School Band and Orchestra Magazine Essay Contest
Congratulations to Nicole Torosin for being selected as one of five middle school winners in School Band and Orchestra Magazine’s 2006 Essay Contest. This year’s topic was “How playing an instrument has made me a better student.” Nicole will receive a scholarship from SBO Magazine to further her music education. What an honor!
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Posted: May 31, 2006 | PermaLink
Graduation
Congratulations to all McCracken Band 8th graders who graduate tonight. Thank you for all your work for us the past five years. We wish you nothing but the best of luck as you continue your education and musical growth in high school. Come back and visit us often!
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Posted: May 31, 2006 | PermaLink
Random Thoughts for the End of May
INSTRUMENTATION
For the most part, I’m pretty happy with our instrumentation for our Midwest performance. Although I do have guidelines for the numbers I’d like in each section, I try to keep them flexible depending on the ability level from year to year. Since virtually all of our 7th and 8th Graders are in the Symphonic Band each year, I think of instrumentation in two-year cycles. Let’s take our euphoniums for example, next year we’ll have 1 in eighth grade, 1 in seventh grade, and 2 in sixth grade. This means that we HAVE to have at least one fourth or fifth grader start on euphonium, or one of our current fourth graders will have to switch. I’m constantly looking two or three years ahead so we don’t get caught with a problem down the road.
Instrumentation is so crucial to getting a characteristic ensemble sound. It’s just not possible without a good distribution of the instruments. So it’s something I’m always keeping in mind when I’m thinking of recruitment and retention type issues.
I had this conversation with a sixth grade kid about three months ago. I’ve changed his name.
Brian: Hi Mr. De Stefano, have you seen Mrs. Lehner?
Me: I’m not sure where she is, can I help you with something?
Brian: No, I just had a question for her.
Me: Okay. I’ll be sure to let her know you were looking for her. What’s your name?
Brian: Brian Smith
Me: Thanks Brian. Hey, are you Kristen’s older brother? Why aren’t you in band?
Brian: I don’t know, I’m taking piano lessons…
Me: Well, you look like a born trombone player, feel like trying one out sometime?
Brian: Sure!
I’ve had similar conversations many times, and they almost always end the same way…with a smart, talented kid playing an instrument that we need. I’ve gotten a couple really good French Horn players this way. “Brian” from above has progressed faster than any kids I’ve ever had, basically finishing Book One in six 15 minute lessons. He couldn’t be more excited about playing trombone. His parents have gotten him a private teacher, he’ll do extra work with me this summer, and I went ahead an placed him in the Symphonic Band a year sooner than I thought he’d get there when I “recruited” him. This chance meeting improved our instrumentation, but it could have been another random conversation with a kid had I not taken the initiative.
In general, I let kids play whatever instrument they want when they’re in fourth grade. It’s one of the benefits to starting them so young…we have lots of time to work out instrumentation issues. Obviously, I strive for balance in the beginner band as well. If a kid expresses any interest in a color instrument I work with them for a little bit on that instrument to see if they can find some early success.
All this being said, I’m probably the last person that needs to be writing about recruitment. Our numbers have been slowly but steadily dropping the last 6 years. Not that it’s all bad, I was running around like mad when our numbers topped 210. Things are certainly more comfortable and less frantic at our current numbers, I do wish we were starting another 20 - 30 more kids per year though. I’ll be changing some aspects of our recruiting in the fall. If it feels appropriate, I’ll share in the blog when we go through that next year. If I’m not mistaken, next year’s beginner class will be in eighth grade the next time we apply to perform at Midwest.
CHAIR PLACEMENT
I hate chair tests. I won’t go on a rant here, but the further in my career I go, the more I deemphasize the chairs. Anyway, we have one chair test in the Fall on the material for our IMEA District Honor Band. That’s it, no challenges, no additional chair tests, etc…
We rotate parts. It’s something I knew was the right thing to do, but was always hesitant to try. Last year, we performed at 45 minute concert at the MENC North-Central Conference in Ann Arbor. We did some part rotation simply to help endurance because of the length of the program. Even that little bit sold me and we aggressively rotated parts this year. Think of it as a kind of “smart” rotation. Kids were never put in a position where they’d fail. I’d say about 35% of the pieces we played this year were in the kids’ official chairs, the rest were rotated in some fashion. Sometimes it was one section, sometimes it was the whole band. I loved it, I think the kids liked it too. It’s here to stay in our program, and we’ll definitely rotate parts for our Midwest performance.
