Previous Director's Comments

Congratulations to Mr. Kolar and the UHS Chamber Choir on an amazing concert this Sunday at St. Francis Church. The Choir peformed, among other things, Morten Lauridsen's "Lux Aeterna", which was conducted by the man for whom the piece was written, famed choral conductor Paul Salamunavich.

University High School rarely gets the credit it deserves, but the choir program at UHS is second to none.

The 27th Annual Hawk's Nest Cabaret will be held in the auditorium at 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 15th and Friday, April 16th. The show will feature the Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Concert Choir, and Chamber Choir, as well as singers, dancers, and other performers from the UHS student body. Admission is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for students and seniors.

Thanks again to all who helped make the third annual UHS Band Elimination Dinner a success, including the parent workers, student workers and staff, the UHS Jazz Combo, and the businesses who provided goods and services.

Thanks especially to Outback Steakhouse of Morgantown for providing the meals. Outback's generosity saves the band approximately $3000.00 each year in food expenses for the Elimination Dinner. Additionally, they bring the manpower and expertise to provide meals to such a large group of people.

The next time you take the family out for dinner, please consider Outback. They have been tremendously supportive of the band over the last three Elimination Dinners and have already committed to helping us again with our 2011 Elimination Dinner. The next time you visit Outback, perhaps write "Thanks from the UHS Band" on your check so they know how much their help means to us.

Special thanks to Clear Mountain Bank for purchasing the final seventeen tickets. This is the second year that Clear Mountain Bank has generously assured that all available tickets were purchased.

Thanks also to the following sponsors for providing the contents of the baskets:

“WVU”: WVU Department of Music, WVU Parents Club, Horizon Soil Consulting, Coca-Cola
“Game Night”: The Elkins Family
“Gardening Fun”: The Feghali Family
“Theresa Styles for You”: The Obrad Family
“Manly Man basket”: The Battin Family, Apple Valley County Club, Horizon Soil Consulting
“Stir Fry Tonight”: Peking House, China One, The Roston Family
“Italian Heritage” Minards, Pampered Chef The Gatto Family, The Kullman Family
“UHS Band/Music” Fawley Music, UHS Band Boosters, DP Dough, Kingsbury Family
“Chocolate Bliss” Solomon and Solomon
“Family Fun” Carvel Ice Cream, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, Warner Theater, Kingsbury Family, DP Dough
“Golf”: The Kanosky Family,
“Adults Only!” (21 and over!)”: Passion Parties by Suzanne
“Extreme Green Carpet Cleaning”: Scott Richards

With such a long list of people and businesses to thank, we are almost certain to leave someone off. If you know of an omission, please e-mail mpalmer@access.k12.wv.us so we can add them to the list.

Finally, congratulations to the winners of the baskets, the winners of the consolation prizes along the way, and to Louise Henry, winner of the $1000.00 grand prize.

UHS will host the first Big Band Bash in the auditorium Monday, April 12th at 7:00 pm. The show will feature the UHS Jazz Ensemble, the UHS Jazz Combo, the Morgantown High School Jazz Ensemble, and the Mon River Big Band. Admission is free.

BRASS ENSEMBLE/WEATHER UPDATE: The brass ensemble performance at the Morgantown Mall food court is postponed until Monday, December 21st at 6:00 pm. Students should arrive at 5:30 pm in dress clothes.

In the event that school is cancelled on Monday, the performance will take place Tuesday the 22nd at 6:00 pm.

Congratulations to the brass ensemble, the concert band, and the wind ensemble for their outstanding performances at the holiday concert. The directors are proud of you.

The UHS Band Holiday Concert will be held Wednesday, December 16th at 7:00 pm in the Auditorium. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students and seniors. The concert will feature performances by the brass ensemble, the concert band, and the wind ensemble.

Band students should arrive at the band room at 6:30 pm. Dress for the concert is black and white for the brass ensemble and concert band, and tuxes and gowns for the wind ensemble. Please see concert attire details on pp. 10-11 of the band handbook.

Fruit will be distributed from the UHS band room on Thursday, December 10th from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

The 2009 WVU Keynotes Concert will be held on Tuesday, December 1st at 7:30 at the CAC. Students who purchased tickets will meet Mr. Palmer in the lobby of the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre at the CAC at 7:00 pm the night of the concert to receive their tickets.

