9/25/11 UPDATE

Congrats to the members of the JA Band for an outstanding performance at the Southern Stars Invitational at Lewisburg High School on Saturday.

Competing against much larger bands, predominantly from large public schools, the band earned 9 awards:

CLASS A - First Place Band, First Place Color Guard, First Place Percussion

RED DIVISION (Class A & AA) - First Place Band, First Place Color Guard, Second Place Percussion, First Place Visual Effect

OVERALL (Class A, AA, AAA, AAAA) - First Place Color Guard, Second Place Band

We are very proud of the students for their hard work and also for their behavior on the trip and at the event.

Thank you to the parents who came on the trip to help, with a special nod to Band Booster President Terri Fisher for spearheading the effort to ensure there was enough help to get the show on the field.

The band received valuable inputs from the adjudicators at Lewisburg, many of whom have experience as judges at BOA events. These inputs will be invaluable as we prepare for BOA St. Louis over these next three weeks.

Many photos from the weekend have been posted to the online photo gallery and the JA Band Facebook page.

COLOR GUARD - Please bring uniforms to school Monday and give them to Mrs. Carter.

JA BAND SCHEDULE - Week of 9/26 - 9/30

Please note that the next three TUESDAYS will be the final evening marching band rehearsals of the school year, returning to the regular schedule.

MONDAY - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

TUESDAY - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
Color Guard 6:00 - 6:30 - Stretches and Warmup
Percussion - 5:30 - 6:30
FULL BAND 6:30 - 8:00

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY- Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

FRIDAY - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
Band will not travel to the away football game at Lee Academy

The schedule for the upcoming full day rehearsal on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 is as follows:

9:30 - 12:00 - Full Band
12:00 - 1:30 - Lunch Break
1:30 - 4:00 - Full Band

Please mark your calendars to ensure your student will be at this important rehearsal.

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 1 - Final St. Louis trip payments DUE
October 7 - Home football game vs. Prep
October 8 - Full Band Rehearsal 9:30 - 12:00 and 1:30 - 4:00
October 13-16 - St. Louis Bands of America Super Regional Championship
October 21 - Home football game vs. Mag Heights
October 28 - Away football game vs. MRA (drumline)
October 29 - MAIS Marching Band Festival at Jackson Prep
November 4 - Football Playoff game
November 5 - Winter Guard All-Day Rehearsal
November 11 - Championship Football game @ MC
November 12 - MS All-State Lions Band Auditions
November 19 - Lions Band Callback Auditions

9/18/11 UPDATE

There will be a JA Band Booster meeting at 6:00 on Monday, to discuss the St. Louis trip and the remainder of marching season.

Thank you to Reggy & Michelle McDaniel for generously providing pizza for the band members after the game on Friday.

Please be sure to check the weekly schedule below as the band prepares for their first competition on Saturday.

WATER DONATIONS NEEDED

The band needs a case of water (1 bottle per member) for each rehearsal, game, or other event. Please bring donations to the band hall.

A few photos from the Homecoming Pep Rally on Friday:

JA Band SCHEDULE 9/19-24

MONDAY - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

TUESDAY - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00 - NO EVENING REHEARSAL

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

FRIDAY - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00

EVENING REHEARSALS ON THE FIELD

Color Guard & Percussion - 4:00 - 5:00

Full Band - 5:00 - 6:30

Parent Field Crew - 6:30

Load Trucks - 6:45

SATURDAY - Southern Stars Invitational at Lewisburg HS, Olive Branch

10:00 - Meet at Band Hall, load bus

1:30 - Lunch stop at Ryan's buffet, Horn Lake (bring $11 per person)

3:00 - Arrive Lewisburg HS, unload truck, change into uniform, prepare for warmup

5:15 - PERFORMANCE

After performance - return to bus, load truck, change out of uniform, return to stadium to watch shows.

