Friday evening was the Spring Jazz Showcase. 

With the addition of the HS Jazz Lab Band the decision was made to split the Jazz and Concert Band performances up.  This also allowed us the opportunity to include our newly formed DHS Alumni Big Band in the performance lineup for the Spring Jazz Showcase!

Our Alumni Big Band included the following performers
Cami Bonine 2017
Morgan Solomon 2018
Alyssa Phillips 2018
Colton Avis 2017
Ashley McFarland 2018
Orion Starwalt 2008
Hayley Neely 2017
Blair Starwalt 2009
Dylan White 2017
Hope Watts 2010
Darrell Boyer 2008
Josh Hill 2014
Jeffrey Russell 1978
Wyatt Hickman 2018
Luke Guzman 2016
Gavin Luther 2018

Thank you to all of the alumni that took time out of their busy lives to come and perform with us.  This group of musicians represents 40+ years of Jazz education at De Soto!

Each of the bands put on a wonderful performance.  

Special recognition was given to the following musicians.
Gavin Dunn-Most improved Jazz student
Eric Dimercurio-Improv MVP
Quincy Jones Award- Brandon Nunnally
Louis Armstrong-Ethan Brown

The Tri-M Music Honor Society Chapter #8124 held their official induction of members Sunday.  We want to thank all of our friends and family that were in attendance.  

Both the Concert Band and the Symphonic Band performed solid performances.  The Symphonic Band began their set with a demonstration chorale that helped show our parents and community what goes into our performances.

Special student recognition went to:
Freshman MVP: Olivia Hartwell
Outstanding Sophomore: Faith Olds
Junior of the Year: Kylie Mitchell
Byron Munson Marching Award: Kaitlyn Podgornik
John Philip Sousa Award: Ethan Brown

Ethan Brown conducted the DHS Concert Band on their last piece, Rough Riders.  Ethan has helped in Concert Band as Mr. Boyer's teaching assistant.  

Mr. Anthony Brown conducted the DHS Symphonic Band on their piece, Big Four.  Mr. Brown was the winning bidder at the DHS Dessert Auction earning him the opportunity to conduct at the Spring Band concert.  

Kylie Mitchell conducting her piece, In the Dark.  Kylie was the winner of the 2019 Fountain City Composition Contest and her piece had its WORLD PREMIERE at our concert Sunday.    

The 2019 Fall Marching Show was revealed at the annual band banquet.  The Dragon Pride will be performing "The Fabric of Time" in the fall.  This show focuses on man's obsession with the concept of time.

Senior Band Cake provided by Mrs. Allen.  

Our top seller Hailey Propst was presented with a check for her Memphis trip deposit which will be paid by Mr. Boyer.  Thank you for your hard work with our Beef up the Band Fundraiser!

We have created this video to help get the word out about our Beef up the Band fundraiser!  Share this video to help spread the word!

The DHS Band members are selling raffle tickets for our annual Beef up the Band fundraiser.  This fundraiser is two separate raffles for a half beef.

Side 1-Unlimited Raffle – White Raffle Tickets - $5.00
We will be selling Side 1 raffle tickets for $5.00.  There is not a set amount of tickets that will be sold.
Side 2 -Reserve Raffle – Blue Raffle Tickets – $15.00
We will be selling Side 2 raffle tickets for $15.00.  There will only be 300 tickets sold for this ½ of beef.
What are we raising funds for?
New mallets and small percussion equipment ($500)
Senior Band Scholarships ($1500)
Guest artist for Jazz Fest ($1500-3000)
Band Trip 2020 Charter Buses ($10,000)
Clinicians for Concert Bands ($1000)
Marching Band Drill ($1600)
Color Guard Flags ($1200)
Color Guard Choreography ($500)

Over the past four years, our students have performed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, worked with professional composers, performed with a 3x Grammy nominated artist, learned from countless clinicians and the list goes on.  All of this has been accomplished through fundraising.
Money will help keep marching fees low, support our scholarship fund, and our guest artist fund for next year’s Jazz Fest.  This fundraiser allows us to continue providing our students with a top notch music education here at De Soto. If you would like to support music education, and get a chance to win approximately 200 pounds of beef, please consider purchasing a raffle ticket.  Raffle tickets can also be reserved online at www.desotobands.org

Would you like to continue supporting these top notch experiences in music education?
Sales Dates: 4/8/19-4/22/19
Drawing: Spring Band Concert, Sunday April 28th, 2019

The end of the year is approaching fast.  While we begin to look forward to what next year has in store for us, we should also pause and take a moment to reflect on where we have been.

This year our students have:

• Participated in numerous Honor Bands, both Concert and Jazz
• Earned numerous spots in District Concert and Jazz Bands; 1 student even earned a spot on the All State Jazz Roster (Go Caleb!)
• Learned to write bass lines, solos, and arrange music
• COMPOSED ORIGINAL MUSIC (for entry into our music contest)
  • AND received feedback on their compositions from a panel of professional composers!
• Worked with a 3x Grammy nominated professional musician!
• Received clinics from some distinguished music educators
• Performed in over 30 performances so far this year!
• Earned scholarships to continue playing their instruments in college
• Created their own student led performance groups!

Tri-M members have also:

• Donated numerous hours in support of the DHS Music programs
• Donated 15 boxes for Operation Christmas Child
• Hosted the 2nd Annual Fountain City Jazz Festival and the De Soto MS Band Festival​
• Created a Fine Arts Program featuring the programs at De Soto #73.

Events coming up
April 8-April 22nd
Beef up the Band Fundraiser- This fundraiser helps to keep our marching band fees low, supports our scholarship fund, and our guest artist fund for next year's Jazz Fest.  This fundraiser  allows us to continue providing our students with a top notch music education here at De Soto.  If you would like to support music education, and get a chance to win approximately 200 pounds of beef, please consider purchasing a raffle ticket.  Raffle tickets can be reserved online here.

Friday, April 26th
Spring Jazz Showcase featuring our Jazz Lab, Jazz Ensemble, and the Alumni Big Band

Sunday, April 28th
Spring Band Concert and Awards Dessert Banquet at 3pm in the DHS Auditorium, with Awards Banquet in the DHS Gymnasium.

As we begin to wind down this school year and begin another, I would like to say "Thank you" to everyone that has taken part in the De Soto Bands this year!  From our generous sponsors, parent volunteers, to clinicians, to guest artists, and most importantly our wonderful students, it has been an incredible journey making music with all of you this year.