Fine Arts – Band

The 2007-2008 USJ band under the direction Mr. Tom Grant includes: Row 1:  Ian Charles, Lexie Poole, Erin Wyatt, Richard Altfeld, Carly Hill, Connor Gilroy, and Laura Kruelle. Row 2:  Joey Moore, Matthew Taylor, David Taylor, Sara Ivy, Jon Kanizar, Shane Greene, Josh Castellaw, and Will Purcell. Row 3:  Sam Grant, Agnes Oshiro, Tyler Frye, Ahmad Suara, Greg Hall, Alex Crossett, Thomas Head, Kenneth Oshiro, Ryan Russell, and Justin Short.

Pictured, clockwise, from left, are Ryan Russell, All-West Jazz Band, jazz guitar; Connor Gilroy, back row, All-West Blue Band, flute; Erin Wyatt, All-West Red Band, oboe; Ellen Appleton, 1st Chair, All-West Orchestra, violin; Ian Charles, All-West Blue Band, clarinet; Joey Moore, Junior High All-West Blue Band, trumpet; and Tyler Frye, All-West Band, alternate, percussion.

With the emphasis on “Team Work,” the USJ Band program is all about making a difference in the lives of our students and community.

We have an expanded and active program, ranging from All-West Orchestra, Jazz, and Concert Band, to All-State, Solo & Ensemble, Honor Bands, musicals, and church ensembles for students to participate in. When you look closely, you will see USJ represented at every level.

Whether it is a Sixth Grade Beginner or an All-State Senior, we want to bring out the best in all of our students as we set our goals and realize our dreams.  Helping each other succeed is what we are all about.

– Tom Grant, USJ’s band program director

Band members earn honors

On December 8, 2007, USJ hosted the WTSBOA Senior and Junior High Band auditions. More than 3,000 people from high schools and middle schools in West Tennessee visited our school that day!
Congratulations to the USJ band students who were selected to an All-West instrumental ensemble for 2008. Pictured, clockwise, from left, they are Ryan Russell, All-West Jazz Band, jazz guitar; Connor Gilroy, back row, All-West Blue Band, flute; Erin Wyatt, All-West Red Band, oboe; Ellen Appleton, 1st Chair, All-West Orchestra, violin; Ian Charles, All-West Blue Band, clarinet; Joey Moore, Junior High All-West Blue Band, trumpet; and Tyler Frye, All-West Band, alternate, percussion.
As 1st Chair, Ellen was concert master for the All-West Orchestra when it performed in January. Ellen also made All-State Orchestra.

USJ band students help to grant a wish

University School’s band students created a festive, parade-like atmosphere as the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Robinson Toyota helped grant a wish to little Jena Arnold who suffers from a life-threatening medical condition. Star 107.7 was broadcasting live as the University School of Jackson Band marched through the Starbucks parking lot along with Jackson Police Chief Rick Staples, Madison County Sheriff David Woolfork, and a representative from the mayor’s office.

Jena wish for a family trip to Disney World was granted and the Jackson Mayor’s office officially named November 17, 2005, Jena Arnold Day. Jena received many other gifts from the community besides her trip to Disney World.

When Tom Grant, USJ’s band teacher, was approached to participate in Jena’s wish, he didn’t hesitate. “We were honored to be asked,” he says. The Make-A-Wish Foundation approached USJ because last spring USJ became the first school in the area to grant a wish for a child through the foundation. USJ students collected more than $5,000 to grant the wish for a young boy with a life-threatening disease.