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Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools, located 30 miles south of Cleveland and 10 miles northeast of Akron is one of 17 school districts in Summit County, Ohio. Our district serves the cities of Stow and Munroe Falls, a combined population of over 35,000, and currently serve 6,104 students enrolled in our nine buildings
Each year over 600 students participate in the Stow-Munroe Falls Band Program. Instruction begins at Lakeview Intermediate School where 5th grade students are given the opportunity to learn one of the six beginning level instruments (Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, & Percussion). At the fifth grade level, students receive one half-hour like- instrument group lesson during the school day during a LEAP (Lakeview's Enrichment and Activity Period) period. In addition, students participate in a full band experience one morning a week for 40 minutes before school.
At the sixth grade level student continue instruction during their LEAP period and receive a full band experiences before school. At this level student are also introduced to color instruments. Student have the choice to try the oboe, French horn, baritone horn, bassoon or tuba. All these instruments are school owned so students do not have the expense of renting an instrument.
After sixth grade students graduate to Kimpton Middle School where they receive 50 minutes of band instruction each day. There are two bands at Kimpton: the seventh grade band and the eighth grade band. At this level our focus is placed on ensemble playing both in large group and small groups. Both bands participate in OMEA Adjudicated Events (Band Contest) and many students may participate in the OMEA sanctioned Solo and Ensemble Adjudicated Events. As part of the Kimpton Band Program students participate in a high school football halftime show with the high school marching band. This is an extremely exciting and fun event for the jr. high students their parents. Top band students at Kimpton may be selected to participate in Junior High Honors Bands where the top musicians from four surrounding middle schools work together to create beautiful music. Finally, Kimpton's award winning Jazz Band is an extracurricular ensemble meeting one night a week. Students are invited to participate by chair placement in a band.
The High School Band Program is the largest organization at Stow Munroe Falls High School. Over Two hundred students participate in our marching, concert, and jazz bands. The SMFHS Bands performs over twenty-five times each year including football games, pep assemblies, band shows, parades, winter concerts, district & state level competitions, spring concerts and for community events such as the Stow 4th of July Parade, Memorial day, honors/recognition ceremonies and graduation. On occasions members of the band have been asked to serve at military funerals. Receiving superior ratings at competations and performance invitations to Bowl Games, the Stow-Munroe Falls High School is known statewide and nationally for the excellent band program it has developed. Students enrolling in band receive one credit for the class. Because of this, students must participate in both marching band and concert band.
Our marching band season begins in June with reading of the music for the next marching season. Students have all summer to learn the music. The band also participates in the Stow 4th of July Parade. The rest of July is band free.
August brings the return of the marching band. Students begin rehearsals on during the first week of August, meeting daily from 6:00PM to 9:00PM. To assist new marchers during the first week back we also hold two freshman/new marcher rehearsals on Monday, and Wednesday, from 10:00A.M. to Noon. During these session students receive additional assistance in memorizing their music and marching techniques. The SMFHS Band Camp is held at Edinboro College, Edinboro PA during the second week of August (Sun-Fri). There is a fee for band camp and students may participate in fundraisers to help defray the costs. All students must attend. Once school begins, the marching band rehearses daily during the school day as well as Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:00.
In early November students audition for placement in one of the four concert bands. Each band is ability based so students are placed where they will be the most challenged. All four concert bands have achieved statewide honors. The ensembles are:
The Wind Ensemble:
The Wind Ensemble is the highest level performing ensemble at SMFHS. Student perform difficult musical selections usually reserved for college level ensembles. Considered the honors level class of the band departments , it demands daily practice in addition to that spent in class. Class size 55-70 students. This band competetes in OMEA Adjeducated Events, class AA and was selected to perform at the OMEA State Professional Convention in 2000 and for the Ohio American School Band Directors Association Ohio Convention in 2005. The Wind Ensemble has also been asked to performing with bands from Kent State University and the University of Akron.
The Gold & Maroon Symphonic Bands
Both the Gold and Maroon Symphonic Band are designed as a mid to upper level high school performing ensembles. Class size is between 70-90 students. This ensembe competes in OMEA Adjeducated Events, class B or A. It is the intention that both the Gold and Maroon band will be equal in performing level. With that in mind, both bands will be balanced with the same instrumentation.
The Freshman Concert Band:
The Freshman Concert Band is a new concept to the band department. Freshman students will be placed in this band less they pass an audition for an upperclassmen band (Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble) These audition will take place during the spring of the student's 8th Grade year. This ensemble participates in OMEA Adjudicated Events, class C.Students who are unsatisfied with their placements at auditions or anytime throughout the year are permitted and encouraged to to challenge within their band or into a higher level band. The high school band is a strong supporter of the OMEA Solo and Ensemble Adjudicated Events. Each year more than 60 ensembles and soloists participate in this event.
As an extracurricular activity, the band program features a Jazz Band Program. Students may audition for placement in Jazz 1, and anyone may signup for Jazz 2. Jazz Band begins in November following marching band season and rehearses Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:00.
| Brian
L. Monroe |
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Mr.
Monroe is a graduate
of Kent State University and holds degrees in Music Education
(percussion emphasis)
and a Master of Arts in composition. He is currently is in
his 13th
year as director of bands and has been a staff member in Stow-Munroe
Falls for
18 years. He has twice been named an Outstanding Educator
by the SMF PTA. Mr .Monroe is published
composer
and has memberships in MENC, OMEA, the Percussive Arts Society, and the
American School Band Director's Association (ASBDA) He has
been a district officer in OMEA and currently serves as an adudicator
for OMEA Concert, Solo & Ensember, Marching Band and Creative
Events and as chairman of the OMEA Solo and Ensemble Pecussion
selection committee. He
is also an active guest conductor and adjudicator. As a composer
and arranger his works have been published by Great Works Publishing
and Ludwig Music. |
| Greg
A. Newman |
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Mr.
Newman is also a graduate of
Kent State University and holds a degree Music Education
(trumpet emphasis).
Mr. Newman has been director in Stow-Munroe Falls for 13 years.
Prior
to that he was a band director in Southeast Local Schools (Portage
County).
Mr. Newman also serves as the Brass Specialist for the
district. His professional memberships include the Ohio Music
Education Assocation. |
| Sam Sandman |
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Mrs.
Sandman attended Cleveland
State University majoring in Music Education (Saxophone emphasis) . She
received her Master's
Degree in Education from Ashland University. She has taught at
Stow for 5 years. Pior to teaching at
Stow, Mrs Sandman taught
Elementary,
Junior
High, and Jazz Bands in the Mentor Public Schools for 9 years. An
active performer, she has
been a member of Lakeland Community College Civic Band, the Blossom
Festival Band as well as Prime
Time Big Band playing Alto and Baritone Saxophone. Other
performing experiences include the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra.
This
is "Sam's" third year in Stow-Munroe Falls. |
| Richard
Oliver |
Director
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Mr.
Oliver is a graduate of Kent
State University and holds degrees Music Education (Bassoon) and
computer
science. Mr. Oliver was Director of Kimpton Middle School
Bands
for 35 years. His Jazz Ensemble has earned nationwide attention for excellence. Mr. Oliver was honored for 30+ years of teaching by the Ohio Music Education Association. Mr. Oliver retired from Stow-Munroe Falls City School in June of 2004 after 35 years in the district. He contines to assist the bands at all levels including working the SMFHS Band Camp each year. |