Category: General

Jazz Under the Stars

On May 27, 2021, immediately in front of the main entrance of Easton Area High School, the Easton Area Middle and High School Jazz Bands held a “Jazz Under the Stars” performance.

On May 27, 2021, in front of the main entrance of Easton Area High School, the Orchestra Spring Concert included outdoor performances of four ensembles: EAHS Chamber Strings, EAHS 9th Grade Orchestra, EAHS 9-12th Grade String Ensemble, and EAHS 10-12th Grade Symphony Orchestra.

As we strive to create one of the nation’s finest music programs, we are kicking off our second annual March Forth fundraiser. This fundraiser will last through March 4th, which is known as “National Marching Band Day.” As our program grows, we want to continue to be able to provide EVERY student with the tools they need to be successful.

What is the March Forth campaign?

We are opening the March Forth fundraiser for one month, with a goal of $15,000 in unrestricted funds. It is a large sum of money, but if 500 people donated $30, we would reach our goal! All donations are tax deductible.

Why $15,000?

It costs a substantial amount of money to not only maintain, but also to grow a quality music program. With your help, we hope to provide some of the following in the near future:

• Six $1,000 scholarships
• Private lesson subsidies ($750 for one year’s worth of lessons)
• Guest clinicians ($500 for one clinician)
• Concert tuba ($6,000 each)

It costs approximately $75,000 to maintain the programs the IMA supports on an annual basis. Your unrestricted donation helps us to defray the costs to not only maintain, but grow the program.

Donate to March Forth

Donate and spread the word about March Forth to help us reach our campaign goal.

Students will begin to schedule for courses in February for the 2021-2022 school year. Please view the course registration guidelines below for what course to select for electives.

Course Registration

• Band: Register for Freshman Band 9. This course meets on “A” Days. Students in this course will also participate in marching band.
• Strings: Register for String Ensemble 9. This course meets on “B” Days.
• Choir: Register for Choir 9. This course meets on “A” or “B” Days.
• Band/Strings: Register for BOTH Freshman Band 9 and String Ensemble 9. Students in this course will also participate in marching band. There may also be an option titled Band/Strings 9.
• Band/Strings/Choir: Register for one class titled: Freshman Band/Choir/Strings. Students in this course will also participate in marching band.
• Students in color guard who also play an instrument will register for the respective course above.
• The high school music department also has several offerings for class music, including: Piano Lab, Music Theory, Music Literature, Jazz Improvisation & Arranging, and Voice Lab.

If there is a conflict with a course, please do not worry. Feel free to email me at any time at ballentinec@eastonsd.org.

Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.

Vince Lombardi

What to Expect

Color Guard

Students will receive information regarding clinics and auditions in February/ early March. These will take place throughout the spring and provide the students an opportunity to get to know each other, as well as begin to teach students the techniques they will learn in the high school program. Auditions will be held in April.

Orchestra

Students will be contacted in June 2021 with information regarding our Summer Strings Camp. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the high school and our orchestra program before the school year begins.

Band Instrumentalists

Students will be contacted in June 2021 with information regarding summer sectionals and Band Camp. Sectionals are small group practices, broken up by section. This provides students the opportunity to meet their section, get to know each other, and begin working on music and marching before Band Camp.

• Percussionists: we typically conduct a percussion clinic in mid-June to assign parts for the upcoming marching season. The exact dates will be conveyed in the coming months.

Important Dates

Strings Camp

July 27-29

• 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Band Camp

August 9-20

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, Thursday: 2:00-8:00 p.m.

August 23-26

• 2:00-8:00 p.m.

We are looking forward to welcoming our 8th grade instrumental music families to the high school next year! We will be holding an informational night for you and your student on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 beginning at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. This meeting is for all 8th grade instrumental music students, including instrumentalists and color guard students.  

The purpose of the meeting is to familiarize yourself with our high school music program. You will receive information regarding dates for next year, hear from current high school instrumental music students, discuss scheduling, learn about upcoming 8th grade evaluations, and opportunities for the 2021 – 2022 school year. More information is available on the 8th grade instrumental music flyer (pdf), which includes quotes from current high school students and pictures from this past year.  

If you are unable to attend, please email Mr. Ballentine at ballentinec@eastonsd.org by Wednesday, January 20 so we can plan accordingly.

Hopefully all is well with you! Rather than focus on what we cannot do, we are going to focus on what we can do. In lieu of having parent spectators for this performance, the event will be live-streamed. No spectators will be permitted to attend. We still wanted to share what we have worked on as a marching band with families and community members. Our students have learned how to come together and work as one throughout this process with so many obstacles, we hope you will consider joining in to see what they have accomplished together.

Please read the information below for important details on how this event will work.

When

• Wednesday, August 26 (live-stream begins at 6:30 p.m.)
• Rain Date:​ Thursday, August 27

How to watch

Live-stream on the IMA Facebook page and/or YouTube channel. Specific information will be sent out prior to start.

Facebook Live Recording

Alternative Live Recording

What to expect

• 6:40 p.m. – Parade onto band field from senior lot
• 7:00 p.m. – Performance of Escorpion (music/routine & drill)
• 7:15 p.m. – Senior Recognition
• 7:30 p.m. – Stand song performance
• 7:45 p.m. – Senior performance of Alma Mater

Pick up procedure

Pick up will be approximately 30 minutes AFTER the conclusion of the performance (around 8:15 p.m.). This will allow for all families to watch the virtual live-stream and then drive to the Easton Area High School.

Families with a senior student

Every senior will have their name read (similar to a typical senior night). Seniors will also be wearing flowers throughout the duration of the evening. In the event we are able to have an in person gathering at a later date, we will recognize our seniors again at that time when deemed appropriate and safe.