Program Information
Pearl River Community College offers several band and dance team programs to students who wish to learn more about their craft. These include: the Spirit of the River Instrumental Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Cats Band, Pep Band, String of Pearls Dance Team, and Color Guard.
We invite you to come for a visit and experience some of the creative opportunities these programs have for YOU!
Band and Dance Team Offerings at PRCC
A variety of arts events and performances are presented by the college’s award-winning performing ensembles, visual art students and theater program. The department also hosts guest concerts and recitals on campus throughout the year. These events are held either in Malone Chapel or in the Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts and are open to the public. Please consult the schedule of events for a current list of upcoming performances and ticket information. Further information about The Brownstone Center on their website .
The Spirit of the River is the largest and most visible of the instrumental ensembles at PRCC. The band has a history and tradition at PRCC going back almost 100 years. The Spirit of the River is a vital part of the campus performing at football games, campus events, parades, and in exhibition at area marching competitions.
Service Scholarship information:
- For information, click here
Auditions
- Drum Major Auditions: April 26, 2025
- More information will be provided during the Spring Semester.
Director Information:
- Mr. Michael Bass, Director of Bands – mbass@prcc.edu
- Mr. Jerry Pickering, Assistant Band Director & Director of The Spirit of the River – jpickering@prcc.edu
- Dr. Andrew Gilstrap, Assistant Band Director & Director of Percussion – agilstrap@prcc.edu
The String of Pearls Dance Team was established over 50 years ago. This award-winning group has performed at many exciting venues and received numerous accolades throughout the years.
The Fall team members perform at football games and area parades as an integral part of the “Spirit of the River” Marching Band. The Spring team members perform at basketball games. The Spring team is also a traveling competitive team that has earned both state and national champion titles for many years.
Service Award info:
- Fall Semester – Full Tuition
- Spring Semester – $1200.00
Auditions for Fall 2025:
- General Information
- Clinic Date: Friday, April 11th in the Brownstone on the Poplarville Campus
Check-in at 2:30pm – Learn Audition Technique and Routines 3:00-6:30pm - Clinic Attire: Wear a dance appropriate clothes and bring dance shoes (jazz
shoes, pirouettes, etc.). - Audition Application: Each Dancer auditioning must complete and submit the the
audition application and dancer evaluation form. Your completed audition packet
and $40 audition fee is due the day of the dance clinic. This fee can be paid in cash
or by check made payable to PRCC String of Pearls. - Audition Date: Saturday, April 12th in the Brownstone on the Poplarville Campus
Check-in and Receive Audition Numbers 9:00am – Begin Audition Process 9:30am - Audition Attire: Wear any color dance sports bra or half top (may be embellished
with stones, sequins, etc.) with black dance shorts or leggings and appropriate
dance shoes. Wear performance ready make-up and hair. - Dance Requirements: We do not have a specific list of “requirements” that must
be demonstrated to make the team, but dancers should be technically trained and
prepared to execute advanced skills. The level of difficulty required throughout the
year will vary based on the routine needed for our particular performance. Typical
skills executed by the team may included but are not limited to the following:
pirouettes (double, triple, quad), a la seconde turns, right and left grande jete leaps,
chaine open, calypso leap, firebird, switch arabesque, toe touch, precision kicks,
splits and extensions, etc. It is important to be a versatile dancer with confidence
and showmanship. We will work on advancing our skill level as a team so many of
the skills can be acquired and perfected after team selection. - Team Selection: Team selection is based on judges scores from the audition
process. Dancers will be evaluated on their dance technique, showmanship and
overall impression/potential. The final number of team members will be based on
the audition cut-off score, and typically 16-25 dancers will make the final cut. - Additional Information: Dancers who are selected to be a member of the String of
Pearls will receive a detailed letter outlining obligations, summer practice dates,
scholarship information, etc. If you have additional questions or need more
information please contact Kara Fleming (Director/Coach)
karafleming1113@aol.com or 601-347-6369 (call or text).