The directors are extremely proud of the OUTSTANDING performance by the band at the Morgantown Veterans Day Parade.

Students wishing to audition for the 2010 WV All-State Band and Orchestra must return their information cards and money by Friday, November 13th. The cost is $10.00 per instrumental audition. (For example, the cost for a student auditioning on flute AND piccolo would be $20.00.)

2009-2010 band composite pictures will be taken Monday, November 2nd and Tuesday, November 3rd during school. Most students will have their pictures taken during their band classes. Students who have Marching Band OT and do not have a band class need to schedule a sitting time during another class (YOUR TEACHER MUST APPROVE YOUR ABSENCE DURING THIS TIME).

Students should have uniforms dry cleaned prior to photos being taken, and students will need to bring band shoes and black socks, as the photographers will be taking numerous poses, including full-length shots. Students DO NOT need to bring hats. To cut down on band room clutter, we will provide extra band hats for the photos. Uniforms may be left in the band room following the Mohawk Bowl.

A date and time will be set later (usually a couple of weeks after the photos are taken) for parents to meet with a representative from North American Theatrical Photographers to decide if they would like to purchase photos. We will post details as soon as they become available.

Congratulations to Belinda Deavers of Morgantown, 2009 winner of the West Virginia Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License.

Band uniforms must be dry cleaned prior to the Mohawk Bowl on Saturday, October 31st. There is not enough time to have them cleaned between the Mohawk Bowl and composite photos.

The UHS Band has reserved space at the 2009 WVU Keynotes Concert on Tuesday, December 1st at 7:30 at the CAC. The cost is $1.00 for students, directors, and chaperones. (Sorry, ALL others must pay the regular price).

This is not a required event. Students who wish to attend must pay the NON-REFUNDABLE $1.00 cost by Friday, October 23rd.

Underclassmen can bring a dish to share (anything is fine). We have ham, rolls, potato salad, cupcakes, and drinks.

4:30-5:30 pm - Boosters Set-up in Cafeteria
5:30 pm - Seniors served first, then rest of the band
6:30 pm - Band Students to band room
7:15 pm - Pre-game
7:30 pm - Kickoff

The weather forecast is calling for a HIGH of 40 during the day, and a temperature in the mid to upper 30's at gametime (in addition to occasional rain). Students should dress in LAYERS.

We will distribute raincoats prior to the game and collect them (laying them over chairs to air-dry in the band room) after the game. We will not wear plumes. Students may wear gloves that allow them to play their instruments.

JAZZ ENSEMBLE MEMBERS: HERE is a 12-bar blues play along mp3 to assist you with this evening's assignment. To download, right-click and select "Save Link As" or Save Target As".

Seniors will be recognized at halftime of the UHS-John Marshall football game on Friday, October 16th.

Parents escorting senior marching band members will be admitted to the game for free.

Senior band members and their parents will meet in the southeast corner of the stadium (by where the band sits) at the 5:00 mark of the second quarter in preparation for their entrance onto the field.

Click HERE for the West Allegheny Cavalcade website, including directions to the school.

12:30 pm - Arrive @ UHS in TRAVEL UNIFORMS
12:45-2:00 pm - Rehearsal/Load bus
2:15 pm - Depart UHS
3:15 pm - Eat @ Washington Mall
4:00 pm - Depart Washington Mall
5:00 pm - Arrive @ West Allegheny High School
5:45 pm - Warm-up
6:37 pm - Report to Gate
6:45 pm - Perform
8:30 pm - Awards
9:00 pm - Depart West Allegheny High School
~10:30-11:00 pm Arrive @ UHS

We will stop at the Washington Mall food court on the way to the show. The boosters will serve snacks on the way home.

CONFIRMED: The band will participate in the Northern Garrett TOB Competition in Accident, Maryland on Saturday, October 3rd and the West Allegheny PIMBA Competition in Imperial, Pennsylvania on October 10th. Both shows take place in the late afternoon/evening. Schedules will be posted soon.

These times are the best estimates available as of September 28th and may change slightly. Click HERE for directions to Northern Garrett High School.

