10/25/15 UPDATE

MAIS STATE MARCHING FESTIVAL

All Superior JA Band -- Continuing the All-Superior tradition for the past 26 years.

From Band Booster President Catherine Arnold:

There are so many parents and siblings and friends to thank for our successful MAIS Festival on Saturday. We simply could not have done it without all these energetic volunteers who unselfishly gave several hours of their time and represented our school and our band so well. At the risk of leaving anyone out, I will just highlight Jamie Niemeyer who chaired the event and has been working behind the scenes for several weeks to bring this festival - which has many moving parts - together.  A special thank you to Sue Guindon as well for the design, layout, and ad sales for our attractive program, and for coordinating schedules and director communication.

Mr. Carter adds his thanks for everyone who came out to help. The hard work of many JA Band families provided a positive experience for the visiting bands, directors, and fans. Thank you also to the MAIS Band Division and the Jackson Academy Administration for again allowing us to host the festival.

Photos from the Festival have been posted to the online photo gallery (thanks to Charlotte McClellan): MAIS MARCHING FESTIVAL

HOMECOMING - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30

The band will not be performing the competition show on Friday due to Homecoming Festivities. Here is the schedule for Friday:

5:00 - Dinner in Band Hall provided by Boosters
6:00 - Report to asphalt with drums

Halftime - The band will perform to accompany the Homecoming court - Attire is show uniforms (shirt and tie for horns and drums, guard in show uniforms)

All students dismissed after halftime to prepare for Homecoming Dance.

JA BAND CHRISTMAS CONCERT

The JA Band Program Christmas Concert will be Thursday, December 10, at 7:00 pm at the beautiful St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral, 305 E. Capitol St., Jackson. 

CORKY'S FUNDRAISER

Some updated info about the Corky's fundraiser:

Thanksgiving orders and money for Corky's are DUE to Lisa Thomas on November 16th by 9:00 a.m. Pick up in Band Hall is scheduled for November 20th.

Christmas orders and money for Corky's are DUE to Lisa Thomas on December 7th by 9:00 a.m. Pick up in Band Hall is scheduled for December 11th.

Lisa can be reached at 601-613-3533 cell; 601-856-9567 fax; LCPSTAT@aol.com email. 

She will send out a thank you and pick up reminder to all who order. 

She will be at the Corky's fundraiser table at the front gate at this Friday's football game for orders. 

Please pass around Corky's info to your office, clinic, etc. for orders. THIS is our main fundraiser for the year!  Thank you so much for your time and effort!

ALSO this will be emphasized on campus and Tuesday's Raider. Pass around to administration and teachers.  If a company or office places several orders, we will arrange for delivery!

Please share this fundraiser on social media!

10/18/15 UPDATE

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congrats to the JA Band for earning Second Place in Class A at the Bands of America Super Regional Championship. This event showcased some of the finest band programs in the country, with 64 groups competing at the Edward Jones Dome.

The band received many positive comments on their performance, both at the Dome and through social media. Mr. Carter received the following email from a band parent from a competing school:

Mr. Carter, 

In a competition where large marching bands tend to get noticed, your students are to be commended for an impressive performance. Your students exhibited both courage and talent. The show was truly enjoyable and the talent of your band and color guard was inspiring. 

Congratulations on your performance! 

Warmest regards 

Dawn Wood

Marching Band Parent, Marshall MN

JA Band at Six Flags on Sunday:

Thank you to the parents who helped on the trip. Many more photos will be posted this week to the Photo Gallery, linked in the menu bar at the top of the blog.

MAIS MARCHING FESTIVAL

The MAIS State Marching Band Festival is this Saturday at JA's Raider Field. We need more volunteers to make the event run smoothly and to provide a positive experience to the visiting groups and fans. PLEASE contact Jamie Niemeyer (JNiemeyer@sfbcic.com) to volunteer for a few hours Saturday afternoon. 

