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Contact the JFHMS Band Director:
Cathy Clare Brown JFHMS Bands 226 Hawks Hill Drive Broadway, VA 22815 phone (540) 896-8961 fax (540) 896-6641 [email protected] Mrs. Brown's favorite quote: “There is no ‘bench’ in Band. In Band, everyone gets to play” -Prof. Dr. C. Floyd Richmond, West Chester University c.1995 The JFHMS Band program is located in Broadway, Virginia. JFHMS follows an A-B modified block schedule, with classes meeting every other day for the entire year, in 80 minute rehearsals. We feed into the Blue Ribbon Award winning Broadway High School Band program, under the direction of Candice Flake. Visit the BHS Band website at http://broadwayband.weebly.com
ABOUT THE JFHMS BAND PROGRAM The JFHMS Bands include a Beginner Band, a Concert Band, a Jazz Band and a Pep Band. We offer a LOT of opportunities that members can CHOOSE to participate in, but only have three things that you HAVE to do each year. There are two formal concerts (typically in December, May) that are required for all Band members 6th-8th grades. Other after school Band rehearsals and activities, competitions, auditions, events, fundraisers, etc are offered for those who CHOOSE to participate in them. Some folks do everything, some folks do some things, and some folks only come to class and play in the three required concerts. Yes, you DO have time to be in Band, you just need to figure out how it fits into your schedule! Any student with a genuine interest and desire to learn to play an instrument is welcome to become a member of the JFHMS Bands. It is suggested (but not required) that you join Band in sixth grade; you can join in seventh or eighth grade, but will have some catching up to do, since you will be joining what is designed as a second year or third year class. Students are encouraged to rent or purchase their own instruments, but we do have a number of school owned instruments that may be used by students who have financial need, or have limited access to other options for acquiring an instrument. There is a place in our program for every student who wants to play, regardless of their musical back ground. Most of our members participate actively in both sports and in Band, and most of our members begin to play an instrument with limited or no musical background prior to joining our Band program. If you can count to 4 and know your alphabet A-G, can breath in and out, and can sit in a chair, then you know what you need to know to be successful in the JFHMS Band! You will learn the rest of what you need to know (including figuring out what instrument you want to play) in the JFHMS Band room! For more information about our school, visit the JFHMS website at http://jfhms.rockingham.k12.va.us |
The Ensembles
Beginner Band is designed for 6th graders, and sometimes also includes first year players from other grade levels; this group meets during the school day. Beginner Band performs 2 formal concerts each school year. When appropriate, selected Beginner Band members are invited to participate in some additional after school Band or special activities, alongside 7th and 8th grade Band members. Concert Band is made up of 7th and 8th graders, and is split into two classes of similar instrumentation that meet during the school day. This ensemble performs 2 formal concerts each school year. Members also have the option to participate on a spring trip to Busch Gardens, to compete at "Music in the Parks". 7th and 8th grade Band members are invited to participate in the JFH Pep Band, in addition to other after school Band activities. Veteran Band members can also participate in local and District events, including the City-County Honor Band, and VBODA District Band. Jazz Band is a 7th and 8th grade ensemble made up of alto/tenor/bari saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, guitar, bass and drum set. Students can audition for Jazz Band in the Spring of their 6th/7th grade year, for membership as a 7th/8th grader. Jazz Band performs about 6-8 times during the school year at local community and school events, in addition to the 3 formal concerts and spring trip to compete in Music in the Parks/Busch Gardens . Jazz Band members can also audition in January, for membership in the VBODA District Jazz Band, which is held in March. Pep Band meets after school during both basketball seasons, and includes 8th and 7th graders who wish to be a part of this fun group. At times, 6th graders may also be invited to participate. Pep Band season includes home basketball games and at other local community events, with a busy schedule of performances from December through February. Music includes oldies and classic rock, like "Another One Bites the Dust" and "We Will Rock You". We use drum set for our Pep Band gigs, and if a student is able to play the Pep Band music on electric bass or guitar, we will add that to our show too--see Mrs. Brown with questions. Summer Band is a popular activity in the Broadway music community, bringing together musicians in the JFHMS and BHS Bands, along with Band alumni, friends and family to perform a Community Concert, following intense rehearsals during the month of June. Following three weeks of rehearsals, we perform a fun program of patriotic music, movie themes and other traditional and familiar tunes. |