We don’t do grades either. So, what’s the secret to motivation? Quality music played well.
GRADUATION
We’re a K-8 district. So when the kids finish 8th grade, they actually graduate from our district with a ceremony, diploma, Pomp and Circumstance…the whole deal. I used to think it was a bit goofy, but now I kind of like it. It puts a nice sense of closure on the year, especially since it is the last time the band performs each year. Graduation, which is later tonight, also tends to be the largest audience we perform for each year.
MOVING AND PACKING
McCracken is going to be closed this summer for asbestos abatement and some minor renovations. As if there’s not enough to do already, the whole music room has to be packed up! Anything dealing with Midwest, and stuff we might need this summer is being moved to our elementary school.
JUNE MEETING
This Saturday is the Midwest meeting at the Palmer House. I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully we’ll get an interesting post out of it too!
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Posted: May 31, 2006 | PermaLink
2006 - 2007 McCracken Symphonic Band - A Breakdown
I hope the spirit of this post is conveyed correctly. I’m simply trying to give an honest assessment of our starting point next fall. There is nothing I’ve written here that the kids haven’t heard me say to them a hundred times. I do this type of anticipatory evaluation each spring, although I certainly don’t share it with the world. In fact, I generally try to anticipate our roster two years down the road. This keeps us from running into situations where we hit a hole and have no tubas, etc…
FLUTES
9 total (4 eighth graders, 1 seventh grader, and (gulp) 4 sixth graders)
There’s a huge difference in experience between the members of our flute section. 3 of these kids will be 3-year members of our top group. My little ones, although young, are extremely talented and should adjust to the increased technical demands without much trouble. Some of their feet may not reach the floor, but this should be a very solid section next year.
OBOES
3 total (1 eighth grader, 1 seventh grader, and 1 sixth grader)
This is one more oboe than I’d prefer to have in Symphonic Band for our Midwest performance, but the two auditioning members are ready and deserving to be in the band. All three play with good sounds and make nice adjustments for pitch. Never-the-less, I’m obviously concerned about the impact this section can have on our sound. To compensate, we’ll be hiring an oboe specialist for our band camp, investigate instrument upgrades, and do a significant amount of work with tuning CDs early in the year.
CLARINETS (9 soprano, 2 bass)
11 total (3 eighth grade, 5 seventh grade, 3 sixth grade)
Although I’m a little concerned about the inexperience of this section, I anticipate they will make big strides early. Particularly with the newest members, the increased technical demands of our music may take some adjustment.
Frankly, I’m always worried about my clarinet section since their tone quality has such a huge impact on the core sound of the band. I’ve invited Julie DeRoche (DePaul University) to work with our kids as often as she can stand it. Her work in masterclass settings is nothing short of magical. Our clarinetists will sound fantastic in December because of the two or three session she has with them. That is if I can manage not to mess them up.
BASSOON
1 total (1 seventh grade)
Smart, talented kid who needs to practice more (don’t they all?). He gets a nice sound on the worst bassoon ever made in the history of bassoons. Upgrading his instrument is a big priority in the coming months. He’ll do a nice job for us next year. In fact, he probably should have been in the band this year, but chose not to audition last spring.
SAXOPHONES
9 total (5 alto, 2 tenor, 2 baritone)
All of our students begin on alto saxophone. Placement on tenor and bari are determined by the auditions. Most kids only play tenor or bari for one year unless they elect to stay on it. I’d prefer to have eight (or less) total…two on each part. Once again, though, the auditions were too strong to leave one of the nine out. This section will be quite strong, my only concern being getting some of the altos to upgrade their instruments.
CORNETS
6 total (3 eighth grade, 2 seventh grade, 1 sixth grade)
Without a doubt, they will be one of our strengths next year. My eighth graders have all been in the band since sixth grade (one was invited in fifth grade) and are one of my strongest trumpet classes ever. Ideally, I think I’d prefer to have more than six cornets/trumpets in the band. Especially with the duration of our Midwest concert, but the numbers just didn’t support it this year.
We made the switch from trumpets to cornets at the beginning of last year. It made a significant, although not instant, improvement on the quality of their sound. I have to be honest though, I’m not sure whether it’s the cornets or just the fact they’re playing on matching professional horns.
