8/30/15 UPDATE

JA BAND BOOSTERS

As September 1 approaches, our JA Band Booster Treasurer Ginger Thomas is preparing invoices for every band member which will include the balances on band dues, family travel fees, parent shirts, and buttons. Thank you in advance for submitting your payments punctually so we can meet our ongoing expenses.

JA BAND 8/31 - 9/4

MONDAY, 8/31 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

TUESDAY, 9/1 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
EVENING REHEARSALS ON THE FIELD:
GUARD - 5:00 - 6:15 and 6:30 - 8:00
PERCUSSION - 5:30 - 8:00
HORNS - 6:30 - 8:00

WEDNESDAY, 9/2 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

THURSDAY, 9/3 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

FRIDAY, 9/4 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00

NOTE: For the Pep Rally, band members should be in BAND T-SHIRTS, with no overshirts or jackets.

HOME GAME
4:30 - Dinner provided by Boosters in Band Hall
5:15 - Rifles Warmup
5:30 - Full band warmup on lot. Horns and percussion in half uniform
PREGAME - March as a unit to the stands. Watch visiting band performance.
FIRST & SECOND QUARTER - Drumline in stands until dismissed for warmup.
HALFTIME - PERFORMANCE - Parent help needed
THIRD QUARTER - Break, reception with visiting band
FOURTH QUARTER - Drumline in stands
POSTGAME - March as a unit to Band Hall, students dismissed when all equipment is put away

BE SURE TO HAVE ALL EVENTS LISTED TO THE RIGHT ON YOUR CALENDAR. WE NEED EVERY STUDENT FOR EVERY ACTIVITY! (To see sidebar items when you are using a mobile device to view the blog, scroll to the bottom and click "View Web Version".)

8/23/15 UDPATE

Thank you to all the parents who came to help with the mat at halftime Friday night. 18 parents plus a sibling - it might be a record! See the schedule below for information on a mat crew meeting at the end of rehearsal Tuesday on the field.

Special thanks to the parents who helped coordinator Lisa Thomas with the first pregame meal Friday: Vicki Tirman, Terri Fisher, Carolyn Thompson, Judy Caldwell, and Ginger Thomas. The students greatly appreciate these meals.

JA BAND 8/24-28

MONDAY, 8/24 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

TUESDAY, 8/25 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
EVENING REHEARSALS ON THE FIELD:
GUARD - 5:00 - 6:15 and 6:30 - 8:00
PERCUSSION - 5:30 - 8:00
HORNS - 6:30 - 8:00
MAT CREW PARENTS - 8:00 - 8:30

WEDNESDAY, 8/26 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

THURSDAY, 8/27 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

FRIDAY, 8/28 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
No football game for Band

JA BAND BOOSTERS

Band photo buttons have arrived, and will be distributed to the students at the Tuesday evening rehearsal. Be sure to ask your student for it if you ordered one.

Parent shirts have been distributed to those who ordered them. Check with your student if you have not received one you ordered.

For both buttons ($5) and shirts ($25), if you have not yet paid, please give your payment to a board member or mail to Treasurer Ginger Thomas - 133 Wildwood Dr., Madison MS 39110.

Thanks again to the parents who helped with the pregame meal and the mat on Friday. It is great to see the wonderful support for these hardworking students.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Be sure to keep up with the JA Band via the Facebook page (HERE), Twitter (@JA_Band), Flickr (HERE), and Instagram (@jacksonacademyband).

PHOTO GALLERY

Thanks once again to Charlotte McClellan for taking and sharing her photos from the game on Friday. More are posted to the photo gallery: FALL 2015

8/16/15 UPDATE

Thanks to Cory Tirman, Michael Payne, and Hannah McCowan for their time and efforts working on the practice lot to get it right for rehearsals this week.

JA BAND 8/17-21

MONDAY, 8/17 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

TUESDAY, 8/18 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
ALL SPORTS NIGHT:
5:15 - All band members report to the Band Hall in show shirts and shorts, to help move equipment to the Activities Building
6:00 - Drumline performs on the field, Band members introduced to the crowd
6:15 - Band moves to Activities Building for rehearsal
7:30 - Parent meeting in the Band Hall for everyone interested in helping to create and organize fundraising events
8:00 - Rehearsal ends, students dismissed when everything is returned to the Band Hall

The Band Boosters will be manning a tent at All Sports Night, distributing popsicles. All volunteers are welcome. Contact Catherine Arnold (arnoldsfive@gmail.com) with any questions.

