China Grove Middle School
"Red Devil" Band
"One Band, One Sound........."
Welcome to Mr. Kirk's Band Webpage! This site will detail information about the CGMS Band program in regards to practice schedules, concert events, and contest information. Please check this site weekly to be updated on events for our band. The China Grove Middle School Band Program consists of over 150 students in grades 7 - 8 and focuses on excellence in instrumental music. In addition, our 6th grade students enroll in "Introduction to Instrumental Music" classes throughout the first year into middle school. Students who successfully fullfill the requirements in 6th grade will be chosen to play in our 7th grade band.
Mr. Kirk's Biography: Mr. Kirk is entering his 13th year as a teacher at China Grove Middle School and has taught in Cabarrus County prior to working in the Rowan-Salisbury School System. He graduated with honors from Catawba College in 1994 with the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education (K-12) and was a student teacher at Northwest Cabarrus MS and Northwest Cabarrus HS in 1994. He is currently the assistant marching band director and marching percussion director for The Jesse C. Carson High School "Cougar" Band as well as composer and instructor for numerous high school bands over the past ten years. Mr. Kirk taught the percussion sections of East Rowan HS, Mount Pleasant HS, Northwest Cabarrus HS and South Rowan HS from 1993 to 2003. He is also a marching band judge in North Carolina and judges throughout the state each fall. His percussion sections received consistant "Superior" ratings at band contests. While at Catawba, he served as the college's college president in the music department and received the John Philip Sousa Award for excellence in band. Mr. Kirk has many years of experience in the marching band and concert band venues. He graduated from Central Cabarrus High School in 1988 and the award winning marching "Viking" band won "High Percussion" at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Pontiac, Michigan as well as placing 7th place in the nation with North Carolina's highest marching band placement in the late 1980's.
He also has performed with two premier Drum and Bugle Corps in North America; playing in the drumline. In 1989-90, he was a member of the Florida Wave Drum and Bugle Corps from Miami, Florida and performed at the 1989 DCI World Championships in Kansas City, Missouri and the 1990 DCI World Championships in Buffalo, New York. In 1991, Mr. Kirk was a member of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps from Canton, Ohio and "aged out" in the elite "top twelve" Drum Corps at the 1991 DCI World Championships in the Cotton Bowl (Dallas, Texas). He has also been an instructor for the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps (Charlotte, NC) teaching the Bass Drum Section in 1992.
In 1999, he was awarded the Time Warner Cable "Star Teacher" plaque by a student in the Rowan-Salisbury School System for excellence in teaching.
Currently, Mr. Kirk is on the Praise and Worship Team at Grace Covenant Church in Kannapolis playing the drumset. He has performed at the Foursquare Men's Advance in Myrtle Beach, SC in 2007-08 with the North Carolina "District" Praise and Worship Team (again playing lead Drumset at the conference).
Mr. Kirk resides in Kannapolis, NC with his wife Beth and his two daughters: Jordan and Katelyn.
WELCOME BACK TO CGMS!!
6th Grade Introduction to Band: Our students have done a great job in learning the basics of music theory and notation. We are beginning our work on the treble and bass clefs. Also, our students began to play the brass family instruments (trumpet and trombone). There is a lot of talent in these young students......thanks for working hard and participating!!
7th Grade Band: The first week and three days of school have been fantastic!! Both classes can play through the first four notes taught in beginner band. Our first chair challenge was last Friday and students need to start planning on this week's challenge. Also, the first playing quiz is planned for next week. Keep up the good work folks!!
8TH GRADE BAND: Great job on the first week of school!! The students have come back ready to play again with a great attitude. We are beginning to sight-read through a few concert pieces for our fall concert and are learning new scales for all-county band auditions in November. Look for a chair challenge on Friday and the first playing quiz sometime next week.
PARENTS: Your child was given a Band Handbook on Monday detailing all of the expectations for the school year. Please remind your child to give the handbook to you so you can read over the details and sign the last page. Also, return the bottom portion only (last page) with your child on Tuesday for band class.
IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR!!
EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGH FOR US.......GO FOR IT!!
Thanks for checking this website and feel free to contact me at school or by e-mail if you have any questions or comments.
Musically,
Mr. Kirk
