Band

Welcome to the home of the Jasper County Middle School Band!

Performing music with instruments over a period of time not only makes you smarter, but also enriches your experiences in life. Music makes life better, more meaningful, and more exciting!

Band happens during the school day during the Connections part of the day. We usually don't have any required after school practices and we usually only have two concerts for the year.

In Band, students learn how to play wind and percussion instruments in 6th grade. This year they are able to choose from the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and baritone. 6th graders arrive with no experience on these instruments and Mr. J teaches students how to assemble, hold, maintain, and play these instruments. By the end of 6th grade, students should be building the skills to perform scales, perform new music at sight, and answer questions about basic music theory.

Students in 7th should continue on the instrument they learned in 6th grade. 7th graders have the option to perform at three home football games in our Pep Band. There are many opportunities open to 7th and 8th graders. In addition to our Pep Band, we participate in GMEA All-State and District Honor Band. Parents may also want their child to have the opportunity to attend and perform at the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival (aka UGA MidFest). These opportunities require extra preparation that will make a big difference in the overall performance of the band program. Yes, one child practicing extra will improve the performance of an entire section. Then, one section's improvement will result in improvements across the entire band.

When students are at the end of their 7th grade year in band, they are given the opportunity to join The Marching Hurricanes as an 8th grader. These students will attend all summer practices and band camp. Then, when school starts, they will attend all after school practices and perform at every high school football game and competition as a full member of this high school group. Performing with high school students improves our performance here at the middle school, and we want to continuously be improving.

Please, let me know if you have any questions about the band program.

Beginning Band Information

6th grade is THE year for beginning band. It can be difficult to start band in 7th or 8th grade.
Band meets daily during the regular school day.
Band students also have PE during the school year.
Band students CAN do sports and band! GO CANES!!!
Students CAN do band and PE or other connections classes.
6th grade band students do NOT regularly rehearse after school but WILL have 2 required after school/evening concerts. We will work with school coaches to make sure that all athletes are able to meet their team obligations.
6th grade band students do NOT need to know how to play an instrument to join the band – most have little knowledge of how to read music or play an instrument.
6th grade band students will see, hear, and try ALL instruments before deciding what to play.
6th grade band students need an instrument once they decide what to play. There are VERY affordable ways to acquire an instrument by rental or purchase. CAUTION!!! Some instruments on the internet are cheap but bad quality and will break after only a few weeks!!!
Learning to play an instrument and belonging to the school band opens a world of opportunity. Through band, members will learn music, self-discipline, cooperation, problem solving, goal setting, self-expression, memory skills, concentration, poise, and self-esteem. Band members consistently rank in the top of their class academically!

Please email me with any questions or concerns you may have:

Check out the Band section of the JC Middle School website for more info!

Matt Jernigan

mjernigan@jasper.k12.ga.us

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does my child need any prior experience?
No, not any! All skills needed to play an instrument will be taught.

2. How do I sign up my child?

I will be signing those that signed up with me in specials. I will be testing the students to make sure they are paired with the instrument that will bring them the most success
3. When do we get an instrument?

July/August towards the beginning of school.
The companies we use have excellent instruments and repair services. Both offer a rent to own plan for the instrument. If you rent it long enough, you own it. You may get an instrument from these companies or shop around.
Either way, we would be glad to help with some recommended brands and would be glad to check out any used instruments you may be considering. Beware of catalogue or internet companies, and purchases from major discount chains. Very often these instruments are less expensive but are bad quality.
4. Can my child be in band and in other activities like sports?

Yes. Many successful band members have been active in sports and many other extracurriculars.

What about uniforms? Books and music?

Every band student will need our purple JCMS Band T-shirt. Most music is provided but the only book needed to purchase is the beginning band book. Essential Elements Book 1 (yellow/gold) is available for purchase for each instrument online at JWPepper.com, Amazon, or from me. $20 for both the book and shirt. If you rent from Harris Band Instruments, they can add the book.

What is the cost of purchasing, renting, or leasing an instrument?

It depends on the instrument. Usually between $20-$40. You can get specific information about costs from Harris Band Instruments in Covington (770) 787-2095.
Students playing Tuba or Baritone/Euphonium will use a school instrument but will need to buy their own mouthpiece.

