Bowen Boyack: Tell me about yourself and what inspired you to get this job as a Band Director at Pratt.
Jeffrey Poort: I've always loved being in band. In high school, band was my life. I decided I loved it enough to make it my career and hopefully help others find the same joy I did. When it came to starting my career, I began as assistant director in Woodward Oklahoma for 3 years before coming to Pratt. In my time there, I grew as a person and as a teacher under head director Daci Crockett. In time, I felt ready to lead my own program, plus I wanted to get closer to family. I grew up around Wichita, so Pratt seemed like a good way to be closer to "home." I've had a close friend teaching here for several years, so I already knew and liked the town, and when the position came available it seemed like a good fit. Once I interviewed and met some of the staff, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. This faculty cares deeply about the students, there is a rich tradition in the fine arts despite being a "small" school, and I immediately felt like I would be at home here. Pratt is a great place, and I'm certainly glad to be here.
BB: Tell me a little bit about the Band Program here at PHS.
JP: Band here is Family. I would also say it is about growing as a person. I know that many people won't play a note after graduating high school, so I hope that people in this band learn to work well with each other and to set goals as a group to work towards. Along the way, we have a ton of fun and make great music. More than anything, this band is a place for anyone as long as you're willing to give it your individual best and work for the betterment of the group.
BB: What inspired your musical selections this year for marching band?
JP: Our show this past season was Friday Night Frights. Selections were Michael Jackson's Thriller, Phantom of the Opera theme, and Ghostbusters theme. When deciding the show theme and selections, I run several ideas by the kids and figure out what sparks them. To have a successful, fun, and entertaining show, the kids in it have to be invested in the music. Keeping that in mind, my final decision is based on what I believe is within our ability as a band but still pushes us to be better than we are.
BB: What competitions did you go to this marching season and what ratings/scores did you get?
JP: We were to compete at the Mound of Sound festival, but it was rained out. We did compete at the Southern Plains Marching Festival in Andover and received Superior ratings.
BB: Tell me about your upcoming trip to Florida.
JP: During Spring Break, we will be traveling to Florida for the "You're Instrumental" workshop with Disney. The students will be given new-to-them music on our arrival, and in the 2 and a half hour workshop, we will work that music up to recording quality. I chose this workshop over a performance for the educational aspect it offers the group. A career as a performing or studio musician is perfectly viable, and this gives a little insight into that life. While we're there, we'll spend lots of time simply enjoying Disney, Universal, and the beach as well. I look forward to a lot of fun with the group.
BB: What concert band repertoire are your bands playing this year? When are your upcoming performances?
JP: For contest, we are playing Salvation is Created and Antecedium. For our May program, we will be adding Discovery 1492, a Greatest Showman medley, and more. We have an upcoming mass-band concert with the middle school bands on March 21st, 7:30pm. Our full spring program will be on May 12th.
BB: Looking forward to 2019, any plans for your band that you would be willing to share?
JP: We are in the process of deciding our marching show for next fall. Without giving anything away, there is two concepts we're looking at that have lots of potential for our group and that I believe our community will love as well. More than anything, I'm looking forward to working with these students as they continue to grow as musicians and as people.
Thank you, Jeffrey. Best of luck to you and the PHS Bands in your future.
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