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Jacksonville Middle School Choir

 

Hello, I’m Erin Blankenship and I’m the Jacksonville Middle School Choir Director.  I am a graduate of Mesquite High School, Eastfield Community College (Associates Degree), and Stephen F. Austin State University (Bachelor of Music Degree).  Axe ‘Em Jacks!!  This is my 21st year to teach – all of them in Jacksonville ISD.

 

I have been married to my husband, Gehrig, for 19 years.  He's the head band director for Rusk ISD.  We have three children:  Matthew (15), Ian (12), and Maddie Grace (8).

 

 

Posts

Congratulations JMS Choir on a wonderful Christmas Concert!  I was blessed by your music.  Have a restful and fun Christmas break and I'll see you in January as we prepare for Solo & Ensemble Contest.
Good morning.  Our JMS Christmas Concert date has been changed to Tuesday, December 15th.  It will begin at 6:30 pm in the JMS Cafeteria.  Included in the photo is all the information about when students are to report, what students are to wear, and what test grades are given for this performance.  
 
Thank you for your continued support of the JMS Choir program.  If you have any questions please email me at [email protected] (leave the "p" off of my last name).

All Region Competition

Saturday, October 17th, 36 members of the JMS Choir traveled to Hallsville to compete for a place in the All Region Choir.  I am very happy to announce that we had 14 make it!  Listed below are the students who made by their voice parts and in alphabetical order.  CONGRATULATIONS JMS CHOIR!!!  I am so proud of you.  You represented Jacksonville very well.
 
Soprano 1
Briana Arciga
Julie Espinoza
Racquel Jackson
Katie Satterwhite
Sarah Strifley
Morgan Washburn
 
Alto
Kaela Dupont
Cheyenne Gilmore
Katlin Gonzalez
Emily Johnston
McKenzie Nabi
 
Tenor
Tyress Gipson
Keion Redd
 
Bass
Alec Christiansen
 
Students who made the All Region Choir will be performing in the All Region Choir Concert on Saturday, November 14 at East Texas Baptist University.  The concert is free to the public.

All Region Chaperones Needed

Parents,

The JMS Choir needs chaperones for the All Region contest this Saturday.  If your child/student is auditioning and you’re available please have your child pick up a Volunteer Background Check form from me tomorrow.

We will be leaving from JMS at 6:00 am Saturday morning and returning at 4:00 pm.  You will be able to ride the bus.

I will be sending out a detailed information to the students auditioning for All Region on Tuesday. 

Thanks,

Mrs. Blankenship

[email protected]

Homecoming Parade

In lieu of a traditional Homecoming Parade there will be a Spirit Parade by some of the high school organizations to each campus Friday morning. None of the JMS organizations will need to take part – just stay with your class and cheer on our Fighting Indians!

JMS Choir - Homecoming Parade

On Monday, September 28th, the JMS Choir will have a walking entry in the Jacksonville Homecoming Parade.  It is not required for all JMS Choir students to participate.  Information sheets/permission slips will be sent home tomorrow, September 23rd. 

We will line up at 5:30 pm near the corner of Commerce Street and Patton Street next to Tillmans.  It’s about a block away from the post office.  The parade begins at 6.  The pep rally in front of the Tomato Bowl will be over at about 7.  

Wear Jacksonville blue and gold!  You can “go all out” or just wear a spirit shirt.  Feel free to have fun and face paint, wear a blue or gold wig, etc… 

Once we reach the Tomato Bowl in the parade students will be dismissed from JMS Choir and Mrs. Blankenship is no longer responsible for you.  Plan a meeting spot ahead of time to be picked up at or near the Tomato Bowl either at the end of the parade or the end of the pep rally.  

Fill out and return the permission slip to be a part of the parade! If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Blankenship at [email protected]

Welcome to the JMS Choir webpage.

I'm Erin Blankenship and I'm the JMS Choir Director.  Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year.

What's Coming Up

Welcome to March!  The past few weeks have been crazy!  I’m so glad to be back on a regular schedule.

What’s coming up for the JMS Choir?

We are busy preparing for UIL Concert & Sight Reading Contest coming up on April 15th & 16th.  EVERY JMS Choir student will participate in this group contest.  This event requires your formal uniform so make sure it’s ready to go.  As soon as I find out what our schedule is I will send home that information.

If you passed all of your classes on the 4th six weeks report card you are eligible for this contest.  If not, pass EVERY class at the 5th six weeks progress report time (grades are due by Friday, March 20th) and you will also be eligible.

JMS Choir at Solo & Ensemble

This past Friday the JMS Choir competed at Solo & Ensemble Contest.  We had a successful evening.  Out of our 39 soloists we had 13 students bring home a ribbon for an Excellent performance (rating of a 2). We also had 24 students bring home a medal for a Superior performance (rating of a perfect 1)!  These students are: 
Taylor Carter
Dennise Corona
Ashley Duncan
Kaela Dupont
Julie Espinoza
Cheyenne Farmer
Cheyenne Gilmore
Brooklyn Hooker
Lexi Hull
Anna Jacobson
McKenzie Nabi
Jordan Pollard
Alexis Prado
Destinee Salazar
Lizbet Saldana
Daisy Smith
Ana Vasquez
Saylor Williams
Stormy Willis
Laisha Yebra
Alec Christiansen
Nate Gaytan
Roman Jordan
Guiusseppe Sanchez
 
We also had a group of 9 girls that sang in an ensemble (small group) together and they also brought home a medal for a Superior performance - a perfect 1!  Those ladies are:
Angelica Alvarez
Taylor Carter
Dennise Corona
Ashley Duncan
Cheyenne Farmer
Brooklyn Hooker
Anna Jacobson
Alexis Prado
Laisha Yebra
 
CONGRATULATIONS JMS CHOIR!  I'm so proud of you!

Solo & Ensemble

Solo & Ensemble Contest is THIS Friday, January 30th.  If you are attending you received an information sheet in class either today or you will receive it tomorrow.  Things to remember:
  1. We will leave JMS after the buses clear out and head to Tyler.  We will return to JMS at 8:30 pm.  Please have your ride waiting and ready to pick you up at 8:30 pm.
  2. Bring your music, money for early snack/dinner, and something to do.  Electronics are allowed at the contest, but not at JMS.
  3. Wear your blue choir t-shirt and jeans.  Please no shorts.
 If you have any questions, please feel free to email Mrs. Blankenship at [email protected] or give me a call at (903)586-3686.  Email is best.