HORNS
4 total (1 eighth grade, 2 seventh grade, 1 sixth grade)
This is the section I’m most concerned about, simply because of their inexperience. There is a tremendous amount of potential here, and I’m certain they’ll rise to the challenge. Actually, they have no choice but to rise to the challenge. We’ll meet a few times this summer. We’ll spend a LOT of time on fundamentals, but I’d also like to get them involved in chamber music to improve their confidence and ability as individual players. Finally, we’ll program a couple tunes on each of our early concerts to feature our horns.
TROMBONES
6 total (3 eighth grade, 3 seventh grade)
Even though I have no “studs” here. They are all solid players and could very well be my best trombone section ever. If they do what they need to do over the summer I could see a couple developing into real leaders by the fall. We’ll have to work on some articulation issues, but nothing they won’t be able to quickly adjust to.
EUPHONIUMS
2 total (1 eighth grade, 1 seventh grade)
Another strong section. 2 lead-type players. We’ll be working on increasing their confidence and projection, but they’ll be able to play anything I put in front of them.
TUBAS
3 total (2 eighth grade, 1 seventh grade)
This is the first time we’ve ever had three tubas in the Symphonic Band, and I can’t wait! The only downside is that we only have 2 full sized horns. I’ve wanted to upgrade our tuba equipment for a couple of years now. The Midwest invite has certainly forced the issue.
PERCUSSION
6 total (4 eighth grade, 1 seventh grade, 1 sixth grade)
Easily our most experienced section, and they’ll sound like it. With almost all of them graduating at the end of next year, you’d think I’d be worried about 2007-2008! My little ones, however, are making amazing progress.
In spite of the strength of this section, our reading skills on mallets aren’t really where we need them to be across the board. We’ll do a lot of mallet work early in the year.
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Posted: May 28, 2006 | PermaLink
Auditions
Monday was our spring concert. Kids played great. I was particularly happy with our younger bands who made some very good progress in the last three or four weeks.
On Tuesday, the Social Committee form our Midwest Parent Group threw a party to celebrate our invitation to perform at Midest. We wanted to make sure to do something this year so that our 8th graders could be involved. I hope they truly understand how much we appreciate everything they have given our bands. The kids had fun hanging in out, eating lots of food and playing various sports.
The last three days have also involved auditions for next year’s Symphonic Band. Back in April I noticed a definite increase in the sense of urgency when we received the invitation to perform at Midwest. Most of the kids worked really hard preparing a difficult packet. Auditions for the Symphonic Band include the Chromatic Scale (2 octaves, 3 octaves for clarinet), 6 major scales and their relative harmonic minor scales, and two selected etudes from the Second Book of Practical Studies (Alfred/Belwin).
Next year’s Symphonic Band is at 60 members, although there are still a couple kids I need to listen to:
9 Flutes
3 Oboes
9 Clarinets
2 Bass Clarinets
1 Bassoon
5 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
2 Baritone Saxophones
6 Cornets
4 French Horns
6 Trombones
2 Euphoniums
3 Tubas
6 Percussion
Broken down by grade:
13 Sixth Graders
23 Seventh Graders
24 Eighth Graders
My next post will discuss different issues such as instrumentation, chair placement, and the different strengths and weaknesses that I anticipate (and how I plan to address those weaknesses).
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Posted: May 26, 2006 | PermaLink
Our Application CD Preparation
In a previous post I promised to discuss our process of preparing our application CD. In fact, I’ve been thinking about writing an article or presenting a clinic session on applying to perform at conferences for several years. We’ve had some nice success (luck?) in applying in recent years to various activities that require audition tapes: 2 MENC North-Centrals, 5 Illinois All-States, 2 IMEA Music Education Day at the Capitols, 5 Illinois Superstate Festivals. It’s always been our “failure” at applying to Midwest that has held me back from following through with sharing my thoughts.
KNOWING OUR COMPETITION
I use the word “competition” only in the most collegial sense of the word, but in a way, it’s extremely accurate. There are a finite number of spots and many groups applying for one of those spots. Particularly with the Midwest Clinic, where it is so very difficult to get invited, it’s important to know what you’re up against.
I strongly recommend visiting Mark Custom Recordings and picking up several of the public school TMEA recordings (tell him I sent you). I suggest the TMEA recordings over the Midwest Recordings for a couple reasons. First and foremost, the performances of these Texas bands are AMAZING. Let’s face it, it’s been Texas, Texas, non-Texas at the middle school level for the last few Midwest Clinics in a row…including 2006. They also have a wonderful tradition of including their audition tapes along with their TMEA performances. It’s a very intimidating exercise, but not one you’ll want to skip over. We own all of them, all the Midwest recordings too. Yeah, our listening library is completely over the top. Just listening to each of the CDs is a tremendous learning process.
