11/27/11 UPDATE

The JA Band Christmas Concert will be Tuesday, December 6, in the PAC. The Concert Jazz Band will open the concert at 6:30, followed by the Sixth Grade band at 7:15. There will be a reception for all JA Band families and friends after the performances at 7:45.

Student attire will be concert black for the Jazz Band, and Sunday best for the Sixth Grade Band.

Please mark your calendar and invite family members and friends to attend.

JACKSON ACADEMY WINTER GUARD

The JA Winter Guard will rehearse on Saturday, December 3, from 9:30 - 4:30.

UPCOMING EVENTS

December 6 - Christmas Concert
January 12-14 - MAIS Concert Band Clinic
January 28 - Winter Guard (WG) @ Pearl Field Day
February 11 - WG @ Prattville, AL Show
February 18 - WG @ Brandon Show
February 24-25 - WG @ WGI Regional, Nashville
March 6 - Jazz Band @ Features Pageant
March 20 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00
March 24 - WG @ Petal Show
March 27 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00
March 31 - WG @ MIA Championships - MS Coliseum
April 3 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00
April 5 - MAIS Concert Band Festival
May 8 - Spring Concert
May 17 - Band Banquet

11/20/11 UPDATE

LIONS ALL-STATE BAND

Congratulations to JA Band members Annie Campbell, Samantha Hill, Abbi Thomas, Caroline Burford, and Sarah Allen Bowman for earning spots at MS Lions All-State Band callback auditions this past Saturday.

Annie Campbell and Samantha Hill were named members of the 2012 Lions Band for flag, and Abbi Thomas is an alternate for dance.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

The JA Band Program Christmas Concert will be Tuesday, December 6 in the PAC, with the JA Concert Jazz Band performing at 6:30, the Sixth Grade Band playing at 7:15, and a reception for all band families to follow at 7:45. Please mark your calendars and invite family and friends to attend.

CALENDAR UPDATE

The Winter Guard schedule has been finalized and is now posted on the JA Band Calendar, linked from the Calendar tab at the top of the page.

UPCOMING EVENTS

December 6 - Christmas Concert
January 12-14 - MAIS Concert Band Clinic
January 28 - Winter Guard (WG) @ Pearl Field Day
February 11 - WG @ Prattville, AL Show
February 18 - WG @ Brandon Show
February 24-25 - WG @ WGI Regional, Nashville
March 6 - Jazz Band @ Features Pageant
March 20 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00
March 24 - WG @ Petal Show
March 27 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00
March 31 - WG @ MIA Championships - MS Coliseum
April 3 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00
April 5 - MAIS Concert Band Festival
May 8 - Spring Concert
May 17 - Band Banquet

11/13/11 UPDATE

JA RAIDERS - MAIS CHAMPIONS 

And the band played on -- all day in fact! 

It was an exciting day on campus Friday, leading up to the championship football game, with the JA Band promoting school spirit with a parade through campus leading the student body to the giant pep rally on Friday, leading fans in a parade from the huge tailgate party before the big game to the stadium, in an energetic and televised final performance of the 2011 marching program which has been so well received this season, and finally with the almost constant drumming of the drumline during the fourth quarter of a very close and exciting championship game. Congratulations to the JA marching band, working hard to represent and support the JA spirit, everyday in every way, all season. 

The elementary side of the gym at the prep pep rally. White out! 

Tyler McClellan, saxophone player, and other members of the bass drumline play at the pep rally. Go Raiders!!! 

Thanks to the many JA Band parents who helped get the show on the field in record time, in front of tv cameras and a huge JA crowd. They were rock stars! And special thanks to the large group of band parents and friends that showed up back at the Band Hall to unload the trucks one last time this season after the game. 

LIONS BAND 

Several JA Band members spent the entire day Saturday at Pearl High School auditioning for the Mississippi Lions All-State Band. This elite group of 120 high school musicians chosen from over 500 state-wide will represent the state of Mississippi in Hawaii this summer at the International Lions Club Convention parade competition. 

Pictured are Samantha Hill, Will Tribble, Annie Campbell, Hannah McCowan, and Caroline Burford. Not pictured are Abbi Thomas and Sarah Allen Bowman. 

4 JA color guard members (Annie Campbell, Samantha Hill, Caroline Burford, and Sarah Allen Bowman) were among the 40 selected from 140 across the state to proceed to the next round of auditions on Flag, proving once again that the JA color guard is one of the premier programs in the state.

Congratulations to Abbi Thomas and Samantha Hill for making it past the first round of auditions for the prestigious spots for Dancer with the All State Band. 16 girls were selected to compete for 8 spots next weekend. Hannah McCowan was the only 8th grade flag to audition of the 140 statewide. She placed 50th, an incredible achievement. Special mention also to Samantha Hill, who achieved call back spots on both Flag and Dance. 
 

Congrats and good luck next week to all these students. They made JA proud Saturday and continue to solidify the JA Band’s position as one of the finest programs, public or private, in the state. 

