Band - Pine Tree ISD Fine Arts

Welcome to Pine Tree Band

PTHS Band Staff

The Pine Tree Band announces new staff members on board kick-off the new school year. Head Director, Aaron Turner, is starting the year on medical leave. He wishes all the best and hopes to be back very soon! In the meantime, Mark Perry, who has been with Pine Tree for the past 10 years, has moved up to the High School and has been named as the Interim Director. Cody Brown continues in his 2nd year as the percussion specialist. New to the team are John and Leslie Loanzon, and Jared Cronk.

ATTENTION INCOMING 6TH GRADERS: NOW IS THE TIME TO SIGN UP FOR BAND

Due to COVID, we were not able to come to the kids to do instrument demonstrations and have sign-ups as we normally would have in the Spring. We are offering this virtual environment to help students get signed up for band, and to choose the instruments that most interest them. It's easy! Email mperry@ptisd.org for more information.

Oscar Ruiz

CONGRATULATIONS to Senior, Oscar Ruiz, for making the TMEA 5A All-State Band! Oscar is an amazing trumpet player and has been an incredible leader in the band. We wish him the best in his future endeavors!

Check our Facebook and Twitter feeds at the bottom of the page for the latest news from Pine Tree Band.

PTHS SUMMER BAND CAMP INFO

Below is the schedule and pertinent information for Summer Band Camp being held at Pine Tree HS July 27-31. Due to ongoing changes to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, we want you to know that our number one priority is the safety of your child.   Below you will see procedures and regulations that we will be following, and ask that all students follow as well.

July 24th-Instrument Checkout-For those students that still need an instrument checked out to them
               8-12 noon Freshman, Seniors
               1-5 pm-Juniors and Sophomores

We will split the band into two groups for band camp: a morning group and an evening group, which will help us maintain the proper social distancing as required by TEA and UIL.

Pine Tree Summer Band Camp July 27th-31st
Morning Practice Schedule for Percussion, Flutes, Horns, Clarinets

7:30 am-                            Band Hall will be open to morning instruments (see above)
8:00-10:00 am                Outside Practice on marching field **BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLES. We are not allowed to provide coolers or use water fountains
10:00-12:00 noon          Inside sectional rehearsals (10 ft spacing per student)
12:00 noon                       Lunch provided by cafeteria (optional)-students take it home with them. No hanging out – please have a ride ready for the students right at 12:00

Evening Practice Schedule for Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Trumpets, Alto Saxes, and selected Percussion groups***(see percussion schedule below)
4:30 pm                             Band Hall open
5:00-7:00 pm                   Inside sectional rehearsals (10 ft spacing per student)
7:00-9:00 pm                   Outside Rehearsal – BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLES. We are not allowed to provide coolers or use water fountains. Also bring bug spray if desired. No hanging out – please have a ride ready for the students right at 9:00 PM.

Percussion Rehearsal Schedule for this week
Morning rehearsal 8-12:         All percussionists show up every day of the week
Evening rehearsal 5-9:             Monday, Wednesday-Battery only
                                                            Tuesday, Thursday-Front Ensemble only
                                                            Friday evening-Percussion off, no rehearsal
COVID-19 Procedures
1. Students will be issued one PT reusable cloth mask. They must bring it every day to camp and then every day to school. The district cannot afford to provide disposable masks on an ongoing basis.
2. Students will come to rehearsal with a mask on, temperature taken by staff, and health screening questions asked
3. While students are actively rehearsing and properly spaced 10 feet apart, they may have their masks pulled down, but still on their person.
4. Students need to bring their own water to rehearsals. We are not allowed to use shared water coolers or fountains.
5. Students must maintain 6ft distance from others while not practicing and have a mask on, and 10ft distance while rehearsing per UIL and TEA guidelines.
6. All stands, chairs, percussion equipment, and any other surface used by students will be wiped down and disinfected after every indoor rehearsal.
7. Students will use hand sanitizer every time they enter and exit the rehearsal room, including going to the restroom.

About PT Band

Wind Ensemble

The curriculum for the Pine Tree High School Wind Ensemble class focuses on developing the technical skills needed for performing on brass and woodwind instruments as well as musicianship. The Wind Ensemble meets first period each semester, after marching season.

Students in this ensemble display the highest level of musicianship, capable of performing “Masterwork” literature. This ensemble is intended for upperclassmen, most specifically Junior and Senior members, although outstanding younger students may be placed here as well.

