9/30/12 UPDATE

Thank you to the JA Band, possibly the hardest working student group on campus, for their contributions to the Homecoming events on Friday: pep rally, rehearsal, a pregame performance of the competition show that was the best yet this season, halftime performance of Homecoming tunes (pictured above), and support in the stands for the football Raiders as they continued their winning ways.

MAT CREW

Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to serve as the "mat crew" for band performances. Special thanks to Brent Fisher for spearheading the effort, and to JA Drum Major Annie Campbell for her effective "tutorial" for the parents handling the mat.

The positive energy and efforts of the parents contributed to a fine performance by the band for the Homecoming crowd before the game Friday.

Thanks also to the parents who responded to our group text message plea for more bottled water. Don't be left out - if you have not yet signed up for Remind101 messages, you can join the group by texting @jaba to (779) 379-3914.

JA BAND SCHEDULE OCTOBER 1-6 - IMPORTANT

This will be a busy week for the JA Band, with several changes from the usual schedule. Please read and refer to the details below throughout the week. Any unforeseen changes or new information will be passed along via group text message and email.

MONDAY, 10/1 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

TUESDAY, 10/2 - Early dismissal, Raider Night

12:26 - Students dismissed from school

The band's participation in Raider Night will be to hold rehearsal on the football field, with campus visitors observing.

4:45 - 6:00 - Rifles - Football Field
5:00 - 6:00 - Color Guard - Football Field
5:30 - 6:30 - Percussion - Football Field
6:15 - Horns report
6:30 - 8:00 - Full Band - Football Field

WEDNESDAY, 10/3 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

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

FRIDAY, 10/5 - Away football game at Prep - Pregame performance

2:10 - 3:00 - Rehearsal

5:30 - ALL BAND MEMBERS MEET AT PREP - North end zone entrance at our trucks, in uniform (carry jackets). Make sure students have instruments and anything else needed for performance.

6:30 - Pregame Performance of "WHO ARE YOU?"

Drumline will play in the stands for the game, with a break third quarter.

END OF GAME - Parents pick up students at Prep at the north end zone entrance, being sure to check with Mr. or Mrs. Carter before you leave with your student.

SATURDAY, 10/6 - CLINTON ARROW INVITATIONAL

The students are excited for the first band competition of the season, with many fine band programs from around the state participating. The schedule for the day:

9:00 - 11:00 - Rehearsal on the football field at JA - Please ensure students arrive early enough to be ready to BEGIN at 9:00. Rehearsal will end at 11:00. Students will be dismissed after equipment is packed for loading.

2:00 - ALL BAND MEMBERS MEET AT CLINTON, in uniform, with everything needed for performance. Details about logistics for dropping off students and parking will be announced later this week.

4:15 - PERFORMANCE TIME

6:00 - RETREAT

After retreat, parents may pick up students at the designated spot (TBA). Again, be sure to check with Mr. or Mrs. Carter before you leave with your student.

MAGAZINE SALE

The JA Band Booster magazine sale is underway. Packets were sent home with elementary students last week, and will be distributed this week to band members.

PLEASE do your part to support the sale. The magazine sale has been the MAJOR fundraiser for the Band Boosters since the 1980s, so many community members expect it and are happy to support the band by buying and renewing subscriptions. Not only individuals but also medical offices and other businesses regularly participate. 

The JA Band needs your support to continue providing our students the experience they and the campus and community have come to expect. Please do your part!

Questions about the sale should be directed to Charlette Oswalt at charletteo@vzw.blackberry.net.

PHOTO GALLERY

Caroline Burford visited the JA Preschool this week, demonstrating her flute and playing music for the students. Many of them then spent the remainder of the day playing their pretend flutes. Thank you to Caroline for inspiring these potential future JA Band members.