WEDNESDAY, 8/19 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

THURSDAY, 8/20 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

FRIDAY, 8/21 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
HOME FOOTBALL GAME
4:30 - Dinner provided by Boosters in the Band Hall
5:15 - Rifles Warmup
5:30 - Full Band Warmup on the band lot, horns and percussion in half uniform (Band t-shirt, black pants, marching shoes); guard in shorts and t-shirts
PREGAME - March as a unit to the home stands
FIRST & SECOND QUARTER - Drumline in the stands until warmup for halftime show
HALFTIME - Competition Show PERFORMANCE - Parent help needed to help with the mat
THIRD QUARTER - Break
FOURTH QUARTER - Drumline in stands
POST GAME - March as a group to return to the Band Hall. Students dismissed when all equipment is put away

JA BAND BOOSTERS

There will be a meeting on Tuesday at 7:30 for all parents willing to help brainstorm and organize fundraising events to support the band this year. Please consider joining us.

The Band Boosters will be manning a tent at All Sports Night, distributing popsicles. All volunteers are welcome. Contact Catherine Arnold (arnoldsfive@gmail.com) with any questions.

Parent help is NEEDED to get the mat on and off the field for all performances, including this Friday's halftime show. Please contact Terri Fisher (tjmfisher@yahoo.com) if you can help.

FALL TRAVEL

Hotel reservations must be finalized in the next week. Please contact trip planner Sue Guindon (sue.guindon@gmail.com) with any questions and to confirm your travel plans for Biloxi and St. Louis.

PHOTO GALLERY

Thank you to Charlotte McClellan, for sharing her photos from the Premiere Performance. They have been added to the online photo gallery: JA BAND CAMP 2015

A few sample photos:

JA Drum Major Cory Tirman

8/9/15 UPDATE

BAND CAMP

Thank you to the students for a great two weeks of hard work, and to all the families and friends who came out to see the Premiere Performance on Friday.

Special thanks to JA Alumni Caroline Burford and Annie Campbell for helping at camp both weeks.

JA BAND SCHEDULE 

Here is the typical weekly schedule once the school year begins:

MONDAY - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

TUESDAY - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
GUARD - 5:30 - 6:15 and 6:30 - 8:00
PERCUSSION - 5:30 - 8:00
HORNS - 6:30 - 8:00

WEDNESDAY - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

THURSDAY - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

FRIDAY - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00, Evening schedule dependent on Football schedule -- All band commitments for games are listed in the sidebar to the right and the calendar linked in the menu bar above

Any changes to the schedule will be updated in the blog each week.

Schedule for this week:

WEDNESDAY, 8/12 - No Rehearsal (11:45 Dismissal)

THURSDAY, 8/13 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00

FRIDAY, 8/14 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00

BAND BOOSTERS

If you would like to order a PHOTO BUTTON but did not do so on Friday, the last day to do so is TUESDAY.  The order will be placed on Wednesday. Each button will be $5. Contact Vicki Tirman (tirman4@bellsouth.net) to order.

BOTTLED WATER donations are needed throughout the season, to keep the students hydrated at every rehearsal and performance.

FALL TRAVEL

Be sure to let trip planner Sue Guindon know your family's travel plans as soon as possible, if you did not return the form to her on Friday, or if your plans change. Hotel reservations must be finalized in the next two weeks. Contact her at sue.guindon@gmail.com or 937-239-7851

PHOTO GALLERY

MANY photos have been posted to our online gallery at the following links:

BAND CAMP 2015  and BAND PORTRAITS 2015

A few samples:

 

8/2/15 UPDATE

BAND CAMP NOTES

Band Camp Week 2 will shift to the Activities Building (Old Gym). Times are the same as week 1: 8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 5:00 each day. Please continue to ensure your students are on time and ready to learn!

Donations of snacks (chips, goldfish, crackers) and Gatorade are still needed. 

The Premiere Performance of the JA Band 2015 competition show, "Natural Wonder", will be FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, in the Activities Building. Please arrive by 4:30 for an important parent meeting before the performance. All families and friends are invited.

BAND BOOSTERS - Notes from President Catherine Arnold

The third of four $200 band fee payments was due on August 1, unless you have made previous arrangements. Payments may be dropped off at camp with a booster officer.

We are compiling a band family directory, with cell phone numbers. Please send your phone numbers to Catherine Arnold (arnoldsfive@gmail.com), if you have not yet done so.

MARCHING SHOES

All horn and percussion students will need black MTX marching shoes for the season. We have some gently used pairs in the band hall that anyone may have, or fellow students may have some they have outgrown. If you do need to order shoes, please do so as soon as possible at the following link:

MTX MARCHING SHOES - FJM

Be sure to order BLACK.

FALL TRAVEL

Edward Jones Dome, home of the St. Louis Rams of the NFL and site of the Bands of America Super Regional Championship.

JA Band travel coordinator Sue Guindon will be at the meeting Friday to present information about the fall trips, to Biloxi September 26-27, and St. Louis October 16-18.