"Sack Lunch" dinner provided, other concessions available for purchase if desired

9:30 - Awards

10:00 - Load bus, depart Lewisburg

1:00 (approximate) - Arrive at JA

Here is the performance schedule for Southern Stars:

4:45 - Lake Cormorant HS, MS

5:00 - Alcorn Central HS, MS

5:15 - Jackson Academy

5:30 - Center Hill HS, MS

5:45 - Milan HS, TN

6:00 - Horn Lake HS, MS

6:15 - Booneville HS, MS

6:30 - SBEC, MS

7:30 - Hernando HS, MS

7:45 - Brighton HS, TN

8:00 - Ripley HS, MS

8:15 - Houston HS, TN

8:30 - DeSoto Central HS, MS

8:45 - Southaven HS, MS

9:00 - Olive Branch HS, MS

9:15 - Lewisburg HS, MS

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 24 - Southern Stars Invitational band competition @ Lewisburg HS

October 1 - Final St. Louis trip payments due

October 7 - Home football game v. Jackson Prep

October 8 - All-day Band Rehearsal

October 13 - 16 - St. Louis BOA trip

October 21 - Home football v. Mag Heights

October 28 - Away football @ MRA

October 29 - MAIS Marching Band Festival

November 4 - Football Playoff Game

November 11 - Football Championship game @ MC

November 12 - MS All-State Lions Band auditions

November 19 - MS All-State Lions Band callback

9/11/11 UPDATE

Best of luck to JA Guard members Annie Campbell, Caroline Burford, Samantha Hill, Abbi Thomas, Sarah Allen Bowman, and Hannah McCowan, who attended the MS Lions All-State Band Guard and Dance clinic on Saturday.

All-State Band auditions will be November 12, with callbacks November 19, at Pearl HS. 

The Lions Band will travel this summer to Hawaii for the Lions International Conference and Parade.

Click HERE for more information about the band.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Because of homecoming activities during halftime, the band will perform the show during PREGAME this Friday, 9/16, at 7:00. Report time for parent field crew members is 6:45.

We also need volunteers to drive the equipment trucks to Lewisburg on September 24, to St. Louis October 13-16, and to Jackson Prep for the MAIS Marching Festival on October 29. Please contact Terri Fisher (tfisher@jacksonacademy.org) if you are willing to help in this important role.

JA BAND SCHEDULE UPDATE 9/12-24

Below is the band schedule for the next two weeks. Previously announced revisions to the originally published schedule are noted in BLUE.

MONDAY, 9/12 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

TUESDAY - 9/13 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00 - NO EVENING REHEARSAL

WEDNESDAY, 9/14 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

THURSDAY, 9/15 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
Evening Rehearsals on the Field
5:00 - 6:00 - Color Guard
5:30 - 6:30 - Percussion
6:30 - 8:00 - Full Band
7:30 - Parent Field Crew Meeting

FRIDAY, 9/16 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
Homecoming Football Game vs. Lamar Christian School
6:00 - Report to the parking lot in half uniform for warmup
6:45 - Parent Field Crew Report time
7:00 - Staging for PREGAME performance of competition show
HALFTIME - Perform with Homecoming activities
Band will be dismissed at the beginning of Fourth Quarter

MONDAY, 9/19 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

TUESDAY, 9/20 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00 - NO EVENING REHEARSAL

WEDNESDAY, 9/21 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

THURSDAY, 9/22 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

FRIDAY, 9/23 - Rehearsal on the field
Color Guard & Percussion 4:00 - 5:00
Full Band 5:00 - 6:30
Parent Field Crew - 6:30
6:45 - Load Truck

SATURDAY, 9/24
10:00 - Report to band hall - Uniforms & all parts in uniform bags, Load Bus
10:30 - Depart for Horn Lake
1:30 - Lunch in Horn Lake
3:00 - Arrive Lewisburg HS, unload truck, change into uniform, prepare for warmup
5:30 - Performance at Southern Stars Invitational
After performance - load truck, change out of uniform, return to stadium to watch bands and purchase concessions
9:30 - Retreat and Awards
10:00 - Depart Lewisburg
1:00 am (approximate) - Arrive JA

