Ft. Johnson Middle School Bands

NEWS

(May 5, 2008) - Congratulations to all the band members of FJMS. The band has earned its third straight Outstanding Performance Award from the South Carolina Band Directors Association. This award is a culmination of combined efforts both in a concert setting as well as an individual level.

(May 5, 2008) - Congratulations to all the students who participated in Solo and Ensemble Friday night. We had 43 superior ratings and 23 excellent ratings.

(Apr. 11, 2008) - Congratulations to the Festival Band for their INCREDIBLE performance yesterday at Concert Festival. You guys played with a very high level of musicianship as was obvious from the overwhelming compliments we received from the judges, parents and audience members and other directors in attendance. Receiving a standing applause from the sight-reading judges and having them personally compliment your performance is evidence of what a superior job each of you did. The level of difficulty in the music you all played and the precision you all played it obviously makes me proud. - Mr. Jones

The band received STRAIGHT SUPERIOR ratings and A's from all five judges.

Warm-up - New South Wales March - John Edmondson
IV - Exaltation - James Swearingen
III - Festival on the Rivers - Rob Grice

(Apr. 11, 2008) - Information concerning the beginner band trip/performance at Carowinds went home this week. Please contact Mr. Jones if you are interested in Chaperoning. The cost of the trip is $75.00 and includes park admission, charter bus transportation, picnic in the park and FJMS band t-shirt. Payments should be made to FJMS. A $45.00 deposit to reserve a seat on the bus is due April 18.

(Apr. 11, 2008) - Students participating in Solo and Ensemble need to make arrangements to stay after school or come in early with their partners (if performing duets) at least twice before the event on May 2 to receive help from Mr. Jones.

(Apr. 11, 2008) - Mark your calendars for the Spring Concert date and time. The concert will be help at 7:00pm in the FJMS Gym on Thursday, May 8.

(Mar. 2, 2008) - The third payment for the Florida Trip is due on March 11, 2008. Please check with your child to see what is still owed or email Mr. Jones for total amounts remaining. Payment should be made to FJMS.

(Feb. 4, 2008) - Any advanced band member who is in the honor band needs to be reminded of each of their sectional rehearsals and all the Full Band rehearsals. All calendars were sent out in early January and were to be given to parents and returned with any conflicts. An updated calendar was again sent home this week. Any conflicts must have been addressed prior to the sectional as each of these rehearsals are required for participation in the honor band.. FOR A COPY OF THE HONOR FESTIVAL CALENDAR CLICK HERE.

(Feb. 4, 2008) - Letters and list of sponsors for each band student were sent home on Monday, February 4. I sent out a message through the school dial out service to every band parent with details about the Band Together Service project as well as thank you cards/sponsor list. If you wish to receive a thank you card from the band to send out to our sponsors please contact me through your child, email, or phone (843.762.7240). For a copy of the letter sent home with students please Click HERE. If you need another copy of the list of sponsors I can provide this as well.

(Feb. 4, 2008) - Our second service project for the Bands Together Project is now in progress. Any books appropriate for elementary to middle school aged children may be donated to the band in their efforts to help support the Children's Hospital of M.U.S.C.. Books may be dropped off in the band room or the library any time between now and February 29.

(Jan. 28, 2008) - Congratulations to all of the band students who auditioned for Region and All-State Band. Evan H. and Reece W. both made alternate chairs for the SC All-State Band. We also had 17 students earn seats in the SC Region 4 Honor Band. These students will get the opportunity to perform with nearly 200 other middle school musicians in a weekend long clinic and concert at Charleston Southern University the weekend of February 22-23. The students are:

South Carolina All-State Band
1^st Alternate - Evan H. Alto sax
2^nd Alternate - Reece W, Euphonium

South Carolina Region Symphonic Band
3^rd Chair - Keith H, Flute
18^th Chair - Morgan A Clarinet
23^rd Chair - Whitney J, Clarinet
1^st Chair - Jacob M, Alto sax
2^nd Chair - Evan H, Alto sax
4^th Chair - Thomas D, Trumpet
6^th Chair - Elliott C, Trumpet
2^nd Chair - Reece W, Euphonium
3^rd Chair - Tyrese B, Euphonium
7^th Chair - Shannon W, Tuba

South Carolina Region Concert Band
5^th Chair - Paulina K, Flute
10^th Chair - Audrey S, Clarinet
17^th Chair - Taniki S, Clarinet
3^rd Chair - Connor R, Alto sax
5^th Chair - Thomas H, Trumpet
3^rd Chair - Caroline S, Trombone
4^th Chair - Nijeeah R, Trombone

(Jan. 14, 2008) - Congratulations to all of the band students who auditioned for Region band this past weekend. We have 6 students who will be auditioning for the SCBDA All-State Band on Jan. 26 in Lexington, SC. They are Jacob M., Evan H., Thomas D., Reece W., Tyrese B. and Keith H. It looks as if FJMS will be well represented in the region 4 honor bands. Final results will be posted after All-State Call-backs.

(Dec. 10, 2007) - Click HERE for the FJMS Band Fall Newsletter. Every parent should of received one of these in the mail around the Thanksgiving Holiday's. Please contact Mr. Jones with an updated mailing address if you did not receive one.