1:15 pm - Arrive @ UHS in TRAVEL UNIFORMS
1:30-2:45 pm - Rehearsal/Load bus
3:00 pm - Depart UHS
4:30 pm Arrive @ Northern Garrett High School
~5:15 pm - Warm-up
~5:50 pm - Perform
~6:30 pm - Awards
~7:00 pm - Depart Northern Garrett High School
~8:15-8:45 pm Arrive @ UHS

Students should eat a good lunch before arriving at UHS. There is not a suitable place to stop on the way to or from the competition, so the boosters will serve snacks on the bus on the way to and from NGHS.

Congratulations to the marching band for an outstanding performance at the WV Oil and Gas Festival this weekend. The directors are proud of not only your marching and playing, but of your behavior, as well. Keep up the good work.

1:30 pm - Arrive @ UHS (we will rehearse in comfortable clothes)
1:45-3:00 pm - Rehearsal/Load bus
3:15 pm - Depart UHS
4:00-4:30 pm - Eat @ Meadowbrook Mall Food Court
4:30-4:45 pm - Board bus/change into TRAVEL UNIFORMS/Depart Meadowbrook Mall Food Court
6:00 pm - Arrive @ Tyler Consolidated High School
6:30 pm - Warm-up
7:15 pm - Perform
8:00 pm - Awards
~8:30 pm - Depart Tyler Consolidated High School
~10:15-10:45 pm Arrive @ UHS

The boosters will provide snacks on the bus for the return trip home. Students need to eat a good meal before arriving at UHS and bring money for the stop at the Meadowbrook Mall.

The band has been selling raffle tickets for a West Virginia Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License for the last several weeks. After a fast start, sales have dropped off a little.

Just a reminder, we have around three weeks remaining before the end of ticket sales. The drawing will be held at the John Marshall football game on Friday, October 16th.

Students, please remember that this fundraiser has a very high profit margin and tickets are easy to sell due to the low cost ($5.00) and the fact that the winner may elect to take the cash equivalent ($750) if they do not hunt or fish.

The first parade rehearsal will be held Thursday, September 24th from 2:45-4:30 pm in preparation for the UHS Homecoming Parade. All parade-only marchers must attend the parade rehearsal and the parade on September 25th.

The Morgantown Band Spectacular Begins at 7:00 pm, and UHS is the seventh band to perform after the opening ceremonies.

5:45 pm - Arrive @ UHS in TRAVEL UNIFORMS
6:00-6:45 pm - Rehearsal/Load bus
7:00 pm - depart UHS
7:15 pm - Arrive @ Mountaineer Field
7:30 pm - Warm-up
~8:00 pm - Perform
~8:30 pm - Depart Mountaineer Field
~8:45 pm Arrive @ UHS

While the bus will depart Mountaineer Field shortly after our performance, students are encouraged to stay and watch the other bands perform (meaning they will not ride the bus back to UHS). As always, students who ride home with parents should have their parents see a director before leaving.

The following times are based on estimates given to us by the Fairmont Senior High band director:

The Fairmont Band Spectacular Begins at 7:00 pm, and UHS is the eighth band to perform after the opening ceremonies. There is also a 10-minute intermission at some point before UHS performs.

4:45 pm - Arrive @ UHS (we will rehearse in comfortable clothes)
5:00-6:15 pm - Rehearsal/Load bus/change into TRAVEL UNIFORMS
6:45 pm - Depart UHS
7:30 pm - Arrive @ East/West Stadium
~8:00 pm - Warm-up
~9:00 pm - Perform
~9:30 pm - Depart East/West Stadium
~10:00-10:30 pm - Arrive @ UHS

The boosters will provide snacks on the bus for the trip to Fairmont and the return trip home. Students need to eat a good meal before arriving at UHS.

The Ritchie County High School USSBA Competition on September 26th has been cancelled by RCHS. Because there is no suitable replacement and the fact that the UHS Homecoming dance will be held that evening, we will not be traveling that day. We WILL play our show in the stadium for the alumni during the UHS All-Class Reunion to be held at the school that day. Report time is 12:00 pm.

