Forest Middle School bands
Forest Virginia
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Welcome to the Forest Middle School Band Program!
The Band Program at Forest Middle School is comprised of over 300 of the most dedicated students in the school, expressing their artistry through one of 4 ensembles. Recognized multiple times for excellence in music education, the Forest Middle School Band Program strives to offer the best instrumental middle level music education in the country. We are pleased to receive strong support from our parents, administration, and community as we pursue this goal. Our students and ensembles have been recognized at local, state, and national levels for their work.
Be a part of a great organization that will offer you countless opportunities for years to come.
Music is universal, cultural, and individual. It is with this understanding that the Music Department of Forest Middle School believes that every student should have the opportunity to receive a high quality musical training in school, regardless of grade level, ability level, or background.
Celebrating 31 years of excellence in education in 2024-2025.
Celebrating 31 years of excellence in education in 2024-2025.
The goal of this musical training is to help participants achieve a personal level of understanding, appreciation, and passion for music. It is undeniable that music has always been an integral part of human existence. Every culture throughout history carries its own musical traditions. In our culturally diverse society, music is one of the few common threads that links peoples and ideas together. Music education uses the artistic medium of musical sound to give insight into the universal human experience.
Directors
Chris J. Satterfield csatterfield@bedford.k12.va.us
Jennifer Wilson jwilson@bedford.k12.va.us
The primary goal of all band classes at Forest Middle and Jefferson High Schools is to heighten each student’s aesthetic awareness through the musical art. While there are many secondary objectives that are also set for the students, using sound as a means to communicate the feelings embodied in a musical work is always the ultimate focus.
Dedication and maturity are required to develop this uniquely human ability. Dedication because the skills needed to recreate music are both numerous and complex. Maturity because, once the technical skills are learned, a musician must be patient and open minded in order to understand and then communicate the essence of a composer’s work.
Many people go their entire lives without being aware of the power that art has to affect them. We believe that middle students are not too young to begin delving into the meaning of music as art. We also believe there is no better way to accomplish that then to develop the ability to perform and take the creation of an artist and bring it to life.
At the middle school level we attempt to develop the musical skills necessary to recreate meaningful music and listen critically to both ourselves and others as they perform. We emphasize the inappropriateness of expressing a value judgment on a particular work or performance unless one can articulate the reasons for his or her opinion and demonstrate an alternative. Criticism that is unsupported and non-constructive will not and should not be taken seriously by others.
It would be naive to suggest that such a lofty goal can be fully realized at the middle school level. We therefore strive to start young people down a path that will eventually lead to aesthetic awareness. We firmly believe that a person who is aesthetically aware will be better able to reap all that life has to offer and to share with others the wealth of his or her talent.
Mr. Satterfield encourages all band parents to get involved with band boosters, starting in middle school. The Boosters support all band programs grades 6 to 12--it's not just for the marching band! In the past few years, Booster funds have directly benefited Forest Middle with: --yearly instrument purchases & cleaning costs --furniture and shelving for the band room --purchase & cleaning of 8th grade formal wear for boys & girls --travel expenses for the FMS Symphonic Band.
What is Band Boosters?
Also known as JFBB, Jefferson Forest Band Boosters is parent-led, board-governed organization with two functions: manage the tens of thousands of dollars needed every year to run all the band programs and secure the hundreds of volunteers needed each season for assisting with these programs. JFBB works closely with Band Directors and Band Staff on all band needs. Meetings are held in the band room on the 2nd Tues. of each month. All band parents are encouraged to attend.
The best way to help FMS BAND is by volunteering on a Bingo team, helping to sell game tickets or papers one night every eight weeks. JFBB raises about $1,500 every week by hosting! Contact Sharon George to inquire.
Visit our contact page to sign up for the JFBB newsletter to be "in the know".
Visit our contact page to sign up for the JFBB newsletter to be "in the know".
Still need to enroll your Kroger card so you can earn rewards for this new quarter? Get your Kroger Rewards card & click on this link: www.kroger.com/communityrewards
Follow the instructions to create an account and register with the JF Band Boosters. Then you can start earning money for next time.
Start earning money for your high school student account now.
2024 trip to Kings Dominion. 1st Place Band, Grand Champion (Highest score of the day).
2024 trip to Kings Dominion. 1st Place Band, Grand Champion (Highest score of the day).
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