REQUIREMENTS

Students in the Wind Ensemble will prepare and present multiple concerts per year, as notated in the Pine Tree Band calendar.
Students in the Wind Ensemble will participate in before/after school sectionals, as determined by the Directors
Students in the Wind Ensemble will prepare the TMEA Region and All-State Materials
Students in the Wind Ensemble will participate in the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest
Students in the Wind Ensemble will prepare a solo or small ensemble

EVALUATION
Everyday is an audition – students will be evaluated daily on their individual musical skills and personal contributions to the ensemble. Formal playing assessments will be held regularly via live playing.

AUDITIONS
Students will audition for the concert ensembles in May of the Spring semester. The audition process includes selections from etudes, chromatic scale and twelve major scales. All students who audition and fulfill the minimum competencies will become part of the Pine Tree High School band program. All band students, regardless of concert ensemble assignment, will also participate in the Pine Tree marching band, The Pride.

Symphonic Band

The Symphonic Band is typically the largest of the 3 wind bands at Pine Tree High School. Students in this group display a level of musicianship necessary for high achievement in band literature, however may not show the individual musical maturity yet for performing in the Wind Ensemble. This ensemble is intended for upper classmen and very advanced freshmen and meets during first period, after marching season.

REQUIREMENTS

Students in the Symphonic Band will prepare and present multiple concerts per year, as notated in the Pine Tree Band Calendar
Students in the Symphonic Band will participate in before/after school sectionals, as determined by the Directors
Students in the Symphonic Band will prepare the TMEA Region and All-State Materials
Students in the Symphonic Band will participate in the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest
Students in the Symphonic Band will prepare a solo or small ensemble

EVALUATION
Everyday is an audition – students will be evaluated daily on their individual musical skills and personal contributions to the ensemble. Formal playing assessments will be held regularly via live playing.

AUDITIONS
Students will audition for the concert ensembles in May of the Spring semester. The audition process includes selections from etudes, chromatic scale and 12 major scales. All students who audition and fulfill the minimum competencies will become part of the Pine Tree High School band program. All band students, regardless of concert ensemble assignment, will also participate in the Pine Tree marching band, The Pride.

Concert Band

The Concert Band is the entry-level performing ensemble at Pine Tree High School. Students in this ensemble display a skill level that is still developing into maturity, showing a need for more individual practice and understanding of key concepts. All of the high school directors are present during this class so that extra attention is given. This class meets during second semester sixth period.

REQUIREMENTS

Students in the Concert Band will prepare and present multiple concerts per year, as notated in the Pine Tree Band Calendar
Students in the Concert Band will participate in before/after school sectionals, as determined by the Directors
Students in the Concert Band will prepare the TMEA Region materials.
Students in the Symphonic Band will participate in the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest
Students in the Symphonic Band will prepare a solo or small ensemble

Jazz Band

The Pine Tree High School Jazz Band consists of students who are enrolled in one of the concert bands. Entrance into the Jazz Band requires an audition and is made up of traditional jazz instruments including: saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, bass, and drum set. Students will learn jazz styles from various eras and will study advanced techniques in chord study, rhythm, and improvisation. Everyone is a soloist in the Jazz Band. The Pine Tree Jazz Band receives requests to perform at several community events and concerts each year.

UIL Marching Contest

In the fall of each school year, the University Interscholastic League sanctions an event in which marching bands play for judges’ comments and ratings. In October, The Pride Marching band performs a 7-8 minute marching show, demonstrating their ability to play challenging music while marching a technical drill. Bands that earn a superior rating at this contest can advance to the Area level competition every other year, according to classification, and then potentially advance to the State contest.

All-Region Band

Each November students may audition for TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) All-Region Bands. From this region of schools, students are selected to participate one of several concert bands, including a Freshmen Band. The All-Region Bands meet for a two-day clinic and concert in January. Each of the bands is directed by a guest conductor, usually from a college or university band program.

ALl-State Band & Orchestra

The All-State Band and Orchestra membership is selected at an Area audition from students in a large grouping of Regions. The All-State Band and Orchestra rehearse and perform as part of the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, which is held in San Antonio, Texas each year in February. Becoming an All-State musician is the highest rank of competition an individual student can obtain in high school.