Here is the schedule of performances:

2:30 - National Anthem
2:45 - Presbyterian Christian School Color Guard
3:00 - Washington School Band
3:15 - Jackson Prep Band
3:30 - Hillcrest Christian School Band
3:45 - Copiah Academy Band
4:00 - Starkville Academy Band
4:15 - JACKSON ACADEMY BAND
4:30 - William Carey University Band in Exhibition
4:45 - Awards

SENIOR NIGHT

At the start of halftime of the game on Friday, our six Senior students will be recognized, accompanied by their parents.

All seniors should send a short paragraph about their experiences in band and their future plans to Mr. Carter by Wednesday.

JA BAND BOOSTERS

Please volunteer at the MAIS Festival on Saturday, and remember that our Corky's fundraiser continues through Thanksgiving and into the Christmas season. For further details, scroll down to last week's blog update, and contact Lisa Thomas (lcpstat@aol.com) if you have any questions.

Lisa Thomas will be at the JA Carnival on Tuesday selling Corky's. If any band students are available to stop by and give her a hand, she would appreciate it.

JA BAND 10/19-24

MONDAY, 10/19 - Students excused from school due to the late arrival home from St. Louis

There will be NO afterschool rehearsals until concert band sectionals begin in January.

FRIDAY, 10/23 - Home game vs. Pillow - SENIOR NIGHT

5:00 - Dinner provided in Band Hall by the Boosters
6:00 - Warmup
Halftime - Senior Recognition & Show performance - Parent help needed with mat

SATURDAY, 10/24 - MAIS STATE MARCHING BAND FESTIVAL

2:00 - All Students report to Band Hall
4:15 - FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE

CALENDAR UPDATE

The JA Band Christmas Concert has been rescheduled for December 10 due to a conflict. The location is TBA.

10/11/15 UPDATE

It's here - BOA WEEK!

65 bands from 15 states will descend on the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, home of the NFL Rams, for two days of marching band excellence, performing for crowds of up to 15,000 fans. The Jackson Academy Band is honored to join them.

IMPORTANT SCHEDULE UPDATE - JA BAND 10/12-18

We have an experienced marching band consultant, Brian Stevens, coming in this week from Texas to help the band prepare for BOA. It is vital that we have all students present at all rehearsals. Please look over the following details for the week, as there are a few changes from the usual schedule.

MONDAY, 10/12 - No School, No Rehearsal

TUESDAY, 10/13 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
FULL BAND - 5:00 - 8:00 - Activities Building
NO Parent meeting - Moved to Wednesday

WEDNESDAY, 10/14 - NO Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00, due to PSAT 
FULL BAND - 5:00 - 8:00 on the Field

7:00 - Parent meeting in the Band Hall - We ask that all band families have a representative at the meeting to go over trip details.

7:45 - All parents are welcome to come out to the stands to cheer on the band for the final runthrough of the show on the field.

Following the runthrough, it is very important that all parents who are going to St. Louis stay to practice getting the mat and props on and off the field within the BOA timing constraints.

THURSDAY, 10/15 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00 

FRIDAY, 10/16 - BOA Trip Departure
6:30 am - All travelers report to the band hall 

Full trip itinerary will be distributed at the trip meeting Wednesday at 7:00.

MONDAY, 10/19 - 2:00 am (approximately) - Arrival back at JA - We will have students call with an updated ETA.

Students are excused from school on Monday due to the late arrival home. All students should talk with their teachers this week about any work they will miss Friday and Monday.

THANK YOU!

After all these years, the JA Band is finally unplugged! Many thanks to the Schott family for their generous donation of a beautiful new Yamaha portable generator. This will make warmup at events and field setup much easier.

BAND BOOSTERS

The MAIS Marching Band Festival is Saturday, October 24. We need many volunteers to help make the afternoon go smoothly and provide the visiting groups a positive experience. Please contact Jamie Niemeyer (JNiemeyer@sfbcic.com) if you can help on October 24.

If you still want to submit a program ad, you must contact Sue Guindon (sue.guindon@gmail.com) by this Monday, 10/12, to allow time to finalize the program layout.

