMIERE PERFORMANCE for families and friends - 4:00 on Friday, August 1, in the Activities Building (old gym)

WATER

In order to help our students stay hydrated, donations of bottled water are needed for camp and throughout the season. Thank you for your help with this!

Please read through the previous blog update below for details about band fee payments and signing up for group text messaging.

MISSISSIPPI ALL STATE LIONS BAND

Congratulations to the MS Lions Band, including JA Band members Caroline Burford and Samantha Hill, for winning their 30th International Parade Championship in Toronto earlier this month!

6/29/14 UPDATE

BAND CAMP 2014

Please mark your calendars and make note of the following slightly different schedules for guard and instrumental members:

HORNS & PERCUSSION

Monday, July 21 - Friday, July 25
Monday, July 28 - Friday, Aug 1

8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 5:00 each day

COLOR GUARD

Wednesday, July 23 - Friday, July 25
8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 5:00 each day

Saturday, July 26 - 8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 4:00
Sunday, July 27- 2:00 - 6:00

Monday, July 28 - Friday, Aug 1
8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 5:00 each day

This schedule will allow the Guard to work more extensively with the choreographer and show designer on Saturday and Sunday.

The Premiere Performance for family and friends will be Friday, Aug 1 at 4:00.

It is vital that we have all band members present for all days of band camp. The entire show -- music, choreography, & drill -- will be taught during these two weeks.

JA BAND BOOSTERS - BAND FEES 

The total band fee for each JA Band member, to cover travel and camp expenses, is $800. Here is the payment schedule:

June - $200
July - $200
August - $200
September - $200

If you have not paid your June installment, please send it to JA Band Booster Treasurer Jamie Niemyer, at the following address:

627 Forest View Ln
Brandon MS 39047

Any questions may be directed to Booster President Charlette Oswalt (charlette.oswalt@millsaps.edu) or Jamie Niemeyer (JNiemeyer@sfbcic.com).

MISSISSIPPI LIONS ALL STATE BAND

JA Band members Caroline Burford and Samantha Hill have been working hard at Lions Band Camp on the Jones County Junior College campus this week. They will be traveling to Toronto next week with the band to compete at the Lions International Convention. Here are a couple photos from camp:

REMIND TEXT MESSAGING SYSTEM

Especially for new band families, here is the information about a text messaging system that we use to communicate important information during the school year. If you have signed up previously, there is no need to do so again. However, if your student is new to the program, or if your phone number has changed or you wish to add another, please follow the directions below to opt in to the system.

5/26/14 UPDATE

BAND CAMP 2014

Here are the dates and times for Band Camp 2014:

HORNS & PERCUSSION

Monday, July 21 - Friday, July 25
Monday, July 28 - Friday, Aug 1

8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 5:00 each day

COLOR GUARD

Wednesday, July 23 - Friday, July 25
8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 5:00 each day

Saturday, July 26 - 8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 4:00
Sunday, July 27- 2:00 - 6:00

Monday, July 28 - Friday, Aug 1
8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 5:00 each day

This schedule will allow the Guard to work more extensively with the choreographer and show designer on Saturday and Sunday.

The Premiere Performance for family and friends will be Friday, Aug 1 at 4:00.

It is vital that we have all band members present for all days of band camp. The entire show -- music, choreography, & drill -- will be taught during these two weeks.

JA BAND STAFF 2014

We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new percussion instructor, Steven Ross.

A native of Madison, MS, Mr. Ross holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education from USM. He was a member of and instructor with the Troopers DCI corps for several years.

For the past 4 years, Steven has been an assistant band director/percussion instructor at Madison Central HS.

Jeff Namian will return to write the drill for the 2014 competition show. Mr. Namian, the registrar at the New York School of Interior Design, is a long-time JA Band collaborator, beginning in 1994. He has designed many ground-breaking show for both marching band and winter guard, including several WGI medalists. He has served as an adjudicator for DCI and WGI, and is a member of the WGI Hall of Fame.

New to the JA Band staff this year will be choreographer Rick Subel. Mr. Subel is a respected choreographer in the WGI and DCI communities, having directed, written for and taught such groups as the Crossmen, Paramount, and Santa Clara Vanguard.

