Murray Band Newsletter

Hello Falcon Band Families! 👋

I am so excited to see all of our returning Falcons and get to meet our new 6th grade Falcons! We are gonna have a fantastic year of Band! Here is some information to get you started off in Band class!

Murray Middle School is hosting an open house for all students on August 19, 2025.

• 4:00-4:25 - Sensory Friendly Open House
• 4:30-6:30 - General Open House

Students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and will get the opportunity to:

• Pick up your class schedule
• Walk your schedule and meet your teachers
• Meet and join the PTA
• Visit the Murray Mart for Falcon Swag
• Learn More about Murray Arts and Athletics
• Pick up your bus transportation info

I look forward to seeing you all at Open House!

Here are the anticipated events for the 2025-2026 school year!

(These dates are subject to change. More events may be added throughout the year.)

August 4-15, 2025 - AHS Marching Band Camp {Participating 8th Grade Students}

September 4, 2025 - 6th Grade Virtual Instrument Rental Night @ 6:30pm {6th Grade and New Band Students}

October 4, 2025 - AHS Marching Band Competition @ Northside HS {Participating 8th Grade Students}

October 10, 2025 - 8th Grade Night with the AHS Marching Band {8th Grade}

October 2025- Jazz Band Performs for PTA Meeting @ 6pm {Mastery} [Exact date TBD]

October 15, 2025 - Pep Band Performance @ Junction Bowl, 6pm {Mastery}

October 18, 2025 - AHS Marching Band Competition @ Topsail HS {Participating 8th Grade Students}

October 21, 2025 - NHCS Marching Band Showcase {8th Grade}

October 23, 2025 - Halloween Recording Project in MEAC {7th & 8th Grade} [during school]

November 1, 2025 - AHS Marching Band Competition @ Havelock HS {Participating 8th Grade Students}

December 2025 - Jazz Band Performance @ The Cotton Exchange {Jazz Band Mastery} [Exact date TBD]

December 16, 2025 - Winter Band Concert @ 7pm {6th, 7th & 8th Grade}

January 10, 2026 - All-District Band Auditions @ Aycock MS {Optional - 7th & 8th Grade}

January 30-31, 2026 - All-District Band Clinic @ ECU {Eligible Students}

February 13, 2026 - Murray Arts Valentine's Dance @ MMS Gym {All Students}

February 2026 - Recruitment Mini Tour @ Codington, Bellamy, Anderson & Carolina Beach {Mastery} [Exact date TBD]

February 27-28, 2026 - MMS & AHS Band Conductor's Clinic & Concert {8th Grade}

March 6, 2026 - NHCS Best Foot Forward Showcase {Jazz Band Mastery/AHS Winterguard}

March 19, 2026 - Band MPA Contest @ Ashley HS {8th Grade}

March 30-31, 2026 - All-County Band Clinic & Concert {Optional - 7th & 8th Grade}

May 11, 2026 - Spring Band Concert @ 7pm {6th, 7th & 8th Grade}

May 16, 2026 - Music in the Parks Festival @ Carowinds {8th Grade}

May 2026 - Jazz Band Performs for Senior Walk @ 9am {Mastery} [Exact date TBD]

May 28, 2026 - Arts Awards Night @ 6pm {6th, 7th & 8th Grade}

I'm sure you have a lot of questions about how to get started on the band journey. Don't worry! I'm here to help.

• You do not need an instrument yet! I will be sharing rental information/other ways to obtain an instrument with 6th grade families once the school year starts.
• It's also ok if you have no idea what you want to play! We are going to take time out of our first classes to talk about each instrument and to see/hear demonstrations. From there I will ask you to narrow it down to your top 3 choices and we will work together to help you pick the instrument for you!
• You don't have to read music yet. If you do, GREAT! If not, it's ok! We are going to take the first few weeks of school to learn together.
• If you already have an instrument - please email me. (jessica.meade@gmail.com)
• There are no gender-specific instruments. Girls can play tuba and boys can play flute if they want! Don't feel limited.
• I will send home a syllabus on the first day of school with a lot more information regarding Band policies and expectations. Please be sure to read, add your signature and return to Mrs. Meade by Friday, September 12th.

*Parents: We will have a virtual instrument rental night on Thursday, September 4 @ 6:30pm. I will send the zoom link out in the week leading up to the meeting.

• a clean, working instrument *
• all necessary accessories (reeds, mouthpiece, valve oil, cork grease, etc) *
• luggage tag (with first and last name, attached to instrument case)
• black, 3-ring binder (1 1/2")
• clear plastic sheet protectors (15-20)
• method book (pictured below)

*these items are not necessary for the first day of school - we will decide instruments after the start of classes. Your accessories depend on the instrument.

• The beginning of the year will contain review activities from last year - locate your Blue method book so we can review concepts from last year and continue from where we left off.
• If you are new to our band class this year - expect an email or phone call from me to learn a little more about you and how I can help you transition into band!
• If you were using a school instrument last year and need to check one out again, please send me an email so I can reserve a sanitized instrument for you. I will provide a checkout form during the first week of school.
• Please plan to bring your instrument to school on the first day of classes. We probably won’t play on day one, but I will assign lockers in the first few days.
  
