Band

The Jackson Academy Marching Band has a long tradition of innovation and excellence and is open to students in grades 7-12. Marching season lasts from early summer to early November. During the summer, the entire Marching Band attends a two week band camp before school begins. While at camp, students learn the competitive program. The camp finishes with a performance of the marching program for parents and friends.

In addition to local band competitions, marching band season involves performances at football games and pep rallies.  The JA Marching Band prides itself on supporting and helping create the school spirit which is such a vital part of student life at Jackson Academy.

Multi-talented student musicians and performers make up the Jackson Academy Color Guard. Open to students in grades 7-12, the guard adds color and grace to the Marching Band show. Many JA Guard members, in addition to performing with flags, sabres, rifles, and dance, play a musical instrument. They contribute musically to the Marching Band and are also members of the Concert and Jazz Bands.

Concert Band is typically a spring activity. Band students who have marched in the fall participate in indoor spring band concerts and competitions. Larger concerts and competitions with all band participants from each band category occur during the spring season. This often include MAIS competitions and an end-of-the-year concert. At some events, Concert Band students have the opportunity study as a group under clinicians from other schools and universities.

The Jackson Academy Jazz Band is comprised of brass, wind, and percussion students in grades 7-12. It focuses on learning and improving jazz performance techniques including traditional jazz, big band, swing, pop, fusion, rock, funk, and Latin. Participation in the Jazz Band enhances technical abilities, sight reading aptitude, and improvisational skills. Jazz Band members are encouraged to listen to and explore jazz as an original American art form. Jazz Band students will hopefully carry with them an appreciation for Jazz literature and the impact it has had on the American landscape.

JA has designed the Sixth Grade Beginner Band as an instruction-based class (as opposed to a performance-based one). It serves as an introduction to instrumental music for all interested students. The class requires no prior musical experience. Individual guidance by the band staff, including the selection of an instrument, is provided to entering students. In the class, directors strive to create a nurturing environment, providing for the individual needs of each student as they develop tone and technique while progressing through an ensemble method book in a group setting.  Faculty encourage a minimal but consistent home practice routine to maximize this process. The ensemble performs at the Christmas Concert in December and an end-of-the-year concert in May.

Through the use of drum pads and various trashcans and buckets, this periodic class provides an introduction to percussion fundamentals, techniques, performance, and general musicianship. When this class is offered, performances may include chapel, pep rallies, basketball games, Christmas and/or spring concerts, football games, and soccer games.

The JA Drumline consists of percussion, brass, and wind musicians. It performs on battery percussion at football games, pep rallies, and other campus events.  It is a very visible and popular aspect of the JA Band. The primary purpose of the Drumline is to enhance school spirit, while at the same time improving the members’ musicianship.