Instrumental Music

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.

marching Band

Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Desire and Excellence! 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.

Eddie Jiménez
PCA Plano - Upper School Band Director
ejimenez@prestonwoodchristian.org

Eddie Jiménez, Trumpeter, Composer and Educator, is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music where he received a Masters Degree in Orchestral Trumpet Performance and was awarded The Cecil Collins Award for Excellence in Brass Performance. Jiménez also received a Bachelor's degree in Instrumental Performance and Composition from the University of Miami, where he was awarded Most Outstanding Music Student. Jiménez is a busy and versatile free-lance trumpeter frequently performing with The Plano Symphony, Irving Symphony, Allen Philharmonic, Imperial Brass, The Lone Star Wind Orchestra, The Dallas Wind Symphony and multiple Brass Ensembles and Quintets. Jimenez is a former member of The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corp. and is currently a member of The Blue Devils Hall of Fame. Jiménez often performs with some of the country’s greatest instrumentalists and singers and is often a featured soloist. Influenced as a child by the classical music his grandfather played every afternoon on his old 1950’s radio, the desire to make music has led Jiménez on a very exciting journey. This journey includes performances in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Jiménez has toured Europe and North America on various occasions with various musical ensembles. He often performs with various Grammy Nominated and Grammy Award winning musicians. On multiple occasions Jiménez has performed for a former President of the United States. A native of Havana, Cuba, Eddie Jiménez joined the PCA family in 2017 as the Middle School Band Director. He and his wife, Kristin, live in Carrollton with their son and are members of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano where he is active in the church orchestra. Kristin serves as the Children's Music Director and sings in the choir on Sunday mornings. Jiménez began teaching music at the age of 18 and received coaching from many great educators, including world renown cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
 

Tamara Thornton
PCA Plano - Middle School Band Director
tthornton@prestonwoodchristian.org

Tamara (Tami) Thornton is an active clarinet instructor, performer, adjudicator, and clinician in the DFW Metroplex and surrounding areas. She is in her eleventh year of teaching and holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas where she studied with John Scott and Daryl Coad. Tami worked in Rockwall where she was the Associate Director of Bands at Rockwall Heath High School in 2012. The Mighty Hawk Band earned a UIL sweepstakes award and other regional and national recognition including the Mark of Excellence and placing 6^th in the state finals of the Texas Music Educators Association Honor Band Competition. In 2008, the RHHS bands traveled to New York City and performed in Carnegie Hall. In 2007 and 2009, the band placed 4^th at the UIL Area C marching contest. Prior to teaching High School, Tami taught at Cain Middle School in Rockwall and Shackelford Junior High in Arlington. She is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters’ Association.

Tami grew up in Cedar Hill where her family helped plant a church. Tami is currently a member of Watermark Community where she has been attending for the last twelve years. She has served on the audio/visual team and is active in her Community Group and Bible Study Fellowship. Her children love attending Awana!

During her free time, Tami enjoys traveling and seeing the world and is an avid swing dancer with her husband, Will Thornton. They have two children, William and Avery.

2019-20

• 4 TPSMEA All-State Band students
• 7 TPSMEA State Solo & Ensemble Qualifiers

2018-19

• TPSMEA State Marching Contest - Superior rating, 4th place at State
• TPSMEA Concert & Sight-reading - Superior ratings, Sweepstakes Trophy
• 3 TPSMEA All-State Band students
• 4 TPSMEA All-Region Band students
• 4 TPSMEA Solo & Ensemble Qualifiers

2017-18

• TPSMEA State Marching Contest - Superior rating
• TPSMEA Concert & Sight-reading - Superior ratings
• 4 TPSMEA All-State Band students
• 9 TPSMEA State Solo & Ensemble Qualifiers

2016-17

• TPSMEA State Marching Contest - Superior ratings, 3rd Overall
• TPSMEA Concert & Sight-reading - Superior rating
• 4 TPSMEA All-State Band students
• 9 TPSMEA North Region Band Qualifiers
• 11 TPSMEA State Solo & Ensemble Qualifiers

2015 - 16

• TPSMEA State Marching Contest - Superior ratings, 3rd Overall
• TPSMEA Concert & Sight-reading - Superior ratings
• 3 TPSMEA All-State Band students
• 7 TPSMEA State Solo & Ensemble Qualifiers

2014 - 15

• TPSMEA Concert & Sight-reading - Superior and Excellent ratings
• 2 TPSMEA All-State Band students
• 4 TPSMEA State Solo & Ensemble Qualifiers

2013 - 14

• TPSMEA Concert & Sight-reading - Excellent rating
• 1 TPSMEA All-State Band student
• 3 TPSMEA State Solo & Ensemble Qualifiers