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7th Grade
Concert Band

The 7th Grade Band includes second year students, as well as first-year beginning students. 

Heroes Triumphant

by William Owens

Heroes Triumphant is a high energy piece of music. According to the composer, it is a musical manifestation of vivacity and high spirits.

This is one of the first pieces of music the 7th Grade Concert Band has played with many layers happening all at once. The layers make the music more complex to learn, but a whole lot of fun to play. 

Be still, my soul

Arranged by Robert W. Smith

Be Still, My Soul is a popular hymn written by Katarina von Schlegel. The music was composed by Jean Sibelius and is also recognized under the title "Finlandia." The hymn has been significant in multiple cultural settings, including the rich heritage of the African-American churches. This setting by Robert. W. Smith, captures the hymn's beautiful simplicity. 

We selected this piece to allow the 7th graders to work on playing with a beautiful tone quality, balancing the volume of their part with others, and to start learning how to play in tune with others. 

Simple Gifts

Shaker Folk Song
Arranged by John Higgins

The melody from Simple Gifts has been used by many composers. It still captures the attention of audiences today.

It's difficult to say which of our three pieces is the hardest because they each focus on different skills.

• Heroes Triumphant required part independence because of all the layers, along with fast fingers to change notes.
• Be Still, My Soul requires advanced air control to sound good and requires advanced listening skills to be in tune.
• For Simple Gifts, the flute, clarinets, and trumpets may say this is one is the hardest because of all the high notes they are required to play. ​

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Jazz Band

Jazz Band is an auditioned group of 7/8th graders who meet after school. This is our first performance. We will travel to the University of Central Missouri later this month to perform in a Jazz Festival. 

What a Wonderful World

Recorded by Louis Armstrong
Words and Music by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele.
Arranged by Rick Stitzel

This swing ballad was popularized by Louis Armstrong and has become a classic in the jazz literature. 

Orangatango

by Rick Stitzel

Orangatango is an original piece designed to make a fun Tango style. Swing and Latin are the two most common styles in jazz music. 

Killer Joe

by Benny Golson
​arranged by Michael Sweeney

This Benny Golson classic is another swing style chart. This piece features two soloists:

• Luke Banks, 8th Grade alto sax​
• Evan Gatlin, 8th Grade trumpet

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8th Grade
​Symphonic Band

This group includes mostly third-year students along with some second-year students who returned from ViPR. 

Anthem for Winds and Percussion

by Claude T. Smith

This piece has a straight-forward title, and it is one of Mr. Jarrett's all-time favorite piece for band for any age group. It has a great melody and an exciting rhythmic accompaniment. The piece is mostly in 4/4 meter, but also uses 7/8, 2/4, and 3/4. This piece pushes students to advanced rhythmic counting and makes them play in the key of E-flat and G (not a common key signature for bands). The music has a lot of momentum and energy, but also includes a beautiful, full-voiced chorale in the middle. 

This piece would be a major accomplishment for any middle school band. I am very proud of how well these students have pushed themselves and embraced the challenges in this music. 

The Rowan Tree

setting by Randall D. Standridge

The Rowan Tree is a setting of an old Scottish folk song. This setting hopes to capture the simple beauty of the melody and the melancholy mood of the lyrics. 

Music from Pirates of the Caribbean

From Walt Disney Pictures' Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.

Music by Klaus Badelt
Arranged by Michael Brown

​Music from the "Pirates" movies still captures the imagination of students today. Each year someone asks to play Pirates of the Caribbean. This piece is written in A-flat and includes many time changes and transitions. It's one of those, "it's harder than it sounds" pieces of music.