Several more photos from the Band's participation in Homecoming activities Friday:

UPCOMING EVENTS

OCTOBER 5 - Football game @ Jackson Prep

OCTOBER 6 - Arrow Invitational Band Competition @ Clinton HS
OCTOBER 13 - Band Competition @ Pearl HS
OCTOBER 26 - Football game @ Home
OCTOBER 27 - MAIS MARCHING BAND FESTIVAL @ JA - Parent help needed for concessions and logistics
NOVEMBER 1-4 - BOA SAN ANTONIO Trip
NOVEMBER 9 - Championship Football Game

9/23/12 UPDATE

JA BAND WEEKLY SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER 24-28

MONDAY, 9/24 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

TUESDAY, 9/25 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
     RIFLES - 4:45 - 6:00 - Activities Building
     COLOR GUARD - 5:00 - 6:00 - Activities Building
     PERCUSSION - 5:30 - 6:30 - Activities Building
     FULL BAND - 6:00 - 8:00 - Activities Building

WEDNESDAY, 9/26 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

THURSDAY, 9/27 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

FRIDAY, 9/28 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
     HOMECOMING FOOTBALL v. Lee Academy - 7:00 Kickoff
     5:15 - Rifles report
     5:30 - All others report to parking lot, horns and percussion in half uniform, guard in band t-shirts    and shorts
     COMPETITION SHOW PREGAME - EXACT TIME TBA, approximately 6:30 - parent help needed
     FIRST & SECOND QUARTERS - Drumline in stands
     HALFTIME - Band will perform to accompany Homecoming Court
     THIRD QUARTER - Drumline in stands
     Band will be dismissed at the beginning of the Fourth Quarter

REMIND101

We now have at least one family member (student and/or parent) for each band member signed up to receive Remind101 messages. Anyone may still join the service by texting @jaba to (779)379-3914, and/or sending an email to jaba@remind101.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 28 - HOMECOMING Football game @ JA
OCTOBER 5 - Football game @ Jackson Prep
OCTOBER 6 - Arrow Invitational Band Competition @ Clinton HS
     9:00 - 11:00 - Rehearsal @ JA
     2:00 - Report to Clinton HS
     4:15 - Performance
     6:00 - Retreat
OCTOBER 13 - Band Competition @ Pearl HS
OCTOBER 26 - Football game @ Home
OCTOBER 27 - MAIS MARCHING BAND FESTIVAL @ JA - Parent help needed for concessions and logistics
NOVEMBER 1-4 - BOA SAN ANTONIO Trip
NOVEMBER 9 - Championship Football Game

9/16/12 UPDATE

BOOSTER MEETING

Thanks to the parents who attended the JA Band Booster meeting on Tuesday. If you were not able to attend, contact Booster President Terri Fisher (tfisher@jacksonacademy.org) to obtain a copy of the information that was presented.

All families should have received an email this week with details about upcoming events and information about personal ads in the programs for the Clinton and MAIS competitions. Any parents with further questions should email jaband@aol.com.

REMIND101

We are now using the REMIND101 messaging system to communicate schedule changes or other important information that needs to be sent in a timely manner. We anticipate using the service on trips and occasionally throughout the year.

Most band members and many families have signed up for the service. If you would prefer to receive messages via email rather than text messages, that is also possible. Here are the instructions to sign up for the service for those who have not already done so:

ARROW INVITATIONAL, CLINTON HS - OCTOBER 6

We have received the schedule for the Clinton competition, which is Saturday, October 6. Many exceptional band programs will be participating:

On October 6 the band will rehearse in the morning at JA, then meet at Clinton for the event at approximately 2:00 pm.

JA BAND WEEKLY SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER 17-21

MONDAY, 9/17 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

TUESDAY, 9/18 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
     RIFLES - 4:45 - 6:00 - Football Field
     COLOR GUARD - 5:00 - 6:00 - Field
     PERCUSSION - 5:30 - 6:30 - Field
     FULL BAND - 6:00 - 8:00 - Field

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

THURSDAY, 9/20 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

FRIDAY, 9/21 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
     HOME FOOTBALL v. Heritage Academy - 7:00 Kickoff
     5:30 - Report to parking lot, horns and percussion in half uniform, guard in band t-shirts and shorts
     FIRST & SECOND QUARTERS - Drumline in stands
     HALFTIME - Competition show, parent help needed
     THIRD QUARTER - Break, students may visit concessions
     FOURTH QUARTER - Drumline in stands
     END OF GAME - Band will march together back to the band hall. Students will be dismissed when all equipment is put away.

