Bands
The Impact of Music Education on Children is Profound
Music does more than just make sounds, it changes the way we think and act. The skills your child will learn in music will help them be successful on the stage, in the classroom, and for the rest of their lives.
- Clarkston Schools Instrumental Music Association
- Sashabaw Middle School Bands
- Clarkston Junior High School Bands
- Clarkston High School Concert Bands
- Clarkston High School Jazz Band
Clarkston Schools Instrumental Music Association
BOOSTED BY PARENT SUPPORT
Clarkston fine and performing arts programs have an excellent reputation for producing outstanding young musicians and we owe much of that success to the support of our students' families.
The Clarkston Schools Instrumental Music Association (CSIMA) provides both moral and financial support to the 6-12 grade instrumental music programs of Clarkston Schools. CSIMA members serve as a resource to the instructional staff of the Clarkston Schools instrumental music programs by volunteering our individual skills and performing the fundraising necessary to enhance the school district’s funding of instrumental music programs. CSIMA meetings are the second month of every Monday of the month from September through May.
Sashabaw Middle School Bands
Sixth and Seventh Grade Band
These courses are designed to teach students the fundamentals of music performance. Beginning in 6th grade and continuing through 7th grade, skills introduced include instrumental technique, music literacy, and an introduction to stylistic interpretation. Students learn the fundamentals needed to make informed musical decisions. Students will perform in concerts throughout the year including one adjudicated Band/Choir/Orchestra festival performance in 7th grade. Students can also choose to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival through the Michigan Schools Band and Orchestra Association.
Essential Skills:
Sashabaw Middle School students will focus on reading musical notation including pitch and rhythm. Skills introduced at this level include:
- instrument assembly and care
- how to hold an instrument or bow correctly
- posture
- pitch
- rhythm
- technical fluency
- tone
- breathing and breath control
- vowel shape
- diction
- intonation
- style
- interpretation
- sight-reading technique
- personal and ensemble presentation
- basic foreign language
Additionally, students will develop leadership abilities and interpersonal skills, working independently and in collaborative ensembles.
Meet the Director
Ross Taylor
Mr. Taylor is currently in his 11th year of teaching. Prior to teaching in Clarkston, Mr. Taylor taught for one year in Concord, MI. Along with teaching middle school band and orchestra, Mr. Taylor is an assistant director of the High School Marching Band and director of the CHS Percussion Ensembles. In addition to teaching in Clarkston, he taught Redline Percussion and the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. He is also an educational artist with Innovative Percussion Inc.
He received his Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Michigan State University and Master of Music in Music Education degree from Central Michigan University. He was a member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from Rosemont, IL for 4 years and served as a drum sergeant during his final season. He was also a member of NorthCoast Academy from Saginaw, MI for 5 years and served on the leadership team for 3 years. Mr. Taylor is an active member of MSBOA and MCBA, having served on executive boards with both organizations.
Along with teaching music, Mr. Taylor designs shows and writes music for several groups across the country. In his free time, he enjoys reading, kayaking, and spending time with his wife Lindsay and daughter Haley.
Clarkston Junior High School Bands
Eighth and Ninth Grade Bands
These courses are designed to build upon the fundamentals of music performance. Skills learned at a younger age are improved, including instrumental technique, music literacy, and stylistic interpretation. Students continue to refine the fundamentals needed to make informed musical decisions. Students will perform in concerts throughout the year including one adjudicated Band/Choir/Orchestra festival performance. Students can also choose to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival through the Michigan Schools Band and Orchestra Association.
Essential Skills:
Clarkston Junior High School students will continue to focus on reading progressively more challenging musical notation and will expand the ranges of their instrument. Skills cultivated at this level include
- refined pitch discrimination
- rhythm
- technical fluency
- tone
- breathing and breath control
- vowel shape
- diction
- intonation
- style
- interpretation
- sight-reading technique
- personal and ensemble presentation
- foreign language
Additionally, students will continue to develop leadership abilities and interpersonal skills, working independently and in collaborative ensembles.
Meet the Director
Justin Harris
Mr. Harris is in his 19th year of teaching in the Clarkston School District. He loves teaching band at Clarkston Junior High School. He also teaches the Clarkston High School Jazz Band and is an Assistant Director of the Clarkston High School Marching Band.
He received his Bachelors of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University and Masters of Public Administration with an emphasis in Educational Administration from the University of Michigan-Flint.
Mr. Harris has served as the MSBOA District 4 President, State Vice President for Jazz Activities, and many other District 4 offices. He was named the MSBOA District 4 Band Teacher of the year in 2021. He is also a member of the American School Band Director Association.
His main instrument in college was the trombone and he performed in many concert bands, jazz bands, the Chippewa Marching Band, orchestra, pit orchestra, jazz-bone, and trombone choir while at Central Michigan University. He currently performs as the Low Brass Section leader for the Southeastern Michigan Wind Ensemble and regularly performs as the bass player for the CHS Musicals. His wife Katie is also a music teacher in Clarkston and they have one wonderful daughter and one terrific son.
Clarkston High School Concert Bands
Concert Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble
These courses are designed to build upon the fundamentals of music performance. Skills learned at a younger age are improved, including instrumental technique, music literacy, and stylistic interpretation. Students continue to refine the fundamentals needed to make informed musical decisions. Students will perform in concerts throughout the year including one adjudicated Band/Choir/Orchestra festival performance. Students can also choose to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival through the Michigan Schools Band and Orchestra Association.
Essential Skills:
Clarkston High School students will continue to focus on reading progressively more challenging musical notation and will expand the ranges of their instrument. Skills cultivated at this level include
- refined pitch discrimination
- rhythm
- technical fluency
- tone
- breathing and breath control
- vowel shape
- diction
- intonation
- style
- interpretation
- sight-reading technique
- personal and ensemble presentation
- foreign language
Additionally, students will continue to develop leadership abilities and interpersonal skills, working independently and in collaborative ensembles.
Meet the Director
Michael Lewis
Mr. Lewis is in his twenty-third year of teaching instrumental music. After teaching two years in the Ubly Community School District, he became the Associate Director of Bands in Clarkston, a position he held for nine years. Mr. Lewis is currently in his fourteenth year as Director of Bands at Clarkston High School where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Symphonic Wind Ensemble and is director of the Marching Band. Under his direction, the Clarkston High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble has performed at the Michigan Music Conference, the American School Band Directors Association National Convention, the Central Michigan University Concert Band Symposium and the Western Michigan University Spring Conference on Wind and Percussion Music.
Mr. Lewis received both his Bachelor of Music Education Degree and Master of Music Education Degree from Central Michigan University. He studied bassoon with Mary Beth Minnis, saxophone with John Nichol and conducting with John Williamson.
As an active member of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA), Mr. Lewis served as President, Vice President for Band and Orchestra, and Treasurer in District IV. At the state level of MSBOA, he served as chairman of the Music Education Committee and is currently serving as a member of the Music Selection Committee. Mr. Lewis regularly adjudicates both district and state Solo and Ensemble and Band and Orchestra Festivals. Mr. Lewis was both a Clarkston Foundation Teacher of the Year Nominee and has twice been the Band Teacher of the Year for District IV of MSBOA. He has been a member of the American School Band Directors Association since 2001.