Color guard members and director Elter Wilson of the Choctaw Central Band seem to enjoy a fantastic bond with the JA band whenever they meet. Pictured here with our students and Cammie Carter at Pearl HS at all-state Lions band tryouts, the band members (and Mr. Wilson) are Choctaw Indians, attend the high school on the Choctaw reservation in Philadelphia, MS, and are are one of the most successfull and hard working bands in the state. Whenever these kids meet they cheer for each other! 

SUPPORT JA MUSIC EDUCATION

Parents!! Friends of the JA Band!!! Did you know that any donation you make to JA can be earmarked for The JA Band and Color Guard? All donations will go directly to the band or colorguard/winterguard budget and are fully tax deductible. Please consider helping! All the wonderful, exciting and above all educational activities provided by the JA Band program cost more and more each year. We need your help. However small the donation, the kids appreciate and benefit from it, and it helps the JA Band continue to be what it is. Every day in every way! We are JA! We are Music Education! 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mark your calendars for the JA Concert Jazz Band and Sixth Grade Band Christmas concert on Tuesday, December 6, in the lobby of the PAC.

November 19 - Lions Band Callback Auditions 
December 6 - Christmas Concert 
January 12-14 - MAIS Concert Band Clinic 
March 20 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00 
March 27 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00 
April 3 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00 
April 5 - MAIS Concert Band Festival 
May 8 - Spring Concert May 17 - Band Banquet

11/6/11 UPDATE

CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL GAME FRIDAY

Congratulations to the JA football team for earning a spot in the Championship game on Friday at 7:00 at Mississippi College. The band will do its part to contribute to the JA spirit on this exciting night as the team goes for their third straight state championship.

Details for the game are still being finalized, so look for an email this week with information about timing and other requirements. If you would like to help with or participate in carpools to MC, please contact Terri Fisher at tfisher@jacksonacademy.org.

LIONS BAND AUDITIONS

Good luck to the JA Band members who will be auditioning for the Mississippi Lions All-State Band at Pearl HS on Saturday. Over 500 students from public and private schools around the state will audition for the band, which will travel to Hawaii. Callback auditions will be the following week, on November 19.

JACKSON ACADEMY WINTER GUARD

The JA Winter Guard held its first rehearsal on Saturday. The guard members worked hard to learn part of the show. The next event will be an optional review rehearsal Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00.

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 11 - Football Championship game at Mississippi College
November 12 - MS All-State Lions Band auditions
November 19 - Lions Band Callback Auditions
December 6 - Christmas Concert
January 12-14 - MAIS Concert Band Clinic
March 20 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00
March 27 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00
April 3 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00
April 5 - MAIS Concert Band Festival
May 8 - Spring Concert
May 17 - Band Banquet

10/30/11 UPDATE

Congratulations to the JA Marching Band for earning straight Superior ratings from all judges at the MAIS Marching Band Festival at Jackson Prep on Saturday. The JA Band earned the highest scores of the day for band, color guard, and percussion. This marks 22 straight years of All-Superior ratings for the JA Band.


The video of the band's performance at Lewisburg HS for the Southern Stars Invitational is now linked in the YouTube Video Links box to the right.


Thank you to Annie Campbell, Caroline Burford, Hannah McCowan, Samara Dallaire, Zack McWilliams, and Will Tribble, who helped on Saturday with a fundraiser for the Winter Guard. The students served 260 meals to the visiting DeSoto Central HS Band and parents, who rehearsed at JA then went on to repeat as Class 6A State Marching Band Champions that evening at Clinton HS.


Photos from the JA Band's performance at BOA St. Louis have been posted on the Jolesch Photography website at this link: JA BAND ST. LOUIS


SCHEDULE UPDATE
The band will perform at halftime at the home playoff football game on Friday. 
6:00 - All students report in uniform to the band hall
Halftime - Performance - parent help needed


UPCOMING EVENTS
November 4 - Home football playoff game vs. PCS
November 5 - Winter Guard rehearsal 9:30 - 4:30
November 11 - Football Championship game at Mississippi College
November 12 - MS All-State Lions Band auditions
November 19 - Lions Band Callback Auditions
December 6 - Christmas Concert
January 12-14 - MAIS Concert Band Clinic
March 20 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00
March 27 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00
April 3 - Full Band Rehearsal 6:30 - 8:00
April 5 - MAIS Concert Band Festival
May 8 - Spring Concert
May 17 - Band Banquet

10/23/11 UPDATE

Congratulations to JA Band Seniors Jay Kucia, LaSharron Purvis, and Abbi Thomas for their recognition at the football game Friday night. We wish them all well wherever their future plans take them.

SCHEDULE UPDATE

As a reminder, all rehearsals are only during seventh period, 2:15 - 3:00 each day.

FRIDAY - Away football game at Madison-Ridgeland Academy, drumline only

All band members need to meet at MRA by 6:15, in band t-shirts and jeans. Carpools to and from the game may be arranged. If you are interested in using or helping with a carpool, please contact Terri Fisher at TJMFisher@yahoo.com.

