General Sherman Junior High School

Instrumental Music Department

Mr. David Bode, Director

General Sherman Junior High School is one of two junior high schools in the Lancaster City Schools district and contains students in grades six through eight.  There are three bands at General Sherman Junior High School, one for each grade level.  Students in the sixth grade band come to General Sherman with a half a year's worth of experience on their instrument.  Sixth grade band is a scheduled class that meets during the school day, every day of the week.  During the first half of the school year, students are trained in three smaller classes; woodwinds, brass, and percussion.  During the second half of the year, the sixth grade band still meets in the three smaller classes but also combine together to learn how to play together as a large group.  The sixth grade band performs one concert in the spring.

The seventh and eighth grade bands meet every day of the week as a full group.  They perform several times a year including but not limited to the Sherman/Ewing football game halftime show, a holiday concert in December, and a spring concert usually in May.  The eighth grade band has recently started participating in the Trills and Thrills large group adjudicated event which is held at an Ohio theme park such as Kings Island or Cedar Point.  Seventh and eighth grade band members also have the opportunity to participate in the Ohio Education Associations Junior High Solo and Ensemble adjudicated event held in the late winter of each school year.  The Sherman seventh and eighth grade bands have a strong tradition of earning top ratings at this event.

In previous years, the General Sherman seventh and eighth grade bands have had the great opportunity to work with guest conductors, composers, and clinicians such as David Shaffer, James Curnow, James Swearingen, and Robert W. Smith.  The seventh and eighth grade bands premiered two pieces of music; "Silver Ribbon Chanteys" by James Curnow and "Make a Joyful Noise" by James Swearingen.  The former General Sherman jazz band was also invited twice to perform at Cleveland's Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame.

For more information on any of these groups, please contact Mr. Bode at:  b_bode@lancaster.k12.oh.us

2009/2010 Schedule

December 14th - Holiday Band Concert - 7:00 p.m.

March 31st - Jr. High Solo & Ensemble Contest - TBA

May 22nd - 6th Grade Band Concert - 7:00 p.m.

May 24th - Spring Band Concert - 7:00 p.m.

Updated August 17th, 2011