Featured Ensembles

Jackson High School Instrumental Music Department - Michele Monigold, Director of Bands, David Gleason, Assistant Director of Bands

The instrumental music staff at Jackson assist each other at all levels from grades 5-12.  Jackson High School Symphony Band (OMEA Class AA) is the top instrumental ensemble out of four high school bands, including a Freshman Band (OMEA Class C), Purple Concert Band (OMEA Class A), and Gold Concert Band (OMEA Class B). Symphony Band members have had the opportunity to work directly with several composers including Ryan Nowlin, Frank Ticheli, Randall Standridge, and Jack Stamp. Students in the band program at Jackson also have the opportunity to participate in various ensembles which meet after school including jazz bands, steel bands, pep band, and numerous chamber ensembles.  The Jackson High School “Purple Army” Marching Band has performed throughout the United States, China, Ireland, and most recently completed a visit to Hawaii which included a Veterans Day performance, performance at Pearl Harbor, and the 25th annual Waikiki Holiday Parade. Jackson High School offers advanced and CCP courses in music theory, composition, history, and world music.  Instrumental music is strongly supported at all levels by the Jackson administration, board of education, and Jackson Band Boosters.

Canfield Middle School 8th Grade Band - James Volenik, conductor

Canfield Middle School offers band to students in grades 5, 6, 7, & 8. In addition, a jazz band is offered to seventh and eighth grade students and rehearses one day a week after school. Seventh and eighth grade members participate in the OMEA Solo & Ensemble Adjudicated Event as well as OMEA Large Group Event. 

Canfield Middle School Bands have performed at both the Ohio Band Directors Conference (1998, 2004, 2017) and the Ohio Music Education Association’s Professional Conference (1998, 2000, 2004, 2006). The band also traveled to Washington D.C to perform in the National Festival of the States in 2001. In recent years, the Eighth Grade Band has participated in Music In The Parks at Cedar Point each Spring.

Meet the Conductors

Michele Monigold, Jackson High School

Michele Monigold is Director of Bands and Music Department Head at Jackson High School

She holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and the University of Akron and is currently an adjunct instructor at Kent State University.  Michele directs the Jackson High School Symphony Band, marching band, assists with middle school bands, and teaches Advanced Music/Composition levels 1 and 2, CCP Understanding of Music, and CCP Music as a World Phenomenon courses. Mrs. Monigold is the Tri-M Music Honor Society advisor, an active adjudicator for the Ohio Music Education Association, conducts the Canton Youth Symphony, and was named Ohio District 8 Teacher of the Year 2019.

David Gleason, Jackson High School

David Gleason is currently in his 30th year of teaching, the last 27 being in the Jackson Local School District. He holds degrees from Kent State University and The University of Akron. His duties at Jackson include the Marching Band, JHS Purple Concert Band, Pep Band, 8th Grade Band, and assisting the 5th -7th grade bands. David is an active OMEA Large Group and Solo/Ensemble Adjudicator. He resides in Jackson Township with his wife, Andrea, and their three daughters, Kendall, Caroline and Claire.

James Volenik, Canfield Middle School

James Volenik received his Bachelor of Music Education from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University and his Masters degree from the College of Mount St. Joseph. Mr. Volenik has been Director of Bands at Canfield Village Middle School since 1985. Previous to his appointment at Canfield, he spent one year with the United Local School District and one year at Ursuline High School in Youngstown.

Mr. Volenik has served as chairman of the OMEA District V Adjudicated Events, both Solo & Ensemble and Large Group. In addition he has been chairman of the District V Middle School Honors Band as part of their annual conference. He is also active as an adjudicator for OMEA Solo & Ensemble events. Mr. Volenik has served as limited service faculty at Youngstown State University and The University of Akron.

Mr. Volenik was awarded the Outstanding Arts Teacher Award in Music from the Youngstown Area Arts Council in 1998-1999. In May 2000, he became a Marth Holden Jennings Scholar. He is a member of Phi Beta Mu and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

He continues to perform professionally as a saxophonist with the WD Packard Band in Warren, Ohio. Mr. Volenik resides in Canfield with his wife Laura, and Sophomore daughter Lindsay.