Solo & Ensemble Contest

Solo and Ensemble is an adjudicated event sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League in which students may play individually or in small groups. Soloists typically play with a piano accompanist. Ensembles usually number from 3 to 5 players, but sometimes are larger. Examples of ensembles that could perform at Solo and Ensemble Contest would be trumpet trio, flute quartet, woodwind quintet, brass quintet, etc.

UIL Concert & Sight Reading Contest

In the spring of each school year, the University Interscholastic League sanctions an event in which concert bands play for judges’ comments and ratings. In April, the high school bands perform a stage concert and then perform a piece to be sight-read.

Auxiliaries: Color Guard & Twirlers

2019-2020 Pirate Pride Auxiliary:
Makayla Allison
Annabelle Bigham
Samantha Bradley
Jerusalem Briseno
Stephanie Davis
Aaron Fears
Cassidy Fuller, President
Madison Harrell
Berenice Juarez
Kennedy Lewis, Twirling Co-Captain
Natalia Monreal
M'ryah Monroe
Gabrielle Pumphrey, Twirling Co-Captain
Angie Rojas
Ariel Sanchez, Color Guard Lieutenant
Ethan Sanders, Color Guard Captain
Antranae Thomas

Directors

Aaron Turner

Director of Bands
aturner@ptisd.org

Aaron Turner is the Director of Bands for Pine Tree Independent School District, and also served as the Assistant Director of Bands from 2014 until 2017. Mr. Turner’s bands have consistently earned superior/sweepstakes ratings in UIL contest performances. As Director of Bands, he leads the 200 member PT Pride Marching Band and is the conductor of the Wind Ensemble at Pine Tree High School. Additionally, Mr. Turner is a brass specialist and teaches AP Music Theory, Applied Music, and beginning brass at Pine Tree Middle School. He is the organist at First Christian Church of Longview. Previously, he taught on the band staff at Kingwood High School in Humble ISD and worked for over 20 years in church music with both choral and orchestral programs. He is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University with a degree in music/specialization in euphonium and piano. Principal mentors were Mr. John L. Whitwell, Dr. Charles Gavin, and Dr. Andrew Parr. Mr. Turner also has a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling and is a licensed professional counselor. He and his wife, Mindi, have three children who are all graduates of Pine Tree High School: Caitlin (2010- now married to Josh Kirk), Kelsey (2012), and Chris (2014) and two beautiful granddaughters, Isla Jane Kirk and Lena Rhys Kirk.

Mark Perry

High School Assistant Band Director
mperry@ptisd.org

Mark Perry has been with Pine Tree ISD for 10 years and is in his 13th year to teach. He currently holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Stephen F Austin State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership degree from the University of Texas in Arlington. Before coming to Pine Tree ISD, he taught as an assistant band director at Lindale ISD under the direction of Mr. Steven Moore. Previous accolades and awards include numerous sweepstakes trophies at UIL Concert/Sightreading contest, Beacon Award recipient in 2013, 2 grand champion trophies at Seasons in the Park Music Festival, 1st place at the region level TMEA Honor Band selection process, winner of the Ed and Gwen Cole Music Scholarship, Academic Excellence Scholarship, Mary Osborne Ray Drum Major Scholarship, SFA’s Bandsman of the Year 2007, and Drum Major for the SFA Marching Band 3 consecutive years. Professional Organizations include being a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. In his spare time he enjoys cooking (grilling and BBQ to be exact), traveling abroad, and scuba diving when possible. Most exotic scuba diving trip involved a ship wreck with a few white tip sharks off the coast of Costa Rica in the Pacific.

CODY BROWN

Cody Brown is the Assistant Band Director and Percussion Instructor for Pine Tree ISD. Mr. Brown is a native of Texarkana, TX and an alumnus of Texas High School in Texarkana ISD. He is a graduate of Henderson State University where he studied music education with Dr. Carrie Pawelski and Dr. Shaun Popp, and percussion with Dr. Rick Dimond and Mr. Doug DeMorrow. Mr. Brown taught for four years at Queen City ISD where he assisted with all aspects of the band program and coordinated percussion instruction for the district. The Queen City band was a finalist at the UIL State Marching Contest in 2015 and 2017 while Mr. Brown was there. The award winning Indoor Percussion Ensemble at Queen City was founded by Mr. Brown and earned two consecutive gold medals in the North Texas Colorguard Association in 2016 and 2017. Mr. Brown enjoys spending time with family and friends, movies and television, and reading in his free time. He has aspirations to travel and see more of the world in the future.

