Student/Teacher News
1/14/09 - Congratulations to Ian Lewis, a junior at Lee-Davis HS on his placement as lead alto sax in this spring's Greater Richmond Youth Jazz Ensemble.
1/13/09 - Congratulations to this year's District I All-District Middle School Band winners!
1st Chair Alto Sax - Mitch Kerver, 8 gr., Chickahominy MS
1st Chair Tenor Sax - Ben Brandt, 8 gr., Oak Knoll MS
12/11/08 - Congratulations to this year's District I All-District High School Band winners
District 1 Symphonic Band
1st Chair Alto Sax - Dustin Hunter, 11gr, Lee-Davis HS
1st Chair Tenor Sax - Travis Huff, 11gr, Lee-Davis HS
10th Chair Clarinet - Lindsey Gregg, 10 gr, Hanover HS
13th Chair Clarinet - Whitney Beaton, 12gr, Hanover HS
District I Concert Band
2nd Chair Alto Sax - R. J. Santucci, 11gr, Hanover HS
6th Chair Clarinet - Katilin Parra, 12gr, Hanover HS
1st Alternate Alto Sax - Ian Lewis, 11gr, Lee-Davis HS
District III Symphonic Band
E-flat Clarinet - Julie Ann Snelling, 11gr, Thomas Dale HS
District III Concert Band
2nd Chair Bass Clarinet - Cara Cubbage, 9gr, Manchester HS
District III Middle School Band
1st Alternate Tenor Sax - Scott Holahan, 8gr, Robious MS
1/5/08 - Congratulatons to this year's District I All-District Middle School Band winners!
1st Chair Tenor Sax - Ben Brandt, 7gr., Oak Knoll MS
6th Chair Flute - Heather James, 7gr., Oak Knoll MS
8th Chair Clarinet - Laura Tarbox, 8gr., Chickahominy MS
1st Alternate Tenor Sax - Elliot Nakanishi, 7gr., Oak Knoll MS
12/8/07 - Congratulations to this year's All-District Band winners!
District I Symphonic Band:
1st Chair Alto Sax - Dustin Hunter, 10gr., Lee-Davis HS
3rd Chair Clarinet - Ashley Nevin, 11gr., Lee-Davis HS
10th Chair Flute - Kelly Sickal, 9gr., King William HS *
22nd Chair Clarinet - Lindsey Gregg, 9gr., Hanover HS
District I Concert Band:
1st Chair Tenor Sax, Travis Huff, 10gr., Atlee HS
3rd Chair Alto Sax - Ian Lewis, 10gr., Lee-Davis HS
6th Chair Clarinet - Katie Kirby, 10gr., Lee-Davis HS *
10th Chair Clarinet - Leigh Tresco, 12gr., Hanover HS *
11th Chair Flute - Rebecca Palmer, 12gr., Hermitage HS *
15th Chair Clarinet - Tiwian Mason, 12gr., Lee-Davis HS *
3rd Alternate Alto Sax - R. J. Santucci, 10gr., Hanover HS
District III Symphonic Band:
E-flat Clarinet - Julie Ann Snelling, 10gr., Thomas Dale HS (arts school)
3rd Chair Clarinet - Charles Smith, 12gr., Colonial Heights HS *
4th Chair Alto Sax - Nick Daly, 12gr., Midlothian HS *
* = former student
5/20/07 - Congratulations to Sam Frazier, winner of this years Concerto Competition with the Greater Richmond Youth Wind Ensemble, on a fine rendition of Weber's Concertino Op.26. Good luck at VCU next year!
2/07 - Congratulations to this year's Virginia All-State Band winners!
1st Chair Tenor Sax - Philip Murphree, 12gr., Lee-Davis HS
3rd Chair Bass Clarinet - Sam Frazier, 12gr., Lee-Davis HS
4th Alterate Alto Sax - Brian Arrington, 12gr., Midlothian HS
1/15/07 - Congratulations to participants in "Richmond's Band's" for this Spring
Greater Richmond Youth Wind Ensemble:
Alto Sax - Mark Miranda, 11gr., Home Schooled
Tenor Sax - Philip Murphree, 12gr., Lee-Davis HS
Bass Clarinet - Sam Frasier, 12gr., Lee-Davis HS
Greater Richmond High School Jazz Band:
Tenor Sax - Brian Arrington, 12gr., Midlothian HS
Bari Sax - Chris Haddock, 11gr., Hanover HS
12/9/06 - Congratulations to this year's All-District Band winners!
