Instrumental Music

upper school band

The Upper School Band Program is a composite of the concert/symphonic band, jazz ensembles, woodwind, brass, and percussion ensembles. Members of the Upper School band are encouraged to study privately with Lovett’s Conservatory of Music faculty or local performing artists. Students are further encouraged to participate in select state and local honor groups, including the GMEA All-State Band, the GISA All-Select Band, the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Metro Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble, the Rialto Jazz Orchestra, and other extracurricular performing ensembles. Members of the Ellington Jazz Ensemble are selected by audition. The Lovett Ellington Jazz Ensemble and Wind Symphony compete in national festivals and competitions.

faculty SPOTLIGHT

TIM PITCHFORD

Tim Pitchford, a native Floridian, lived and taught in the state of Illinois for a decade before becoming Lovett’s Upper School Director of Bands and Director of the Ellington Jazz Ensemble. He spent the last five years of that time as director of the jazz program and trombone professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, a private liberal arts college in Bloomington, IL. Under his direction, the IWU Jazz Ensemble performed for the 2014 Illinois Music Educator’s Conference and the Elmhurst Jazz Festival. He has been a clinician at numerous university jazz festivals across the country including the Marshall University Jazz Festival, the Northwest Oklahoma University Jazz Festival, and the Illinois State University Jazz Festival. As a professional trombonist, Dr. Pitchford has performed with Joe Williams, Maureen McGovern, Arturo Sandoval, Gloria Gaynor, The Manhattan Transfer, John Pizzarelli, Patti Austin, Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Band, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, the Woody Herman Orchestra, and many others. He has recorded on several Grammy and Latin Grammy nominated albums and numerous independent and commercial recordings. From 2002-2005, he performed throughout Europe, North, Central, and South America with pop-music icon K.C. and the Sunshine Band. Recent guest performances include the 2015 Peoria Jazz Festival, the 2014 Midwest Trombone and Euphonium Conference, the 2014 Peoria Jazz Festival, the 2014 Yellowstone Jazz Festival, and the 2012 Blagoevgrad Jazz Festival in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. Dr. Pitchford holds degrees in jazz performance from University of North Florida, Georgia State University, and the University of Miami.

wind symphony

honors ellington jazz ensemble

middle school band

The Lovett Middle School Bands perform numerous times throughout the year, including a holiday concert, the annual Prism Concert, the Lovett Jazz Festival, and at other venues. Students perform concert band literature, and in seventh and eighth grade begin a curriculum of jazz studies. The Middle School Bands have received superior ratings, sweepstakes honors, and outstanding soloist awards at numerous band festivals, as well as invitations to perform at the state music convention. They also have produced many All-State band students.

eighth grade band

seventh grade band

sixth grade band

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faculty SPOTLIGHT

LYNN KING

Lynn King is the Middle School Band Director, who also assists with the Lower and Upper School Band Programs. Mrs. King received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Appalachian State University. Prior to coming to Lovett, Mrs. King taught at Henderson Middle School for 11 years. She is a freelance oboe player in the Atlanta area and also plays with the Cobb Wind Symphony. Mrs. King has also been a guest clinician in many metro Atlanta schools. In her spare time she runs full and half marathons.

JUSTIN VARNES

Born in Jacksonville, FL, Justin Varnes studied at the University of North Florida before moving to New York to study at the New School. In New York, he toured with Phoebe Snow, with whom he performed on the Roseanne Barr Show with Michael McDonald, Madison Square Garden, and NPR’s “World Café.” He regularly performs with his own quartet, was tapped for work as part of the Earl Klugh Trio, and is a top call sideman for touring artists throughout the Southeast. Justin has performed with Mose Allison, Wessell Anderson, Kenny Barron, Peter Bernstein, Don Braden, Ann Hampton Callaway, Five for Fighting, Gavin DeGraw, Victor Goines, Wycliffe Gordon, Vincent Herring, Kevin Hays, Kevin Mahogany, Tony Monaco, Marcus Printup, Bob Reynolds, Lew Soloff, David Sanchez, Ira Sullivan, Sachal Vasandani, and Jimmy Vivino. In addition to his career in performing, Justin teaches at Lovett and Georgia Tech, and is also heavily involved in teaching jazz to youth groups such as the Rialto Youth Jazz Orchestra, Rialto Jazz for Kids, and Young Audiences. He also teaches and works with several national jazz programs, including Interplay Jazz & Arts and the Hilton Head Junior Jazz Foundation.

