Category: What’s New

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Jazz Band Audition Reminders

Jazz Audition Reminders:

  • Keyboard, Guitar, and Bass Amps will be provided. Bass and Guitar students must bring their own patch cords (1/4”) and instruments.
  • Bass players can audition on either double bass, electric bass, or both.
  • Drum Set Players must bring their own sticks, cymbals, snare drum, and kick pedal.
  • Students are NOT allowed to bring a written solo into their audition room. (NEW) However, written chord changes will be provided. (if needed)
  • All wind players, bassists, pianists, and guitarists will play their prepared music, sight-read, and play an improvised solo over Bb rhythm changes (one-32 bar chorus) and F Blues (2-twelve bar choruses). NEW THIS YEAR: For BOTH TRACKS, students will start improvising immediately after the count-off.
  • Drum Set players will perform their prepared music, sight-read, and improv as follows (in any order):

Styles

  • 8 bars of swing @ 220 bpm (play swing for 4 measures and solo for 4)
  • 8 bars of funk/rock @ 100 bpm (play funk/rock for 4 measures and solo for 4)
  • 8 bars of samba @ 120 bpm (play samba for 4 measures and solo for 4)
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Band and Jazz Auditions Weather Protocol

Good Morning,

As many of you know, the forecast is not looking good this weekend.  We will monitor the weather and try to have a decision by no later than Friday afternoon (we will do our best to make it earlier).

IF  auditions are canceled this weekend (January 11) then our regional auditions will occur on January 18th at the South Gibson Campus.

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Milan High School Interim Opening

Milan Schools are seeking Interim Music Teachers
My wife and I are expecting twin girls this February! Rachel teaches elementary music in Milan, and I assist with middle school and direct the high school programs daily.
We are seeking individuals to hopefully fill in for us during our time off. If anyone knows any students graduating this semester who would need a job, someone who needs a placement, or anyone looking for a position currently or a retired director interested, please let us know.
Rachel is planning on taking 6 weeks or more, and I will be taking 4 weeks off.
If you know anybody who would be interested in this, please let us know: edmaistond@milanssd.org
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Memphis Wind Symphony Performance

The Memphis Wind Symphony will present “Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” in a FREE concert Sunday, December 15, 6:30pm in the Christian Brothers University Theater. You can of course expect the usual seasonal melodies, but also two world-premiers and the ensemble will be joined onstage by the amazing vocalist: Jake Drzycimiski. Come join in the Spirit of Christmas with the Memphis Wind Symphony.

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Professional Development Opportunity

In partnership with ArtsED Tennessee, TMEA is creating “Unified Vision,” a day of K-12 arts professional development that will take place on February 17 at East Hickman County High School.  This day will be similar to what teachers in larger districts experience, with sessions for all areas of Arts education.  This day will be available to all arts teachers, regardless of the district in which they teach or association membership status.  We hope that this event will accomplish lots of goals, but primarily:
  • Validating Arts teachers in this area of the state.
  • Helping these teachers strengthen their professional network.
  • Raising awareness of ArtsED Tennessee and its work.
  • Demonstrating that TMEA is serious about its commitment to music teachers in the rural areas of our state.
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Upcoming Events in the Memphis Area

Dear colleagues,
As you have hopefully seen on multiple news outlets and posted on social media, there are two great opportunities coming THIS WEEK for you and your students.
1. Grind City Brass Band. The very first British-style brass band in Memphis is having its inaugural concert Monday, December 9, 2024 at 7:00 pmat the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center. If you’ve never heard a brass band perform, you are truly missing something amazing.
Tickets are for sale at www.grindcitybrass.com/events. Educators and students receive a STEEP discount. This is something your brass players will want to hear! A flyer with details is attached.
2. TUBA CHRISTMAS. This will take place Saturday, December 14 at 1:00 pm at Crosstown Concourse. EVERYONE is invited to the performance. Tuba/euph players who want to perform have a rehearsal that morning and will need their instrument, mouthpiece, and a music stand. Music will be available to purchase. Performer registration is $10/person. Check out tubachristmas.com! A flyer with performer details is attached.
I look forward to having you all at these events!
ZC