District I Symphonic Band:
9th Chair Clarinet - Ashley Nevin, 10gr, Lee-Davis HS
1st Chair Bass Clarinet - Sam Frazier, 12gr, Lee-Davis HS
4th Chair Alto Sax - Duston Hunter, 9gr, Lee-Davis HS
1st Chair Tenor Sax - Phillip Murphree, 12gr, Lee-Davis HS
District I Concert Band:
(unk chair) Clarinet - Megan McWilliams, 12gr, Lee-Davis HS
23rd Chair Clarinet - Whitney Beaton, 10gr, Hanover HS
24th Chair Clarinet - Katie Kirby, 9gr. Lee-Davis HS
District I Alternates:
2nd Alto Sax - Chris Haddock, 11gr, Hanover HS
District III Symphonic Band
2nd Chair Alto Sax - Brian Arrington, 12gr, Midlothian HS
1st Chair Clarinet - Charles Smith, 11gr, Colonial Heights HS*
10th Chair Clarinet - Katie Collins, 12gr, James River HS*
District III Concert Band
2nd Chair Clarinet - Julie Ann Snelling, 9gr, Thomas Dale HS
District III Alternates
1st Alt. Alto Sax - Nick Daly, 11gr, Midlothian HS
5/14/06 - Congratulations to participants in "Richmond's Bands" for this year on your excellent concerts.
Greater Richmond Youth Wind Ensemble
Sam Frazier, 11gr Lee-Davis HS, bass clarinet**
Mark Miranda, 10gr home-schooled, alto sax
Katie Collins, 12gr James River HS, clarinet *
Greater Richmond High School Jazz Ensemble
Brian Arrington, 11gr Midlothian HS, lead alto sax**
Greater Richmond Honor Band
Julie Ann Snelling, 8gr Swift Creek MS, clarinet
Katie Ardiff, 8gr Swift Creek MS, clarinet *
Ian Lewis, 8gr Stonewall Jackson MS, alto sax
Eric Dulong-Rae, 7gr Manchester MS, tenor sax
Nathan Saxman, 8gr Manchester MS, alto sax *
* = former student
** = member of CBS-6 Wind Symphony
4/15/06 - Congratulations to Sam Frazier, 11gr Lee-Davis HS on makeing the Hanover All-County Orchestra
Special congrats to Mechanicsville Music's alto sax 'Dream Team' on making the Hanover All-County Band
Ian Lewis, 8gr Stonewall Jackson MS
Dustin Hunter, 8gr Stonewall Jackson MS
Travis Huff, 8gr Chickahominy MS [btw, Travis has been playing alto sax for exactly one year...it is his first instrument]
R. J. Santucci, 8gr Oak Knoll MS
2/25/06 - Congratulations to Brian Arrington, a junior at Midlothian HS, on his ranking as 4th alternate alto sax for this year's All-Virginia Band. This ranks him 12th overall.
1/7/06 - Congratulations to those to made the All-District Middle School Band in District I this year.
All District Middle School Band
4th chair alto sax -- Dustin Hunter, 8gr, Stonewall Jackson MS
1st chair tenor sax -- Austin Nuckols, 8gr, Oak Knoll MS*
12/10/05 - Congratulations to those who made All-District High School Bands in District I this year:
All-District Symphonic Band
1st chair bass clarinet - Sam Frazier, 11gr, Lee-Davis HS
2nd chair bass clarinet - Ryan Mouser, 12gr, Lee-Davis HS
24th chair clarinet - Stephanie Leighton, 12gr Lee-Davis HS
All-District Concert Band
3rd chair alto sax - Chris Haddock, 10gr, Hanover HS
District I info incomplete. Middle school auditions scheduled for January 7, 2006.
