Martin Murphy Middle School
Music Program
6th- 8th Grade
Martin Murphy Middle School offers three levels of band classes: Cadet Band, Intermediate Band and Advanced Band. These are the first steps in Morgan Hill Unified School District 6-12th grade band program, preparing students for the award-winning program at Ann Sobrato High School.
Cadet Band
For students just getting started on their musical journey....
Cadet Band is available to all (6-8th grade) at Murphy, and is for students who have no prior musical experience. Students have the choice to begin on flute, clarinet, trumpet and trombone, with other instruments becoming available in the second semester. Students in the Cadet Band perform in three concerts a year.
Intermediate Band
For students with 1 year experience....
Intermediate Band is for students who have at least a year of experience on their instrument. Students in the Intermediate Band perform multiple concerts a year, participate in the CMEA Band and Orchestra Festival, and other festivals and events throughout the year.
Advanced Band
For students rockin' and rolling....
Advanced Band is for students who have at least two years of experience on their instrument. Students in the Advanced Band perform multiple concerts a year, participate in the CMEA Band and Orchestra Festival, perform in the annual elementary school recruitment tour, and other festivals and events throughout the year.
About Mr. Aaron Shemas
Mr. Shemas is a native of Ohio and graduate of Dublin-Coffman High School in the Columbus Metro. Prior to coming to California, Mr. Shemas taught in both New Mexico and Texas, producing highly successful ensembles. Bands under Mr. Shemas’ direction have shown exponential growth and constantly earned superior ratings and "Sweepstakes" in the Texas UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest, and NMMEA Music Performance Assessments.
An accomplished clarinetist, Mr. Shemas has also performed in orchestral, chamber, and wind ensembles, as well as a soloist, in various collegiate, community, and professional ensembles across the United States. His experiences include performances at the College Band Directors National Association Conferences, numerous music festivals, and the 2018 Midwest International Band & Orchestra Clinic in Chicago as part of The Woodlands Concert Band.
Mr. Shemas holds membership in the California Music Educators Association, the New Mexico Music Educators Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity. His primary teacher was Mr. Richie Hawley, Principal Clarinetist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Professor of Clarinet at the Rice University Shepard School of Music.
Mr. Shemas holds Bachelor of Music degrees in both Music Education and Clarinet Performance, as well as Master of Music Degree in Clarinet Performance from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.