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 16 - Homecoming Football game v. Lamar Christian

September 24 - Southern Stars Invitational band competition @ Lewisburg HS

October 7 - Home football game v. Jackson Prep

October 8 - All-day Band Rehearsal

October 13 - 16 - St. Louis BOA trip

October 21 - Home football v. Mag Heights

October 28 - Away football @ MRA

October 29 - MAIS Marching Band Festival

November 4 - Football Playoff Game

November 11 - Football Championship game @ MC

November 12 - MS All-State Lions Band auditions

November 19 - MS All-State Lions Band callbacks

9/4/11 UPDATE

Thanks to JA Band member Hannah McCowan for the following photos from the River Oaks football game on Friday. These and more are posted to the JA Band Facebook page and online photo gallery, linked in the menu bar above.

JA BAND SCHEDULE - 9/5-9/9

MONDAY - NO BAND

TUESDAY - Rehearsal 2:00 - 3:00

Evening Rehearsals on the FIELD

Color Guard - 5:00 - 6:00
Percussion - 5:30 - 6:30
Full Band - 6:30 - 8:00
PARENT FIELD CREW PRACTICE - 7:45 

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00 

FRIDAY - Early Dismissal - 12:26
Home football game v. Pillow Academy - Raider Night
Report in half uniform for warmup on parking lot - 6:00
All band members dismissed at the end of the game after all equipment put away

COLOR GUARD LIONS BAND WORKSHOP

All color guard members interested in auditioning for the 2012 Mississippi Lions All-State Band should plan to attend the Color Guard/Dancer Workshop at Pearl HS this Saturday, September 10, from 3:30 - 6:30. All workshop participants are required to have a completed Lions Band application form (available HERE) and the $30 application fee to attend the workshop.

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

September 9 - Early dismissal, Raider Night, Home football game v. Pillow

September 10 - Lions Band Color Guard Training Workshop

September 16 - Homecoming Football game v. Lamar Christian

September 24 - Southern Stars Invitational band competition @ Lewisburg HS

October 7 - Home football game v. Jackson Prep

October 8 - All-day Band Rehearsal

October 13 - 16 - St. Louis BOA trip

October 21 - Home football v. Mag Heights

October 28 - Away football @ MRA

October 29 - MAIS Marching Band Festival

November 4 - Football Playoff Game

November 11 - Football Championship game @ MC

November 12 - MS All-State Lions Band auditions

November 19 - MS All-State Lions Band callbacks

8/28/11 UPDATE

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

Here are a few photos from the home football game on August 19 and the game on Friday at Northeast Lauderdale. More photos are posted on the online gallery and the JA Band Facebook page, both linked in the menu bar above.

JA BAND SCHEDULE 8/29-9/2

The band will travel to the away football game again on Friday. Family members are welcome to ride the bus with the band. See the schedule for the evening below.

MONDAY - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00

TUESDAY - Rehearsal 2:00 - 3:00

Evening rehearsals in the Activities Center:

Color Guard 5:00 - 6:00

Percussion 5:30 - 6:30

Full Band 6:30 - 8:00

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00

FRIDAY - Away football game at River Oaks School, Monroe, LA

2:15 - Load Bus

2:30 - Depart for Monroe

5:15 - Arrive Dinner stop, Pecanland Mall Food Court

7:00 - Kickoff at River Oaks

12:30 (approximate) - Return to JA

BOA ST. LOUIS TRIP

Thank you to the parents who were able to attend the Booster meeting last week to discuss fall JA Band activities including the trip to St. Louis.

For those who were unable to attend, the itinerary for the trip is described in last week's blog update. We have also posted the link to the video presentation on the trip HERE and to the YouTube Video Links, on the top right of this page.

