OPJH Symphonic & Jazz Band
2004/2005 School Year
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OPJH Symphonic & Jazz Band2004/2005 School Year |
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The Symphonic band was composed of only the most advanced eighth grade band members; each member was hand picked by director Charlie Rankin to be a member of this ensemble. The 2004-2005 Symphonic band was to be the strongest and the largest ensemble that Orange Park Junior High had seen or heard to date. Expectations were, and proved, to be around 60 members in the group.
The group performed at two OPJH football games and two high school football games (Ridgeview and Orange Park). Their plans were to develop their skills and sharpen their tools as they ultimately prepared for District Festival in the late part of February.
Symphonic Band dates were:
* All State Audition (09/18/2004)
* Junior High Night at Ridgeview High School (9/24/2004)
* Junior High Night at Orange Park H.S. (10/08/2004)
* All County Auditions (11/18/2004)
* NAS Jax Christmas Concert (12/03/2004)
* FSU Prism Concert Trip (12/04/2003)
* FBA Solo and Ensemble (02/4-5/2005)
* FBA District Festival (02/24-26/2005)
* Spring Trip - ORLANDO Concert
It was a GREAT Band year!!!
Thanks to the foresight and faith of our former Principal, Mrs. Toni McCabe, and one very gifted, dedicated Band Director, Mr. Charlie Rankin, OPJH was the only middle school in Clay County with a Jazz band that meets during the school day (as of the date this was written). According to Mr. Rankin, "This fine group of young musicians has exceeded both theirs and my own expectations. We have throughly enjoyed learning this wonderful and uniquely American art form."
Mr. Rankin went further: "Jazz Music represents the best and the worst of our American History. It is a reflection of slavery, hardship, good times, love, and loss, all at the same time. Jazz is and will always be "our" gift to the world of music."
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Woodwinds Tenor Sax - Eric Rogers Tenor Sax - Adam Hensley Tenor Sax - Carolyn Morgan Alto Sax - Catie Schwartz Alto Sax - Steven Mendoza Alto Sax - Kara Thomas Bari Sax - Philip Tower |
Brass Trumpet - Julia Butler Trumpet - Paul Delpizzo Trumpet - Charles Hubbard Trumpet - Karen Marti Trombone - Ryan Knutson Trombone - Erica Rubin Trombone - Daniel Santiago Trombone - Tyler Sason |
Rhythm / Piano Bass - Doug Daugherty Bass - Marah Hansen Piano - Victoria Beard Drums - Chris Gross Percussion - Daniel Godfrey |
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The OPJH Jazz Band was a busy group this year. Indeed, not only did they learn all of the titles listed below, they performed them as well. Many times, they performed them after rehearsing a piece the very day they were performed for the first time. And, these kids were talented enough to pull it off! This year's titles were:
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All Blues Pebble Beach Theme Funky Cha Cha Four Straight, No Chaser Don't Know Why Make Me Smile If I didn't Have You Night Train Brick House |
Blue Train Blue Monk America the Beautiful In Walked Bud Point of No Return Freddie Freeloader Smooth 25 or 6 to 4 Tomorrow (from Annie) Mask of the Chili Pepper |
Blue Skies Song for my Father Manteca Lester Leaps In St. Thomas Respect Killer Joe Riddle in Swing So What Heard It Through The Grapevine |
The Jazz Band was quite fortunate this year in that they were able to work with some truely outstanding clinicians. These talented jazz professionals were very kind to share their talents and insights with our band. Keep in mind that all of the OPJH Jazz Band were only eighth graders and with just a couple of exceptions, have only been playing for two years. When it was all said and done, these guests doled out heaps of praise for the quality of talent exhibited in these fine young players.
Mr. Dave Steinmeyer is one of the music world's most sought-after jazz trombonists. “Stumpy,” as he is known to his associates, is truly a musician's musician. His reputation was forged during his 28 years as a musician in the United States Air Force, with 24 or those years playing lead trombone with the world famous Airmen of Note and the last ten years of his tenure as that ensemble's director. During his days with the “Airmen of Note,” the band played a weekly live radio show in Washington, D.C. and traveled to Los Angeles three times a year to record albums with many famous musical stars, including Sarah Vaughn, Joe Williams and Frank Sinatra. Dave has produced ten big band jazz albums with the Airmen of Note and is a featured jazz soloist on the album LEGACY, recorded after his retirement.
Dave currently lives in Jacksonville, Florida and works in the local area as a full-time trombonist. He has performed at the Wolf Trap Filene Center, the Kennedy Center, and various other concert halls with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and with artists ranging from Tony Bennett and Johnny Mathis to Christina Aguilera and Marc Anthony. Dave has performed at the White House for seven Presidents, most recently for the inauguration of President George W. Bush.
