Month: September 2025

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All-West Professional Development Opportunity

Do you have an effective teaching strategy, organizational approach, or other useful information you would like to share with your peers? Complete the form below to apply to lead a PD session at the 2026 West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association Convention and Clinic at the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis, TN. Sessions are held Thursday afternoon, February 12 and Friday, February 13, 2026. All PD sessions are 50 minutes in length.

The deadline for sessions proposals is Monday, December 8. Application decisions will be sent via email by Monday, December 15.

Contact Dr. Brad Foust if you have questions about the application process: bfoust@bartlettschools.org
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Bill McKee

Hey everyone,

Many of you may remember Bill McKee who was our Jazz Band and Sax instructor here on the campus from 2000-2020. He reinvigorated the CBHS Jazz Band, renaming them “Walnut Groove” back in the early 2000s. He was a 1965 graduate of CBHS and played in the band here under Ralph Hale.  He was also my mentor teacher when I first came to CBHS.  Bill passed away on August 28 at his home on Horseshoe Lake and is deeply missed by his family, colleagues, and former students, as he was a band director for over 50 years with stints of teaching at Bellevue Middle School, Central High School, and here at Christian Brothers High School.

Bill’s Memorial Service will be held on September 25 at 2:00 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church at 190 Adams Street.  Several students from CBHS will be performing at the memorial service with a reception to follow, remembering his career as an educator and musician. All are invited to attend.

Patrick

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Jackson Purchase Youth Wind Orchestra

Dear Directors,

I’m excited to share with you the launch of a new opportunity for your most advanced and dedicated students: the Jackson Purchase Youth Wind Orchestra (JPYWO), hosted by the Murray State University Bands.

The JPYWO is a regional honor ensemble designed to bring together high-achieving high school wind and percussion students from across Western Kentucky, West Tennessee, Southern Illinois, and Eastern Missouri. This is a supplemental experience—an extension of your excellent work—designed to elevate and challenge your top performers.

Highlights of the JPYWO Experience:

  • Spring 2026 rehearsals held on Sundays, 2:00–4:30 PM at Murray State University
  • Instruction by MSU faculty, professional musicians, and experienced educators
  • Perform advanced wind literature in a high-level, collaborative setting
  • Sectional instruction every rehearsal to help refine musicianship
  • Work with our inaugural Composer-in-Residence, Tyler S. Grant in May of 2026
  • Premiere a brand new work written especially for the JPYWO by John Fannin
  • The audition window is OPEN – Students will use All-State Etudes for their corresponding state!  Specific details will be sent to students once they register
  • For more information and to register to audition, visit the Jackson Purchase Youth Wind Orchestra Webpage

Key Dates for You and Your Students:

  • Registration Deadline: October 10, 2025 (no cost to register)
  • Audition Recording Deadline: November 14, 2025
  • Results Posted: November 21, 2025 by 6:00 PM
  • Membership Deposit ($50) Due: December 2, 2025 (only charged to accepted students)
  • Tuition for the season: $175 (includes all instruction, materials, guest artist visits, and commissioning fees)

📅 Spring 2026 Rehearsal Schedule:

  • Feb: 1, 15, 22
  • Mar: 1, 22, 29
  • Apr: 12, 19, 26
  • May: 3
  • May 9: Day-long event with Composer Tyler S. Grant
  • May 10: Concert performance

We would be truly grateful for your support in sharing this opportunity with your students. Feel free to reach out with any questions, or if you’d like promotional materials (flyers, graphics, etc.) for your classroom. Dr. Ashley Shoupe, Beth Stribling, or I would be more than happy to come by and take a few minutes talking about this experience with your students. If you’d like to schedule a visit, don’t hesitate to reach out!  While we are there we are more than happy to listen to your ensemble and provide some feedback as well!

Thank you for all you do to develop young musicians in our region. We look forward to collaborating with you through this new and exciting musical endeavor.

Warm regards,

Brent Johnson, DMA

Director of Bands
Murray State University
270-809-6449 office
270-929-4544 cell