A Tradition of Excellence:

     The Meyzeek Band Program has been well respected for many years! Recently, we have been selected as the Mayor’s Band of the Year in both 2016 and 2019. As the “MBoTY”, we were the featured band marching in the Light-Up Louisville Parade, kicking-off the winter holiday season.

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     Meyzeek “Bandlings” are VERY well represented in various honor bands and select ensembles in the Louisville area.  Every year our members audition for the elite Louisville Youth Orchestra and represent us for several years.  Our Bandlings earn MANY spots in the JCPS Honor Bands, including several 1st Chair honors.  At the annual Solo and Ensemble Contest, we have earned HUNDREDS of Division One (Distinguished) Ratings in the last few years!

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6th Grade, Beginning Bands: No previous musical experience is necessary, only a desire to practice daily, and improve with the ensemble! Students will be introduced to the major instruments of the concert band. We will, together, agree on instrument assignments based upon student choice and ensemble needs. Instruction will include instrument assembly, care, safety, and maintenance, characteristic tone production, air support, the comprehension, interpretation, and composition of notated music, aural skill development, and the role of the individual in the ensemble, both as musicians and team members. Successful completion of this class as well as its end-of year written and performance tests allows advancement to the 7th Grade Intermediate Band.

 

7th Grade, Symphonic Band:  will continue to develop their instrumental technique, both as individuals, and ensemble members. The students’ musical skills will develop to include all 12 major scales, the chromatic scale, as well as band literature of at least a grade II level. Instruction will include performances at adjudicated Solo and Ensemble Contest, KMEA Large Ensemble Festival, as well as other performance throughout the year. Successful completion of this class as well as its end-of year written test and audition allows advancement to the 8th Grade Advanced Band

 

8th Grade, Wind Ensemble:  Students will continue to develop their musical prowess to include all 12 major scales, some in two octaves and minor, the chromatic scale to the full range of their instrument, as well as performing literature of at least a grade III level. Instruction will include performances in adjudicated Solo & Ensemble Contest, KMEA Large Ensemble Festival, as well as other performances throughout the year.

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7th Grade Beginning Band:  This class was offered for the first time in the 2022-2023 school year.  We are currently accepting names of 7th graders who are interested in joining our band family.  Several times each year, we hear from students who were not involved in our 6th grade program and wish to join.  We are actively recruiting, and seats are limited!  Please contact Mr. Daniel at "james.daniel@jefferson.kyschools.us"  

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Monday Blues Jazz Band:  The "Monday Blues" meet on Mondays.  Auditions are held in September, and are open to any member of our bands who play saxophone, trombone, trumpet, jazz drum set, and sometimes clarinet.  Because of the rarity of guitar, bass, and keyboard players, those students can be non-band members.

 

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     Mr. Daniel is a native of West Lafayette, Indiana.  He earned his BS and MA from Ball State University in 1996, when he was a Graduate Assistant Director of Bands, responsible for assisting with the Marching Band and in charge of the Basketball Pep Bands.  His primary instrument is euphonium, with a side of trombone.

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     Moving to Memphis, Tennessee in 1996, he taught at a 7-12 school for two years, when he then began rebuilding the defunct Sherwood Middle School Band program in the historic Orange Mound neighborhood.  During his ten years at Sherwood, the program became one of the most successful non-optional middle school bands in all of Memphis City Schools.  His students consistently earn top ratings at Solo and Ensemble contests, and excellent ratings at district concert festival.  Moving to Louisville in 2008, he tripled the size of the Western High School band program, while earning the highest ratings at District Assessment in a decade.  Mr. Daniel is honored to have been the Director of Bands at Meyzeek since the fall of 2015.

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     Currently, Mr. Daniel can be heard with the Derby City Brass Band as they perform a variety of concerts from October through June.

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