After "schooling" the OPJH Jazz Band as a clinician, and then performing with them at the year end concert, I had a chance to speak with Mr. Steinmeyer. To paraphrase, Mr. Steinmeyer said that throughout his long career, some of his best fun came from clinics for kids and young musicians. When I asked him how ours "stacked up," he said that "for their ages, this was the most talented group of kids he had ever worked with," and he especially "liked working with the kid on the tenor sax." I felt very lucky... you see, he had no idea who I was, but I know the "kid on tenor sax" was my son, Eric Rogers.
Dr. Bill Prince (University Of North Florida) holds the Doctor of Music Arts degree with a major in Theory and Composition from the U of Miami. He has taught at Florida Atlantic U, the U of Colorado/Denver, St. Francis Xavier U, Nova Scotia, and the University of North Florida. He has performed or lectured at over 100 colleges and universities and conventions throughout the USA and Canada. He has also performed and/or lectured in various countries in Western and Eastern Europe, most of Latin America, Africa, and Asia. His insight and suggestions were wonderful, we are so thankful to Dr. Prince for his time and talent that he shared with us.
Additionally, Dr. Prince often acts as a Judge for band festivals and competitions throughout the south eastern United States. After working with the young musicians at OPJH, Dr. Prince indicated that the OPJH Jazz Band was probably among the top five or six middle school jazz bands in the United States. High praise from a gentleman that knows...
Mr. Leon Anderson is Associate Professor and Director of Jazz Studies, and joined the Florida State University faculty in 1998. His musical experience has included that of a classical and jazz percussionist, educator, clinician, and composer. He received his B.A. degree in music education at Louisiana Tech University and studied at Baylor University. Mr. Anderson completed his M.A. degree in percussion performance at Southeastern Louisiana University in 1996. While at Southeastern, he studied with mentor Ellis Marsalis and Victor Goines of the New Orleans jazz scene. Subsequently, Marsalis hired him to teach drums and percussion at the University of New Orleans. He has also performed with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and with artists Dianne Reeves, Judy Collins, Henry Mancini, Delfeayo Marsalis, Art Farmer, Jason Marsalis and the Temptations. At FSU, Mr. Anderson teaches drum set, jazz ensembles, and rhythm section methods.
Mr. Mike Davis recently retired as the Band and Orchestra director for the Walt Disney World Resort. During his tenure with Walt Disney World, he conducted the Walt Disney World Band and Orchestra and appeared on national TV specials as "Major Mike." Michael also served as manager of Atmosphere Talent and Education Programs at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Within the Educational programs, he was responsible for the development of educational workshops offered by Disney Magic Music Days and was also responsible for the show concept, audition process and the operational procedures for Disney's Collegiate All-Star Band and Orchestra ensembles.
Mr. David Champange (First Baptist of Jacksonville, Assistant Music Director) also recently visited the OPJH band room to work with our jazz band. Mr. Champagne, a former OPJH Band Member (1989) amazed us with his internationally noted jazz trumpet playing. He also shared his talent and time with us, we are looking forward to having him work with our group again very soon.
Mr. Chris Heacox (St. John's River City Band) is the Program director for the St. John's River City Band "The offical band of Jacksonville and the state of Florida." Mr. Heacox is an alto saxophone player and we are so thankful that he shared some of his talent and time with us. Mr. Heacox holds degrees from Florida State Unviersity School of Music and The Eastman School of Music in New York.
Mr. Thomas Singletary (Eau Gallie High School, Band Director) is currently the director of bands at Eau Gallie High School, Brevard County, Florida. Mr. Singletary is well know in the OPJH Band room because he was Mr. Rankin's supervising teacher during his college internship at Eau Gallie. We are very lucky to have such a good relationship with Mr. Singletary. Mr. Singletary holds degrees from Florida State University (Bachelor) and The University of Illinois (Masters).
Dr. Marc Dickman (University of North Florida; Professor of jazz studies and low brass) is the director of Jazz Ensemble III at UNF here in Jacksonville. He is the principal euphonium with the St. John's River City Band, and trombonist with the River City Swing Orchestra. Dr. Dickman earned degrees from Troy State University, McNeese State University, and the University of North Texas. Dr. Marc Dickman is a YAMAHA performing artist.
Mr. David McGuffin (Ridgeview High School) has been the Band Director at Ridgeview Jr/Sr High School in Orange Park, Florida for the past twenty years. As the director of bands at Ridgeview Mr. McGuffin is very interested in the progress and success of our young musicians at OPJH. Mr. McGuffin holds a bachelors degree from Stetson University.