• I will send home a syllabus on the first day of school with a lot more information regarding Band policies and expectations. Please be sure to read, add your signature and return to Mrs. Meade by Friday, September 12th.

• a clean, working instrument
• all necessary accessories (reeds, mouthpiece, valve oil, cork grease, etc.)
• luggage tag (with first and last name, attached to instrument case)
• black, 3-ring binder (1 1/2")
• clear plastic sheet protectors (15-20)
• method books (pictured below)

You may use any of these items from previous years, if you still have them. If you need a school instrument from Mrs. Meade, please send me an email at jessica.meade@nhcs.net .

You can purchase your method book in person at our local Music & Arts store (2340 S 17th St) or CLICK HERE to purchase online!

*Make sure you purchase the correct book for your instrument*

• The beginning of the year will contain review activities from last year - locate your Orange method book so we can review concepts from last year.
• If you are new to our band class this year - expect an email or phone call from me to learn a little more about you and how I can help you transition into band!
• If you were using a school instrument last year and need to check one out again, please send me an email so I can reserve a sanitized instrument for you. I will provide a checkout form during the first week of school.
• Please plan to bring your instrument to school on the first day of classes. We probably won’t play on day one, but I will assign lockers in the first few days.
  
• I will send home a syllabus on the first day of school with a lot more information regarding Band policies and expectations. Please be sure to read, add your signature and return to Mrs. Meade by Friday, September 12th.

• a clean, working instrument
• all necessary accessories (reeds, mouthpiece, valve oil, cork grease, etc.)
• luggage tag (with first and last name, attached to instrument case)
• black, 3-ring binder (1 1/2")
• clear plastic sheet protectors (15-20)
• method books (pictured below)

You may use any of these items from previous years, if you still have them. If you need a school instrument from Mrs. Meade, please send me an email at jessica.meade@nhcs.net .

You can purchase your method book in person at our local Music & Arts store (2340 S 17th St) or CLICK HERE to purchase online!

*Make sure you purchase the correct book for your instrument*

Morning Band will begin the second week of school on Tuesday, September 2nd. Morning Band is available every morning before school from 7:30-8:15am. Band students from any grade level are invited to attend any day that they would like help from Mrs. Meade or personal practice time.

If you would like to attend, simply meet Mrs. Meade at the entrance to the Arts wing in the courtyard outside of the cafeteria/drama room. Morning Band students can be dropped off in the front parking lot of Murray before 7:45am. However, if arriving after 7:45am, students will need to be dropped off in the car rider line as not to interfere with bus procedures.

We have several fantastic private lesson studios and private lesson instructors in Wilmington! Private lessons would give your student that chance to receive one on one instruction with a specialist on their instrument. Students that take private lessons are able to excel quickly and refine their skills beyond what we are able to do in our band room.

Here are a few studios to check out:

Music Lessons for students and adults.

Offers lessons for flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, tuba, violin, viola, piano/jazz piano, guitar, drums and voice.

Email: PortCityMusicNC@gmail.com
Website: https://portcitymusicnc.com/
Location: 6622 Gordon Road Suite C Wilmington, NC 28411
Phone: 910-398-4142
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/portcitymusic/

Music lessons for students.

Offers lessons for flute, clarinet, saxophone, piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, violin, viola.

Website: https://www.musicarts.com/cms/lessons
Location: 2340 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401, USA
Phone: (910) 791-4799
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicArtsFan/

Music lessons for students.

Offers lessons for saxophone, piano, violin, cello, guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, drums, voice and audio engineering/recording.

Also offers rock band camps.

Email: SteeleMusicManagement@gmail.com
Website: https://www.steelemusicstudios.com/
Location: 232 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC, USA
Phone: (910) 319-7081
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steelemusicstudios/

Music lessons for students and adults.

Offers lessons for flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, piano/jazz piano, guitar, drum set, bass, harp, strings and voice.

Also offers a Summer Music Camp.

Email: uncwmus@uncw.edu
Website: https://uncw.edu/music/academics/cma/index.html
Location: Cultural Arts Building, Wilmington, NC, USA
Phone: (910) 962-3390
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UncwCMA/

For those of you who are new to the Falcon Band family - Welcome! I'm your band director, Mrs. Meade.

My primary instrument is the French Horn, but don't worry - I know how to teach all instruments! I graduated from UNCW in 2015 with a Bachelor's of Music in Music Education. This is my eleventh year teaching band and I look forward to many more amazing years in this wonderful community! Murray really is the best place to work!

(Also pictured: my little cat, Nessa!)

Jessica Meade - Band Teacher

Charles P. Murray Middle School

655 Halyburton Memorial Pkwy

Wilmington, NC 28412

Phone: (910) 790-2363 ext. 604

Fax: (910) 790-2351

Email: jessica.meade@nhcs.net

If I haven't met you yet, I am so excited to begin this journey! If you are returning, I can't wait to pick up where we left off! It's gonna be a great year ❤️

Until then, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. Just send me an email at jessica.meade@nhcs.net and I will respond as quickly as I can.

Enjoy the rest of your summer break! ☀️

Mrs. Meade