Malone, Jeffrey
Welcome to the MRHS Band & Orchestra!
About the Program
The MRHS Band & Orchestra program, collectively known as the “Pride of the West”, currently serves over 200 students. We strive to foster the development of our individual student musicians through concert, marching, jazz, orchestra, and chamber music. Performance opportunities for our students include three concert bands, string orchestra, marching band, two winterguards, two jazz bands, and numerous chamber ensembles.
Over the years, MRHS ensembles have consistently received Superior and Superior with Distinction honors at Area and State Concert Festivals. Featured performances include the 2021 Midwest Clinic with the MRHS Saxophone Quartet, the 2014 Midwest Clinic with the MRHS Woodwind Choir and Saxophone Orchestra, the 2023 and 2019 Music for All National Concert Band Festival, and 11 times at the Arizona Music Educators Association Conference. The Band is a five-time recipient of the Arizona Band and Orchestra Director’s "William E. Richardson Program of Distinction Award,” recognizing superior achievement in all areas of the Band program.
All band students participate in the MRHS Pride of the West Marching Band, which has consistently qualified for the ABODA State Marching Band Championships and concluded the 2023 competitive season as the ABODA Division 1 Arizona State Marching Band Champions and the AzMBA State Champions in Class 4A. The Pride of the West previously won the State Championship in 2022, 2019, was a 2007 Tournament of Roses Parade participant, represented Arizona at the 56th Presidential Inaugural Parade for President Obama, performed at the 2015 NFL Super Bowl XLIX, and represented the USS Arizona at the 70th and 75th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The MRHS Varsity Winter Guard is a seven-time WGAZ State Champion and were Semi-Finalists in Scholastic Open Class at the 2019 WGI World Championships.
MRHS students have had numerous individual achievements at the State and National level, including student representation in the Music For All Honor Band of America, the National Association for Music Education All-National Concert Band, and the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band.
Band & Orchestra Program Mission Statement
The mission of the Mountain Ridge High School Band & Orchestra Program is to provide every student the opportunity to discover, explore, and ultimately reach their musical potential. By participating in the Mountain Ridge Band & Orchestra Program, students will work to achieve their potential as they develop confidence, cooperation, leadership, responsibility, and high standards of excellence and character, all while developing a sense of community. Band and Orchestra students will come to appreciate the transformative power of music and see music as a means of expression and creation. Through music education and the development of the whole student, we hope to instill into every student a lifelong understanding and appreciation for high-quality music and music-making.
Band & Orchestra Program Goals
First class in everything we do
Strive for excellence in all we do
Always put your best effort forward
Support your peers in reaching our goals
Constant and never-ending improvement
Criteria for Success in the Mountain Ridge Band & Orchestra Program
Be Early - To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is to be rude. Prepare yourself mentally, physically, and musically for anything we do to begin on time.
Be Organized - Take proper care of your music, equipment, instrument, uniform, etc. Always have your required supplies with you for every rehearsal and in an organized, usable state. Ensure your instrument is in good working condition throughout the year.
Give 100% Effort All the Time - Every single member of this ensemble is accountable for our success. We all owe it to ourselves and to our peers to give 100% of ourselves to everything we do.
Be Respectful and Patient with the Process - Trust in the process and know that Mr. Malone and the entire staff has your best interests in mind. We want to see every student flourish and succeed. Develop a quiet, focused, disciplined, and efficient atmosphere in everything we do and always act professionally.
Accept Criticism Without Excuses - Criticism should always be given and received in a constructive manner. Do not take it personally when you are receiving criticism and do not make it personal when you are providing constructive criticism.
Act Appropriately at All Band Functions - Vulgar language and socially unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated. Complete professionalism is expected at all performances, rehearsals, sectionals, trips, and on social media. As members of this program, we represent the entire school. Take pride in yourself and in what werepresent. Be first class in everything that you do!
Practice Individually Between Rehearsals - You owe it to yourself and the program as a whole, to come prepared for rehearsal. It is imperative that you individually practice your music and come to every rehearsal prepared to learn. Rehearsal is a time to learn other people’s part and how your part interacts with others. It is not time to learn and practice your own part.
Provide Positive Contributions - Always strive to be a part of the solution, never contributing to the problem. As a group, we will work and learn to overcome obstacles together.
Communication
The MRHS Band & Orchestra program has developed several means of relaying important information to students and parents. Each of the following are important links between the director, students, and parents. Please make a note of each of our communication lines and stay in the loop:
Band Website
www.mrhsband.net
Please take a few minutes to visit the Band website. It has a ton of information about the Band!
YouTube
www.youtube.com/c/mrhsband
Subscribe and watch the incredible history, both past and present, of the Ridge Bands through featured videos and playlists.
Cut Time
The Cut Time (formally Charms) site is packed with information designed specifically to help keep students and parents up to date with financial and volunteer information. Make the Cut Time site your first stop for information about your account with the band, and please check it often - it is updated regularly! New students will be set up after they turn in their medical form.
Email is one of the most effective methods of communication for our program. During the school year, we will send out a weekly newsletter (The Fanfare!), information about events, schedules, and/or other news. Please help me get important information to you by ensuring that I have accurate, non-DVUSD addresses for students and parents. Additions/corrections should be sent to charms@mrhsbandaides.com.
Fanfare!
The Fanfare! is a weekly newsletter sent to all students and parents, and is available on the #info channel on Slack. Most often, the Fanfare! will serve to remind students and parents about upcoming performances, meetings, and announcements, or will direct you to the band website for further information. I highly encourage all students and parents/guardians to spend a few minutes reading through the Fanfare! each week to ensure that we are staying informed and up-to-date on all the events happening with the Mountain Ridge Band & Orchestra Program.
Slack
Slack is the app the band uses to share information, post announcements, post videos of choreography, and direct message to individuals and small groups.
To access via your computer: Go to mrhsband.slack.com.
To access via your mobile device: Download the app Slack use the team name MRHS Band.
Canvas
Our primary online learning platform is Canvas. Canvas can be easily accessed by following this link: dvusd.instructure.com
Parents can enroll in Canvas and pair with your student as an “observer.”
The MRHS Band has a page on Facebook as do the Ridge Roadies. Click the link on the band homepage and follow us on Facebook.
The Mountain Ridge Band is on Instagram! Follow us @mrhsbandsaz
Band Aides Monthly Meetings
These are monthly meetings for all parents to discuss this month’s updates, calendar, and business and are typically held in the mini-auditorium. Exact location will be posted in the Fanfare!. Attending the monthly meetings are one of the best ways for parents to stay involved, participate in discussion, have their opinions heard, see old friends, and meet new ones. It takes a village to make the Band successful! Every parent who is able should plan on serving. Without volunteers, nothing is possible, but with you everything is possible and it’s fun to be around the students!
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday, 2:30pm-3:30pm or by appointment with Mr. Malone
Band Handbook: Access here
Band Calendar: Access here
Band Website: www.mrhsband.net/forms
Powerschool: Powerschool (Attendance and Grades)
Canvas: Canvas (Learning Management System)