- Clinic Date: Friday, April 11th in the Brownstone on the Poplarville Campus
- Audition Application Form
- Applicant Evaluation Form
- General Information
Contact Information:
- Michael Bass – mbass@prcc.edu
- Kara Fleming – 601-347-6369
Auditions:
Audition Registration
You must have a completed PRCC COLOR GUARD EVALUATION FORM to audition.
You must print the evaluation form found in the Audition Registration Form, have your color guard instructor complete it, and bring it with you to audition on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
- Pliè (grande and demi)
- Chassé
- Sauté
- Chaine turns
- Floor/sit rolls (moving onto and off of the ground)
- Jazz run
- Jazz walk
- Drop Spins
- Cones (figure 8’s, carves)
- Flourishes
- Windmills (backscratchers)
- Pull hits
- Silk toss
- Money toss (j-toss)
- Pop toss
- 45 toss
Contact Information:
- Michael Bass, Director of Bands – mbass@prcc.edu
- Jerry Pickering, Assistant Band Director and Director of The Spirit of the River –jpickering@prcc.edu
- Andrew Gilstrap, Assistant Band Director and Director of Percussion – agilstrap@prcc.edu
The PRCC Wind Ensemble and Concert Band performs and rehearses during the Spring semester of each academic year. Members are auditioned at the beginning of the Fall semester for placement in their respective band and section. The Wind Ensemble gives a concert at the Pearl River Regional Band Clinic and both the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band will give an end-of-semester concert. Service Awards for the Spring semester are awarded to all members of the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band.
Service Award info:
- Wind Ensemble – $1350.00 (spring semester only)
- Concert Band – $1350.00 (spring semester only)
Auditions:
- Auditions normally occur at band camp before the start of the fall semester of the academic year.
- Auditions consist of scales and sightreading.
Contact Information:
- Michael Bass – mbass@prcc.edu
- Jerry Pickering – jpickering@prcc.edu
- Andrew Gilstrap – agilstrap@prcc.edu
The “Jazz Cats” consists of 5 saxes, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, and a rhythm section (piano, bass, guitar, percussion, and drums). Members are selected through an audition held before the Fall semester of each year. The “Jazz Cats” tours the district high schools during the Spring semester and performs at various school and civic functions. Repertoire consists of rock, jazz, Latin, and swing styles. A service award is available to each member during the Spring semester.
Service Award information:
- Half tuition (fall and spring semesters)
- Performances include Halloween concert, Winter Wonderland Concert, PRCC Regional Band Clinic, Spring Concert, and tour area high schools.
Auditions:
- Auditions occur during band camp before school starts for the fall semester.
- Auditions consist of scales and a prepared piece sent out approximately 2 weeks before auditions.
Contact Information:
- Michael Bass – mbass@prcc.edu
Honors Brass Quintet
PRCC Honors Brass Quintet consists of 2 trumpets, horn, trombone, and tuba.
Service Award info:
- Service Award is a half-tuition scholarship (Fall and Spring semesters)
- The ensemble will perform at functions on and off-campus. In addition, it will be a recruiting ensemble that will travel to local high schools to represent PRCC in recruiting efforts.
Auditions:
- Auditions are due by the end of May (or until filled)
- Auditions will consist of excerpts from the brass quintet literature that will be recorded and emailed to Mr. Bass.
Contact Information:
Michael Bass – mbass@prcc.edu
Pep Band
The PRCC Pep Band is under the direction of Dr. Andy Gilstrap. Pep Band meets during the spring semester and performs at home basketball games. Service awards are awarded to all members of the PRCC Pep Band.
Scholarship info:
- $350 Service Award
- Spring Semester
Auditions:
- Contact Dr. Andrew Gilstrap for more information.
Contact Information:
- Dr. Andrew Gilstrap – agilstrap@prcc.edu
Service
Scholarship
Each student that participates in the instrumental, vocal, and drama programs at Pearl River is eligible for a service scholarship*. Scholarships are awarded for a maximum of six semesters and do not have to be taken during consecutive semesters. Service scholarships within the Department of Fine Arts and Communications can be “stacked” with academic, other service scholarships, and State and Federal financial aid.
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