Photos from the Groovin' in the Grove competition are available for purchase at the following link: OAK GROVE PHOTOS (click on "Other Events"). Individual photo purchases from the site are quite expensive, starting at about $30; however, there is an option to purchase a USB of ALL photos from the event for a one-time payment of $250 total. If anyone would like to contribute toward that purchase, please contact Lisa Thomas (lcpstat@aol.com). This would allow us to have all the photos to be shared on the online photo gallery and with all band families.

We are now taking CORKY'S ORDERS for ham, turkey, Boston Butt, smoked pork rib chops, cookbook, and their famous barbeque sauce for THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS this year.

Spiral Sliced Glazed Ham (feeds 12-15 people, 8 lbs.) - $45

Smoked Turkey (feeds 12-15 people, 8 lbs.) - $35

Boston Butt  (feeds 10-12 people, 4.5 lbs. min.)- $30

Smoked Pork Rib Chops (4 pieces, 8 pounds) - $30

Cookbook - $20

Famous Barbeque Sauce - $3

These items are PERFECT for the holidays! GREAT for parties!

Corky’s reputation for their products is unbeatable! The above meats are smoked, wrapped, and then frozen. Orders are delivered in a Corky’s gift box with heating instructions.

Each of our BAND MEMBERS has an order form, so PLEASE see them. We are asking band members to sell at least 5 meats, and we plan to have a bowling/pizza party for them or similar party. Lisa will post a poster soon in band hall for each band member to track their progress!

We will also have a fundraiser table set up at the rest of the home football games and for JA's Fall Carnival (Tuesday, October 20). We accept check or cash.

If you have contacts in a clinic, company, hospital, or office and you need hard copies to distribute for orders, please let Lisa know!

If anyone would like to place a phone or email order, please contact Lisa Thomas at 601-613-3533 or email her at LCPSTAT@aol.com

Pickup Schedule in Band Hall

Thanksgiving: November 20

Christmas: December 11

Avoid the lines during the holidays!

ST. LOUIS TRIP - SOCIAL MEDIA

Band families and friends at home can virtually join the band in St. Louis by following on social media:

JA Band Facebook page - JA BAND FACEBOOK
Twitter - @JA_Band
Instagram - jacksonacademyband

Although we are not permitted to stream competition performances from the Dome, follow @JA_Band on Periscope, and we will try to share some moments during the trip.

As with many such organizations, Bands of America is dealing with complicated copyright issues for streaming and recording video of groups' performances. Videos will not be sold at this time, and they are still determining whether live streaming will be available for the St. Louis Super Regional. If we receive any pertinent information in the coming days, we will be sure to send an email with the details.

10/4/15 UPDATE

Congratulations to the JA Band members for another successful competition.

At Oak Grove on Saturday, the band earned First Place out of 12 bands in Class A, winning captions in Music, Visual, GE, and Guard. 

Overall, out of 27 bands regardless of Class, the JA Band placed Third, with First Place in Color Guard, Second in Visual and GE, and Third in Music.

Next up competitively for the band is the BOA St. Louis Super Regional on October 17.

JA BAND BOOSTERS

Thank you to the many parents and siblings who helped at the Prep game on Friday night in different capacities: the 2 concession stands (which were hopping!!), mat crew, JA Band dinner, Prep Band dinner, and Corky's sales table. Every time I turned around there was another smiling band parent helping out! We really appreciate our band booster parents, and we couldn't do it without you.

We will need the same effort for the MAIS Festival we are hosting on October 24 which is a lot of fun. Areas where volunteers are needed are: hospitality, concessions, directing traffic, band escorts, runners, registration, and admissions gate. We are also selling ads for the program. Please contact Jamie Niemeyer to volunteer or to place an ad (JNiemeyer@sfbcic.com). The deadline for purchasing ads is October 10.