John Loanzon

Head Junior High Director

John Loanzon joins the Pine Tree ISD band staff for his 10th year as a music educator. He has directed bands in Florida, Louisiana, and most recently at Texarkana ISD where he was the director of Jazz for the last 7 years. Mr. Loanzon, a Florida native, attended the University of West Florida and Louisiana State University. He is an alumnus of Southwind Drum & Bugle corps, Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle corps, as well as the famed, “LSU Golden Band from Tigerland.” He remains active as a trumpeter performing in groups such as the Port City Big Band, Texarkana Jazz Orchestra, and the Red River Wind Symphony. Mr. and Mrs. Loanzon have 3 daughters: Anna, Emma, and Mia. In his free time Mr. Loanzon enjoys fishing, spending time with his family, and watching LSU football.

Leslie Loanzon

Junior High Asst. Director / MS Band Coordinator

Leslie Loanzon is the head junior high band director for Pine Tree ISD. She comes to Pine Tree from Texarkana ISD where she was an assistant band director at the middle and high school levels. Mrs. Loanzon studied saxophone and oboe performance at Louisiana State University and holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Northwestern State University. She has performed with numerous professional groups including: The Baton Rouge Symphony, Baton Rouge Concert Band, Red River Wind Symphony, Bill Causey’s Big Band out of Shreveport, Texarkana Jazz Orchestra, and The Red River Jazz Band. She was also a proud member of The Golden Band from Tigerland for 3 years. Outside of band, Mrs. Loanzon enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters.

Jared Cronk

Jared Cronk, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, began his music studies at Beebe High School and received his Bachelors of Music with Instrumental Focus from The University of Central Arkansas in Saxophone. Cronk continued his educational studies at Lamar University where he earned a Master's of Educational Administration. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Cronk has performed with the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps from San Antonio, Texas, the World Champion Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps from Fort Mill, South Carolina as well as the MCCGA Gold Medalist Winter Guard, Avant Winter Guard from Fayetteville, Arkansas.

A teacher and choreographer for nearly ten years, his work has been seen throughout most of Texas and Arkansas. Mr. Cronk taught for 5 years as director of the Paris Color Guard program, earning them the State Championship in Guard. He has worked with distinguished organizations such as Music City Drum and Bugle Corps, The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, Greenwood HS, Brazoswood HS, Seven Lakes HS, as well as Founding and Directing Pinnacle Winter Guard. For the past couple of years he has been the choreographer for Pine Tree! Locally, Cronk served two years on the North Texas Colorguard Association (NTCA) educational and steering committees as the Scholastic representative. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors, vacationing, musicals, pageantry, and spending time with friends and family. He is very excited to be a PIRATE!

EXCITING NEWS: With the addition of Mr. Cronk, the Pine Tree Color Guard is now open to ALL Students in grades 7-12.

All-State History

1977 Concert Band Bass Clarinet Pam Ezelle
1978 Symphonic Band Eb Clarinet Cindy Davis
1978 Symphonic Band Bass Clarinet Pam Ezelle
1992 Symphonic Band Bb Clarinet Jo Lee Hammer
1993 Symphonic Band Bb Clarinet JoLee Hammer
1993 Symphonic Band Bb Clarinet Jenny Schuette
1995 Concert Band Eb Clarinet Sarah Hall
1995 Concert Band Bass Clarinet Emily Terrell
2007 4A Symphonic Band Tenor Trombone Hunter Decker
2008 4A Symphonic Band Tuba Kirk Wells
2009 4A Symphonic Band Percussion Greg Wallace
2010 4A Symphonic Band Flute Lindsey Conway
2012 5A Concert Band Euphonium Joseph Schaetz
2013 4A Symphonic Band Percussion Zachary Schaetz
2015 5A Symphonic Band Bb Clarinet Jerry Zhang
2016 5A Symphonic Band Bb Clarinet Jerry Zhang
2016 5A Symphonic Band Contra-Bass Korbin Davis
2016 5A Symphonic Band Cornet/Trumpet Gage Ellis
2016 Concert Band Cornet/Trumpet Cristian Najera
20175A All-State Band /Trumpet Gage Ellis
2017 6A All-State Band/Trumpet Cristian Najera
2018 5A All-State Band/Trumpet Gage Ellis
2020 5A All-State Band/Trumpet Oscar Ruiz

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