12/10/05 - Congratulations to those who made All-District Band in District III this year:
All-District Symphonic Band
5th chair clarinet - Charles Smith, 10gr, Colonial Heights HS*
20th chair clarinet - Sarah Woll, 9gr, Powhatan HS*
22nd chair clarinet - Mason Montgomery, 12gr, James River HS*
2nd chair alto sax - Brian Arrington, 11gr, Midlothian HS
3rd chair alto sax - Nick Daly, 10gr, Midlothian HS
All-District Concert Band
1st chair clarinet - Kumiko Loftus, 12gr, Colonial Heights HS*
10th chair clarinet - Katie Collins, 11gr, James River HS*
14th chair clarinet - Caroline Gecker, 9gr, James River HS
All-District Middle School Band
2nd chair clarinet - Julie Snelling, 8gr Swift Creek MS
7th chair clarinet - Katie Ardiff, 8gr(?) Swift Creek MS*
* = former student
9/8/05 - Website has been updated in the schedule area for Fall 2005. Note several important items:
Lessons at James River HS will probably be on Wednesdays rather than Tuesdays
Special slots available on Thursdays and Fridays for seniors at Lee-Davis HS with early-release priveleges. 2:15, 2:45, and 3:15 are available. Lesson days will alternate between Thursdays and Fridays according to which day is on the "A" or the "B" schedule.
5/2005 - Congratulations to students participating in the 2005 Hanover All-County Bands:
Hanover All-County High School Band:
1st chair bass clarinet - Sam Frazier, 10gr, Lee-Davis HS
Hanover All-County Middle School Band
1st chair Clarinet - Abby Bugas, 8gr, Liberty MS*
1st chair Alto Sax - Ian Lewis, 7gr, Stonewall Jackson MS
2nd chair Alto Sax - Douglas Campbell, 8gr, Stonewall Jackson MS
12/11/04 - Congratulations to those who made All-District High School Bands in District I this year:
All-District Symphonic Band
22nd chair clarinet - Stephanie Leighton, 11gr Lee-Davis HS
2nd chair bass clarinet - Sam Frazier, 10gr Lee-Davis HS
4th chair bass clarinet - Ryan Mouser, 11gr Lee-Davis HS
District I info incomplete. Will update ASAP.
12/11/04 - Congratulations to those who made All-District Band in District III this year:
All-District Symphonic Band
12th chair clarinet - Katie Collins, 10gr, James River HS*
13th chair clarinet - Charles Smith, 9gr, Colonial Heights HS*
19th chair clarinet - Mason Montgomery, 11gr, James River HS*
24th chair clarinet - Kumiko Loftus, 11gr, Colonial Heights HS*
1st chair bass clarinet - Michael Hage, 12gr, James River HS*
1st chair alto sax - Nick Parisi, 12gr, James River HS
4th chair alto sax - Josh Kushlak, 12gr, Lloyd C. Bird HS
2nd chair tenor sax - Jacob Maguire, 12gr, Clover Hill HS*
All-District Concert Band
1st chair alto sax - Owen Yu, 12gr, James River HS
2nd chair alto sax - Brian Arrington, 10gr, Midlothian HS
14th chair clarinet - Josh Warriner, 12gr, Manchester HS*
All-District Middle School Band
10th chair clarinet - Caroline Gecker, 8gr Robious MS
21st chair clarinet - Julie Snelling, 7gr Swift Creek MS
3rd chair alto sax - Aaron Doherty, 7gr Colonial Heights MS*
* = former student
12/14/03 - Congratulations to those who made All-District Band in District III this year:
All-District Symphonic Band
6th chair clarinet - Brittany Haas, 12gr Manchester HS
10th chair clarinet - Jane Coffey, 10gr James River HS*
17th chair clarinet - Katie Collins, 9gr James River HS
20th chair clarinet - Kumiko Loftus, 10gr Colonial Heights HS*
1st chair alto sax - Zach Anderson, 11gr James River HS
1st chair tenor sax - Jonathan Edge, 12gr Clover Hill HS*
2nd chair tenor sax - Jacob Maguire, 11gr Clover Hill HS*
All-District Concert Band
1st chair clarinet - Daniel Kim, 12gr Colonial Heights HS*
15th chair clarinet - Patrick Kennedy, 9gr James River HS*
17th chair clarinet - Mason Montgomery, 10gr James River HS*
2nd chair alto sax - Josh Kushlak, 11gr Lloyd C. Bird HS
3rd chair alto sax - Hunter Jessup, 12gr Lloyd C. Bird HS
High School Alternates
2nd alternate clarinet - Josh Warriner, 12gr Manchester HS
6th alternate clarinet - Charlotte Weaver, 10gr Powhatan HS
4th alternate alto sax - Nick Parisi, 11gr James River HS
5th alternate alto sax - Owen Yu, 11gr James River HS
All-District Middle School Band
10th chair clarinet - Charles Smith, 8gr Colonial Heights MS*
11/26/03 - I will be available for lessons this Wednesday at Boykins Music & Art for any students needing a makeup, extra prep for All-District, etc. Call me at 382-1846 for an appointment.
