Questions? Contact The Salvation Army Midland Division's Music and Gospel Arts Director, JR Boatwright at JR.Boatrwright@usc.salvationarmy.org.
Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!
Midland Division music & gospel arts
The Music and Gospel Arts Department of The Salvation Army Midland Division exists for the development of Salvationist musicians, and local music and arts leaders. We strive for excellence in our music and arts programming, leadership training and spiritual development for the glory of God and the promulgation of the good news of Jesus Christ.
Let the Music Begin
Divisional Music and praise reports
Ezekiel Reiner, from the Cape Girardeau, MO Corps- Selected as a member of the SEMO honor band and earning a Silver Medal for tuba solo! Congrats Zeke!
Karlie Scarborough, from the St. Clair County, IL Corps performing a baritone solo duet at the solo & ensemble music assessment! Well done, Karlie!
Congratulations to Karlie Scarbrough for being selected as a member of The Territorial Youth Band and Cole Ellery for being selected as a member of the Territorial Praise & Worship Team. They are both fine representatives of the Midland Division. We are proud of you both!
Corps Music School Concerts Update
These concerts will feature students currently enrolled in our music schools! Please make plans to attend!
Our Spring Corps music school concerts are free, and all are invited!
Saturday, April 1: Temple, St. Louis, 1 p.m. * Will feature the Divisional music forces.
Sunday, April 2: Madison County, IL, 10:30 a.m.
Divisional Band Update
See you on Saturday April 1st for our season/ concert debut!
Call time: 12 noon, Temple, St. Louis in performance uniform.
Divisional Praise & Worship Team Update
Although our divisional music forces have been formed, please contact JR if you'd like to join/ participate!
Divisional Praise & Worship Rehearsal: Saturday, March 25th, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: St. Clair County Corps, IL
UPCOMING EVENTS
(Music schools & conservatories are free and all are invited to attend)
Corps Music Schools- Weekly music & Bible instruction: Click link below for more information!
Happening Now: Temple, St. Louis, Missouri & Madison County, Illinois
Corps Music Conservatories- Daily music & Bible instruction: (Registration is now open! Talk to your Corps Officer to get started & registered!
Madison County, Ill- June 12- 16
Temple, St. Louis- June 20- 23
Gateway Citadel, St. Louis- June 26- 30
Divisional Music Camp @ Camp Mihaska (more information will be shared soon) July 8- 15
Territorial Music Camps- Camp Wonderland, WI: (more information will be shared soon)
Resonate, (Ages 13 & up)- August 1- 5
Central Music Institute, (Ages 13 & up)- August 5- 13
RISING STARS IS BACK FOR 2023! The window for video submissions for the Rising Stars online solo festival opens on April 1st. Be sure to contact JR or visit the link below for more information about repertoire, eligibility, and submission instructions.
Rising Stars, click here for more information
Tuesday Newsday Reports
Join The Salvation Army Midland Division's Music and Gospel Arts Director, JR Boatwright, each week for "Tuesday Newsday Reports," to stay informed about the work of this program, its students, instructors, and to hear some great tunes. Below, each week's episode will be listed, to help you stay up to date on this show!
March 7, 2023
February 14, 2023
January 18, 2023
Happy New Year from The Midland Division Music & Gospel Arts department! JR Boatwright, our Music & Gospel Arts Director, let's you know about this winter's youth music programs, the music camp this summer at Camp Mihaska, and reminds everyone to sign-up for the music newsletter.
December 13, 2022
This week’s “Tuesday Newsday” reminds us of the hard work Salvation Army officers do with the donations you and others make at Red Kettles during the Christmas season. JR Boatwright, our Music & Gospel Arts Director, also shares info about the upcoming FREE “Let the Music Begin” youth programs.
November 22, 2022
JR Boatwright, our Music & Gospel Arts Director, is joined by a new member of The Salvation Army Midland Division team, Jamie McGeechan, our Communications Manager. Jamie showcases his music talent, playing the guitar and singing a song. Also, get more updates on youth music programs.
November 15, 2022
Our Music & Gospel Arts Director, JR Boatwright, is visited by "family" from down in Florida. Also, registration for The Salvation Army Central Territory: Youth Band, Chorus and Worship Collective.
November 1, 2022
On this week's "Tuesday Newsday," JR Boatwright, our Music & Gospel Arts Director, speaks with Nicholas White, our Content Creator and an unexpected guest too... Tune in to learn about Music School operating dates in 2023, and more to come!
October 25, 2022
Music & Gospel Arts Director, JR Boatwright, speaks with a TSA Midland Division Disaster Recovery Case Manager, Sebastion De Los Santos, about the important Social Services recovery work he does to help those in need. JR also shares more info about upcoming music school programs.
October 18, 2022
Watch this week's Midland Division Music and Gospel Arts "Tuesday Newsday" to learn about its upcoming monthly newsletter, see highlights from the recent men's music camp at Camp Mihaska, pictures of "The Singing Company" program that recently launched at The Salvation Army Temple Corps, and more!
October 4, 2022
This week, Music and Gospel Arts Director, JR Boatwright, invites the first Midland Division Headquarters (DHQ) employee to play a music instrument with him. Watch Marrel Dorsey, DHQ Human Resource Generalist, play kettle bells with JR, and learn about the first, upcoming Midland Division Music School which will take place at The Salvation Army Temple Corps.
September 27, 2022
Music and Gospel Arts Director, JR Boatwright, informs of upcoming performance opportunities for volunteer musicians during the Christmas season, including the Jefferson City Kettle Bell Kick Off, and the Dardenne Prairie Tree Lighting!
September 20, 2022
The Salvation Army Midland Division's new Music and Gospel Arts Director, JR Boatwright, introduces himself, his musical skills and education history, along with this strategy to work with youth to develop instrument and vocal skills, while building confidence and security.
Midland music & gospel arts staff
Divisional Music & Gospel Arts Director: JR Boatwright
JR Boatwright is a first-generation Salvationist. He now leads the Music and Gospel Arts Education of The Salvation Army Midland Division, as well as the discipleship and mentoring of the local leaders and Salvationist artists.
Before accepting this appointment, he served 17 years as Band and Orchestra Director in the Florida Public Schools System. Mr. Boatwright's music education accomplishments include:
- First year as band director at Johnson Middle School, where the band earned straight Superior Ratings at the Florida Music Performance Assessment (MPA) for the first time in its school's history
- Created the Johnson Middle School Jazz Band class that earned straight Superior Ratings at MPA for 3 consecutive years
- Named Teacher of the Year for the 2018-2019 school year
- Director of Bands for 4 years at Carlos E. Haile Middle School, where the wind ensemble, jazz bands, solo and ensembles earned MPA Superior Ratings
- Five years as Director of Bands and Strings studies at Sleep Hill Middle School in Lakeland, FL
- At Sleepy Hill Middle School in 2009, all of his music ensembles received Superior Ratings. Ensembles included: String Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Student Soloist
- Began the music programs at Lake Alfred-Addair Middle School
Mr. Boatwright is a graduate of Florida Southern College, (BME, MED), where he was active in the chorale and wind ensembles, jazz and symphonic bands, and the string orchestra. His professional affiliations include: Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Music Educators Association, Music Education National Conference and the Florida Orchestra Association.
Stay in touch & follow us on social media!
Want to enroll your child in Midland Division Music and Gospel Arts programs,
and have questions about how to get involved?
Send an email to JR Boatwright, at jr.boatwright@usc.salvationarmy.org!
