Pearl Junior High School Band

PJHS Band Staff Jason Harrell - Junior High Band Director jharrell@pearlk12.com Aimee Sudduth - Elementary (6th Grade) Band Director asudduth@pearlk12.com Matt Little - Percussion/Assistant Band Director mlittle@pearlk12.com Matt Rowan - Director of Bands, Pearl Schools mrowan@pearlk12.com NIcole Allen - Associate Director of Bands, Pearl Schools jnallen@pearlk12.com 6 th Grade Band Sixth grade band begins in the first days of school with an introduction to music theory, including the staff, note names in treble and bass clef, rhythms, and an introduction to the instruments in the band. At the end of the 5th Grade year, students will be given an opportunity to test on each instrument offered in beginner band to see what his/her strengths are as a musician. After testing, the band directors will work with students to determine what the best fit will be for them in choosing an instrument. We will have a parent night in May to meet with parents to discuss arrangements for obtaining an instrument. We will have Mississippi Music, Inc., present at this meeting to rent or sell instruments. Parents are not required to use Mississippi Music, Inc., but they are a highly recommended music store and offer full service of instruments. After students have obtained instruments, we will begin instruction on how to play the instruments while applying the music concepts learned in the first weeks of school. Students will be tested each week and to ensure they become proficient on their instrument. The sixth grade students will perform a Christmas Concert in the second term and will perform a Spring Concert during fourth term. We look forward to seeing the progress made by these students in their first year! 7 th Grade Band Seventh grade band begins with a review of the concepts learned in sixth grade to ensure the students have a firm understanding of the concepts needed to be successful musicians. In seventh grade band, students will expand their musical knowledge and technique on their instrument. They will be challenged to become more mature musicians. As in sixth grade, the students will be tested weekly and will be required to show proficiency on their instrument. The students will perform in the Pearl Christmas Parade as well as perform a Christmas Concert. In the second semester, seventh grade band students will prepare for and attend a band festival where they will, for the first time, be scored on their performance. Students will also present a Spring Concert during the fourth term. Seventh grade band is an exciting time in the life of students. 8 th Grade Band The Pearl eighth grade band continues the students’ instrumental music education by preparing the students to perform on a high school level. The students will have prescribed exercises to pass off on a weekly basis. The eighth grade band offers more performance opportunities as well. The eighth grade band performs at pep rallies and at some junior high football games. The band also performs a Christmas concert and in the Pearl Christmas Parade. In the spring, the band attends a band festival and presents a spring concert. Students will also have the opportunity to go off campus to participate in band clinics, which are great fun. Often throughout the year some other performance opportunities arise and are an added bonus. The eighth grade band is a great experience for students and will prepare them for even greater experiences to come.