Terri Fisher has scheduled a BOA mat crew meeting for this Tuesday evening at 7:45.  We only need those who are going to BOA so we can see who we have, assign positions, and practice before we are timed in St. Louis. Let Terri know whether or not you can come to this last run-through (tjmfisher@yahoo.com).

We are now taking CORKY'S ORDERS for ham, turkey, Boston Butt, smoked pork rib chops, cookbook, and their famous barbeque sauce for THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS this year.

Spiral Sliced Glazed Ham (feeds 12-15 people, 8 lbs.) - $45

Smoked Turkey (feeds 12-15 people, 8 lbs.) - $35

Boston Butt  (feeds 10-12 people, 4.5 lbs. min.)- $30

Smoked Pork Rib Chops (4 pieces, 8 pounds) - $30

Cookbook - $20

Famous Barbeque Sauce - $3

These items are PERFECT for the holidays! GREAT for parties!

Corky’s reputation for their products is unbeatable! The above meats are smoked, wrapped, and then frozen. Orders are delivered in a Corky’s gift box with heating instructions.

Each of our BAND MEMBERS has an order form, so PLEASE see them. We are asking band members to sell at least 5 meats, and we plan to have a bowling/pizza party for them or similar party. Lisa will post a poster soon in band hall for each band member to track their progress!

We will also have a fundraiser table set up at the rest of the home football games and for JA's Fall Carnival (Tuesday, October 20). We accept check or cash.

If you have contacts in a clinic, company, hospital, or office and you need hard copies to distribute for orders, please let Lisa know!

If anyone would like to place a phone or email order, please contact Lisa Thomas at 601-613-3533 or email her at LCPSTAT@aol.com

Pickup Schedule in Band Hall

Thanksgiving: November 20

Christmas: December 11

Avoid the lines during the holidays!

JA BAND 10/5-9/15

MONDAY, 10/5 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

TUESDAY, 10/6 - 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

ST. LOUIS PARENT MAT CREW - 7:45 - 8:00

WEDNESDAY, 10/7 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

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

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

Away Football Game @ East Rankin Academy, Pelahatchie - Drumline in the stands - Attire is Band T-shirts and jeans or shorts

NOTE: There will not be a charter bus for this game. If your student needs a ride, please coordinate with another parent or older student. Contact Catherine Arnold (arnoldsfive@gmail.com) if you need assistance with this.

6:30 - Meet at the truck at East Ranking Academy to unload drums

Postgame - Students dismissed after drums loaded

UPCOMING EVENTS

TUESDAY, 10/13 - PARENT MEETING during evening rehearsal to discuss the St. Louis trip - a representative of ALL band families is asked to attend.

WEDNESDAY, 10/14 - Extra Evening Rehearsal 

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, 10/16 - 18 - BOA St. Louis Trip

FRIDAY, 10/23 - Senior Night

SATURDAY, 10/24 - MAIS Festival @ JA

FRIDAY, 10/30 - Homecoming

9/27/15 UPDATE

CONGRATULATIONS to the GULF COAST INVITATIONAL 2015 GRAND CHAMPIONS!

It was an extremely busy weekend for the JA Band, starting with the Jazz Ensemble providing a musical welcome to Raider Night guests to campus on Thursday; a pep rally, pregame performance, and drumline spirit in the stands for the football game Friday; and a very successful first competition at Biloxi HS on Saturday.

In addition to winning every caption in their class in the morning show at the Gulf Coast Invitational, with the guard earning perfect scores in two captions, the JA Band returned to the field for their second performance at 4:45. They had their best show of the year, earning first place in Visual and GRAND CHAMPION honors with the highest overall score of all 19 groups at the event.

Thank you to all the parents who came to support the students at Hillcrest and Biloxi. Special thanks to Ginger Thomas for serving as trip coordinator and head chaperone.

The JA Band returns to competition next weekend at the Groovin' in the Grove invitational at Oak Grove HS on Saturday, October 3. See the schedule update below for timing and other information.

