A YEAR IN REVIEW: LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY BAND OF TITANS RECORDS OUTSTANDING YEAR OF PERFORMANCES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Greensboro, Ga. (May 17, 2016) - The Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) Band of Titans has experienced tremendous growth since its inception in 2011 with just 40 students, most of who had never played an instrument before enrolling in band class. Under the direction of Mrs. Courtney Pilgrim the Band of Titans has 200 students and has expanded into a Performance Band, Pep Band and Jazz Band.

The Band of Titans had an exciting year that kicked off with a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Fla., in October for band students in grades 9-10. LOA students had the opportunity to work with a Disney director, perform Disney music and record songs from the Disney feature "Tangled," learn new rehearsal techniques and music study skills, discover the studio recording environment, and gain insight into the required skills to be a professional studio musician.

"It was a great experience for our band students," said Mrs. Pilgrim. "It was rewarding to see their faces and hear from the students how much the music meant to them. The workshop gave them an inside look at how hard professional musicians work. It also gave them the opportunity to see where music can lead them."

The February performance showcased three bands with students ranging from 5th-10th grade for a Winter Concert. The students in grades 6-10 were performing the pieces that they were preparing for the State Evaluation in early March. This yearly State adjudication features three judges who evaluate band students on a prepared performance. Band members play prepared pieces as well as a new piece of music that they have not viewed prior to the evaluation. Students are given just six minutes to review the piece and perform it for a sight reading evaluation. The High School Band (8-10) received an Excellent rating on Stage Performance and an Excellent rating in Sight Reading. The Middle School Band (6-7) received an Excellent rating on Stage Performance and a Superior Rating in Sight Reading.

In March, First Year Honor Band members were selected to travel to Augusta, Ga., to perform with some of the best beginning musicians in LOA's state band district. The 5th grade students who participated were: Gianluca Corrias , Elisa Garcia-Carreras, Hailey Heinen, Hannah Heinen, Duncan Reber, and Drew Stephens. District Honor Band Students who were selected to perform with the region's best upper school students in grades 6-10 were: Blake Beeker, Madi Prendergast, Kelli Scheck and Braden Strickland.

Next on the band's busy schedule was a performance by the Jazz Band on a beautiful, sunny day at the Southland Jubilee in downtown Greensboro, Ga., on April 19. The band entertained the crowd with sounds from a range of eras and styles of music. The Jazz Band also performed for Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties at its monthly meeting in April.

The LOA Band of Titans finished its performance season with a spectacular movie-themed concert on April 28. From Star Wars to Skyfall, they played to a standing-room only crowd that was treated to a rousing performance. In addition to performances by the three bands, all 200 band members played in the final number, "Cups" from the film Pitch Perfect, which featured a large trash can percussion ensemble.

"The Spring Band Concert was a true happening," said Dr. Otho Tucker, CEO of LOA. "It was extraordinary. I could not have been prouder of the band members. Their performance made me proud to be a Titan."

Photo: Members of the LOA Band of Titans attended a music workshop in Disney World in October.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org