Attention students interested in auditioniong for the 2009-2010 UHS Color Guard. Please note the updates to the training, audition, and clinic days:

Tuesday, May 12th 4:00-6:00 pm - Training Day @ UHS
Thursday, May 14th 4:00-6:00 pm - Training Day @ UHS
Tuesday, May 19th 4:00-6:00 pm - Auditions @ UHS
Thursday, May 21st 4:00-6:00 pm - Color Guard Clinic #1 @ UHS

Thanks to all who helped make the second annual UHS Band Elimination Dinner a tremendous success. From start to finish, the operation ran smoothly, and the band made a profit of around $8,500 after expenses.

The UHS Band is very fortunate to have such a hard-working, dedicated, and talented students and parents.

Thanks to Outback Steakhouse of Morgantown for providing the meals. The next time you take the family out for dinner, please consider Outback. They have been tremendously supportive of the band over the last two elimination dinners.

Special thanks also go to Clear Mountain Bank for purchasing the final eight tickets at full price.

Thanks also to the following sponsors for providing the contents of the baskets:

Carvel Ice Cream
WV Public Theatre
Solomon and Solomon
Mountaineer Golf Course
Apple Valley Golf Course
Golf USA
Oliverio's
Olive Garden
Jersey's Subs
Fawley Music
Creative Cuts Salon
Morgantown Red Cross
IHOP
Bob Evans
WVU
The Boston Beanery
Ruby Tuesday
Warner Theatre
Canine Bodyworks
Cheat Lake Animal Hospital
Petco
Lakeview Golf Course
Tatham's Nursery
Golden Corral Restaurant

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WIND ENSEMBLE AND THE CHAMBER CHOIR FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES AT THE PUBLIC DEDICATION OF THE NEW UHS ON DECEMBER 14TH.

Congratulations to the winner of the Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Raffle, Deb Eakins.

Congratulations to the marching band for another outstanding performance at the Ritchie County High School USSBA Competition. The band won best percussion, best color guard, best music, best visual performance, best overall effect, and overall GRAND CHAMPION. Great job!

Dr. Mel Wright has posted another collection of UHS Band photos on his Photobucket page. In addition to several 2007-2008 collections, the most recent photos are from the Preston Competition and band camp. To view the photos, click HERE, enter the password buddyrich, look for the UHS Marching Band Photo Album on the left side of the page, then simply click and browse.

PARENTS: ~~We need more help at the football games.~~ UPDATE: We think we have enough parent help now. Thanks to those parents who have volunteered.

The band will not be sitting in the end zone for the foreseeable future, so we must have at least 6-10 chaperones sitting behind and around the band during the game and when the band is on the field.

We had some items (nothing big) stolen Friday night, and we must keep non-band students out of the band section (and band students in their section) for a variety of reasons.

We have seven passes left for helpers, so parents wishing to help can get passes from Mr. Palmer.

The Williamstown Festival of Bands has been cancelled by WHS. It was scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 4th.

UPDATE: There is not a suitable replacement competition for the Williamstown Festival of Bands. Instead, we will travel to the John Marshall away football game on Friday, October 17th. We will depart the school at 4:00 pm, stop for food en route to the game in Washington, PA, and return to UHS between 11:00pm and midnight.

The 2008-2009 Performance and Rehearsal Calendar was updated August 25th. There are several changes to dates (mostly later in the year) and there will almost certainly be other changes as we discover conflicts, so please check back often.

Congratulations to the marching band for their fine performance at the Preston TOB Competition. The band finished first place overall in group IV (large band class).

Band students must carpool to the game this Friday at the new Mylan Pharmaceuticals Stadium (Hawk Pharm?). Parking will be at a premium while the school is still a construction zone. If parking becomes too much of a problem, the band may have to assemble at the old UHS and bus to the field (the football team is already doing this) for future games this season.

Congratulations to the marching band on an outstanding first competition at the WV Oil and Gas Festival on Sept. 13th. The band finished as first runner-up, placing second overall among the 17 bands competing.

Students, make sure you have a pair of shoes OTHER THAN YOUR BAND SHOES to rehearse in...Tank Field may be a little muddy.

