Pearland Junior High West Honors Band

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

Pearland, TX was first settled in the late 1880’s when the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railways were extending their lines. The city was established in 1894 and was named due to the large number of pear trees in the region. Pearland has grown to be the 29th most populous city in Texas and was listed as one of the nation’s top 5 small cities for diversity by Nextar Media. In August, the Pearland Junior High West Band hosts a free summer camp for all students in the program to attend before school begins to learn music and perform a concert at the end of the week. At the start of the fall semester, students begin studying individual skills to audition for the All-Region Band and two selections of music for the Fall Concert (a traditional march and one festive piece). In October and November, students prepare for a Veteran’s Day Program of two patriotic selections and the Winter Concert of three holiday selections (including a lyrical piece and multi-style piece). At the start of December, students also begin preparing three pieces of music for the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation and Spring Competition season. In January, students learn and perform a solo with piano accompaniment for the district Solo Contest and in April students work with their instrument section to prepare a student-led ensemble at our Ensemble Concert and Evaluation. Students complete the spring semester performing at a Festival Competition, the University of Houston Invitational Series, TMEA Honor Band Recording Concert, and the PJH-West Spring Concert featuring with a grand finale performance of the united full band program. Over 400 students are in the band program in grades 6 through 8. Students begin homogenous instrumental instruction at Sablatura Middle School and continue into four bands at Pearland Junior High West. The three band directors for PJH-West also teach the beginning band classes at Sablatura MS. The program boasts a rich musical history within Pearland ISD, with Pearland Junior High West commemorating 30 years of education and formerly the home site for the original Pearland High School and outstanding musical excellence of the Pearland High School Band. The PJH-West Bands consistently secure first-division sweepstakes ratings at the Texas UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation and have been named best-in-class at the Falcon Festival, Showcase of Sound, and Gator Festival. The PJH-West Honors Band placed as a state finalist in 2017, 2019, and as a state semi-finalist in 2023 for the TMEA Honor Band Competition. In 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024, they placed as commended and national winners in the class AA and New Music divisions of the Mark of Excellence Wind Band competition and performed at the 2024 Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. In addition to their successes as an ensemble, Pearland Junior High West Band students have also excelled individually. Approximately 99% of the students in the top ensemble and 75% of the students in the second ensemble are enrolled in private lessons. The PJH-West Band Program regularly has over 100 students attend the All-Region Band Auditions and has had more than 50 students place in the All-Region Bands for four consecutive years, the highest amount for any school in their Region. The band staff at PJH-West attribute the program’s success to an amazing private lesson staff, supportive campus and district administration, and a focus on a growth mindset. The mission of the Pearland Junior High West Fine Arts Program is to inspire growth, character, and excellence in each of our students. Through positive attitudes and actions, we try to affect the world around us in the most productive and helpful ways possible. Many of our band students participate not only in our campus’s Gifted and Talented Academy and Dual Language Program, they also perform in our theater and choir programs, advance art classes, and audio and visual art production classes. Through fine arts, we hope to bring enjoyment to those for whom we perform and inspire growth in all of us. This is one of the truest rewards for the diligent work of all the students, teachers, and directors at Pearland Junior High West.

Pearland Junior High West Honors Band

Conductor's Bio

TBD