(Dec. 10, 2007) - Click HERE for information on the Winter Concert on Monday, December 17 at 7:00pm in the gym.

(Dec. 10, 2007) - All the fundraising products have been sent out with students. Please let Mr. Jones have some feedback on the product and customer satisfaction. We hope to make everyone pleased with their purchase and encourage support in years to come. We are also in the process of completing our first service project from the Bands Together Project.

(Dec. 10, 2007) - The end of the second nine weeks is approaching. All band students (including beginners) will be expected to be finished with their SMART MUSIC pass-offs. The advanced band members must do 50 out of 60 and the beginners must complete 25 of 30 by the end of the nine weeks. You can check your child's progress by clicking HERE and entering the email address and password they use to login to SMART MUSIC

(Oct. 31, 2007) - Click HERE for information on the beginner bands demonstration performance on Tuesday, November 13 at 7:00pm in the gym.

(Oct. 25, 2007) - Click HERE for all information on our Fall Fundraisers. THE FRUIT ORDER FORM THAT WAS INCLUDED IN EACH PACKET HAS TWO MISTAKES. YOU CAN PRINT AN UPDATED ORDER FROM BY CLICKING HERE.

(Oct. 17, 2007) - The second nine weeks is approaching. All band students (including beginners) will be expected to be completing SMART MUSIC pass-offs. The advanced band members must do 50 out of 60 and the beginners must complete 25 of 30 by the end of the nine weeks. You can check your child's progress by clicking HERE and entering the email address and password they use to login to SMART MUSIC

(Oct. 9, 2007) - Click HERE for information on our Mandatory Band Parent Meeting

(Oct. 9, 2007) - Click HERE for an Extra Credit Opportunity/Field Trip Opportunity to the Lower State Marching Championships.

(Oct. 2, 2007) - All beginning band students should now be keeping a practice record in the band binders. These practice records will be collected in class on Friday's. Click HERE to print an example of a practice record. Beginner Band practice records will be on yellow paper.

(Oct. 2, 2007) - There will be a band meeting for ALL FJMS BAND PARENTS on Tuesday, October 16 at 6:30pm in the FJMS Cafeteria. Students should be in attendance with a parent if possible. This is a MANDATORY meeting for parents. If you are unable to attend please have someone in attendance to represent your child.

(Sept. 4, 2007) - The beginner band rental night is this Thursday, September 6, 2007 between the times of 5:00pm-7:00pm in the FJMS band room. Click HERE for the letter that was sent home last week with all beginning band students.

(Sept. 4, 2007) - All $45.00 band fees are due this Thursday, September 6, 2007. Please send the band fees with your child enclosed in an envelope with your child's name on the outside of the envelope. If writing a check please include your child's name on the check and make it payable to FJMS. Beginning band members may pay the band fee at the rental meeting Thursday evening.

(Sept. 4, 2007) - All advanced band students should now be enrolling in their respective classes with SmartMusic v. 10.0 to begin pass-offs and submitting practice records online. 8th grade members need to enroll in the 8th grade band class and Advanced Band Pass-offs Set #1. 7th grade advanced members need to enroll in the 7th grade advanced band class and Advanced Band Pass-offs Set #1.

(Aug 29, 2007) - Please check out all the dates on the updated 2007-08 band calendar.

(Aug 29, 2007) - Attention all beginner band students (or any advanced students looking to review). Click HERE for a page of some great interactive review tools on the information we have been going over in class the past few days.

2006-2007

(Apr. 25, 2007) - UPGRADE YOUR SMARTMUSIC SUBSCRIPTION TO VERSION 10.0 FOR FREE. You can click here to view the new changes and see information on what changes have been made. Everyone at FJMS has version 9.0 or 9.1. The upgrade is WELL worth it. Every student can receive an update CD from Mr. Jones by just asking.

(Apr. 24, 2007) - The Spring Concert will be this coming Tuesday, May 1st at 7:00pm in the FJMS gym. Students are to report to the bandroom at 6:15pm and be in their band uniform. CLICK HERE FOR THE REMINDER THAT WAS SENT HOME WILL ALL STUDENTS.

(Apr. 19, 2007) - Click here for Solo and Ensemble times. All times are for Friday, May 4, 2007.

(Apr. 11, 2007) - Both the beginner band and the advanced band will be traveling on end of the trips next month. Please check back here for updated information such as permission slips, itineraries and any other trip information.

