MS Bandmasters Program 2022

O L I VE BRANCH MIDDLESCHO O L HONOR BAND

Olive Branch Overture was commissioned by Terri R. Green and the Olive Branch Middle School Band. The olive branch has been a symbol of peace and victory since ancient times, and different connotations of the word “peace” inspired the themes of the composition.

Nichols DeSoto County Schools School Board | District One

Superintendent DeSoto County Schools

Milton

Caleb Shepard Principal Olive Branch Middle

Jodi Stidham Assistant Principal Olive Branch Middle

DeSoto County Sch l District

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Sheila Riley, Chairperson

Beth Cross, Executive Assistant

Milton Nichols

Michele Henley Ann Jolley

ADMINISTRATION

Mr. Cory Uselton, Superintendent

Rob Chase, Chief Operations O cer

Lucy Hasselman, Assistant Superintendent

Van Alexander, Assistant Superintendent

Thomas Spencer, Assistant Superintendent

Keith Williams, Assistant Superintendent

Olive Branch Middle Sch l

ADMINISTRATION

Caleb Shepard, Principal

Lauren Germany, Assistant Principal

Terrance Miller, Assistant Principal

Jodi Stidham, Assistant Principal

Olive Branch Band Program

DIRECTORS

Dennis Fitzgerald, Director of Bands

Terri Green, Director of Middle School Bands

William Frye, Assistant Director / Jazz Band Director

Jackson Moore, Assistant Director

OLIVE BRANCH MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR BAND

About Olive Branch Middle Sch l

Olive Branch Middle School was opened as a Middle School in 1996 after housing OBHS since the 1940’s. Olive Branch Middle School is in the DeSoto County School District, one of the fastest growing and top-rated school districts in the state of Mississippi. Olive Branch Middle School is located in Olive Branch, a suburb of Memphis. The Olive Branch community feeds three DeSoto County Schools areas: Olive Branch schools, Lewisburg schools, and Center Hill schools. OBMS draws its student population from the city proper. School enrollment is 729, and our band program has 250 students who participate in three levels of band based on ability. Students at OBMS start their band experience in 6th grade in instrument family classes. Seventh and eighth grade band students are auditioned and divided into ability based performing ensembles. The Varsity Band and the Honor Band participate in local and regional programs, concerts, and festivals.

The OBMS Honor Band has received numerous awards. They have earned consecutive All-Superior ratings in Concert Performance and Sight Reading at the Mississippi Young Band Festival as well as the Itawamba Concert Band Festival. OBMS Honor Band students have been selected to top chair positions in the Hernando-DeSoto Honor Band, I-55 Honor Band, and the ASBDA Middle School All-State Bands. In addition, the OBMS Band program was awarded the NAMM Excellence in Music Education Music Merit Award in both 2018 and 2022.

APPLIED LESSON STAFF

Jennifer Whitehead, Ashley Davidson — Flute

Chris Piecuch — Double Reed

Jonathan Webber — Clarinet / Saxophone

Asia Wilson — Trumpet Leander Star — Horn

Kevin Diehl — Trombone / Euphonium / Tuba

THE 84TH ANNUAL MBDA STATE CLINIC

THE OLIVE BRANCH MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR BAND

TERRI GREEN, CONDUCTOR

Program

March for a Festive Occasion.................................................................................Eric Osterling (1926-2005)

Composer, arranger, educator, conductor Eric Osterling was a prolific writer of school music, especially in the march style. Mr. Osterling's extensive background as a music educator made him particularly aware of the specific needs of bands at all levels, and throughout his career he faithfully and continually provided them with challenging and satisfying works. March for a Festive Occasion follows the traditional march style, making use of the sparkly, dotted eighth rhythm throughout as well as the clarinet’s rich chalumeau register.

Three Ayres from Gloucester....................................................................................Hugh Stuart (1917-2006)

A three-movement suite written in the early English folksong style, this piece came into being as a result of the composer's fascination with an old 10th century couplet: "There's no one quite so comely as the Jolly Earl of Cholmondeley."

The resulting three compositions, The Jolly Earl of Cholmondeley (pronounced chumley), Ayre for Eventide, and The Fiefs of Wembley are in early English folk song style and are designed to capture the mood of the peasants and their life on the fiefs of Wembley castle.

Concertino..................................................................................................Chaminade/Ring/Brown (1857-1944) Carrie Brown, Flute

Concertino is a rhapsodic, romantic work that features two main themes, plus many melodic episodes. Since the work displays such thorough knowledge and appreciation of the expressive and technical qualities of the flute, it is natural that it has remained one of the great standards of the instrument's literature. Concertino was originally composed for flute and orchestra. Frequently, it is performed with piano accompaniment, however here it will be done with a small chamber ensemble.

Estes (b. 1959)

A colloquial term for "complainers," Kvetchers is a fun and quirky concert march in the style of a musical joke. Subtitled “Surprises in Controversial Time,” this piece is wonderfully scored. Each section has its own "surprise" making it perfect for working on independent section playing. Students and audiences alike enjoy this lighthearted piece.

