The Magnolia High School Marching Band.

Mr. Jacob Hoskins, music director and teacher at Magnolia High School, is a hometown boy who grew up locally and attended Magnolia.

He graduated in 2010. After graduation he attended Marshall University and majored in music education and graduated in 2015. Good fortune brought him home after graduation.

Jacob explained that he did not come from a musical family, except for him and his sister. He did however tell me that his grandmother attended church on Sundays and was part of the choir.

He teaches music along with two instruments, guitar and piano. Music theory is what he adds to enhance students’ understanding of reading and the background of music. Jacob also instructs the choir, jazz band and percussion ensemble.

Students coming to Mr. Hoskins class most often have already had some musical instruction. But on occasions he does get someone who is a beginner. “I do get students who are part of my piano and guitar class that show an interest in going into my music classes.”

Why music? Jacob explained just before he entered the fifth grade, a professional percussion ensemble came to the grade school. I attended their performance and fell in love with music. “It was at that point he knew what he wanted to do after graduation.”

He recalls his first day going before a group of students. He began at Paden City elementary. “I was a sub at the school, eventually I had the opportunity to move to Magnolia. I came into the new position in the middle of March. Students had just lost their director and were in the middle of testing. I could see on the faces of the students they were hoping I could pick up where their previous instructor had left off and begin teaching day one.” He explained, “It was an odd feeling, but I enjoyed the challenge”.

I asked, after nine years of teaching, how does he begin preparing at the end of a school year. The band he had worked with for a year will change with graduation. Each year he loses experienced senior students and gains new freshmen. Jacob explained that even before the school year ends, he begins in May looking at what the following year will bring in talent and instruments. He plans out the routines and music he wants to begin teaching when the band comes together for summer practice in July.

Jacob explains that he understands the new group will have different skill levels, but that is part of the learning process for the kids and myself. Putting them together knowing they want to be there; it starts to come together pretty quickly. My job is to often rewrite musical pieces to help students play their parts. That way, everyone can perform up to their best ability.

Jacob understands that some students can be handed a piece of music and begin to play right away. And that same student when asked to play the music and march in formation may take time to put the two skills together. Each student is different. But this year I have sixteen and they all want to learn and do their best every time they come together. Something not taught by me, is how members of our band encourage and help others to learn new skills.

Jacob talked about high school bands of the past having as high as one hundred and fifty kids. Large brass sections give strength to the music, especially when played outside. Today he explained that bands nationwide have grown smaller. Classes have grown smaller as kids have so many things to occupy their time. Jacob spoke of having only four brass instruments and how he arranges the music to give them a bolder sound. Jacob understands that he has many more years to teach and he loves the process and working with kids. What changes does the future have for him and Magnolia’s High School Band? He is unsure, but he is where he wants to be now and in the future.

The band has been in several competitions, the most recent was held in Ripley. He explained that they improved over the previous week’s performance. We won first place Drum Major, first place percussion, second place visual. Our scores went up from the week before, where at Parkersburg we won first in class. The kids continue to improve at each competition. Our last competition will be at Marshall University. He explained with only sixteen members and four brass instruments, the band projects a much larger sound. Those kids’ talent is what helps to gain us high scores in competitions.

Jacob knows with the end of football season, the bands marching will end, except for Christmas Parades. He then plans to concentrate on concerts, jazz bands, playing at churches and in community places.

On December 14th, the band will host Santa’s Workshop at the high school. Santa will be present and available for pictures with visitors. We hope people who have a picture taken with Santa will make a donation that goes to support our band.

Does Jacob feel good at the end of the day? “Yes, I have really great kids and I enjoy seeing their faces when they have accomplished something together as a band, Magnolia’s High School Band.”