Attention SNARE DRUMMERS:

Please email Mr. Welker with a list of times after school which you would be available for a snare sectional during the week- we are hoping for Wednesdays. Sectionals will last an hour depending on availability.

Bwelker10@yahoo.com

Shuttle buses will once again run to and from UHS each day rehearsal is held at Camp Muffly. The buses will depart UHS at 8:30 and depart Camp Muffly fifteen minutes after the end of rehearsals.

2008 Guard Information

Incoming Freshmen Frequently Asked Questions

2008 Marching Band Information

The Kennywood trip will take place on Friday, August 22nd. Students should report to the UHS band room at 8:45 am, and we will depart UHS by bus at 9:00 am.

We will depart Kennywood at 8:00 pm and should arrive back at UHS at approximately 9:30 pm.

The Band Boosters will pay the cost of the buses and each student's Ride-All-Day Pass. Students should bring money for food and souvenirs for the day.

-MSP 8/20/08 2:20 pm

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Thursday's rehearsal (August 21st) will run from 5:30-8:00 pm (not 8:30 pm, as marked on the calendar) at Camp Muffly. We are ending earlier so we don't run out of daylight. A shuttle bus will depart UHS at 5:00 pm and pick students up from Camp Muffly at 8:15 pm.

-MSP 8/20/08 2:20 pm

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The link to the 2008 summer schedule is posted to the left of the photo above. (Make sure to read the 3rd page of general information, as well.)

We understand that summer is family vacation time, so we ask that families please schedule vacations BEFORE August 4th (and inform the directors of vacations, summer camps, summer school conflicts, etc. in advance). In a nutshell, the earlier in the summer the absences occur, the better.

Any student absences after the start of day camp at Camp Muffly are extremely disruptive to both the band and the individual student.

As always, we will use the Kennywood trip at the end of summer band as a reward for students with three or fewer absences (excused or unexcused) during summer reharsals.

-MSP 8/6/08 2:05 pm

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CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD the 2008-2009 Band Handbook. In order to participate in the UHS Band, students and parents must read it in its entirety, then sign and return the Agreement Form at the end of the handbook by the week of July 28th.

Because most students can now access this site, we will only be printing a few copies of the handbook for those without internet access. It is not necessary for students to print the entire handbook, just the Agreement Forms.

-MSP 7/10/08 11:10 am

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Parent Survival Packets were mailed on Monday, June 9, 2008. If you did not receive a copy you can read it by clicking HERE. It also included a SUMMER BAND CALENDAR and a letter from boosters president Mary Ann Spanovich.

-MSP 6/9/08 2:30 pm

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PLEASE NOTE CORRECTIONS TO THE SUMMER BAND CALENDAR: A typo was corrected in the time on Monday, August 18th, rehearsal is moved to the evening on Thursday, August 21st because of the first teacher workday on that date, there is no longer a rehearsal on Friday, August 22nd because of the Kennywood trip, and percussion and guard camp times have been updated.

-MSP 7/28/08 8:25 am

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The second $50 deposit for 2008 Band Camp was due Friday, May 30th. Incoming freshmen can give their deposits to their middle school director and Mr. Palmer will pick the money up, or they can be mailed to the high school at the following address:

UHS Band
c/o Mark Palmer
991 Price Street
Morgantown, WV 26505

If given to middle school directors, money should be placed in envelopes with the student's names on them and labeled "band camp deposit #2". Checks should be made payable to UHS Band. To avoid confusion, we also ask that parents put the student's name in the memo of checks.

Parents can also opt to pay the entire $150 band camp cost at any time.

-MSP 5/21/08 8:21 am

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Percussion Clinic/Audition/Rehearsal Dates:

May 16th- 4-9
May 17th- 12-5

June 20- 5-9
June 21- 12-9

July 18- 5-9
July 19- 12-9

July 21-25- 9-5

July 28-31- 9-5

UNIFORM DISTRIBUTION WILL TAKE PLACE TUESDAY, JULY 29TH DURING OPEN HOUSE. Times are as follows:

Seniors: 5:00-5:45
Juniors: 5:45-6:30
Sophomores: 6:30-7:15
Freshmen: 7:15-8:00

-MSP 7/28/08 8:45 am

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Open House will be held Tuesday, July 29th from 5:00-8:00 pm in the UHS Band Room and Cafeteria. There will be a speciol meeting for freshman parents from 7:00-8:00.

