Forest High School Band Program
SINCE 1922
David Jones was raised in Ocala and graduated from Vanguard High School. He attended the University of Central Florida, majoring in Music, Education, and Mass Communications. He first taught at Eastside High School in Gainesville from 2007-2009 and then at Wildwood Middle High School from 2009-2012.
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Mr. Jones took over the band program at Forest HS in 2012. During his tenure, enrollment increased from 11 members up to 80+ members. The Marching Band, which grew to 90 members in 2025 has consistently received Superior ratings at MPAs and top three finishes at competitions, including a 1st place win at the 2019 Ocala Marching Festival at West Port High School. The Concert band has grown to consistently receive Superior ratings, earning the program's second Superior rating at State MPA in 2025. The jazz program has also received multiple superior ratings during his tenure, including 3 State MPA Superiors as well as Superior ratings at the Lakeside Jazz Festival and the Golden Triangle Jazz Festival.
Forest and Lake Weir, under the direction of Michael Jennings, have combined to perform several time over the years. The first time was for a performance with the Dallas Brass in 2014. The jazz bands perform together annually in downtown Ocala, an event that has become known as "Jazz on the Square". Both marching bands combined for a performance in the New York St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2024.
The flag corps reintroduced under Mr. Jones, known as the Emerald WAVE, has been competitive in FFCC since 2015 and has consistently placed in the top five since 2016. In 2019, the Emerald WAVE won 1st place at the FFCC State Championship and again in 2022.
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Mr. Jones places a strong emphasis on small ensemble performance and each year has between 1-3 small groups that are able to go out and represent the program and the school when the larger ensembles may not be feasible or able to perform. Consistent groups that have represented the program have been the Saxophone Ensemble, known as CATaclysm Saxes, as well as the Percussion ensemble/drumline, Jazz Combo, and Brass Ensemble. The Forest HS band program participates in rough 30-40 performances a year across the entire spectrum of the program, both in school as a part of the curriculum and out in the community.
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Mr. Jones has served the FBA district as a District Officer multiple times over the years. He most recently served as co-chairman of the mentoring committee and District Treasurer. In 2017 he was invited to speak on behalf of the legacy of Mrs. Browne' Greaton Cole at her induction ceremony into the FBA Hall of Fame. In 2019 he was the recipient of FBA's Tom Bishop Award and has been twice nominated as an FBA Emerging Leader.
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