Pembroke Pines Charter High School Band

The Pembroke Pines Charter High School Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band performed at their District Music Performance Assessment both Thursday and Friday of this week at J.P. Taravella in Coral Springs.

Each ensemble performed three pieces on stage that they had previously prepared for a panel of three incredibly esteemed  and difficult adjudicators.  The panel consisted of Dr. Bentley Shellahammer and Dr. Shelby Chipman, both of Tallahassee, and Mr. Ken Goff, from Miami-Dade. 

The ensembles then went into a room where they were judged by Mr. James Hacker on both a march and an overture that they had not played previously, and were then,sightreading.

Finally, Mr. Hacker than  judged two of our students, Ms. Janelle Alongi and Ms. Jaclyn Fine, on their conducting skills as the band performed a selection these two young ladies had rehearsed with them on the podium

I am pleased to announce that both ensembles received a Superior in Sight Reading (the top rating given based upon the judging rubric) as well as both Student Conductors!

On stage, the Wind Ensemble received an overall Excellent and our Symphonic Band received Straight Superiors!!!!  The Symphonic Band has now qualified for the State Concert Band Assessment that will be held at North Port High School in North Port, FL during April 20-24th.!

 Congratulations to these students as well as those of the Wind Ensemble  on all of their effort and fine work and thanks as always for your support of the program. 

Friday and Saturday band students from PPCHS performed both in our district's Jazz Band Music Performance Assessment as well as in Solo and Ensemble events.

I am pleased to inform you that after performing for the esteemed, but hard panel of adjudicators Friday nite, the Jazz Band received a Superior Rating.  This Superior Rating qualifies them to perform at the State Jazz Band Music Performance Assessment in Ocala later in the month of March.  There were only six superiors  given  by the panel during the three day jazz assessment of both  middle school and high school jazz bands programs!!!!

The members of this year's Jazz Ensemble include:

Saxophones:  Casey A, Alexa S, Sebastian C, John R, Josh B, and Jackie F

Trumpets:  Hannah P, Victoria S, Philip P, Brendan M, Dan C, Zachary K, Kristen W and Nicole P

Trombones:  Johnny-Angel R, Rey C, Ryan Q, D'Aundray A,, Chris A,  Dylan F

Rhythm Section:

Set:  Jonathan E, Marcos D

Piano:  Scott M, Gabby L, Roman Q, Jannell G

Vibes:  Christian S

Flute:  Janelle A, Rachel G, Kimberly W

Bass:  Fernando A

These students performed three pieces:

Blueswalk, which featured Philip  on trumpet and John on tenor sax  as soloists

I Remember Clifford, which featured Hannah  on flugel horn

St. Thomas, which featured Casey  on alto saxophone, as well as our rhythm section of Marcos , Jonathan  and Scott.

These students give up several hours a week of their own time for this ensemble and their efforts,as well as their dedication, is much appreciated. 

They have upcoming performances that hopefully many of you will have an opportunity to catch.

The first is the Talent Show in our auditorium on Thursday, February 26th, and the latter is the City's fundraiser for "Can We Make a Deal?"

I am also pleased to announce that our students represented themselves well in both Solos and Ensemble events as well, earning over 30 Superior medals!  Amongst these, there were events that due to the difficulty level of their literature selection also qualified for the State Solo and Ensemble Assessment held in Ocala!

These include:

Hannah P, Trumpet Solo

Michala L, Flute Solo

Johnny-Angel R, Trombone Solo

Chris A, Trombone Solo

Sean C, Snare Drum Solo

Nicole P, French Horn Solo

Casey A, Alto Sax Solo

Casey A, Alexa S, John R and Rhett S, Saxophone Quartet

John R, Veronica D, and Gabe S, Saxophone Trio

Congrats!!!

The following students also received a Superior at the District Level:

Rachel G-Flute Solo

D'Aundray A-Trombone Solo

Janelle A-Flute Solo

Annissa O-French Horn Solo

Sebastian C, Alex A and Connor R, Saxophone Trio

Andrea P, Ashley H, Lili S, and Josh B, Clarinet Quartet

Dan C, Chris G, Dylan F and Ryan M, Brass Quartet

David G, Chris G, and Charles B, Trumpet Trio

To all students who performed this weekend, both the aforementioned and others, congratulations and a special thanks for all of your efforts and hard work.  I am so very proud of your accomplishments and look forward our District Concert Band Assessments in the next few weeks.  (March 5th and 6th!)

 Congratulations to Nicole P. and Johnny Angel R. for auditioning and being selected for the 2008-2009 All-County Honor Band which rehearsed and performed  in the month of January.

Congratulations to the Janelle A., Jaclyn F., Nicole P., Johnny-Angel R., and Scott M. for having been selected for the South Florida Honor Band which was hosted by the University of Miami in February.

Students' Responsiblity for Balance, Blend and Intonation