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6th Grade
Beginning Band

The 6th grade band is performing their first ever sheet music! They have graduated from performing "lines in the book" to real music. 

Starsplitter Fanfare

by Brian Balmages

From the composer:
As its name implies, Starsplitter Fanfare is a spirited and powerful work that is inspired by the phenomenon known as a supernova. These stellar explosions can be extremely bright and can actually cause a burst of radiation that outshines and entire galaxy for a few weeks or months before fading. In addition, they can radiate as much energy as the sun would over its entire life span. It is estimated that these supernovae occur approximately once every 50 years in a galaxy the size of the Milky Way. In addition to the amazing explosion, the resulting shock waves can trigger the formation of new stars. The amazing concept that such an incredible explosion can cause new formations in the sky underscores the energy of this entire work. 

Mechanical Monsters

By Randall D. Standridge

Mechanical Monsters was born out of the composer's love of two things:

1. B-Monster Movies from the 50's and 60's.
2. Teaching Beginning Band
   

The video that plays along with the music is from a 1941 Superman cartoon. Although it doesn't include Superman, it does include destructive robots. The music we are playing helps tell the story with the video. With the cartoon and our music combined, we hope you enjoy Mechanical Monsters.

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7th Grade
​Concert Band

Destiny Fanfare

by Mekel Rogers

From the composer:
Destiny Fanfare is a very special composition for me in that it was a commission from the Union County Bandmasters Association from the Union Count, North Carolina where I have taught middle school band since 1995. Through the years the band directors in Union County, both past and present, have been some of my closest lifelong friends. 

I hope you enjoy Destiny Fanfare. 

Theme from Jurassic Park

composed by John Williams
arranged by Michael Sweeney

From the Universal Motion Picture Jurassic Park. 

Roman Juggernaut

by James Curnow

Featuring thundering percussion and blaring fanfares, this work evokes images of the spectacular pageantry of thousands of soldiers on parade! The Roman Juggernaut (military) was the most feared and spectacular force in the known world in its time.

Roman Juggernaut strives to capture the military spirit, incredible sounds and energy created by legions of soldiers on the march seeking victory in the battle that is to come.

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8th Grade
​Symphonic Band

Our Kingsland Spring

(1st Movement from "Georgian Suite")

by Samuel R. Hazo

From the composer:
Our Kingsland Spring was commissioned by my friend Elizabeth E. Taylor, District Band Chair for the Georgia Music Educators' Association District 8 Middle School Honor Band. It was premiered by this ensemble in Kingsland, Georgia in a wonderful festival for which I was invited to guest conduct. The students and their teachers were so enjoyable to be around that I decided on this title to commemorate our time together. Our Kingsland Spring was the final piece in our festival concert, which was actually held on the first day of Spring in 2004. 

(not) Alone - Premier performance

by Randall D. Standridge

From the composer:

Why I wrote (not) Alone
Many who live with mental health conditions experience a profound sense of isolation. Discussing these issues and more so, identifying as someone who lives with them, has been extremely taboo in our society. Thus, many suffer in silence, facing their troubles with no support. But, as the title of the work implies, they are not alone.

I live with depression and anxiety. I have tried to use my platform to normalize discussions about mental health and to help start conversations about this issue. Here are some statistics you may or may not be aware of:

• 1 in 5 of adults in the US experience mental health issues each year. 1 in 6 youths in the US experience mental health issues each year. 90% of suicides worldwide are attributable to mental illness.
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in the United States.

With statistics like this, it is shocking and frustrating that so many people are reluctant to acknowledge, discuss, and address these issues.

In 2021, I was asked to create a work for wind ensemble addressing mental illness. The resultant work, “unBroken”, is one of my favorite works I have ever created, both from an aesthetic and personal perspective. However, this work is very advanced (Grade 5), which limits its demographic for performers and, thus, audiences.

Those of us that teach or have taught middle school and high school know that there is a need to address this issue at younger ages, and to make such tools available to middle schools and developing high school ensembles.

I decided to make this work a consortium, expecting there would be 20-30 schools that would support such a piece. 40 tops.

​The consortium included over 300 schools.

This is an issue whose time has come. The time is now. We need to talk about this, and we are going to talk about this. We are going to show them all that they are not alone.