(Mar. 29, 2007) - The sixth graders wanted to again thank all of the visiting 5th graders and their parents for visiting our website. Please check back for more news on when our concerts are and information on joining the band. If you have any questions please contact Mr. Jones at 7620-2740 or by email at benjamin_jones@charleston.k12.sc.us. You may click this link for some Recruiting Band Frequently Asked Questions

(Mar. 29, 2007) - Congratulations to the Festival Band for their SUPERIOR performance at the SCBDA Concert Festival on March 21, 2007 in Myrtle Beach, SC. The students received straight I's (superiors) from each of the five judges and did an outstanding job. Mr. Jones is extremely proud of each and every one of the performers for you performance and behavior on the trip. The band represented FJMS in a very positive way

(Feb. 1, 2007) - Congratulations to 7th grader Stephanie T. for making 5th Chair in the S.C. Junior All-State Band on Flute. Congratulations are also due for 8th grader Kelly K. (2nd chair on Flute), 8th grader Josh N. (3rd chair on Trumpet), 7th grader Collin C. (7th chair on Trumpet), 7th grader Thomas D. (8th chair on Trumpet), 7th grader Whitney J. (14th chair on Clarinet), 7th grader Evan H. (4th chair on Alto Sax), 7th grader Reece W. (3rd chair on Euphonium) for making the Region Four Honor Band. For a complete list of the SC All-State Bands and Region Bands click here.

(Jan. 15, 2007) - Region Band Auditions are this Saturday, Jan. 20th at Summerville High School. Mr. Jones has letters with directions and audition tips and reminders. Good Luck to all the students Auditioning.

(Jan. 15, 2007) - Any parents of advanced band members who are interested in chaperoning the Orlando trip are reminded that we have a limited number of spots available. These spots are on a first come first serve basis. Cost of the trip for chaperones is discounted from the student price and varies on room accommodations. Please contact Mr. Jones to sign up or for more information.

(Jan. 15, 2007) - The first music pass-off goal of up to line #65 in the yellow book is due by this Wednesday (end of the 2nd nine weeks). The goal for the 3rd nine weeks is for all beginner band students to be at line #165 and all advanced band students to be completed with the entire Essential Elements Book #1 (including the rubank exercises and extra lines).(Oct. 14, 2006) - Band Fundraiser is currently going on. If you are interested in buying cookie dough, cheesecakes, pies or fruit please contact Mr. Jones at benjamin_jones@charleston.k12.sc.us . PLEASE BE SURE YOUR STUDENT IS DOING THEIR PART.

(Oct. 9, 2006) - DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE SMART MUSIC? If not click here to learn how to get it. Every student who activates an account before the end of October will receive a 100 as either a test score or a practice record score.

(Oct. 9, 2006) - BAND PARENT MEETING
There will be a band parent meeting for ALL band parents on Thursday, October 12, 2006 at 6:30 pm in the FJMS CAFETERIA. If you will not be able to attend please notify Mr. Jones as soon as possible at benjamin_jones@charleston.k12.sc.us or by calling 762-2740.

(Sep. 25, 2006) - Progress reports go home on Tuesday, September 26, 2006. Band grades DO NOT reflect all portions of the students grades at this point. Student were graded on practice logs, notebook checks and tests ONLY.

(Sep. 25, 2006) - ALL band students should now be completing practice logs. Practice logs are being collected each Friday and students should be filling them out nightly after practicing. All beginning band students should be getting them initialed each night after completing their homework assignments.

(Aug. 27, 2006) - Beginner Instrument Rental night will be on September 5th between 5:00pm-7:00pm in the bandroom. Come at your convenience. All students (even those already with instruments will need to have someone there to fill out paperwork and pay any band fees. If you have any questions or know in advance that there is no way to make it please email Mr. Jones at benjamin_jones@ccsdschools.com or call the school at 762-2740 to set something else up. All new students who are going to be in the band need to take care of this so they have instruments and books for the start-up camp on Saturday, September 9th.

(Aug. 27, 2006) - All band fees are due by September 1st for continuing students and can be paid on September 5th for beginning students. Contact Mr. Jones or the band handbook for any information on what these fees cover.

(Aug. 17, 2006) The 2006-2007 Band Handbook is now online. It is viewable and downloadable in Adobe Acrobat Format. If you need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader click here.

(Aug. 06) The FJMS 2006-2007 Calendar has been updated and put online. You can view it here on the site or download the .pdf file and print it.

(Aug. 06) The FJMS 2006-2007 Handbook will be online shortly. Please check back to download the newest copy of the handbook as there have been some changes to it this year.

(Jul. 06) 2006-2007 6th grade interest letters were mailed out this week (7/13). If you are an incoming 6th grader at FJMS and interested in joining the band please call the main office at 762-2740 and ask how you can receive information on joining the band. There will be two drop-in and meet sessions. The first is Tuesday, July 25 between 12:30-1:30 in the FJMS band room. The second will be Wednesday, July 26 between 12:30-1:30 also in the band room. If you have any questions or would just like to meet Mr. Jones please feel free to drop by at your convenience on one of these days.

(May 06) The FJMS Band has been awarded the most prestigious award that is given to a middle school band in South Carolina. For the first time in five years the band at Fort Johnson is among just a select few middle schools to receive the honor.

(Mar. 06) The Festival band performed at Concert Festival on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at Berkeley High School. The band received a superior rating from each of the five judges. Congratulations!

(Jan. 06) Congratulations to all the students who participated at Solo and Ensemble at Westview Middle School. We had 19 events score Superior and 5 score excellent. Way to go FJMS Band!

(Jan. 06) Congratulations to Zach M. and Colton R. for making the All-State band. Also congratulations to Alexia Z., Carley C., Monica S. and Daniel H. for making the Region Four Band. View the entire SC Junior All-State/Region Bands