Embedded Files
Superior Ratings: 8th Grade Symphonic Band
Superior Ratings: 8th Grade Symphonic Band
As Assessed at VBODA IV Concert Band Assessment
or the
Chesapeake Concert Band Festival
Under the direction of Mr. Michael Oare:
Grade III- '92, '94, '95,'96, '97, '98, '99
Under the direction of Mr. Michael Oare and Mr. Mark Gerhardt:
Grade III- ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15
Grade IV - '07
Under the direction of Mr. Michael Oare and Mr. Rob Carroll:
Grade III--’16, ’17, ’18
Under the direction of Mr. Michael Oare and Mr. Eric Graybill:
Grade III--’19, ’20, '22, '23, '24
'21 - Concert Band Assessment was not held
Under the direction of Mr. Eric Graybill and Mr. Benjamin Glosser:
Grade III--’25
Band Directors
Band Directors
Mr. Craig Mills
1975 - 1991
Mr. Michael Oare
1991 - 2024
Mr. Mark Gerhardt
1997 - 2015
Mr. Rob Carroll
2015 - 2018
Mr. Eric Graybill
2018 - Current
Mr. Benjamin Glosser
2024 - Current
Mr. Michael Oare: Shaping Musical Excellence at Great Bridge Middle School
Mr. Michael Oare: Shaping Musical Excellence at Great Bridge Middle School
Michael Oare has been a transformative figure at Great Bridge Middle School, where he served as the Director of Bands from 1991 for an impressive 33 years. His tenure was marked by a profound dedication to music education and a consistent drive for excellence, leaving a lasting legacy on the school's music program and countless students.
Under Mr. Oare's leadership, the Great Bridge Middle School Bands became synonymous with outstanding musical achievement. For an extraordinary 32 of his 33 years, his bands received superior ratings at the Virginia Concert Band Performance Assessment while performing challenging grade 3 and 4 literature. This remarkable consistency culminated in an unbroken streak of 30 consecutive years achieving straight superior ratings – a testament to his exceptional teaching and the high standards he instilled in his students.
Beyond state assessments, Mr. Oare guided the Great Bridge Middle School Band to multiple prestigious performances at the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Conference on four separate occasions. These invitations highlight the band's reputation for quality and musicianship under his direction.
Mr. Oare's impact extends beyond his role as an educator. He is an accomplished composer and arranger, with a particular focus on creating music for young bands. His works, some of which are featured in the acclaimed "Teaching Music Through Performance" series by GIA Publications and published by major companies like Hal Leonard and Kjos Music Company, have been performed widely, further solidifying his influence in the field of music education. This expertise as a composer undoubtedly enriched the learning experience of his students at Great Bridge Middle School, offering them unique insights into musical creation.
His contributions have been recognized through numerous accolades, including being named the 2016 Chesapeake Public Schools' Middle School Teacher of the Year and receiving the National Band Association's Citation of Excellence on two occasions. These honors underscore the significant impact he has had not only on his students at Great Bridge Middle School but also within the broader music education community.
Through his unwavering commitment, exceptional musical talent, and dedication to his students, Michael Oare has cultivated a legacy of musical excellence and inspired a generation of young musicians at Great Bridge Middle School.
Historical Performances and Events
Historical Performances and Events
1981: Great Bridge Junior High School, under the direction of Craig Mills, performed at the VMEA Conference.
1987: Great Bridge Junior High School, under the direction of Craig Mills, performed at the VMEA Conference.
1995: Great Bridge Middle School South, under the direction of Mike Oare, was the inaugural band to perform at the VMEA Conference held at The Homestead.
2000: Great Bridge Middle School, under the direction of Mike Oare and Mark Gerhardt, presented the session "Three Little Pigs go to Middle School," featuring the Great Bridge Middle School Band, at the VMEA Conference.
2002: Great Bridge Middle School, under the direction of Mike Oare and Mark Gerhardt, was invited to perform at the VMEA Conference in Norfolk.
2019: Great Bridge Middle School, under the direction of Mike Oare and Rob Carroll, served as the clinic band for a session on Essential Musicianship, presented by Chris Grifa (Band Director, Creekside Middle School, Carmel, IN), at the VMEA Conference in Norfolk.
Jazz Festival
Jazz Festival
Began in 2004 and featured several prominent performers in the jazz world such as James Ketch (2005), Grammy Award winner saxophonist Chris Vadala (2006), renowned jazz pianist and educator John Toomey (2011), jazz vibraphonist Jon Metzger, trumpeter John D'Earth, trumpeter Victor Haskins. . .
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