All band families are encouraged to join the band on the trips. Here are the approximate costs for families (student expenses for bus, lodging, & activities are included in their band fee):

Biloxi - Lodging fee dependent on type of room chosen -- Approximate range $110 - 160 per room

St. Louis - $270 total per room (2 nights) plus $30 - 50 per person dependent on group meals/activities

Sue will have more information at the meeting on Friday, and you can contact her (sue.guindon@gmail.com, 937-239-7851) with any questions.

7/26/15 UPDATE

BAND CAMP WEEK 1

Band Camp begins Monday, July 27. Remember, we need ALL band members at band camp EVERY DAY!

Week 1 schedule (Mon-Fri, July 27-31)

8:30 - 11:30 - High school gymnasium (new gym) - Arrive EARLY, so that you are ready to BEGIN at 8:30!

11:30 - 1:00 - Lunch Break

1:00 - 5:00 - Afternoon session in HS gym - Arrive in time to BEGIN at 1:00!

Week 2 schedule (Mon-Fri, August 3-7)

8:30 - 11:30 - Activities Building (old gym)

11:30 - 1:00 - Lunch Break

1:00 - 5:00 - Afternoon Session

The final day of camp, Friday, August 7, the afternoon session will conclude with the Premiere Performance of the 2015 JA Band competition show, "Natural Wonder". All families and friends are invited. Please arrive by 4:30 for a short presentation by our trip planner, Sue Guindon, before the performance.

JA BAND BOOSTERS

All band families should have received an email Sunday from Booster President Catherine Arnold. If you did not receive it, please email Catherine at arnoldsfive@gmail.com to ensure she has your correct contact information.

As a reminder, the third of four $200 band fee payments is due, unless you have made other arrangements with the Boosters. A board member will be at camp each morning to collect payments.

For the daily lunch break, your student can leave campus with a parent, or with another student or parent with permission. If we have enough parents to provide supervision, students will be able to bring a lunch and stay on campus. If you are interested in this option and can help provide supervision, contact Catherine Arnold.

DONATIONS

Bottled water, snacks, and gatorade donations are NEEDED for camp and the season. Please bring donations on Monday!

COMMUNICATION

In addition to ensuring that Mr. Carter and the Boosters have your correct email address(es), be sure to sign up for the REMIND text messaging system, which we use (sparingly) for last minute schedule changes and updates.  For instructions about how to sign up to receive these messages. CLICK HERE. If you have signed up previously, you do not need to sign up again.

CALENDAR

We have updated the UPCOMING EVENTS box to the top right of the blog, and you can also click on the CALENDAR tab at the top of the page.

7/19/15 UDPATE

BAND CAMP COUNTDOWN!

Here are the details for JA Band Camp 2015:

July 27 - 31 - High School Gymnasium (new location for the first week)
August 3 - 7 - Activities Building (old gym)

8:30 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 5:00 each day. Please arrive in time to BEGIN at 8:30 and 1:00.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE EVERY BAND MEMBER PRESENT EVERY DAY OF CAMP!

We will teach the entire show -- music, drill, and choreography -- at camp. Our drill writer, Jeff Namian, will tailor the show to the students who are present, as will our choreographer, Rick Subel.

Students have several choices for lunch (11:30 - 1:00) each day. They may leave campus with their own parents, or with other parents or older students, with parental permission. If we have parents who are able to provide supervision, students may also bring lunch and stay on campus. If you are interested in this option, especially if you can help with supervising some days, please contact Catherine Arnold at arnoldsfive@gmail.com.

Camp will conclude with the Premiere Performance of the 2015 JA Band show, "Natural Wonder", on Friday, August 7, in the Activities Building. All band families and friends are invited. Please plan to be there by 4:30, to hear a short presentation by our trip planner, Sue Guindon, before the performance.

DONATIONS

Bottled water is needed for camp and throughout the season. 

Donations of snack items (granola bars, chips, cookies, crackers, etc.) for the long days at camp are also requested (and much appreciated by the students!). 

Please bring these donations on the first day of camp.

COMMUNICATION

It is very important that we have udpated email addresses for each family. Contact bcarter@jacksonacademy.org with any updates.

REMIND

For important last minute schedule changes and reminders, we use the REMIND text messaging system. CLICK HERE for instructions about how to sign up to receive these messages. If you have signed up previously, you do not need to do it again.

JA BAND BOOSTERS

Our JA Band Booster Board has been hard at work this summer communicating with families and collecting the first band fee payments. Please contact any of these ladies if you have any questions:

Catherine Arnold: arnoldsfive@gmail.com

Vicki Tirman: tirman4@bellsouth.net

Ginger Thomas: gintom@bellsouth.net

Lisa Thomas: lcpstat@aol.com