lower school band

The Lovett Lower School Bands offer a unique experience for young instrumentalists. Students enjoy learning the techniques to perform in large and small ensembles. They begin their musical training in the fourth and fifth grades. The bands perform a holiday concert in December, participate in a spring concert in March, and play for the Lower School in May. Some band students have played their instruments in the annual talent show, chapel services, and some school musicals.

fifth grade band

fourth grade band

faculty SPOTLIGHT

CHARISSA GRANSDEN

Charissa Gransden, director of Lower School bands, studied music education and flute performance at Florida State University. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree from Georgia State University. This is her 15th year at Lovett, and her 25th year teaching band. Charissa has been a band adjudicator and clinician throughout the metro Atlanta area. She has taught flute as well as chamber ensembles. She is also a freelance flute player who has performed with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Orchestra Atlanta, and the Southern Crescent Symphony. She occasionally sings with her husband, Joe, and his Big Band.

chamber orchestra

The members of the LOVETT CHAMBER ORCHESTRA are comprised of students in grades 9-12. Musical excellence is achieved through student-centered instruction on the physical and intellectual skills required to perform string and full orchestra music from a wide range of musical styles and genres. Students are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities like private lessons, GMEA All-State Orchestra, GISA All-Select Orchestra, and any of the many fine youth orchestras in the area.

The LOVETT COLLEGIUM STRINGS is an honors-level ensemble that draws its members from the Chamber Orchestra. This ensemble focuses on compositions inteded for performance by small string ensembles. Students in the Collegium Strings engage in scholarly preparation of music through theoretical analysis, historical context, and historically appropriate performance practice to create authentic performances.

faculty SPOTLIGHT

DAVID ECCLES

David F. Eccles is a native of Norfolk, Virginia. He has held string education positions in Virginia and Florida. He has served as a guest conductor for many state, county, regional, and community orchestras. Mr. Eccles has presented education sessions at local, state, and international conferences. He is a clinician and consulting author for the Hal Leonard Corporation. Additionally, he is a performing artist for JonPaul Bows. He holds advanced degrees in Music Education from Florida State University and University of Miami (Florida) and Bachelor of Music and Media from Norfolk State Univeristy.

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middle school orchestra

The MIDDLE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA program is comprised of students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. These young musicians are developing the physical, intellectual, and social skills vital in string music study. They perform a wide variety of musical styles and genres for both the Lovett and Metro Atlanta communities.

faculty SPOTLIGHT

GRACE KAWAMURA STUBBART

Grace Stubbart is the Middle School Orchestra Director at The Lovett School. She attended Kennesaw State University for her Bachelor of Music degree, and also earned a Master of Music degree from the The University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Prior to her position as Middle School Orchestra Director, Grace was a violin instructor for the Lovett Conservatory of Music for four years. Grace holds a section violin position with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra and has performed with various orchestras in the Metro-Atlanta area such as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Ballet, and Atlanta Opera. In her spare time, Grace enjoys being at the barn riding dressage and jumping over cross rails and spending time with her husband, two bunnies, cat, and dog.

eighth grade orchestra

seventh grade orchestra

sixth grade orchestra

lower school orchestra

The Lovett Lower School Orchestras offer third, fourth, and fifth graders the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of playing the violin, viola, cello, and bass. The Lower School Orchestra is centered on the physical, social, and emotional aspects of playing a string instrument. Student performances throughout the year include a holiday concert in early December, a String Spectacular concert in the Spring, and a Lower School performance in May. Orchestra students may also perform in special events such as chapel services and the annual talent show. First-year players and experienced players are welcome in the Lower School Orchestra.

faculty SPOTLIGHT

PERRY MORRIS

Perry Morris is the Lower School Orchestra Director at The Lovett School. Perry earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance from Kennesaw State Univeristy. Perry remains active as a performer, studio teacher, and clinician in Metro-Atlanta.

fifth grade orchestra

fourth grade orchestra

third grade orchestra

The Third Grade Orchestra offers students an early opportunity to experience playing the violin, viola, cello, and bass. First-year players and experienced players are welcome in the Third Grade Orchestra. This class focuses on the baseline skills of playing a string instrument, as well as the physical, social and emotional aspects of playing music. Student performances throughout the year include a holiday concert in early December, a String Spectacular concert in the spring, and a Lower School performance in May. Third Grade Orchestra students may also perform in special events such as chapel services, the annual talent show, and a recital at the High Museum.