Please contact Mignon Kucia (kucia@mc.edu) if you have any questions about details or costs. We encourage families to join the band on the trip.

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 2 - Away football game @ River Oaks School

September 9 - Early dismissal, Raider Night, Home football game v. Pillow

September 10 & 11 - Lions Band Color Guard Training Workshops

September 16 - Homecoming Football game v. Lamar Christian

September 24 - Southern Stars Invitational band competition @ Lewisburg HS

October 7 - Home football game v. Jackson Prep

October 8 - All-day Band Rehearsal

October 13 - 16 - St. Louis BOA trip

October 21 - Home football v. Mag Heights

October 28 - Away football @ MRA

October 29 - MAIS Marching Band Festival

November 4 - Football Playoff Game

November 11 - Football Championship game @ MC

November 12 - MS All-State Lions Band auditions

November 19 - MS All-State Lions Band callbacks

8/21/11 UPDATE

JA Band member Will Tribble on the sideline before his solo performance of the National Anthem before the game Friday, from the Clarion Ledger online gallery.


Thanks to all the parents who helped at the first home football game Friday night, either in the visitors' concession stand or with equipment at halftime.


Thanks also to JA Art teacher Chelsea Sekanic for finishing her "trompe l'oeil" work on the prop piano:

JA BAND SCHEDULE 8/22-26


The band will travel to the away football game this Friday at Northeast Lauderdale in Meridian. They will not perform the show; the drumline will play in the stands. All family members are welcome to ride the air-conditioned charter bus with the band to cheer on the Raiders at this big game. Student attire is Band show t-shirts and khaki shorts. See the evening's schedule below.


MONDAY - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00


TUESDAY - Rehearsal 2:00 - 3:00
Evening Rehearsals in the Activities Center:
Color Guard 5:00 - 6:00
Percussion 5:30 - 6:30
Full Band 6:30 - 8:00
Booster Meeting - Band Hall - 6:00


WEDNESDAY - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00


THURSDAY - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00


FRIDAY - Away football game at Northeast Lauderdale HS, Meridian
Rehearsal - 2:00 - 3:00
Load bus - 3:30 - Family members welcome
Depart - 3:45
Dinner stop in Meridian - 5:30
Arrive at NE Lauderdale - 7:00
Return to JA - Approximately 12:00


IMPORTANT JA BAND BOOSTER MEETING TUESDAY


Please join us for the Booster meeting on Tuesday at 6:00 in the Band Hall. We will discuss the season schedule and fall travel, including the trip to BOA St. Louis.

Here is the basic itinerary for the trip:


THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13
Early morning departure from JA
Fast food lunch stop enroute
Rehearsal at a St. Louis area high school
Dinner at the St. Louis Galleria Mall
Check in at Drury Inn Forest Park

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14
Early afternoon preliminary performance at the Bands of America Super Regional Championship, Edward Jones Dome

Visit St. Louis Zoo

Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15
Visit the Gateway Arch - ride the tram to the top, enjoy a 1-hour river sightseeing cruise with lunch

Return to the Edward Jones Dome for preliminary awards and Championship Finals

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16
Return travel day
Lunch stop at Lambert's Cafe

Arrive JA approximately 7 pm


Band families are encouraged to join the band on the trip to St. Louis. Come to the Booster meeting for more information about costs and other details.


