A.A. Kingston Middle School Band

Jill Rubio

Jill Rubio currently directs the band program at Potsdam Central School's A.A. Kingston Middle School.   Last year, her 7th and 8th Grade Band received a gold rating at the NYSSMA Major Organization Festival, and the previous year, they received Gold with Distinction, both years at level 3.   A number of her students have been selected to perform in the NYSBDA Middle School Honor Band over the past several years.   Ms. Rubio was Concert Band conductor at Crane Youth Music in 2005. In her grade 5 through 8 band program, she teaches 159 students, in 3 bands.  Her extracurricular AAK Stage Band was named Grand Champion at the Six Flags Darien Lake music festival in 2003.

Ms. Rubio received both her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Flute Performance from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, in the flute studio of Roger Stevens.   She also studied flute and chamber music with James Walker and Mitchell Lurie, respectively, and conducting with William A. Schaefer. She was named Outstanding Graduate of the School of Music upon completion of her studies.

Ms. Rubio performs frequently as a soloist and chamber musician, in Sweet, Fair and Wise (tenor voice, flute and guitar) and as principal flutist with the Northern Symphonic Winds, a professional wind ensemble. She performs with the Orchestra of Northern New York, and in numerous large and small ensembles throughout New York state.

Ms. Rubio is active as a NYSSMA All-State woodwind adjudicator and serves as the NYSSMA Manual chairperson for flute/piccolo/flute ensemble.   She has chaired her local NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival twice in the past decade.

A native of Los Angeles, Ms. Rubio taught flute and chamber music at the University of Southern California. She was a member of the Downey Symphony, Brentwood-Westwood Symphony and Rio Hondo Symphony in southern California. In Bloomington, Illinois, she was principal flute in the Twin Cities Ballet Orchestra. For the past 23 years she has been half of the Rubio Flute & Guitar Duo with her husband Doug.

Clinic: Level 3 Band:   Embracing the Middle Level, While Preparing for the "Big Time"

This session will address the question of how do you: build and maintain enthusiasm, develop musicianship and expression in all students, integrate ensemble and lessons into a modified block schedule, build parent and community support, and structure a program which meets current needs and prepares students to be outstanding high school musicians.

Additionally, we'll discuss the current NYSSMA Manual Level 3 Band repertoire and other middle level band favorites.   Session attendees are invited to share their favorite intermediate band works in all genres.