PHILOSOPHY
Assist Home School Families
- Our primary purpose is to serve home school families by providing excellent group band instruction
- We also allow students from private or public schools who desire to participate in the program
Providing Excellent Group Band Instruction
- Group instruction takes place at all levels of instruction, including Beginner Band, Clinic Band and Concert Band. There are also various instrumental ensembles available, including clarinet, flute, brass and percussion.
- The band is an educational organization, which allows for a greater variety of music. An underlying goal is to prepare student musicians to study music at the collegiate level if they so desire, which requires breadth in exposure, experience and instruction.
- The responsibility for fulfilling this instruction mandate lies with the Director of Bands and the Music Faculty.
- Individual, private lessons are also provided by the Music Faculty.
Nurturing Environment
- The character of our instructors allows them to serve as role models and mentors for the students during band instruction time, but also as examples for life, teaching leadership, humility, grace and discipline.
- We have high standards for students and parents regarding speech, actions, and dress during MHSB sponsored events.
- We teach our students to respect the location in which we rehearse and how we maintain the environment of our host church.
Developing Students’ Skills
- Students and parents share responsibility for the musical progress of the student. This would include meeting the academic requirements of the program through practice, rehearsal and performance attendance, preparation for auditions, care and maintenance of instruments, and respect for one another and the rehearsal environment.
- Instructors are expected to challenge students and provide them with opportunities to develop their skills through instruction, performance opportunities, and appropriate academic requirements. This would include the study of various musical genres (classical, sacred, jazz, movie scores, and other standard band literature) and of different musical elements (such as theory, listening skills, performance techniques, music appreciation etc.).
- The development of high level talent at MHSB provides excellent opportunities for the students to excel during Region and All-State auditions.
Appreciation of Music as a Means to Glorify God
- This would include keeping before students I Corinthians 10:31 “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” The giving of glory to God is in the heart of the worshipper, for “he has shown you, O man what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
- Provide performance opportunities which minister to believers and opportunities that promote the cause of Christ throughout the Midlands.
HISTORY
MHSB began providing solid group instruction to Home School students in 2001. The Band has become a consistently successful organization over the years, sending many students to Region Band, All-State Band, and All-State Orchestra. Many students attend summer band camps to enhance their skills, and several have gone on to pursue higher learning degrees in music. The current Directors have been with the band for several years, providing a consistent instructing experience for MHSB students.
Former Music Staff
These folks have had a part in building the program throughout the years!
Founder and Director of Bands
Jennifer Paige Newkirk
Director of Bands
Lee Myers
Director of Bands
Michael Moore
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Percussion Instructor
Matt Whitcomb
Woodwind Instructor
Kristin Slaughenhoupt
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PROGRAM & STRUCTURE
Students are grouped by ability into three levels: Beginning Band, Clinic Band and Concert Band. Students should be at least 10 years of age to begin band. Students under age 10 must meet with the Director of Bands for an interview before any exceptions are made. Efforts will be made to make Band a successful experience for each player, but the music selection is often chosen to challenge all students to stretch their ability to master it.
The Concert Band and various ensembles play several concerts throughout the year. In addition to Winter and Spring Concerts, the Concert Band performs at a number of other local venues such as graduations and conventions, retirement communities, Home School Day at the Capital, and at the State Fair. The Clinic and Beginning Bands typically perform at just the Winter and Spring Concerts.
The Beginning Band is for those students with little or no music or group instrumental experience. It covers the basics of music theory, introduction to their instrument and playing in a group. Progress will be greatly enhanced by private lessons on their chosen instrument. The SmartMusic computer program will be required to assist in training. Beginner Band will use “Essentials Elements 2000 Plus DVD Book One and Master Theory Book One” as their primary instructional material.
Once the Director of Bands determines that a student has mastered the Beginning Band level, they will be moved up to the Clinic Band.
The Clinic Band is made up of experienced musicians who have some ensemble experience. Progress and musical skill will be greatly enhanced by private lessons on their chosen instrument. The SmartMusic computer program will be required to assist in training.
If the student is advanced beyond the stage of the beginner, then the Director of bands may place them directly into the Clinic Band. Once the Director of Bands determines that the student has mastered the Clinic Band level, the student will be moved up to the Concert Band.
The Concert Band is the highest level of musical instruction offered by MHSB. These students are experienced musicians with ensemble experience. The Concert Band typically plays grade 2-5 music. Concert Band musicians require the SmartMusic Software.
The Ensembles are for students who desire to learn to play with a smaller group of musicians in order to highlight their skills more. Several ensembles are offered, including Clarinet, Flute, Brass, and Percussion.
Private Lessons will be available through the Music Faculty and through advanced students under the supervision of the Music Faculty.
MUSIC STAFF
Director of Bands
 Midlands Home School Band is delighted to have as its Director of Bands, Mr. Jim Gill. Mr. Gill is a native of the south living in Louisiana and South Carolina. He holds a Bachelor's of Music in Sacred Music from Louisiana Tech University and a Master of Church Music degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He has served as a music minister and spent nearly 30 years in the Church Music Department of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. He has conducted instrumental and choral ensembles, been an instrumental and vocal soloist, taught instrumental classes and organized the first Baptist All-State Band for South Carolina. He retired as the Director of Worship for the SC Baptist Convention and has come to the Midlands Band to teach, encourage, challenge and bless our students. Mr. Gill has been the director of the Concert Band, Beginner Band, and several ensembles since 2006.
Assistant Director of Bands
Midlands Home School Band is delighted to have as its Assistant Director of Bands, Mrs. Betty Myers. Mrs. Myers is a graduate of USC where she was in the USC Symphony and was the drum major of the Carolina Band.
Mrs. Myers has been teaching music for over 30 years. She participates in the Palmetto Concert Band, Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra, Carolina Wind Symphony, Columbia Community Concert Band - where she has been principal flutist/ piccolo for 30 years. She maintains an active flute and piano studio. She is a hand bell clinician around the state and directs handbell choirs at First Baptist, Shandon Baptist, and developed and directs "Southern Bronze" - a semi professional auditioned handbell choir in SC.
Mrs. Myers is the director of the Clinic Band and several ensembles.
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