Escape Artist

Rath (b. 1978)

For Percussion Ensemble

At the core of Escape Artist is a funky groove. From this groove, younger students will have the opportunity to hone their timing skills along with rhythmic accuracy by playing the four most common 16th-note subdivisions of three notes. Eric Rath has done an outstanding job of composing a piece using much syncopation that's not only educational, but a lot of fun to play!

Olive Branch Overture was commissioned by Terri R. Green and the Olive Branch Middle School Band. The olive branch has been a symbol of peace and victory since ancient times, and different connotations of the word “peace” inspired the themes of the composition. Cast in a three-part ABA form with an introduction, the composition begins with a fanfare that symbolizes victory. The A section includes two themes: one that suggests the jubilance of a peace that follows a victory and a second one that has a more lighthearted quality that expresses the joy that often accompanies peace. The contrasting B section is slower and communicates the stillness that accompanies peace, particularly an inner peace. The A section returns with the lighthearted theme followed by the jubilant theme, leading to a final statement of the fanfare in a triumphant finish.

Olive Branch Overture

Jenkins (b. 1973)

Rhianna Marney Jorun Wright

Kennedi Hopson

Middle School Band the “Best Communities for Music Education Award” for enriching the lives of children and advancing student achievement. They will also be featured as only the second middle school band to ever be invited to perform at the 2022 statewide Mississippi Band Directors Conference.

Ms. Green has been an active clinician and adjudicator in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Earlier in her career, the J.T. Alton Middle School Band was invited to perform as the middle school honor band for the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference. She has had ensembles perform at the National Association for Music Education Conference as well as the Midwest International Band Directors Clinic. In 1990 Ms. Green received the Phi Beta Mu “Outstanding Young Band Director Award” in Kentucky. She was also awarded the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts “Outstanding Teacher Award” as well as the “25 Year Service Award” from the Tennessee Music Education Association.

Ms. Green is currently in her 34th year of teaching. Prior to Olive Branch Middle School, she served as Director of Bands at Tupelo Middle School in Tupelo, MS; Director Instrumental Music/Bands at Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, TN; Director of Bands at Millington Central High School in Millington, TN; Director of Bands at Crestview Middle School in Covington, TN; Director of Bands at J.T. Alton Middle School and Assistant Director of Bands at North Hardin High School in Radcliff, KY; and Assistant Director of Bands at East Hardin High School in Glendale, KY. Through the years, Ms. Green has been blessed with being able to work with some of the most outstanding young men and women and continues to be inspired by their many accomplishments as she follows their journeys. Two of these outstanding former students join the Olive Branch Middle School Honor Band program tonight.

She is a 1984 and 1985 graduate of Delta State University where she received her Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degrees. While at DSU, she served as an o cer in Mu Phi Epsilon, a member of the Wind Ensemble and drum major of the marching band under the direction of Dr. William (Bill) Clark. Her professional a liations include Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education, Kentucky Music Educators Association, Tennessee Music Educators Association, Mississippi Band Directors Association, and Mississippi Women Band Directors Association. Currently, Ms. Green serves as a new teacher mentor along with her current teaching duties. She attends Longview Heights Baptist Church and lives in Olive Branch with her two grandchildren Morgan and Brendon Green and two Weimaraners and German Shorthaired Pointer.

OLIVE BRANCH MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR BAND

OLIVE BRANCH BAND PROGRAM Director of Bands

DJ Fitzgerald is the Director of Bands at Olive Branch High School in Olive Branch, Mississippi. He holds his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Mississippi where he was a member of the Pride of the South marching band, the University Wind Ensemble, the Mississippians Jazz Ensemble, and the Ole Miss Trombone Ensemble. While at Ole Miss, Mr. Fitzgerald studied trombone under Dr. Micah Everett, Conducting under Mr. David Willson, and Jazz and Music Education under Dr. Michael Worthy. He was awarded the “Outstanding Undergraduate Award for Music Education” in his Senior year.

Mr. Fitzgerald joined the band staff at Olive Branch in 2015 as Assistant Director of Bands at Olive Branch High School. He was appointed Director of Bands at Olive Branch in July of 2021. Under his direction, the OBHS band has experienced success at marching and concert festivals throughout Mississippi, being named a Sweepstakes Award winner in the 2021-2022 school year. He was a Finalist at the 2022 Mississippi 6A State Marching Championships. The Olive Branch band has a long history of success, having medaled at State Marching Championships 4 times, as well as earning the Sweepstakes Award every year since its inception.

During the summer months, Mr. Fitzgerald serves as Visual Caption Head of Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps in Mobile, AL. In his time with Southwind, the Corps has returned to Open Class competition, placing as high as 5th at Drum Corps International World Championships.

Mr. Fitzgerald’s professional associations include the Mississippi Bandmaster’s Association, the International Trombone Association, the Jazz Educator’s Network, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys hunting, fishing, and playing golf in his free time. Mr. Fitzgerald lives in Hernando and is a member of Colonial Hills Church where he serves on the worship team as a guitarist.