UPCOMING EVENTS

August 26 - Away football game @ Northeast Lauderdale

September 2 - Away football game @ River Oaks School

September 9 - Early dismissal, Raider Night, Home football game v. Pillow

September 16 - Homecoming Football game v. Lamar Christian

September 24 - Southern Stars Invitational band competition @ Lewisburg HS

October 7 - Home football game v. Jackson Prep

October 8 - All-day Band Rehearsal

October 13 - 16 - St. Louis BOA trip

October 21 - Home football v. Mag Heights

October 28 - Away football @ MRA

October 29 - MAIS Marching Band Festival

November 4 - Football Playoff Game

November 11 - Football Championship game @ MC

November 12 - MS All-State Lions Band auditions

November 19 - MS All-State Lions Band callbacks

8/14/11 UPDATE

Thank you to JA Art teacher Chelsea Sekanic and her collaborator Armando for their work painting the prop piano, as pictured above.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE UPDATE

Monday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00

Tuesday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 3:00

Color Guard 5:00 - 6:00

5:45 - Report time for All Sports Night activities, in shorts and band show t-shirts. After the introduction of the band on the football field, we will proceed to the gym for rehearsal until 8:00

Wednesday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00

Thursday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 4:00

Friday - Rehearsal 2:00 - 3:00

6:00 - Report for warmup for football game on the parking lot. Guard in shorts and show shirts, band in half uniform (show shirts, uniform bib pants, black socks, black marching shoes)

First & Second Quarters - drumline in stands

Halftime - Competition show - need parent help, see Terri Fisher's request below

Third Quarter - Break - students may visit concessions

Fourth Quarter - Drumline in stands

End of Game - All band members will march together back to the band hall, and will be dismissed when all equipment is put away

FALL 2011 TRAVEL

Plans are underway for the October 13-16 trip to St. Louis for the Bands of America Super Regional Championship. Look for further details in next week's blog update.

The band will travel to away games at North Lauderdale HS in Meridian on August 26, and to River Oaks School in Monroe, LA on Sept. 2. The band will travel via charter bus, and there will be plenty of room for any family members who wish to ride along. At these away games, the drumline will perform in the stands; we will not be performing the competition show.

The band will also compete at the Southern Stars Invitational band competition at Lewisburg HS, in Olive Branch, on September 24. The performance schedule is still being developed, but it will be an all-day activity. Families are welcome and encouraged to ride the charter bus with the band.

Two volunteer truck drivers are needed for the competition on September 24 and for the St. Louis trip.

PRESIDENT'S CORNER - Terri Fisher

I have a few items that need our immediate attention:

1). The weather is still very hot and our band members will be practicing during mid afternoon from now until the end of performance season, late October.  Water is very much needed!  We would appreciate each family purchasing a case or two of bottled water this week and dropping them off at the band hall.   The band students and staff will go through a lot of water each day and I know they will appreciate having the water as refreshment.

2). One of the major props of our band's performance is the field mat.  It must be rolled out before every performance and taken up at the end of every performance.  We need at least 8, possibly 10, people to fulfill this task in order for our band to perform.  This means that these people will need to be at every home game and at the competitions.  So, the more volunteers, the easier it will be on everyone.  To date, we have had three people to volunteer.  Our first show with all the props is Friday, August 19th, at our first home game.  The mat crew will have to practice Tuesday evening at 7:45 in order to be ready for Friday's halftime show.  Come on everyone, especially you Dad's, we need you for this service.  Please let me hear from you ASAP!!

I hope your students(s) has a great first day tomorrow.

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 16 - All Sports Night

August 19 - Home football game v. Presbyterian Christian

August 26 - Away football game @ Northeast Lauderdale

September 2 - Away football game @ River Oaks School

September 9 - Early dismissal, Raider Night, Home football game v. Pillow

September 16 - Homecoming Football game v. Lamar Christian

September 24 - Southern Stars Invitational band competition @ Lewisburg HS

October 7 - Home football game v. Jackson Prep

October 8 - All-day Band Rehearsal

October 13 - 16 - St. Louis BOA trip

October 21 - Home football v. Mag Heights

October 28 - Away football @ MRA

October 29 - MAIS Marching Band Festival

November 4 - Football Playoff Game

November 11 - Football Championship game @ MC

November 12 - MS All-State Lions Band auditions

November 19 - MS All-State Lions Band callbacks