Some of my favorites, in no particular order:
Bedford Junior High School (TMEA 2000) Steve Madsen, Christine Belle
American Civil War Fantasy, Shepard’s Hey, The Footlifter
McKamy Middle School Honor Winds (TMEA 2001) Rick Villarreal
Variations on a Korean Folk Song
Quail Valley Middle School Honors Band (TMEA 2001) Greg Countryman
Holst Second Suite. Yes the whole Second Suite. Amazing. The Gladiator - Sousa.
Coakley Middle School Symphonic Band (TMEA 2005) Joseph Figareli, Barbara Figarelli
Shepherd’s Hey, American Riversongs, Salvation is Created.
Griffin Middle School Symphonic Band (TMEA 1993) John Benzer
The tone quality of this band is incredibly stunning. Fortress, Color, The Gladiator
There’s also another fantastic CD of this group…1997 I think. Kind of a best of CD, catalog 2530-MCD
Apollo Junior High School (TMEA 1994) Jerry Brumbaugh
March from Original Suite - Jacobs, Second Prelude - Gershwin, Sketches of a Tudor Psalm (AWESOME)
Desoto West Junior High School Symphonic Band (TMEA 1997) Benjamin Davis
Variations on a Korean Folk Song, King Across the Water
McAdams Junior High School Symphonic Band (TMEA 1997) Wade McDonald, Michelle Perez
Cajun Folk Songs, Spoon River, March of the Belgian Paratroopers
Nimitz Junior High School Symphonic Band (TMEA 2004)
Joyce’s 71st New York Regiment, ARMENIAN DANCES!!!!!!!! - Alfred Reed
AUDITION REPERTOIRE
I firmly believe, although I have no basis for this belief, that the Midwest Selection Committee is interested in hearing strong fundamentals from the middle school bands. Characteristic sounds, good intonation, and mature musicianship above technique. Our recording did not showoff dazzling technique, but I’d like to think we did well in the other areas.
I strongly recommend using works from the standard band/young band repertoire. First of all, they’re in the standard repertoire for a reason. Established quality literature, played well, can really distinguish your recording from the other applications.
PREPARING THE MATERIAL
Don’t kid yourself into thinking anything different. The quality of your ensembles performance is the single most important aspect to your application. I recommend timing the recording session as close to a performance as possible, although sometimes you won’t have control of when the facility you hope to record in is open. Either way, the recording session should be presented as the purpose of the preparation, and not as an afterthought to a concert.
This year, we posted the 2006 Midwest Clinic promotional poster at the entrance to the band room. Each student touched the poster on the way into the room as a reminder of what we were preparing for that rehearsal. Very goofy, I know, but many of our best rehearsals of the year took place during that 6-week span.
I’m a huge advocate of bringing in the best musicians possible to work with our students. Judicious use of clinicians will be a definite help while preparing your audition tape. We had Steve Peterson (Ithaca College), Don Owens (Northwestern University, retired), and James Keene (University of Illinois) work with the kids in the weeks prior to our recording session. Don DeRoche (DePaul University) was also kind to observe a rehearsal and share his thoughts a few days prior to our session.
Record the band several times before the application recording session. Besides being a wonderful rehearsal technique, it is often a shock to discover what you are missing in the course of rehearsals. You don’t want the first time you hear an error to be when you are listening to the recording session masters. I recorded every rehearsal the four weeks prior to our taping. I would listen to the recording several times each night to assist in developing my lesson plans for the following day. It was a LOT of very late nights, but really streamlined my teaching. We were also fortunate that our Superstate Concert Band Festival audition CD deadline fell before our Midwest recording session. We had to have a separate recording session for Superstate about one week before we recorded for our Midwest Application. That first recording session was a huge tool in helping us improve the final week before our Midwest recording session.
Finally, if you are satisfied with your final CD recording, you’re not being picky enough. In all my years, I’ve never heard the director of an invited ensemble say or write, “I knew we were going to make it.” If I’m being honest, I was fairly certain that our CD was not good enough. Don’t get me wrong it’s a recording I’m proud of, but every time I listened I heard things that I was certain would be the reason the committee would stop listening and go onto the next tape. Just a couple days before the acceptance letter Steve Peterson and I were lamenting the fact that although the Irish Rhapsody performance was very musical, there were just too many isolated pitch issues.