-MSP 7/28/08 8:55 am

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Visual Ensemble (Guard) Clinic/Audition/Rehearsal Dates:

Auditions for 2008-2009 Field Commander will be held Tuesday, June 3rd at ~4:00 pm (depending on when the judge arrives from out-of-town). Auditions will be held in the band room.

Student account statements were distributed in class on Monday, April 14th. The bottom part of the statements need to be returned to the band office (with any fees or obligation money due, if applicable) by Friday, May 9th. (The form has a typo stating May 10th, which is a Saturday.) Questions about account balances should be directed to Terry Roston at 594-2990 or daroston@msn.com.

Please make sure that the vestee and cape are attached, that the plume is included in the hat box, and that the uniform was recently dry-cleaned. Uniforms must have been dry-cleaned AFTER the last performance (for most students, that would be Florida), and that the dry-cleaning receipt is attached.

Wind Ensemble tuxes (dry cleaned) and gowns (machine washable - on GENTLE) must be returned with uniforms.

ANY UNCOLLECTED UNIFORMS MUST BE RETURNED PRIOR TO THE BAND BOOSTERS MEETING ON TUESDAY, MAY 20TH IN THE BAND ROOM.

The Sixth Annual "Music on the Mon" Spring Concert at Hazel Ruby McQuain Waterfront Park will be held Monday, May 5th at 7:00 pm, and will feature performances by the concert band and wind ensemble, with pre-concert music provided by the jazz combo. Admission is FREE.

Students should report to the park at 6:30 pm. A student crew will also be needed at 5:30 to unload the band bus and set the stage.

Congratulations to the concert band and the wind ensemble. Both bands received straight superior (I) ratings at the Region 10 Band Festival at Bridgeport High School this past Thursday and Friday.

In addition to the picture CD's that were distributed several weeks ago, Dr. Mel Wright has a photobucket account with pictures that he took during our trip to Florida in March. To view the pictures, click HERE, log in with the username "MWrightDO" and the password "buddyrich", and click on the link "UHS Marching Band" at the top left of the page. There are several UHS Band photo albums to view. The Florida pics are under " 2008-03-14 UHS All American".

Thanks to Mary Ann Spanovich and ALL of the parents who made the first UHS Band Elimination Dinner such a big success by donating time, supplies, gift baskets, and general knowledge about how an elimination dinner works. Thanks also to the members of the jazz combos from the last two years for providing music before the drawings.

Last, a big THANK YOU to Outback Steakhouse for providing the meals.Aside from the fruit sale, the Elimination Dinner brought in more money for the band than any fundraiser that we have done over the last eight years. It was well-planned, well-executed, and well-received.

Congratulations to the winners of the baskets, the $25 and $50 prizes, and especially to Grand Prize Winner Dominic Degeorge (a 2003 graduate of UHS) who left with $1,000.

The 2008 Florida Trip was a tremendous success. The bands (percussion ensemble, festival band, and jazz ensemble) all received ratings of Superior or Excellent at the All-American Music Festival. More importantly, the students were well-behaved and had a great time.

The directors wish to thank chaperones Chris Battin, Beth Clark, Mona Feghali, Louise Henry, Kelly Mullens, Charlene Porter, Deb and Ken Rodeheaver, Terry Roston, Mary Ann Spanovich, Gale and Jim Truman, and Dr. Mel Wright, each of whom paid full price for the privilege of waking up early, going to bed late, and riding a bus for close to 40 hours. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

Congratulations to the Jazz Ensemble for receiving a SUPERIOR (I) rating at the Northern Region Jazz Festival on Saturday, March 1st. This year marks the eighth consecutive year the Jazz Ensemble has received the highest possible rating at the festival.

Members of the music theory class and jazz bands participated in Scott Simons' "Pop Shop" from December 17th through December 21st. Under the guidance of Mr. Simons, the students composed (including music and lyrics), arranged, and performed an original piece, "White Lines". Mr. Simons then mixed the song. You can listen to "White Lines" by clicking here.