PCA’s instrumental music program begins in sixth grade, as students are given their first opportunity to pick up an instrument and be a part of Beginning Band. Students learn the basics of instrumental technique, learning how to assemble their instrument, posture, embouchure and more. Beginning band performs in two concerts throughout the year.

Middle School Band is comprised of seventh and eighth grade students. At this level, they continue their study as repertoire increases in difficulty, with major emphasis on musicianship. They perform in at least two concerts throughout the year, as well as being invited to play at selected football games and traveling to a music festival for competition.

Advanced Band

As students transition to Upper School band, musicianship becomes the primary focus as the repertoire continues to increase in difficulty. Marching is introduced as a part of the curriculum, as well as participation during Friday night football games. There are numerous performance opportunities throughout the year in concert and festival settings, as well as field trips, pep rallies, and games. Upper level students are encouraged each year to audition for All-State band. Recent years have seen great success at All-State with students achieving first and second chair placements.

Pride Pep Band

P.R.I.D.E. Stands for Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Desire and Excellence! It is also a family of Lions. These are the attributes that we instill in our band members. This is the top-performing Band at PCA. Students receive ½ credit of fine arts and ½ credit of Physical Education for this class. Students have the opportunity to continue their instrumental development at the most advanced levels.

Practice at home is required. In the Fall Semester, this ensemble is a Marching Band serving as a spirit group for and supporter of the PCA varsity football team. It provides members with the opportunity to fine-tune motor skills and develop their instrumental abilities through the performance of marching Band drill. In addition to half-time performances at all varsity football games, the Band performs at TPSMEA State Marching Contest, pep rallies, parades and other special events. Attendance at all after-school rehearsals and performances is mandatory.

PCA's String Ensemble is offered to Upper School students who already play a stringed instrument and are looking for an ensemble opportunity. This course is offered on an "as-needed" basis.

Larry Reynolds
PCA Band Director
972-930-4137
lreynolds@prestonwoodchristian.org

Larry Reynolds is in his twenty-second year as a music educator and enjoys serving as the Director of Bands at Prestonwood Christian Academy. He is originally from Hot Springs, Arkansas and has a Bachelors Degree in Music Education form Henderson State University. Larry has lived in North Dallas since 1991 and he and his family attend Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church in Allen, where he is the director of the worship orchestra. Larry taught in the Lewisville Independent School District where he was the Associate Director of Instrumental Music Studies at Griffin Middle School. In addition, Mr. Reynolds taught at Staley Middle School in Frisco, Kaufman High School, Lone Oak High School, Little Elm High School and Bishop Lynch High School, where his bands took top honors in numerous contests and festivals at the local, state, and national level, including the 2005 Texas Private School Music Educators Association Division 1 State Marching Band Championship. Mr. Reynolds has been married to his wife Robbie for twenty years, and they have two children who attend PCA, Luke and Lydia.

Jessica Watts
Assistant Band Director, Plano and North campus
972-820-5000 ext 6465
jwatts@prestonwoodchristian.org

Jessica Watts was born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom. Learning piano at the age of 6, she had an early start and appreciation for music. She began studying clarinet at the age of 9, and she found a love of woodwinds from that point on. She and her family moved to Plano, Texas in 1999. Upon completion of her Bachelor’s of Music Education at the University of North Texas with a concentration in clarinet, she began her career in the music industry as a marketing and sales representative for a European music company; she was blessed to have had the opportunity to travel both domestically and internationally. Jessica is an active musician, performing in her church’s orchestra at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas. She also sings with the choir, judges All-Region and Solo & Ensemble competitions, teaches clinics and private lessons, and performs in local bands. Jessica’s parents and sister reside in North Texas. They are a big part of her life and have supported her throughout her music career.

2016-17

• Superior Ratings - 3^rd overall at TPSMEA State Marching Contest
• Superior Ratings at TPSMEA Concert & Sight-reading
• 4 Band members selected to TPSMEA All-State Band
• 9 Members Selected to TPSMEA North Region Honor Band
• 11 Members Selected to advance to TPSMEA State Solo & Ensemble

2015 - 16

• Superior Ratings 3^rd overall at the TPSMEA State Marching Contest
• Superior Ratings at TPSMEA Concert & Sightreading Evaluation
• 3 Band members selected to the TPSMEA All-State Honor Band
• 7 Members Selected to advance to TPSMEA State Solo & Ensemble

2014 - 15

• Superior & Excellent Ratings at TPSMEA Concert & Sightreading Evaluation
• 2 Band members selected to the TPSMEA All-State Honor Band
• 4 Members Selected to advance to TPSMEA State Solo & Ensemble

2013 - 14

• Excellent Ratings at TPSMEA Concert & Sightreading Evaluation
• 1 Band members selected to the TPSMEA All-State Honor Band
• 3 Members Selected to advance to TPSMEA State Solo & Ensemble

Sixth grader Macy Dale in Beginning Band (2015-16)

PCA's Strings Ensemble performing at the Zig Ziglar Banquet
(Spring 2016)

PCA 2015-16 String Ensemble with instructor and Assistant Band Director
Jessica Watts (left)

Sam Worrell (Class of 2016) and Sophia Taylor
(2015-16)

Adrien Mongollon, Sydney Johnson and
Allie Jackson (Class of 2016)

Middle School Band Spring Performance (2015-16)

TPSMEA MS Honor Band students

Band Instructors hard at work

End of year combined band performance (2015-16)