HAVE AN HONEST TO GOODNESS RECORDING SESSION
We usually schedule ours for three hours. Since editing is obviously not permitted, we run through each tune 3 to 5 times during the course of the session only stopping for a major/noticeable error which would render the take useless. We take long breaks between takes, with some light rehearsal/fine tuning of things that could have gone better in the previous take, and one long break just over halfway through the session.
HIRE A PROFESSIONAL TO DO THE RECORDING
I know there are a lot of directors who record their groups themselves and have achieved success. Even though we have some decent digital recording equipment, we have always hired a studio to do our recordings. It’s a small investment that makes a significant difference in the final product.
With our Midwest Application, it took me four years to realize the weakest part of our recording was that we were taping in our gym. Sure we were using great recording equipment, but that just our CD sound more like it was made in a gym. After getting our annual Midwest rejection in April 2005, I contacted Don Shupe from Libertyville High School to see where they recorded their audition tapes. Thinking they had recorded in their school auditorium I was somewhat surprised to learn that they traveled both times to make their recordings.
I’ve mentioned several times that our administration is fantastic. My principal, who has attended two Midwest Clinics, had more faith than I did that our band deserved be accepted. As soon as I hung up with Shupe, I walked to my principal’s office to share in the epiphany. After making a few calls, and investigating different options, we reserved the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of the University of Illinois. This decision also demonstrated something very important to our students: a commitment, from the top down, to working towards this goal of being accepted to perform at Midwest.
DON’T GIVE UP
Between the various All-State Conferences and MENC Conferences there are several other performance opportunities at conferences for middle school bands, and even more for high school groups. I believe these are important performances for the selection committee to see on your band’s “resume” when they review the application. The notification of Midwest comes at a time that these other conferences are viable alternatives if the Midwest Clinic doesn’t work out. We were already in the process of preparing applications for next year’s MENC North Central Conference in Lincoln, NE and the Illinois All-State when we received our acceptance to Midwest.
It’s hard to receive the rejection letter. We’ve received more than I care to admit in my ten years of teaching. Our four Midwest rejection letters are hanging above my desk. Even though it’s understandable, it’s can be particularly frustrating that there is no feedback on the application itself. For me, though, the disappointment quickly turns to a renewed desire and increased effort to improve our program.
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Posted: May 21, 2006 | PermaLink
More Repertoire Thoughts
I’ve been trying to listen to the promotional recordings the same day we receive them from the publisher. Immediately following the opening of the reservation system, we received so much stuff that it meant a lot of late nights. Even so, another group beat us to a new publication that I’d really love to perform next December. In fact, they reserved it a good four days before we even received information from that publisher. After hearing it on the demo recording, I instantly logged in and tried to reserve it, but was too late. It’s probably not what you’re thinking though, it’s a grade one! One of the best released in years. Oh well, on the waiting list we go. I find myself checking the reservation system a couple times a day to see if they’ve happened to release it from their reserved list.
Since Tuesday, we have been permitted to reserve up to 18 selections. I again cleared my teaching schedule around 10:00 AM to be available to enter our selections. In the days leading up to the 16th I had compiled a list of the 12 works we’d try to reserve in order of my preference and in anticipation of what other groups might be interested in. I managed to get my selections entered quickly and wasn’t beaten to the punch on any of them.
Of the eighteen works reserved, we have 6 that are about as definite as you can get…plus 5 good candidates, and 7 weaker candidates. I carry a list with me of what our program would look like if the Midwest Office asked for it today. Right now, it contains 9 works, although as it currently stands, our current program wouldn’t be approved. With 5 older pieces, and 4 new pieces, we’re not at 50% new publications. We’re also about 50 seconds over our times limit, plus I’m not completely sold on the opening work for the concert. Never-the-less, it’s a good starting point and I’ll continue to tweak it over the next several months.
I don’t typically program new music. Why? For no real reason other than I firmly believe that the test of time is the best indicator of the quality of a piece of music. Even if I love a new work that I hear in a promotional recording, I typically (although not always) wait a couple years before considering it for programming. I figure that if I still like the work a couple years down the road, then it’s more likely that my original impression is correct and the work is worth investing the time and effort we will put into it.
If the musical difficulty of a work does not meet or exceed the technical difficulty of the work it is not worth programming. Period. We owe it to our students to select music of depth…material that will allow our students to mature and develop as musicians. Our program will certainly reflect this philosophy.