11/3/03 - More big clarinet events for our area. The Clarinetfest 2004 will be held this July in Washington, DC. This is the national convention of the International Clarinet Society. More info should appear on their website soon. Also remember that Richard Stoltzman is coming to VCU in April. (see below)
10/31/03 - No school--and hence, no lessons at Powhatan High School. We will resume on November 7th.
10/30/03 - Lessons Cancelled at Lee-Davis High School. I am sorry to say that I'll have to cancel all Thursday lessons this week due to a performance with the Original Elbe Musikanten in Chester. We will resume lessons as normal the following week.
9/27/03 - Change of time slots at James River HS for October. Due to the seven days of instruction lost to Hurricane Isabell, Chesterfield Schools will be keeping students 30 minutes late each day in October. This eliminates the 2:00 slots on Tuesday and Wednesday at JRHS. Students may choose makeup slots from the following: Wednesdays 3:00p @ JRHS, Tuesdays 6:00p @ Jacobs Music (no extra charge), Thursdays 2:30p @ JRHS. Please let me know your preferences via phone or email ASAP.
9/27/03 - CHANGE OF VENUE ON MONDAYS - Due to high demand, Monday lessons have been relocated effective 9/29/03 to Lee-Davis High School in Mechanicsville. Students have been placed in new time slots on other days. Consult the schedule to see where your slot is.
9/1/03 - Clarinetists mark your calendars. Richard Stoltzman will give a performance and masterclass at the VCU Performing Arts Center on Friday April 16th, 2004. Tickets for the performance should be around $25.00. The masterclass will probably be free.
8/25/03 - CHANGE OF VENUE ON THURSDAYS - As of Fall 2003, I will no longer be teaching clarinet at Colonial Heights High School. Students should contact Mr. Flohre for lessons. I will now be teaching clarinet and saxophone on Thursday afternoons at Lee-Davis High School in Mechanicsville.
6/25/03 - WEBSITE IS RUNNING AGAIN! After nearly six months with no updates, I finally have access to the website again. Soon, you'll see current schedule information online again. I am also adding to the collection of worksheets in .pdf format on the Student Worksheet page.
12/14/02 - All-District Audition results:
2003 All-District Symphonic Band:
8th chair Clarinet - Mary Bishop, 12gr, Monacan HS
15th chair Clarinet - Jane Coffey, 9gr, James River HS
20th chair Clarinet - Desiree Raught, 12gr, Colonial Heights HS*
24th chair Clarinet - Michael Hage, 9gr, James River HS*
2nd chair Bass Clarinet - Jessica Nash, 12gr, Manchester HS
2nd chair Alto Sax - Ben Coffey, 11gr, James River HS*
3rd chair Alto Sax - Zach Anderson, 10gr, James River HS
1st chair Tenor Sax - Jonathan Edge, 11gr, Clover Hill HS
2003 All-District Concert Band:
7th chair Clarinet - Daniel Kim, 11gr, Colonial Heights HS*
12h chair Clarinet - Kumiko Loftus, 9gr, Colonial Heights HS
3rd chair Alto Sax - Jacob Neal, 12gr, Clover Hill HS
1st chair Tenor Sax - Jacob Maguire, 10gr, Clover Hill HS
3rd chair Bass Clarinet - Gina Adkins, 12gr, Colonial Heights HS*
2003 All-District Middle School Band:
1st chair Clarinet - Sarah Fagan, 8gr, Robious MS
2nd chair Clarinet - Katie Collins, 8gr, Robious MS
7th chair Clarinet - Patrick Kennedy, 8gr, Robious MS*
15th chair Clarinet - Charles Smith, 7gr, Colonial Heights MS
* = former student
10/22/02 - My performance at the Tobacco Company on Sunday Oct. 27 is cancelled due to the sniper scare. If you were planning to attend, you might also consider coming by on the following weekend, November 1st & 2nd. Music runs from 9:30pm to 1:30am.
