Band Camp

This week I am having a band camp for all secundaria age students that will be attending the JSA this fall(They will officially start school next week). We have almost 50 students attending. Below are some photos of the people who were kind enough to come and help. Sandra Hatch, Robert Call, Rebecca Romney, Sydney Romney and Chris Jones. We will be having a short concert (1 song) this friday at 6:00 pm to show of our talent and achievements of the week. I am excited about the quality of the students and the many student and parents that supported the program.

Band Camp

Band Update

Band Notes
In case you may not be aware, the administration at the JSA asked me to teach Band and Chorus next year. I am really hoping that a miracle will happen and Michelle Call will be able to teach Chorus as she does such an excelent job, and the kids love her.

For those of you who are not on facebook, last week I sent out an email asking if anyone had any unused band instruments they would like to donate to the band program.
I am really excited as I just got this message from Patricia Payan about a possible donation of band instruments. Whether it happens or not it is nice to know there are people like her who take an interest in what is going on at our school, and are willing to give of their time and means to help our students be sucessful. Below you will find a copy of her email.
Thanks Patricia.

On another "note" of interest we are working on setting up our first ever band camp for secundaria (middle school) band students. This should take place the 10-15 of August with invited teachers from Eastern Arizona College as well as some of our local talent. We hope to have this week long, all morning camp to kick off the band program with a bang.
I visited the Dublan grade school band this week and was impressed with the job Martha Pendones is doing with the students there. Chris Jones retired from teaching band a couple of years ago and now Martha has taken over. Chris Jones did an outstanding job and we really miss her but appreciate her continuing support for the band programs.
For those who don't know Martha, she studied music at EAC and graduated from BYU Hawaii with a degree in music a couple of years ago. Congratulations Martha on the great job you are doing.
Thanks to all for your support.
Ken Farnsworth
Band Director
Academia Juarez

Hey Mr. Farnsworth,

I have some friends whose daughter is an outstanding trumpet player over here in the DFW area. I told them about what's been going on with the JSA band, and we're thinking about talking to a few band directors and possibly getting some donated instruments for the JSA kids. Would you be interested? My email is patricia.payan@gmail.com, feel free to contact me so we can get the ball rolling!

Jazz Band Video

Video of a couple of songs from the Jazz Band and Chorus trip to Kino Bay in 2006. It was during our last performance Justin K faited from heat stroke.

Meeting with Bro. Brown

I can't post without uploading a photo. I believe this is Mark Judd directing the group in an school assembly. From left to right Mark Call, Dave Brown, ? on Tuba, Paul Hatch and Everet Bluth. I meet with Bro. Brown on Monday afternoon and among other things discussed the music program. It was a very positive meeting and he assured me that the school intends to keep trying with the band program till it works. As he states the school has been known for its band program for years and he hopes to keep this tradition going. We both agree that the parents need to support the program by encouraging thier children to come to band. Cathy Hatch expressed it very well in her comment on the first posting (see below). She "made" them go and none of them have regret it. I expressed my support to Bro Brown in what ever decission they make and offered my help wherever they thought appropriate.

104 years later

Now 104 years later the school has canceled the band program due to "lack of support". It is sad that this tradition that has lasted for over a century is on the verge of becoming extinct. The Academia Juarez band has played for governors of states and presidents of countries (photos to follow). It has represented The Colonies and Nvo. Casas Grandes throughout Mexico in a grand and memorable way for years. The question of why is yours to answer. Has TV and the internet replaced this discipline for our children. de Tocqueville said that “in a democracy, the people get the government they deserve.” I believe that if we as a comunity allow it we will get the "kind of school programs we deserve".

100 years of Band

I remember the first time I saw this picture, was in the Church History Museum in SLC. I was impressed that all those years ago the founders of our comunities placed such a high value on music and the arts. Of course my first thought was, " I didn't know those musical insturments had been invented yet". In the interest of looking for pictures to post on this and my facebook group site I went to Nelle Hatch's book on the Academia Juarez 1901-1976 to look for pictures and info on the history of band at the JSA. The following info comes from that book.

This picture is of the band in 1905 which is just 8 years after the founding of the school. I suspect this isn't the first year they had band. ( I think that bass drum is still at the school. ha ha)