What if I can’t afford an instrument for my child?

No worries, we will do our best to provide one for your child, BUT our supplies are limited.
CONTACT INFO: mjernigan@jasper.k12.ga.us Please email me if you have any questions!

Band Supply List

JCMS Band Supply List (2021-2022)

Needs:

Band method book (Essential Elements Book 1 for instrument you play)
3-ringed binder (1/2 inch or 1 inch)
Clear sheet protectors
Pencils (regular or mechanical)
Highlighters at least 2 colors
Cleaning Kit for your instrument (not percussion)

Flutes

cleaning cloth and a cleaning rod (the rod should come with your instrument)

Clarinet/Saxophones

Reeds (Rico strength 3 or Juno strength 3 or Vandoren Strength 2.5)
Cork grease
Cleaning swab
Good neck strap
Trumpets, French Horns, Trombones, Baritones, Tubas
Valve Oil
Slide Grease (also slide oil for trombones)
Mouthpiece if you don’t already have one.

Percussion

Stick bag with general snare drumsticks, bell or xylophone mallets, medium-hard marimba mallets, timpani mallets, practice pad

Harris Band Instruments in Covington is our main provider. They can help if you have any questions. If you’re buying or renting from them most of this should come with the instrument. (See flyer for website and more info)

JCMS Band Virtual Classroom

Marching Band Info

Complete this form if you are interested in Marching Band next year! This form is for all students who wish to be a part of the 2022-2023 Jasper County Band and Marching Hurricanes

2022-2023 Marching Band Interest Form

By submitting this form you are making a commitment to the Band AND Marching Hurricanes for the 2022-2023 school year. You must be a member of the 8th Grade Band, Symphonic Band, or Percussion Ensemble to be a member of the marching band (except guard members). There will be some costs involved by participating in marching band and band fees are $135 (this includes the show shirt). Band fees are non-refundable.

Band Camp begins during the week of July 18 and will last two weeks (until July 29). We will also have two afternoon rehearsals on Aug. 2 and Aug. 4 from 3:00-6:00. We also plan to attend the home football scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 5. A detailed band camp schedule (with specific times) will be sent out before the summer.

Band camp is required for full membership in the Marching Hurricanes. Please understand that this is when we teach the majority of the show and we have extra staff on hand to help us accomplish as much as possible during that time. It is extremely important!

Regular practices during the school year will occur on Mon., Tues., & Thurs. between 3:45-6:00, however the weekly schedule will vary based on what our priorities are each week. Our goal is to be as efficient as possible with our rehearsals. Detailed fall calendars will be sent out at a later date.

All practices, games, and performances that take place during the fall are required for all members. This includes up to two possible Saturday marching competitions that will occur in late Sept/Oct (still to be scheduled).

Band Sign-Up and Instrument Rental/Purchase Info.

Does your student like music? If you have a 6th grader or any student coming to Jasper County Middle, then you may be interested in watching this short “Intro to Band."

Be Part of the Band- Parent Interviews

Instrument Rental/Purchase

Recommended Brands of Instruments

Recommended Brands of Instruments

(New or Used)

This is a list of quality brands of instruments. Be careful of Amazon and similar websites. There’s a lot of junky instruments that look nice/cheap but are not worth it. The saying “you get what you pay for” applies here. But you can find some of these good brands there as well. If you’re not sure, please ask me.
When buying used just make sure everything works. You can take it to Harris Band Instruments in Covington to get it checked out.

Flute
• Emerson, Gemeinhardt, Selmer, Yamaha, Pearl, Jupiter

Clarinet
• Buffet, Yamaha, Selmer, LeBlanc, Jupiter

Alto Saxophone
• Conn, Selmer, Yamaha, Jupiter

Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone
• Bach, Conn, King, Yamaha, Jupiter, Blessing

Percussion Kit
Musser, Pearl. Every kit needs to have a practice pad, bells, sticks (Vic Firth SD1), mallets, and a stand compatible for both

In this Section

Contact

Mr. Matt Jernigan

Band Director