Early High School band director Jason Jones recently accepted a position at Burnet High School after serving at EHS for 4 years. As he says goodbye, his assistant director Rob Chapleau has been named to fill the vacancy Jones leaves.
Jones stated that he has enjoyed his time at Early High School and will always cherish those memories.
“I have absolutely loved my time at Early High School,” said Jones. “I have amazing students to work with and the credit for our success should be given to them. I have provided them guidance from the podium, but these remarkable students have done the work.”
Jones is dearly loved by his students and has helped to rebuild Early High School band into an award winning program. The program had just 43 students when Jones took the position at Early High School and now has 64 members.
EHS band’s many awards under Jones’ leadership include the following: 3 Years Sweepstakes – earned by receiving 1st Division ratings in Marching, Concert, and Sight-reading; 2 years Area Marching Contest Finalist with 5th place (1st alternate to state) in 2011 and 8th place (3rd alternate to state) in 2013; Heart of Texas Marching Festival Champion – 2012, 2013; and TMEA State Honor Band Qualifier (10th place) – 2012.Before his tenure at Early High School, Jones was the assistant band director of Pampa High School (1999-2004) and then became the head band director at PHS (2004-2010).
Jones spoke highly of his assistant Chapleau who is now the head director at EHS.
“I would also like to give a special thanks to my assistant director, Rob Chapleau. He has been integral to the success that the band has had and I know the band will continue to be successful under his leadership,” stated Jones. “I can’t say how much I appreciate the students, parents, administration, and community of Early for giving me the opportunity to be the Band Director at Early High School. It has been a privilege and I will cherish these years for the rest of my life.”