JA BAND BOOSTERS

From Booster President Catherine Arnold:

We need lots of parent volunteers for this week's home game against Prep. If you cannot be there, there are still ways you can support the kids, such as sending in donations. Let us know if you can help in any of the following areas:

1. Pregame Meal for our kids, Friday at 4:30. Lisa Thomas will be in touch with those who have already signed up for this.

2. Concession Stand. Frances Anne Dallaire will be running the show in the concession stand. Please text Lisa Thomas (601-613-3533) if you can work a shift. This is a great money-maker for the band, and we are grateful to the Athletic Boosters for giving us this gig! We want it to go well so they will ask us again.

3. Mat Crew - Halftime Friday and Oak Grove Saturday. Let Terri Fisher (601-572-1732) know if you can help with this. Mat crew 2015 is our best ever!

4. Hosting the Prep band during third quarter. Let Catherine Arnold (601-668-1172) know if you can help serve Papa John's or provide chilled bottled water or plates. Also, let's go out and support the Prep band during their pre-game performance.

5. All band dues and travel fees are past due unless you have made prior payment arrangements with us. Thank you to everyone who has paid in a timely manner. It is greatly appreciated! October invoices will be going out soon.

JA BAND 9/28 - 10/3

MONDAY, 9/28 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

TUESDAY, 9/29 - 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, 9/30 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

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

FRIDAY, 10/2 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
HOME GAME v. PREP
4:30 - Dinner provided in the Band Hall by the Boosters
5:30 - Warmup on band lot in half uniform
Pregame - Watch Prep show performance
HALFTIME - COMPETITION SHOW - Parent help needed
Third Quarter - Reception with visiting Band


SATURDAY, 10/3 - Groovin' in the Grove Competition

9:45 am - Load Bus at JA - half uniform, bring a snack to have on the bus, because it will be a late lunch after the performance.

10:00 - Depart for Hattiesburg

11:30 - Arrive at Oak Grove HS

1:45 - PERFORMANCE - Parent help needed

2:30 - Gatti's Pizza for lunch and games

4:30 - Return to Oak Grove HS, watch performances

8:00 - Ratings

8:30 - Depart Oak Grove, fast food dinner stop

11:00 (approximate) - Arrive JA

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday, October 9 - Drumline in the stands at East Rankin Academy game. Students will meet at the school.

Wednesday, October 14 - Extra evening rehearsal

Friday - Sunday, October 16-18 - BOA St. Louis Super Regional Trip

Friday, October 23 - Senior Night at Football game

Saturday, October 24 - MAIS Festival at JA - All band families should have received information from Jamie Niemeyer about helping at the festival and purchasing program ads. If you did not receive the information or have further questions, contact Jamie at JNiemeyer@sfbcic.com.

PHOTO GALLERY

Thank you to all the parents and students who shared photos from the weekend! Here is a sampling, and many more our posted on the band's online photo gallery at this link: FALL 2015

9/20/15 UPDATE

IMPORTANT SCHEDULE UPDATE

Thursday, Sept 24 the students have an early dismissal due to Raider Night. We will have a one-hour rehearsal, with the following timing:

11:40 - 12:00 - Lunch Provided in Band Hall
12:00 - 1:00 - Rehearsal

This rehearsal is important, with an away game performance and the first competition this weekend.

JA BAND BOOSTERS

From JA Band Booster President Catherine Arnold:

We look forward to seeing everyone at the Band Booster meeting this Tuesday, September 22, at 6:00 in the Band hall. We'll hear from Mr. Carter about upcoming travel and other matters, from Jamie Niemeyer about the MAIS Festival, from Lisa Thomas about our Corky's fundraiser, and from Ginger Thomas about the budget. We would like respresentation from every band household at the meeting.

All band dues and family travel fees are past due unless you have made prior payment arrangements with us. If your account is not paid in full, please plan to bring a check to the Booster meeting on Tuesday as the band has many expenses to be paid for the trips that are due now.

