instrumental music

faculty SPOTLIGHT

Tim Pitchford

Tim Pitchford, a native Floridian, lived and taught in Illinois for a decade before becoming Lovett’s Upper School Director of Bands and the Honors Ellington Jazz Ensemble Director. During his time in the midwest, he was the jazz progrm director and trombone professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, a private liveral 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. Dr. Pitchford has served as a clinician for the Marshall University Jazz Fedtival, the Northwest Oklahoma University Jazz Festival, the Bradley University Jazz Festival, and the Illinois State University Jazz Festival. As a professional trombonist, he has performed with Arturo Sandoval, The Manhattan Transfer, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Patti Austin, Aretha Franklin, the Woody Herman Orchestra, and many others. From 2002-2005, he toured internationally with K.C. and the Sunshine Band. Dr. Pitchford holds degrees in jazz performance from University of North Florida, Georgia State University, and the University of Miami.

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.

Honors Ellington Jazz Ensemble

wind 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