Throughout the year, our musicians will have exciting news and events to share with our community.  Please check back often!

JAMS Performing Arts Center Groundbreaking Ceremony

It's official!  On Wednesday, August 28th, the new JAMS Performing Arts Center Groundbreaking Ceremony took place.  Community members representing the SMMUSD Board of Education and Santa Monica College were present along with JAMS Principal Steve Richardson, SMMUSD Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati, and student performers and speakers.

Projected completion of the 750-seat performance venue, rehearsal space, and choir room is January 2021.

2019 Kiwanis Club Solo Competition

Congratulations to the 12 JAMS finalists of the 2019 Kiwanis Club Solo Competition (preliminary round).  These students competed against the finalists from Lincoln Middle School, Malibu Middle School, and Santa Monica Alternative School House.

Wind/Percussion Category:
Citli Carrera Arenas, oboe, 8th grade
Max Friedman, clarinet, 8th grade
Connor McKeown, clarinet, 7th grade
Raeva Vasisht, french horn, 8th grade
Mira Wali, flute, 8th grade
Hannah Webb, clarinet, 7th grade
Naomi Webb, flute, 8th grade

Strings Category:
Dylan Sebastian Heredia, viola, 8th grade
Francisco Martinez Devis, cello, 8th grade
Sarah Moeller, bass, 7th grade
Henry Sullivan, violin, 6th grade
Cassidy Walther, cello, 7th grade

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We are proud to announce the winners of the 2019 Kiwanis Club Solo Competition (middle school instrumental music division):

Wind/Percussion Category:
2nd Place - Raeva Vasisht, french horn, 8th grade
3rd Place - Hannah Webb, clarinet, 7th grade

Strings Category:
1st Place - Cassidy Walther, cello 7th grade
Honorable Mention - Sarah Moeller, bass, 7th grade and Henry Sullivan, violin, 6th grade

JAMS Musicians Honored!

Congratulations to the following JAMS musicians for auditioning and being accepted into these prominent honor groups:  

2019 Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association All-Southern Jr. High Honor Band & Orchestras:

Adam Bloom, percussion, 7th grade
Max Friedman, clarinet, 8th grade
Dylan Sebastian Heredia, viola, 8th grade
Connor McKeown, clarinet, 7th grade
Francisco Martinez-Devis, cello, 8th grade
Sarah Moeller, bass, 7th grade
Dalia Puchalt, clarinet, 6th grade
Henry Sullivan, violin, 6th grade
Edward Wallace, bass, 6th grade
Cassidy Walther, cello, 7th grade
Hannah Webb, clarinet, 7th grade

These eleven students were among 1000+ musicians in the southern California region to audition and be selected to participate in this prestigious event, performing on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency in Garden Grove.


2019 California Band Directors Association All-State Jr. High Honor Bands and Orchestra:
Citli Carrera Arenas, oboe, 8th grade
Ryan Chen, alto saxophone, 7th grade
Yuna Choe, violin, 8th grade
Max Friedman, clarinet, 8th grade
Dylan Sebastian Heredia, viola, 8th grade
Connor McKeown, clarinet, 7th grade
Sarah Moeller, bass, 7th grade
Raeva Vasisht, french horn, 8th grade
Cassidy Walther, cello, 7th grade
Hannah Webb, clarinet, 7th grade

These ten All-State students were among 2,600+ California musicians who participated in the audition process.  They will be rehearsing and performing in Fresno on Feb. 14-17 as a part of the California All-State Music Education Conference, the annual statewide music educators conference.  

Kudos to all - JAMS is very proud!