Meet at the following location on the MRA campus:

SATURDAY - MAIS Marching Band Festival at Jackson Prep

IMPORTANT - Students should bring everything they need for the weekend (instruments, etc.) home with them at the end of school on Friday, since we will be meeting at MRA for the game and at Prep for the Festival.

8:00 - Truck loading at the band hall - parent help requested

9:30 - All band members meet in full uniform with all necessary items in front of the McRae Center on the Prep campus. 

10:00 - Warmup

10:45 - PERFORMANCE

After the performance, the staff will be returning to JA to unload the trucks. If you would like to pick up your student at Prep after the performance, they will be dismissed at about 11:30.

JA Drum Major Annie Campbell will remain at Prep for awards, beginning at 12:15. Any students who are available to participate in the awards ceremony with her are welcome to do so, with parent permission (no staff will be present).

Saturday afternoon, from about 3:00 - 5:00, the DeSoto Central HS Band, the reigning Class 6A MHSAA Marching Band Champions, will be rehearsing at JA's Raider Field, before their participation in Championship Finals that evening at Clinton HS. Everyone is welcome to observe this rehearsal.

NOTES FROM ST. LOUIS


We have received the following positive comments on the JA Band's performance at the BOA St. Louis Super Regional:

A comment posted on the BOA Forums by a BOA staffer who worked in St. Louis bringing the bands’ equipment onto the field:

You know who I think the absolute hardest-working band out there was? Hint - they were at the finals show but didn't compete in it. Jackson Academy, to do what they do, works way harder on the smallest of details because they cannot hide in the ensemble - ever. Just saying. As an example of the level of detail they work hard at, they completely forgo their front ensemble warmup in favor of a detailed sound check of every single microphone for every single drum in those two sets they had.

A longtime BOA commentator and administrator of IndianaMarching.com, commenting on the forums during the live webcast:

LOVE Jackson Academy. What they can do with 6 musicians marching is truly astounding.

An email from a Broken Arrow parent:

Mr. Carter,

My daughter is a trumpet player for Broken Arrow. We got to see you guys at finals performance. We really enjoyed your marching show. It was very entertaining and thought you guys had a big sound, that was bigger than you would expect. The kids are really talented. We wish you guys the best of luck at any future competitions. Tell your kids they were awesome and we look forward to seeing you again.

Sincerely,

Shane Blackstock

An email from a former JA Band Drum Major:

Mr. Carter,

I received an email today lauding the JA Band's recent performance in St. Louis and I wanted to send you a hearty congratulations on the band's accomplishment.

My class had their 20 year reunion a few weeks back, and it was great to see JA in such good shape.

Thanks to you, your staff, and your students for all your hard work!

Blessings,

Jonathan

________________________________

Jonathan P. Breazeale, PhD

Assistant Professor of Finance

College of Business Administration

Sam Houston State University

An email from a Rosemount parent:

Hi all,

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your show on Saturday evening in St. Louis.  You proved that you don't need to have 150 members to be eloquent and entertaining!

Great job!

Jody Zachary

(Rosemount mom)

A comment on the JA Band Facebook page:

My band director was watching the St. Louis Super Regional in class the other day and your performance blew me away! Would you happen to have a video of your show? I'd love to be able to show my friends, they'd love it too I'm sure!

Congratulations once again to the JA Band.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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
December 6 - JA Band Program Christmas Concert

10/16/11 UPDATE

The JA Band and families returned home this evening after a very successful and enjoyable weekend in St. Louis. Please scroll down to look through the blog posts below from the weekend for some photos and information, and be sure to look through the online PHOTO GALLERY and the FACEBOOK PAGE (both also linked in the menu bar above), for many more photos from the weekend.

To recap the achievements of the band at the BOA St. Louis Super Regional, they competed with 52 bands from 14 states and were awarded:

BEST MUSIC, Class A

BEST VISUAL, Class A

BEST GENERAL EFFECT, Class A

CLASS A CHAMPIONS

As Class Champions, they performed in exhibition as the last band on the field during Finals Saturday night, in front of an estimated crowd of 15,000 in the stands, not to mention those who subscribed to the live webcast. The crowd at the Edward Jones Dome responded to JA's performance with an enthusiastic standing ovation.

Thank you to the students for not only their hard work and outstanding performances, but also their exemplary behavior on the trip. Thanks also to the parents who came along to help, especially to Terri Fisher, who organized the group.

JA BAND SCHEDULE - 10/17-21

MONDAY through THURSDAY - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00

Band members will be dismissed at 3:00 every day until weekly sectional concert band rehearsals begin after Christmas.

FRIDAY - Home football vs. Mag Heights

Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00

5:30 - Report time to the parking lot for warmup rehearsal

We will perform the show at halftime - Parent assistance needed

MAIS MARCHING BAND FESTIVAL

The band will perform at the MAIS Festival on October 29 at Jackson Prep. Details are still being finalized, but we have requested a late morning performance time. We will send an update when we know further details.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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