Palen Music Center Quick Note

Monday, November 16, 2009

The PMC Quick Note is a service provided to all area directors. It is part of our mission to support the lives of band directors across the Midwest. The Quick Note contains helpful tips and suggestions from area directors, spotlights on area college and university band programs, calendars of upcoming events, advocacy articles promoting music education, links to helpful web resources, and much more.  Comments, suggestions, ideas, and articles are always welcome.

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54% of American households reported having a least one musical instrument player, the highest figure since the study began in 1978.

-- Gallup Poll, “American Attitudes Toward Music,”

First Biannual John Philip Sousa Junior High Honor Band
Info provided by Randy Mealer, Director of Bands at Harrison, AR

Dear Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma JH Band Directors,

The John Philip Sousa Foundation has selected Harrison as the location for it's first biannual "Jr. High Honor Band - MIDWEST Ozark Region."  The honor band will be made up of 7th, 8th and 9th graders from Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Sousa Junior Honors Bands are the "pet" project of Gladys Wright, founding president of the Women Band Directors International Assoc and the first woman to be inducted into the National Band Association's Hall of Fame.  The project was inaugurated in 2001 and many bands have been successfully established in several geographical locations.  

Objectives

1) To provide opportunities to perform in an honors band by junior high and middle school students at their level of performance.
2) To create opportunities for junior high school musicians to further develop their musical and performance skills.
3) To provide opportunities for junior high school band directors and students to participate in special instrumental clinics and rehearsals.
4) To build support for the junior high level of bands from parents, school administrators and communities,
5) To enhance self-esteem and confidence in the junior level band student.
6) To motivate gifted band members by providing them with additional opportunities for the development of their special musical skills.
7) To provide bonding experiences with student musicians from other schools.

The dates are April 29-30 and May 1, 2010.  A fee of $155.00 ($105.00 for those not needing hotel accommodations) for those selected will be assessed.  The fee covers 6 meals, 2 nights lodging in Harrison, an evening activity in Branson, MO, and a 2010 JP Sousa Jr Honor Band patch.  Noted composer Robert Sheldon has been selected to serve as clinician and conductor.  A retired marine drum major from the "Presidents Own" marine band in "dress reds" will also conduct at the concert.

Information and applications may be down loaded in the links section under Sousa Band at the following web site www.harrisonbandboosters.com  .  Additional information can be found at www.sousafoundation.org . 

Application deadline is scheduled for Friday January 15, 2010 with notice of acceptance by February 1, 2010.

Questions may be directed to Randy Mealer at rmealer@gobs.k12.ar.us .