Mr. Satterfield encourages all band parents to get involved with band boosters, starting in middle school.  The Boosters support all band programs grades 6 to 12--it's not just for the marching band!  In the past few years, Booster funds have directly benefited Forest Middle with:
  --yearly instrument purchases & cleaning costs
  --furniture and shelving for the band room
  --travel expenses for the FMS Bands to participate in Concert Assessment

​Spring 2019 District Results:
23 FMS students made All-District Band - 17 in Symphonic Band, including 4 first chairs and 3 second chairs.  WOW!! Congratulations to Mr. Satterfield and to everyone who tried out--Our future looks bright! ​

Special Weekend Boot Camp 2018:

Picture
​
Assessment Boot Camp for 7th and 8th grade bands
was held on January 27, 2018, at Jefferson Forest High School. Symphonic Band students received sectional instruction from select JF Wind Symphony players and all students spent time with special guest conductors helping them to prepare for District Concert Assessment.
​
8th Grade Symphonic Band guest conductor Mr. Larry Seipp
Larry Seipp is currently the Director of Bands at Liberty Christian Academy in Lynchburg, Virginia where he teaches all aspects of the band program from grades 6-12.  During his 6 years at LCA, the marching band has won numerous awards has tripled in size to become the largest private school band in Virginia.  The symphonic band has earned consistent superior ratings as well.  Prior to teaching at LCA, Mr. Seipp was director of bands at E.C. Glass High School for thirteen years. As a trumpet performer and teacher, Mr. Seipp has taught trumpet at James Madison University, Eastern Mennonite University, and Liberty University.   Mr. Seipp is a regular performer and private teacher in the Lynchburg area and is a member of the Lynchburg Symphony. 
 Mr. Seipp holds degrees from Liberty University (B.M., 1996) and James Madison University (M.M., 1998) He’s married to the love of his life, Lori, and has two sons, Andrew and Owen.  
 
7th & 8th Grade Concert Band guest conductor Mr. James Meredith
James Meredith retired from a successful 40 year career teaching middle school band in 2013. During that time the Sandusky Middle School Band performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, the Virginia Music educators Association multiple times, at three Universities, and earned numerous superior ratings at VBDOA and other springtime festivals. Mr. Meredith’s personal honors include the 2010 Virginia Music Educator of the Year and the John Phillip Sousa/Bandworld Legion Laureate Award in 2012. Upon retirement, Mr. Meredith now works full time composing for band and orchestra. His music for both strings and band has been performed at the Midwest Clinic, State Conferences, and adapted for state and international music lists. He continues to enjoy judging, guest conducting, and accepting commissions.

All-District Slideshow:

Picture
Additional 2016-2017 Honor:  World renowned clarinetist Julian Bliss led a middle school Saturday boot camp on Jan. 28 to help prepare our students for competition. Julian Bliss began playing at age 4 and performed at Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee when he was only 13. He has achieved distinction as a concerto soloist, chamber musician, jazz artist, masterclass leader, eloquent public speaker and tireless musical explorer. His contributions to the music profession were recognized when he was appointed an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in London.  What an incredible honor to have him instruct our students this year!!!
​FMS HONORS 2016-2017:  Congratulations to the 2016-2017 FMS Band students and to director Chris Satterfield for fantastic All-District performances! 27 young musicians made symphonic (15), concert (10) or 1st alternate (2) at district competition in January including two first chairs and four second chair positions!! The district concert was held in Martinsville, VA, on Feb. 17/18 and included an overnight stay.

FMS Honors 2015-2016:
​ Congratulations to all 19 FMS students who qualified for All-Districts. Fourteen students represented Forest Middle in all-district symphonic band and five in concert band in mid-February.
​FMS Honors 2014-2015: 
Once again, FMS King's Dominion Band Assessments were all Superior ratings. 
Congrats to FMS for placing 30 students in All-District band, including a 1st chair trumpet & baritone!

Picture
Band Director Harry Farmer named Lynchburg Living's Top Teacher in the March 2015 issue.
This summer, FMS says goodbye to him after 19 years so he can relocate with his family, but we are happy he will continue his teaching & directing career.
FMS Honors 2013-2014: 
In  November, 8th grade Symphonic Band performed (by special invitation) at the VMEA Conference, in Hot Springs, VA.  They also performed at Lynchburg College.

Forest Middle School had an impressive 40 students qualify for All District Band in January, including three first chairs. Congratulations! 

FMS King's Dominion Band Assessments were 
all Superior ratings.

FMS 2012-2013: 

VBODA District Concert Festival 
Performance Assessment 
Results: 8th grade Symphonic: Superior, 
Grade 4
7th Grade Concert: Superior Ratings

A school record 43 FMS band students (30 8th graders and 13 7th graders) were selected for All-Distict Band. 
(Our previous record was 30 students.) FMS had the most students selected out of over 400 students from 35 participating middle schools in our district this year. The next highest school had 17 students selected.