9/21/02 - Tuesday Oct. 15th is cancelled at Jacobs Music due to a performance with the Elbe Musikanten. Lessons will still be held at James River HS. Instructor makeup day Jan. 21, 2003 is activated at Jacobs Music.
6/8/02 - Summer session will begin June 19th & ensembles will be available at James River, Powhatan and Colonial Heights High Schools. Details are on the way as soon as letters can be sent.
12/8/01 - All-District Auditions are finally finished. Congratulations to the following students:
2002 All-District Symphonic Band:
4th chair Alto Sax - Zach Anderson, 9gr, James River HS
1st chair Baritone Sax - Ben Bare, 11gr, Powhatan HS
7th chair Clarinet - Mary Bishop, 11gr, Monacan HS
15th chair Clarinet - Anna Manning, 12gr, James River HS*
2nd chair Bass Clarinet - Marcus Vaughn, 12gr, Colonial Heights HS*
2002 All-District Concert Band:
2nd chair Alto Sax - Jacob Neal, 11gr, Clover Hill HS
3rd chair Alto Sax - Ben Coffey, 10gr, James River HS
1st chair Tenor Sax - Jonathan Edge, 10gr, Clover Hill HS
9th chair Clarinet - Daniel Kim, 10gr, Colonial Heights HS
16th chair Clarinet - Josh Warriner, 9gr, Manchester HS
21st chair Clarinet - Desiree Raught, 11gr, Colonial Heights HS*
2002 All-District Middle School Band:
3rd chair Alto Sax - Ben Bracey, 8gr, Bailey Bridge MS
1st chair Clarinet - Kumiko Loftus, 8gr, Colonial Heights MS
2nd chair Clarinet - Michael Moore, 8gr, Providence MS*
4th chair Clarinet - Katie Collins, 7gr, Robious MS
5th chair Clarinet - Jane Coffey, 8gr, Robious MS
13th chair Clarinet - Susan McMahon, 8gr, Colonial Heights MS
16th chair Clarinet - Patrick Kennedy, 7gr, Robious MS*
19th chair Clarinet - Christopher Davis, 7gr, Manchester MS
20th chair Clarinet - Sarah Fagan, 7gr, Robious MS
* = former student
Official VBODA District 3 Website
12/9/00 - ALL-DISTRICT RESULTS: Congratulations to the following students:
HIGH SCHOOL ALTO SAX:
Kelly Beatman, L.C. Bird HS - 4th Chair Symphonic Band
Liz Ramsey, Clover Hill HS - 1st Chair Concert Band
Jacob Neal, Clover Hill HS - 3rd Chair Concert Band
Ben Coffey, James River HS - 4th Chair Concert Band
HIGH SCHOOL BARITONE SAX
Ben Bare, Powhatan HS - Concert Band
HIGH SCHOOL CLARINET
Leah Kuchinsky, Colonial Heights HS - 2nd Chair Symphonic Band
Kelly Williams, Colonial Heights HS - 3rd Chair Symphonic Band
Mary Bishop, Monacan HS - 5th Chair Symphonic Band
Anna Manning, James River HS - 12th Chair Symphonic Band
Desiree Raught, Colonial Heights HS - 22nd Chair Symphonic Band
Allison Waller, James River HS - 14th Chair Concert Band
Matt Moore, Monacan HS - 6th Alternate
MIDDLE SCHOOL ALTO SAX
Zack Anderson, Robious MS - 1st Chair
Josh Kushlak, Salem Church MS - 5th Alternate
MIDDLE SCHOOL CLARINET
Jane Coffey, Robious MS (7th Grade) - 15th Chair
Kumiko Loftus, Colonial Heights MS (7th Grade) - 23rd Chair
NOTE: There were some stunning upsets among the clarinets this year, and some valuable lessons to be learned from them. I'll be briefing you on those things shortly. In the meantime, congratulations to everyone and I'll see you all this week.