Embedded Files
Saturday, November 8th some excellent student musicians went to MMEA All State Auditions! They represented South Portland with maturity and responsibility. GO SP!!
Congratulations to Jen Fletcher and Erica Scarano and the South Portland Middle School music department on being awarded this grant! What an amazing opportunity for the program! Thank you for all that you do to help keep music accessible to all our students!
Middle School Band
Middle School Band
The instrumental music program at SPMS is led by Jen Fletcher (5/6) and Erica Scarano (7/8).
From our 5th graders beginning their musical journey to 8th graders getting the opportunity to join the high school marching band, we have bands that fit students of all levels at SPMS. For those that want to broaden their music skills, students can also participate in jazz band, drum line, middle school winterguard, and more!
Our 6th-8th grade band students perform in both a winter concert and a spring concert at SPHS, as well as the MBDA Concert Band Festival in March. Our 5th grade band performs in 'informances' in January at SPMS, and an end of the year celebration concert in May.
5/6th grade band
5/6th grade band
Jen Fletcher
Jen Fletcher
Middle School 5/6 Music Director for 7 years
Graduate of University of Maine Orono
Saxophone
Maine Pops Orchestra
A little about Jen:
Jen loves a variety of music including jazz, broadway showtunes, and 2000s throwbacks. She especially loves the Jonas Brothers and Beyoncé (who doesn’t?). When Jen is not teaching 5th graders the basics of instrumental music, rehearsing the jazz band, attending middle school hockey games, or performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade she enjoys traveling to Disney and NYC. She’s a die hard Canadiens fan and enjoys time with her dog, Layla.
Something that Jen enjoys a lot about working as a music teacher in SP is the team she works with. Additionally, she loves watching kids find their passion with music; from playing their first note in 5th grade to the traditions that run through the SP music program. She loves that as an aluma she can continue passing on the love music in the SP community!
Words of Wisdom:
“Every musician starts where our 5th graders start- no one became a legend overnight. The honks and squeaks and out of tune Hot Cross Buns is all part of the process Keep supporting your musician even when you need earplugs to get through it!”
7/8th grade band
7/8th grade band
Erica Scarano
Erica Scarano
Erica is a dedicated and passionate music educator with a strong background in instrumental and ensemble performance. Originally from the Midwest, she graduated from a small high school east of Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Syracuse University and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Florida.
Erica is a dedicated and passionate music educator with a strong background in instrumental and ensemble performance. Originally from the Midwest, she graduated from a small high school east of Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Syracuse University and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Florida.
During her academic career, Mrs. Scarano was actively involved in a wide range of ensembles, including the Pride of the Orange Syracuse Marching Band, Sour Sitrus Society Pep Band, Main Squeeze A Cappella, Samba Laranja Brazilian Ensemble, and the Wind Jammers Vocal Jazz Ensemble, among others. She also performed on tuba with the Empire Statesmen Drum Corps (2009) and The Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps (2010, Alumni Corps 2022).
During her academic career, Mrs. Scarano was actively involved in a wide range of ensembles, including the Pride of the Orange Syracuse Marching Band, Sour Sitrus Society Pep Band, Main Squeeze A Cappella, Samba Laranja Brazilian Ensemble, and the Wind Jammers Vocal Jazz Ensemble, among others. She also performed on tuba with the Empire Statesmen Drum Corps (2009) and The Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps (2010, Alumni Corps 2022).
Mrs. Scarano began her teaching career in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she spent six years teaching high school band in the Clark County School District. In 2019, she relocated to Maine, where she taught at Sanford High School for two years and then led the 7th and 8th Grade Band at Sanford Middle School for four years. In 2025, she proudly accepted her dream position as the 7th and 8th Grade Band Director at South Portland Middle School, where she also serves on staff with the South Portland Red Riot Marching Band.
Mrs. Scarano began her teaching career in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she spent six years teaching high school band in the Clark County School District. In 2019, she relocated to Maine, where she taught at Sanford High School for two years and then led the 7th and 8th Grade Band at Sanford Middle School for four years. In 2025, she proudly accepted her dream position as the 7th and 8th Grade Band Director at South Portland Middle School, where she also serves on staff with the South Portland Red Riot Marching Band.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Scarano is an active performer and leader in the local music community. She currently serves as Vice President of the Casco Bay Wind Symphony, where she also plays flute, and performs on tuba with both the Bowdoin College Concert Band and the Augusta Symphony Orchestra. She has presented at the Maine All-State Conference and was honored to conduct the District 3 7th and 8th Grade Honor Band in 2025.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Scarano is an active performer and leader in the local music community. She currently serves as Vice President of the Casco Bay Wind Symphony, where she also plays flute, and performs on tuba with both the Bowdoin College Concert Band and the Augusta Symphony Orchestra. She has presented at the Maine All-State Conference and was honored to conduct the District 3 7th and 8th Grade Honor Band in 2025.
Mrs. Scarano resides in Maine with her husband, Jesse, and their beloved black lab, Willy.
Mrs. Scarano resides in Maine with her husband, Jesse, and their beloved black lab, Willy.
Erica Scaraner: scaraner@spsdme.org
High School Band
High School Band
The High School Band Director is Jacob LaMontagne. In High School, Mr LaMontagne teaches Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Combo, while also teaching a variety of music electives. Students perform at a variety of concerts throughout the school year.
In addition, Marching Band and Musical Pit is available as extracurricular activities.
Jacob LaMontagne
Jacob LaMontagne
Jacob is the new Band Director at South Portland High School and Assistant Director of Music for the Marching Band, is a third-year instrumental music educator with a passion for performance and community engagement.
Jacob is the new Band Director at South Portland High School and Assistant Director of Music for the Marching Band, is a third-year instrumental music educator with a passion for performance and community engagement.
This fall, he will lead the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Combo, while also teaching a variety of music electives. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Maine in 2023, where he served as drum major of the university marching band, clarinet section leader in the Symphonic Band, assistant conductor of the university orchestra, and collaborative pianist for several choirs.
This fall, he will lead the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Combo, while also teaching a variety of music electives. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Maine in 2023, where he served as drum major of the university marching band, clarinet section leader in the Symphonic Band, assistant conductor of the university orchestra, and collaborative pianist for several choirs.
In addition to his work in the public schools, he is an active musician who frequently performs with professional and community bands and regularly accompanies school choirs on piano. He also works each summer at the Maine Summer Youth Music Camp in roles including Junior Jazz Band 2 Director, Woodwind Ensemble Director, and Senior Clarinet Instructor. In addition, he maintains a private studio offering lessons in woodwinds and piano to students of all ages. He lives in Buxton, Maine, with his husband, James, and their two cats, Maple and Kyle.
In addition to his work in the public schools, he is an active musician who frequently performs with professional and community bands and regularly accompanies school choirs on piano. He also works each summer at the Maine Summer Youth Music Camp in roles including Junior Jazz Band 2 Director, Woodwind Ensemble Director, and Senior Clarinet Instructor. In addition, he maintains a private studio offering lessons in woodwinds and piano to students of all ages. He lives in Buxton, Maine, with his husband, James, and their two cats, Maple and Kyle.
Jacob LaMontagne, lamontja@spsdme.org
For more information about the Band Program at the High School, visit the school website HERE
Page updated
Report abuse