WINTER GUARD 2014

The Jackson Academy Winter Guard 2014 video has been posted to YouTube:

5/18/14 UPDATE

BAND BLOG BULLETS

- BAND UNIFORM TURN-IN THIS WEEK - Uniforms must be clean and neatly hung in uniform bag labeled with name.

- FAMILY POOL PARTY Thursday at the Jackson Yacht Club -- Thank you, McCowan family!

Congratulations to our JA Band seniors, Samantha Hill and Zack McWilliams! A few pics:

Guard members stick together!

BAND CAMP 2014 - July 21-25 and July 28 - August 1

5/11/14 UPDATE

BAND BLOG BULLETS

- BAND CAMP July 21-25 and July 28 - August 1

- UNIFORMS need to be turned in this week -- cleaned and hung neatly in uniform bag labeled with the student's name.

- POOL PARTY May 22 at the Jackson Yacht Club -- Junior High 6:30 - 9:30,  High School 6:30 - 10:30



Thanks to everyone who was able to come to the Band Banquet this week to recognize the hard-working JA Band members. It has been a great year.

Thank you to Charlette Oswalt for organizing the event, and special thanks to Terri Fisher, for her service as Band Booster President the past three years.

Thanks also to everyone who supported the Jazz Band fundraiser at Mediterranean Fish and Grill. It was a full house and a high energy event.

FALL 2014

Looking ahead, be sure to mark your calendars for the following events. We will communicate any changes or additions as soon as we are aware of them.

BAND CAMP - July 21-25 and July 28 - August 1 - 8:30-11:30 and 1:00-5:00 each day

AUGUST 22 - Away football game @ NE Lauderdale, Meridian
AUGUST 29 - Home football game
SEPT 12 - Home football game
SEPT 26 - Home football game
OCTOBER 3 - Home football game
OCTOBER 4 - CLINTON ARROW INVITATIONAL
OCTOBER 10 - Away football game @ Prep
OCTOBER 11 - PEARL INVITATIONAL
OCTOBER 24 - Home football game
OCTOBER 25 - MAIS MARCHING BAND FESTIVAL @ JA
OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 2 - BOA SAN ANTONIO SUPER REGIONAL
NOVEMBER 7 - Home football game
NOVEMBER 14 - Football Playoffs
NOVEMBER 21 - Football Championships

PHOTO & VIDEO GALLERY

Here are the Retrospective slide show video and the video of the JA Band performance at the MAIS Marching Band Festival:





Thanks to Charlotte McClellan for the photos from the Band Banquet. More of those photos can be found at this link: BAND BANQUET

 

 

 

 

 

 

5/4/14 UPDATE

BLOG BULLETS

- GYROS & JAZZ fundraiser TUESDAY at Mediterranean Fish & Grill - LAST CHANCE to hear the JA Jazz Band this year!

- BAND BANQUET RSVP DEADLINE is MONDAY! The venue requires a head count Monday afternoon. Contact Charlette Oswalt at charlette.oswalt@millsaps.edu or 601-331-5450.

JA BAND FUNDRAISER - GYROS & JAZZ

Don't miss this last opportunity to hear the JA Band this year, along with special guest musicians including JA President Elect Cliff Kling on sax and Upper School Dean Steve McCartney on trombone.

Tickets are $25 per person, which entitles the ticket holder to dinner and entertainment at Mediterranean Fish & Grill in Ridgeland. All proceeds will benefit the JA Band.

The band members have worked extremely hard the past few months developing their jazz repertoire and would love a large audience. Please join us and spread the word to family and friends.

For tickets, contact Vicki Tirman at tirman4@bellsouth.net. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Students should arrive at the restaurant by 6:00 Tuesday. Attire is the JA Band polos and khakis.

BAND BANQUET 2014

The JA Band Banquet is an opportunity to recognize the efforts of every band member throughout the school year. In addition to awards, the evening will include live jazz entertainment from local musician Raphael Semmes and friends, plus a retrospective slide show of the year.

The students will not be performing at the banquet, to allow them to relax and enjoy the evening. Tickets for family members and guests are $25 per person.

THE DEADLINE for RSVPs for the banquet is MONDAY afternoon, when the venue requires a head count. Don't be left out, contact Charlette Oswalt at charlette.oswalt@millsaps.edu, or 601-331-5450.