PHOTO GALLERY

A few photos from our first evening rehearsal on Raider Field Tuesday:

UPCOMING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 21 - Football game @ Home
SEPTEMBER 28 - Football game @ Home
OCTOBER 5 - Football game @ Jackson Prep
OCTOBER 6 - Arrow Invitational Band Competition @ Clinton HS
     9:00 - 11:00 - Rehearsal @ JA
     2:00 - Report to Clinton HS
     4:15 - Performance
     6:00 - Retreat
OCTOBER 13 - Band Competition @ Pearl HS
OCTOBER 26 - Football game @ Home
OCTOBER 27 - MAIS MARCHING BAND FESTIVAL @ JA - Parent help needed for concessions and logistics
NOVEMBER 1-4 - BOA SAN ANTONIO Trip
NOVEMBER 9 - Championship Football Game

9/9/12 UPDATE

JA Band members after the pregame dinner stop on Friday. Congrats to the football Raiders for continuing their Mississippi-best winning streak with a victory over Pillow.

We ask that at least one member of each band family attend the JA Band Booster meeting on Tuesday at 6:00 in the band hall. Among the important items to be discussed:

MAIS MARCHING BAND FESTIVAL

We have learned this week that the marching festival will be at JA Raider Field on October 27. Parent help will be needed for concessions and logistics. This is a fundraising opportunity for the boosters.

SAN ANTONIO TRIP

Have questions about the BOA trip? Here is your opportunity to have them answered.

FUNDRAISING

The JA Band program could not provide our students the opportunities we do without the financial support, time and efforts of the boosters. Bring your ideas for fundraising projects and your willingness to help.

COMPETITIONS

We will discuss the local competitions at Clinton October 6 and Pearl October 13.

COMMUNICATION

Learn more about a new instant communication tool for JA Band parents and students, to share information on trips and when schedules change.

JA BAND WEEKLY SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER 10-14

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

TUESDAY, 9/11 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
     RIFLES - 4:45 - 6:00 - FOOTBALL FIELD
     COLOR GUARD - 5:00 - 6:00 - Field
     BOOSTER MEETING - 6:00 - Band Hall
     PERCUSSION - 5:30 - 6:30 - Field
     FULL BAND - 6:30 - 8:00 - Field

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

THURSDAY, 9/13 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

FRIDAY, 9/14 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
     Away football game at Lamar Christian School - Band will NOT travel to the game

UPCOMING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 21 - Football game @Home

SEPTEMBER 28 - Football game @Home - Homecoming

OCTOBER 5 - Football game @Prep

OCTOBER 6 - Band competition @Clinton HS

     9:00 - 11:00 - Rehearsal

     2:00 (TENTATIVE) - Report time @ Clinton

     4:00 (TENTATIVE) - Performance time @ Clinton

OCTOBER 13 - Band competition @Pearl HS

OCTOBER 26 - Football game @Home

OCTOBER 27 - MAIS Marching Band Festival @JA - 2:00 - 5:00

NOVEMBER 1-4 - BOA San Antonio Trip 

NOVEMBER 9 - Championship Football Game

9/3/12 UPDATE

Thank you to Chelsea Sekanic for the photos from the River Oaks game.