JA BAND SEPT 21-27

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

TUESDAY, 9/22 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00
5:30 - 6:15 and 6:30 - 8:00 - Guard
5:30 - 8:00 - Percussion
6:00 - Booster Meeting
6:30 - 8:00 - Horns

WEDNESDAY, 9/23 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

THURSDAY, 9/24

RAIDER NIGHT - EARLY DISMISSAL
11:40 - 12:00 - Lunch provided in Band Hall
12:00 - 1:00 - Rehearsal

5:00 - 6:30 - Small Jazz Ensemble performs for Raider Night, in the PAC Breezeway. Mr. Carter has talked to those students who will perform.

FRIDAY, 9/25 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00

AWAY GAME - HILLCREST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - 4060 S. SIWELL RD., JACKSON 39212

6:00 - ALL STUDENTS need to be at Hillcrest in full uniform with everything needed for a performance. The band will perform the FULL SHOW during pregame, at about 6:40.

If you need help with a ride for your student, please contact Catherine Arnold (arnoldsfive@gmail.com) to coordinate.

At Hillcrest, meet at the truck, which will be parked in a small lot near the south field entrance, off Bridger Road, from McCluer Rd.

Parents are needed to help with the mat, as always. Please let Terri Fisher (TJMFisher@yahoo.com) know if you will be able to help.

After the performance, we will load the truck, then the drumline will play in the stands for the game.

After the game, please check with Mr. or Mrs. Carter before leaving with your student.

SATURDAY, 9/26

GULF COAST INVITATIONAL, BILOXI

The first competition of the year for the JA Band is the Gulf Coast Invitational, at Biloxi HS, where 19 bands from 3 states will be participating in Festival format in the morning, and Competition format in the evening.

SCHEDULE:

6:30 am (Note this is 15 minutes later than indicated on the information sheet that was emailed this week) - Report to the band hall, load bus. There are no changing facilities for the band at Biloxi HS, so students should be in half uniform and be prepared to get fully dressed on the bus before we arrive.

10:00 - Arrive Biloxi HS

10:45 - Warmup begins

11:45 - PERFORMANCE

Watch bands, Lunch at Concessions

3:15 - Awards for Festival Portion of Show

3:45 - Warmup begins

4:45 - PERFORMANCE

5:30 - Depart for Hotel - Checkin - Dinner in area

8:30 - Load bus, return to Biloxi HS

9:45 - Awards for Competition Portion of Show

10:15 - Return to Hotel

SUNDAY, 9/27

7 - 9 - Complimentary Breakfast at Hotel

10:00 - Hotel Checkout

10:30 - Depart

12:00 - Lunch stop at Turtle Creek Mall, Hattiesburg

2:30 (approximate) - Arrive at JA

Photos from Biloxi are posted online: BILOXI

A few samples:

9/13/15 UPDATE

Thanks to the band members who pumped up the spirit in the stands at the PCS game on Friday night. They worked hard to support the Raiders!

BAND BOOSTERS

The next Band Booster meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 22, at 6:00 in the band hall. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. We would like representation from every household as we will be discussing several important matters including upcoming travels and fundraising.

REMINDER: All band dues and trip fees are now past due, unless you have made other payment plans with us.

JA BAND SEPT 14-18

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

TUESDAY, 9/15 - 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, 9/16 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 4:00

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

FRIDAY, 9/18 - Rehearsal 2:10 - 3:00 - No Game for Band

Be sure to mark your calendars with all the updated events in the sidebar to the right. (If you are viewing on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom and click "View Web Version" to see the sidebar.)

JA BAND FALL TRAVEL

We have received the schedule for the Gulf Coast Invitational in Biloxi on Sept. 26.

The band will have two performances at Biloxi HS, at 11:45 am and 4:45 pm.

After the second performance, we will check in to the hotel and have dinner in the area, then return to Biloxi HS for awards.

PHOTO GALLERY

JA alumna Sarah Allen Bowman performed with the MS State Famous Maroon Band at the game Saturday night. She is the middle flag: