The Winter Band Concert is Thursday, February 2, at 7:00 p.m. at the John Jay Middle School Theatre. Enjoy performances by both the 6th grade band and the combined 7th and 8th grade band ranging from “Jupiter” by Gustav Holst to "Defying Gravity," the signature song from the musical Wicked, and “Uma Thurman” by Fall Out Boy.

 “I am so proud of all of the band students and I can't wait to share what we’ve been working on with their family and friends at our upcoming concert,” said Mrs. Fraczek, a music teacher at JJMS and conductor of the bands.  

Mrs. Fraczek brings out the best in middle school musicians through her broad knowledge of band instruments and love of teaching. “My primary instrument is saxophone but I also play flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, and piano.  I'm also a mezzo-soprano,” said Mrs. Fraczek.

“I was a general music teacher for sixteen years,” she continues. “During that time, I worked as an instrumental music teacher at Increase Miller Elementary School and fell in love with teaching instruments. It is an awesome thing to have had some of the students since they were in kindergarten!”

 Band is a music elective at John Jay Middle School with approximately 180 participants. Other music electives choices are Chorus, Orchestra, and Discovering Music—a general music class that includes music history and theory as well piano skills, music technology, and composition. These electives meet every other day.

“At every rehearsal I can see how hard the students are working to get the new fingering or trying to play a dynamic level they haven't tried before,” said Mrs. Fraczek. “It's an honor to be a witness to their musical growth.”