DENNIS FITZGERALD

WILLIAM FRYE OBHS Assistant Director

William Frye is a native of Ocean Springs, MS, where he graduated from Ocean Springs High School in 2017. He attended Mississippi State University and obtained his Bachelor of Music Education degree. William was the principal alto saxophonist for the Mississippi State Wind Ensemble. He studied saxophone under Ms. Falcone and conducting under Dr. Craig Aarhus and Dr. Clifton Taylor. He also served as the drum major for the Famous Maroon Band his junior and senior years. In 2020, William won the Mississippi State Department of Music’s Concerto Competition. In 2021, William was hired as the Olive Branch Middle School’s assistant band director where he served as the woodwind specialist and assisted with the Olive Branch Marching Band. In 2022, William moved to the high school to serve as the assistant high school band director where he conducts the symphonic band and is the Athletic Band Director. He also assists with the wind ensemble woodwind section, teaches private lessons, and teaches beginner woodwind classes at Olive Branch Middle School. William is the conductor of the Olive Branch High School Jazz band. William Frye resides in Olive Branch, MS, with his wife Sarah Beth and their two dogs and cat.

Jackson Moore is a native of Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, and later moved to Southaven, Mississippi, where he graduated from Southaven High School. Jackson obtained his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Delta State University in May of 2022. While at Delta State, he studied saxophone under Dr. Bret Pimentel. Jackson is currently in his first year of teaching at Olive Branch Middle School and assists with the high school marching band. He teaches beginner woodwind classes and assists with the Olive Branch Middle School Honor Band. He will be the facilities and operations coordinator for the North Mississippi Young Band Festival. He currently resides in Southaven, MS.

JACKSON MOORE OBMS Assistant Director

Soloist

Carrie Brown grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. She began both piano and flute through the Suzuki method at age 4. In high school, Carrie was a member of the Memphis Youth Symphony where she first performed the Chaminade Concertino as a winner of the MYSO concerto competition. She was first chair in both the Tennessee All State Band and All State Orchestra. Mrs. Brown concluded her final year of high school at Interlochen(MI) Arts Academy on scholarship. Upon graduation, she moved to Denton, Texas, where she studied music performance at the University of North Texas. Mrs. Brown also holds a Master of Flute Performance from Texas Christian University. She currently resides outside Dallas and has been teaching elementary music as well as performing the past 5 years.

OLIVE BRANCH MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR BAND

CARRIE BROWN Flute

OLIVE BRANCH MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR BAND

TRUMPET

Acknowledgments

To Mr. Shepard, Ms. Stidham, Mrs. Germany, Mr. Miller: Thank you for your continued support of and inclusion of the arts in the life of our school. We are grateful for your leadership and direction.

To Cory Uselton, Superintendent of DeSoto County Schools, and the DeSoto County School Board:

Thank you for your support of the Fine Arts in DeSoto County Schools.

To Sid McNeil: Thank you for being part of our program tonight. Your contribution to the Olive Branch Band program has been invaluable.

To our private lesson staff: Thanks for impacting the lives of our students!

To Jamie Young, Mississippi Band Directors Association President, and Nicole Allen, Past President:

We are honored to have been chosen to perform at the State Clinic. Thank you for this incredible opportunity!

To the Mississippi Band Directors Executive Board: Thank you for all you do for the band programs in Mississippi.

To Lanny Byrd, Sid McNeil, and our former OBMS Band Students: Thank you for your support in our preparation for tonight’s performance.

To the Olive Branch Middle School Faculty and Staff: Your support for the Fine Arts programs at OBMS is greatly appreciated. Thank you for believing the best for our students each day, giving them the motivation to seek greater learning opportunities that enrich their lives.

Special Thanks

To the 2021-2022 Olive Branch Honor Band:

I am honored to work with such an incredible group of students. Your commitment to such a program has been an inspiration. You are all wonderful people and will be leaders in your adult lives for having been involved in school music!

To the Olive Branch Band Staff, D.J. Fitzgerald, Will Frye, and Jackson Moore:

Thank you for committing your time and talent to our middle school band program. Our students are blessed to have you on their side!

To the Families of the Olive Branch Middle School Honor Band:

Thank you so much for your committed support of our band program. Your encouragement and flexibility are evident as your students are allowed successes through your efforts! This performance would not be possible without you, their first teachers and guides. Thank you for all you have done to give them this opportunity.

To John and Carrie Rains:

Thank you for your example, commitment, encouragement, and support of my musical training and allowing me the educational opportunity to pursue my passion.

To Mrs. Shirley Burroff, Dr. Bill Clark, Mr. Dale Warren, and Mr. Craig Cornish:

Thank you for inspiring a love of music and giving great leadership and direction to my music career. Dr. Clark, you were a “band director of band directors” both on and off the podium. I am incredibly blessed to have been in your bands.

To the Olive Branch Band Boosters:

Your endless support of your children is the catalyst for the success of the Olive Branch Band program. From concession stands, transportation, fundraising, and countless other jobs throughout the years, we could not do this without you! Thank you for being on our team!

To My Family and Extended Family:

Thank you for your constant support and prayers. Carrie and Hannah, thank you for encouraging me and continuing to believe in me. Your growing careers continue to inspire me.

THE 84TH ANNUAL MBDA STATE CLINIC