Final push

End of the Year, Approaching Fast

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.