JA BAND SCHEDULE SEPT 3 - 7

MONDAY, 9/3 - No rehearsal - holiday

TUESDAY, 9/4 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
     RIFLES- 4:45 - 6:00 - Activities Building
     Color Guard - 5:00 - 6:00 - Activities Building
     Percussion - 5:30 - 6:30 - Activities Building
     FULL BAND - 6:30 - 8:00 - Activities Building

WEDNESDAY, 9/5 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

THURSDAY, 9/6 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

FRIDAY 9/7 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
     AWAY FOOTBALL GAME @ Pillow Academy, Greenwood
     3:15 - Students report in gray band t-shirts and shorts, with $$ for a fast food dinner and any concessions if desired
     3:30 - Load bus and depart for Greenwood
     5:30 - Fast Food dinner stop
     6:30 - Arrive at Pillow, drumline in stands for 7:00 kickoff

We will depart at the end of the game, returning to JA about midnight. We will remind students who need to be picked up to call when we are about 20 minutes from JA.

NOTE: Band families are welcome to join the band on the bus for the trip to the game. Any non-band siblings will need to be accompanied by a parent.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 7 - Football game @Pillow Academy, Greenwood
SEPTEMBER 21 - Football game @Home
SEPTEMBER 28 - Football game @Home - Homecoming
OCTOBER 5 - Football game @Prep
OCTOBER 6 - Band competition @Clinton HS
OCTOBER 13 - Band competition @Pearl HS
OCTOBER 26 - Football game @Home
OCTOBER 27 - MAIS Marching Band Festival @Prep
NOVEMBER 1-4 - BOA San Antonio Trip 
NOVEMBER 9 - Championship Football Game

8/26/12 UPDATE

MISSISSIPPI LIONS ALL-STATE BAND COLOR GUARD WORKSHOPS

JA Guard members Annie Campbell, Samantha Hill, Caroline Burford, and Sarah Allen Bowman participated in workshops this weekend to prepare for All-State Lions Band auditions, which will be held in November. The All-State Band will travel to Hamburg, Germany in July 2013. Best of luck to our guard members at auditions.

JA BAND SCHEDULE AUGUST 27 - 31

NOTE: The impending storm will likely have an impact on this week's schedule. Please watch your email and this blog, and ask your student about announcements made in class, for updates throughout the week as information becomes available.

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

TUESDAY, 8/28 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
     Color Guard - 5:00 - 6:00 - Activities Building
     Percussion - 5:30 - 6:30 - Activities Building
     Full Band - 6:30 - 8:00 - Activities Building

WEDNESDAY, 8/29 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

THURSDAY, 8/30 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
BACKYARD BRAWL - MC vs. Millsaps College game, 7:00 pm kickoff - Drumline in the stands
NOTE: The details about timing, and dropoff and pickup at Millsaps for those families not attending the game, will be announced early this week when they are finalized, if the weather does not cause a cancellation.

FRIDAY, 8/31 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
HOME FOOTBALL GAME v. RIVER OAKS - 7:30 Kickoff
6:00 - Report for warmup on the parking lot - band in half uniform, guard in shorts and band t-shirts
FIRST & SECOND QUARTERS - Drumline in stands
HALFTIME - Competition show - parent help needed!
THIRD QUARTER - Break - students may visit concessions
FOURTH QUARTER - Drumline in stands
END OF GAME - Band will march as a group back to the band hall. Students will be dismissed when all equipment is put away.

PHOTO GALLERY

A few photos from the pep rally, game warmup, and pregame this past week:

SMALL BANDS VIDEO

The information posted last week about the BOA Symposium clinicians including the JA Band in a presentation about small bands reminded us of a video presentation produced by the JA Band Boosters on the same topic back in 2004. The techniques presented are still valid eight years later.

The video is linked here: SMALL BANDS: MAKING THE MOST OF WHAT YOU HAVE, and also in the YouTube video section at the top right of the page. Clips of JA Band performances through the years are included in the video.