I’ve also come up with a small set of self-imposed rules for our program. Some of them are humorous, even if only to me — not really fit for the Midwest Blog. One of my rules has to do with older literature. My intent is to not program an older work that is similar to music being released by publishers this summer. As a result, I’m quite proud of the older works we’re planning to perform. Although they are not performed very frequently, at least around here, they are classics and worthy of being reintroduced to the Midwest audience.
I’ve had it described to me that the selection of a Midwest program is similar to putting together a puzzle. This is certainly the case. There is an extensive set of rules, almost three typed pages, for selecting your Midwest program. While some of the rules feel reactionary to problems there have been in the past, for the most part, they seem designed to insure a varied repertoire in terms of the difficulty of music, contrast of styles, and the publishers represented. First and foremost, though, I do believe the primary purpose of the rules is to reinforce and maintain the educational nature of these concerts, keeping alive the traditions started 60 years ago.
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Posted: May 19, 2006 | PermaLink
Guest Conductors
One of more fun and exciting aspects of the Midwest performance is having the chance to invited different guest conductors for the concert. I tried, as best I could, to hold off, really I did. Selfishly (although justifiably so I think), I wanted to make sure I reserved a sufficient amount of podium time for myself. Once it became clear we’d have at least eight, but most likely nine pieces on our program, I started making calls.
Anyway, I couldn’t be happier with our guest conductors for our Midwest performance. They are some of the finest musicians and educators that I know. Each of them has made a significant impact on my career and development as a teacher. They’ve been there every step of the way as our program has grown and matured over the last several years. It is truly an honor for us to have them to share in our Midwest experience.
Don Stahlberg spent 33 of his 36 years teaching at McCracken Middle School from 1963 to 1996. Prior to my student teaching with Don, teaching at the middle school level was not something I had considered. He is a terrific teacher who had wonderful and successful bands throughout his career. He built this program from nothing. When I first asked Don to guest conduct, he was clearly surprised and immediately responded “I don’t think so.” I convinced him to reconsider and was very pleased when he accepted our invitation.
Don DeRoche is Director of Bands at DePaul University. Don’s son, currently a percussion performance major at DePaul, was a fifth grader in our band program my first year at McCracken. Don has been extremely supportive of our program and has written countless Midwest recommendations and has listened to dozens and dozens of takes from our various recording sessions for our Midwest applications. He has shaped my philosophy, approach, and teaching style more than he will ever know.
Steve Peterson (Ithaca College) and Don Owens (Northwestern University, retired) were both amazing influential teachers of mine at Northwestern and have also sent many recommendation letters on our behalf. Since my college days, they have been wonderful mentors and friends. I spend each day trying to recreate for my students the experiences I had in their rehearsals and classes. I would not be anywhere near the teacher and musician I am today had it not been for these men.
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Earlier today the reservation limit of 6 pieces was raised to 18. I’ve spent a lot of time the last couple days preparing…more on this later.
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Posted: May 16, 2006 | PermaLink
School Board Meeting
Tonight was a nice night.
Our school board passed a resolution honoring the Symphonic Band for all of their accomplishments this year. Almost all of the Symphonic Band and their parents were on hand as the Board read the resolution and presented each member with a copy.
Following a brief reception, I had an opportunity to give a presentation to the Board about The Midwest Clinic and the significance of our performance next December. I began by showing a portion of the Midwest promotional video, and continued by giving my personal feelings about achieving this seemingly unachievable goal. I also shared with the Board an informal comparison between our program and the band programs that have been invited to Midwest since 1996. This information, gathered from each of the Midwest concert programs from the last 10 years, included the number of students in the school, number of students in the band program, staffing, and in school private instruction staff. The comparisons make our invitation seem even more stunning (and my teaching more brilliant!). I closed by explaining how we are the first middle school concert band from Illlinois to receive an invitation to perform at the Midwest Clinic in nearly 20 years. We are very proud to be representing McCracken, our District, Skokie, and the State of Illinois at next year’s conference.
The kids had a great time and our school community has a better sense of what our upcoming performance at Midwest is all about.
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Posted: May 9, 2006 | PermaLink
Honor Band at Superstate!
Congratulations to the McCracken Middle School Symphonic for their wonderful performance at the University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival and their selection as the Honor Band for the middle school division. As Honor Band, the Symphonic Band receives an automatic invitation to give a “non-competitive” performance at next year’s Superstate.
Great Job everyone!!!!
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Posted: May 6, 2006 | PermaLink