We are very fortunate to have a thriving band program at CEMS. Approximately 60% of Cape students participate in band at the middle school level. Our program includes fifth grade beginning band, sixth grade band, seventh grade band, and eighth grade band. Seventh and eighth grade band students have the opportunity to participate in two co-curricular jazz bands. In recent years, we have been lucky to have the opportunity to take part in consortium commissions with composers Andrew Boysen Jr, Randall Standridge, and Frank Ticheli.
Each year, a significant number of CEMS band students are selected to participate in the Maine Music Educators Association D1 7/8, 6th Grade, and MS Jazz Honors Festivals. Additionally, many of our students also perform with the Portland Youth Wind Ensemble. NAMM Best Communities for Music Education
2016-2022 2020 Dale F. Huff Outstanding Music Program Award |
Caitlin Ramsey has been the Director of Bands at Cape Elizabeth Middle School since 2010. For the past nineteen years, she has been an active adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor throughout New England and currently serves as the Eastern Division Representative on the National Council of Band Education. In 2009, Mrs. Ramsey was awarded a Maine Arts Teaching Fellowship and in 2020, Ms. Ramsey was named the Maine Music Educators Association’s Music Educator of the Year. Under Ms. Ramsey’s direction, CEMS bands have performed at the Maine Music Educators Association Conference.
Ms. Ramsey holds undergraduate degrees in horn performance and music education from Miami University as well as a Masters of Music from Kent State University. Mrs. Ramsey has attended the New England Conservatory of Music conducting symposium, studying with Frank Battisti and Charles Peltz and the University of Southern Maine conducting workshop, studying with Eugene Migliaro Corporon and Dr. Jackie Townsend. Ms. Ramsey serves as the MMEA District I Secretary and as the coordinator of the D1 7/8 Honors Festival and the D1 6th Grade Honors Festival. She lives in Portland, Maine with her husband Tim who is a high school band director. Missy Shabo has worked as a middle school band director for the past 14 years and joined the Cape Elizabeth Middle School as Co-Director of Bands 2022. Prior to coming to Cape Elizabeth, Ms. Shabo was the director of bands at Scarborough Middle School. Ms. Shabo, a saxophonist, holds an undergraduate degree in Music Education and a Masters in Music Education from the University of Southern Maine. Additionally, in 2022, she earned her Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from USM.
Since 2015, Ms. Shabo has been the camp director of the Southern Maine Junior Music Academy, Youth Band Day Camp, and Choral Music Academy at USM. Additionally, she currently serves as the Maine Music Education Association District I Chair and the band manager for the MMEA D1 7/8 Honors Festival. |