UPCOMING EVENTS

AUGUST 30 - Backyard Brawl - MC v. Milsaps
AUGUST 31 - Football game @Home
SEPTEMBER 7 - Football game @Pillow Academy, Greenwood
SEPTEMBER 21 - Football game @Home
SEPTEMBER 28 - Football game @Home - Homecoming
OCTOBER 5 - Football game @Prep
OCTOBER 6 - Band competition @Clinton HS
OCTOBER 13 - Band competition @Pearl HS
OCTOBER 26 - Football game @Home
OCTOBER 27 - MAIS Marching Band Festival @Prep
NOVEMBER 1-4 - BOA San Antonio Trip - See Preview Video above
NOVEMBER 9 - Championship Football Game

8/19/12 UPDATE

SAN ANTONIO TRIP

All JA Band families should have received an email this week from our trip coordinator, Sue Guindon, with details about the San Antonio trip November 1-4, including a reduced price for students and families.

If you have not yet responded, please do so this week so that final reservations can be made. If you did not receive the email or have any questions, contact Sue at sue.guindon@gmail.com.

Click on the video below for a preview of the trip:

BACKYARD BRAWL

The JA Band has been invited to have the drumline add some excitement to the Mississippi College - Millsaps College football game on Thursday, August 30, with a 7:00 pm kickoff at the Millsaps stadium. This is the 41st annual meeting between these schools, and the game will be broadcast via a live remote by WAPT. The JA Drumline would play on a deck overlooking the field.

The report time at Millsaps and other details will be announced next week. If any parents would like to attend the game, please let us know by Wednesday, August 22 via an email to jaband@aol.com, so that we can let the organizer know how many tickets we will need. All tickets will be complimentary to JA Band families.

JA BAND SCHEDULE AUGUST 20-24

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

TUESDAY, 8/21 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00 

     Color Guard - 5:00 - 6:00 - Activities Building

     Percussion - 5:30 - 6:30 - Activities Building

     FULL BAND - 6:30 - 8:00 - Activities Building

IMPORTANT - PARENT MEETING - 7:45 - Activities Building - For all parents who are able to help with the equipment Friday nights at the football games. Contact Terri Fisher at tfisher@jacksonacademy.org with any questions.

WEDNESDAY, 8/22 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

THURSDAY, 8/23 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

FRIDAY, 8/24 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00

HOME FOOTBALL GAME v. NORTHEAST LAUDERDALE

6:00 - Report for warmup on the parking lot - Guard in band shirts and shorts, band in half uniform

First & Second Quarters - Drumline in stands

HALFTIME - Competition show - Parent help needed, see Tuesday schedule above

Third Quarter - Break - Students may visit concessions

Fourth Quarter - Drumline in stands

End of Game - All band members will march together around the field to return to the band hall. Students will be dismissed when all equipment is put away.

JA BAND IN THE NEWS

We have learned that during the BOA Summer Symposium this year, two BOA & DCI adjudicators, Glenn Fugett and John Howell, presented a talk about small bands. They used JA as a great example of success, mentioning the band in the following video excerpt from the presentation (the JA segment begins approximately 5 minutes in):

PHOTO GALLERY

A few photos from a busy first full week of school for the JA Band (more in the PHOTO GALLERY):

ALL SPORTS NIGHT:

PEP RALLY:

REHEARSAL AND STORMY FOOTBALL GAME:

Event Schedule:

NOTE - ALL AFTER SCHOOL COMMITMENTS FOR THE FALL (OTHER THAN TUESDAY NIGHT REHEARSALS), INCLUDING ALL FOOTBALL GAMES THE BAND WILL ATTEND, ARE LISTED BELOW:

AUGUST 24 - Football game @Home
AUGUST 30 - Backyard Brawl - MC v. Milsaps
AUGUST 31 - Football game @Home
SEPTEMBER 7 - Football game @Pillow Academy, Greenwood
SEPTEMBER 21 - Football game @Home
SEPTEMBER 28 - Football game @Home - Homecoming
OCTOBER 5 - Football game @Prep
OCTOBER 6 - Band competition @Clinton HS
OCTOBER 13 - Band competition @Pearl HS
OCTOBER 26 - Football game @Home
OCTOBER 27 - MAIS Marching Band Festival @Prep
NOVEMBER 1-4 - BOA San Antonio Trip - See Preview Video above
NOVEMBER 9 - Championship Football Game