Jerome High School
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For our article on the Dallas Brass coming to town, click on
http://www.d261.k12.id.us/OnlineNews/Band/JHS%20and%20Dallas%20Brass.htm .
Go to http://www.d261.k12.id.us/OnlineNews/Eye%20of%20the%20Tiger.htm and check out the slide show from our Homecoming performance that the school newspaper staff has put together!
The Jerome High School Symphonic Band is preparing to host the world-famous Dallas Brass on January 14 in a concert in the JHS auditorium.
Besides the unique opportunity to work and perform with one of the best instrumental ensembles on the planet, the Jerome band students are also using this as a fund-raising opportunity.
“Anything we make beyond the cost of bringing the Brass to Jerome will go towards the replacement of our marching uniforms over the next two years,” says director of bands Gordon P. Smith. “Besides the fact that we were sewing stripes on black pants to turn them into something resembling uniforms to get everyone on the field this fall, we had judges at two of the three contests noting our ‘outdated’ uniforms in their comments and scoring sheets this season. We want our students to make a visual impression that matches their musical and marching skills.”
Sophomore baritone player Jett Hall said, “New uniforms would be great because the pants we have don’t fit!”
“We’ve had quite a few donations already, and between those and ticket sales and the hard work of our music boosters in promoting this event, I’m fairly confident we’ll be able to put something towards those uniforms when all is said and done,” said Smith.
Tickets for the Dallas Brass concert are $10 to $15 depending on seat location, and are available through the North Side News, the Twin Falls Times-News, Welch Music, the Jerome Chamber of Commerce office, and the offices of Jerome High School, Jerome Middle School, and Jerome School District, or from any Jerome band student.
The hope of the music boosters is to phase in new uniforms over the next two seasons, purchasing pants for the 2008 season and new jackets by the 2009 show. The “Ambush of Tigers” marching unit plans to present “West Side Story” this fall with new pants and a temporary uniform that gives the impression of two warring gangs as in the original Broadway musical.
Sophomore Kelsey Ordaz, who plays clarinet, says “Knowing that the band’s growing makes it important to get the uniforms soon.”
Cavalcade of Bands
by: Katie Sparks
10-15-07
The Jerome High school “The Ambush of Tigers” Marching Unit went on a three day trip to a competition on October 5th-7th. The competition was held on Saturday, October 6, 2007 at the Neil F. Lampson Stadium in Kennewick, Washington. This was the first time "The Ambush Of Tigers" had traveled to Washington. It was also the farthest away that the band has traveled. The Ambush left Friday, and arrived at Southridge High School, which was kind enough to allow them to stay in the gym of their school.
There were 27 bands at the competition, seven of them were in the same classification as the Ambush, the small band classification.
The 27 bands competing were: Cheney High (Division AA), Royal High (Division AA), Auburn High (Division AAA-small), Hermiston High (Division Novice), Jerome High (Division AA), Highland High (Division AA), West Valley High {Spokane} (Division AA), Clarkston High (Division AAA-small), Naches Valley High (Division AA), Kennewick High (Host), Southridge High (Division AAA-small), Kamiakin High (Division AAA-small), Capital High (Division AAA-small), Meridian High (Division AAA-small), Richland High (Division AAA-small), Hanford High (Division AAA-large), Cenral Kitsap High (Division AAA-large), North Kitsap High (Division AAA-large), A.C. Davis High (Division AAA-large), Wentchee High (Division AAA-large), Pasco High (Host), University High (Division AAA-large), Mt. Spokane High (Division AAA-large), West Valley High {Yakima} (Division AAA-open), Vallivue High (Division AAA-open), Cascade High (Division AAA-open), Mead High (Division AAA-open).
The Ambush had to be up and ready the next morning to leave for the competition at 7:30am Pacific time. The Ambush would perform at 9:30am at Kennewick High School Stadium. The Preliminary Competition Round started at 8:30am(pacific time) with Cheney High. "The Ambush Of Tigers" performed at 9:30am (pacific time), the Ambush performed their centennial show "September 30th, 1907".
With Drum Majors, Faith Peters and Shelby Walters, the Ambush took the field for competition.
"I think we did really good. It seamed like they had a little trouble watching the drum majors. This is the best we have done performing. They put a lot of energy into it. I am really proud of all of them," said Shelby Walters.
Our marching unit left a memorable impression on its audience, said band director, Gordon P. Smith.
"The Ambush Of Tigers" placed 4th in the Preliminary Round, 5 points behind 3rd place, Cheney High (WA), and 4 points ahead of 5th place, Hermiston (OR).
" It was great to do the show in front of an audience that really knows marching band. The kids heard reaction today in spots they'd never gotten them before," said Smith.
The bands form Idaho, Capital High, Meridian High, and Jerome High, represented Idaho very well. Not only on the field but off too. Smith was approached by several different people saying how well his band performed and how well they were behaving. The Ambush was invited to come back next year. Jerome was also invited to two more competition while they were there, because of their show and the way they Handled themselves. Smith doesn't think he is going to take the band in that direction next because year he really wants to take them down to Northern California.
" The one really memorable show at the finals was from Richland High School. A small band, smaller then ours, but they were third in the entire contest and they won their class," said Smith, "Their 'Fiddler On The Roof' show was memorable, outstanding, and every member was absolutely sure of their part."
"We did awesome. I'm really proud of everyone. When I look back on my high school experience, this is going to be one of my favorite memories," said, drum major, Faith Peters.
"It was a great first big trip, and it set the stage for more to come," said Smith. Next year, I hope to go even farther."
Ambush of Tigers at home
By: Megan Wayment
1 October 2007
Multiple hours of practice have paid off for the JHS marching band, the Ambush of Tigers.
They pulled off a dramatic performance early Friday evening before the Homecoming Varsity football game.
Jerome band led the annual Homecoming parade as well. The color guard added their own flare of escitement to the performance. Their march in the parade was a success.
The Ambush of Tigers completed their new Centennial performance artfully and nearly flawlessly.
The band's show this year expounded several highlights of Jerome’s history with musical accents to emphasize specific parts. It featured dialogue about Jerome’s origins, industry, and influential people in Jerome’s past hundred years. There were six main musical pieces performed by the entire band during the presentation.
“This is the first time I’ve done a show that had as much meaning as this,” stated band director, Gordon Smith. “It’s the deepest show I’ve ever written.”
Smith has taught band for twenty-four years in both California and Idaho. He is involved with several musical festivals and associations. His music arrangements and compositions have been used by multiple bands in the western United States. Three of the pieces performed by the JHS band are original songs Smith wrote. The others are arrangements from various existing songs.
Smith began working in Jerome one year ago. He teaches the sixth, seventh, eighth and high school bands.
“It’s been a wonderful, wonderful group to work with,” Smith said. He feels that the Ambush of Tigers has already progressed far beyond the skill level they attained at the end of last year.
He feels that the Ambush of Tigers has already progressed far beyond the skill level they attained at the end of last year.
The JHS band is now focusing on their upcoming competitions. They will be performing in Pocatello, ID; Washington and Oregon.
“It’s a fun routine, but at the same time, a challenging one,” said senior trumpet player, Logan Nelson.
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