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Announcements

Student Measures

The Wind Ensemble has been selected to play for the PCSB Education channel on Student Measures! This is an honor and we are very excited. We will be doing this on May 20 at the recording studio in Clearwater. More information to follow.

Spring Concert

The Spring Concert will take place at Seminole High School on Thursday, May 27 at 7 p.m. The cost is $3.00 per person.

Parent Volunteers Needed for 2010 - 2011 School Year

We are looking for volunteers to help us next year with the following positions: treasurer, concert organizer, and Tag Day coordinator. Please consider helping the Band program by volunteering some of your time. We have two concerts a year, and the Tag Day coordinator doesn't have to start until close to January. The treasurer job is a full year position and requires a little more time. If you are able to help and/or have any questions please contact Katherine Durst.

A message from the SHS Band Boosters:

Thank you for supporting the SHS Warhawk Marching Band in their "March to Macy's"!
Click here to visit the March to Macy's website.

Performing Ensembles at SMS

Wind Ensemble (Band 3): This is the highest level of band offered at Seminole Middle. Students are placed in this ensemble by audition and director approval only. Auditions are held in the spring for the following school year. Students in this ensemble are expected to be very serious musicians focused on performing at a very high level and exploring their musicality to the fullest extent. Students will explore music theory, solo literature, and Grade 3 & 4 band literature. This ensemble attends Solo & Ensemble, District Music Performance Assessment, and National Band competitions. The ensemble usually takes an overnight competition trip in the spring where attendance is crucial. Concert attire for the gentlemen consists of a black suit OR a black tuxedo, white dress shirt, black dress tie, black socks and black dress shoes. The ladies in the Wind Ensemble are required to wear a full length black dress, which is purchased through us, and black dress shoes.

Symphonic Band (Band 2): This is the intermediate level of band offered at Seminole Middle. Students move into the Symphonic Band after a year of training in the Cadet Band program. Students in this ensemble will explore music theory, solo literature, and Grade 2 & 3 band literature. Students will be challenged to improve their musical abilities while developing a love for music and its importance to society. Concert Band attire for the gentlemen consists of black pants, white dress shirt, black dress tie, black socks and black dress shoes (no jacket). The ladies in the Symphonic Band are required to wear a full length black dress, which is purchased through us, and black dress shoes.

Cadet Band (Band 1): This band class is offered to those students with little or no previous experience in band. The curriculum includes the history of instruments, music literature, music theory, ear training, and solo & ensemble performance. Students will perform in three major performances throughout the school year. Students will learn the fundamentals of instrumental performance and the importance of music in their lives. Concert attire consists of black dress pants, black socks and black dress shoes, and an SMS Music Department polo shirt to be purchased through the band department.

Jazz Band: The jazz ensemble is made up of a traditional jazz instrumentation consisting of Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, and a full rhythm section. This ensemble will perform all types of musical styles, study famous figures in Jazz, and develop improvisation skills. The uniform is Black and White for formal performances and the traditional “bowling shirt” for more casual performances.

Color Guard: This is an audition-only ensemble that provides performance opportunities in Flag, Rifle, Sabre & Dance. The group is extracurricular and holds regular rehearsals after school on Wednesdays and Fridays. Auditions are held in early September and the competition season begins in late January, continuing through early April. Previous dance, gymnastics, or baton experience is helpful but not required.

About the Director

Chad Guess is the current Director of Bands at Seminole Middle School and the Assistant Band Director at Seminole High School in Seminole, FL.

Mr. Guess conducts the SMS concert and jazz ensembles and serves as the Visual Coordinator for the Seminole High School Warhawk Marching Band.

Mr. Guess currently holds a Bachelor of Music and Music Education degree from the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama, and is working on his Master of Music Education degree. While in college at UNA he was inducted into Kappa Kappa Psi, the honorary band fraternity, where he served as vice president and president of the Theta Omega chapter. He also served as president of the collegiate chapter of the Music Educators National Conference. Mr. Guess was the University marching band drum major for three consecutive years and was a three-time winner of the Presidential Leadership Scholarship. Mr. Guess performed with the Madison Scouts drum and bugle corps from Madison, Wisconsin for two seasons where he was a member of the World Champion Brass Ensemble. As a clinician he has worked with musical and visual ensembles from all over the United States, and also with numerous top twelve drum and bugle corps and world championship finalist winter guards.

Mr. Guess is currently a member in good standing of the Music Educators National Conference and the Florida Bandmasters Association.