McCracken Middle School Band » News and Announcements

2010-2011 Calendar Added

Chip De Stefano — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:53:13 +0000

http://www.mccrackenband.com/calendar

2010-2011 Calendar

Chip De Stefano — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:51:42 +0000

It’s still slightly tentative and coming together, but the 2010-2011 Calendar has been posted. Parents can see the full district calendar at http://calendar.sd735.org

In Memoriam: Harry Begian

Chip De Stefano — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 06:17:50 +0000

Harry Begian, Director of Bands at the University of Illinois from 1970 to 1984, passed away this past Monday. The descriptive “legend” gets tossed around a lot these days, but there is no better description of his work and legacy. One of the most influential band directors of our time, it is safe to say that the reach of his 45 years of teaching has touched everyone in the band world in one way or another.

- Obituary: Harry Begian: School concert led him to direct bands [Detroit Free Press]
- Harry Begian (U of I’s 3rd DOB) Passes Away at Age 89 [University of Illinois Bands]
- NAMM Oral History Project [NAMM]
- Michigan Musical Legends: Harry Begian [BandDirector.com]
- Life Remembered: Former UI band director Harry Begian [News Gazette]
- The Illinois Legacy: Begian [YouTube]

2011 OMEA/MENC North Central Division Professional Development Conference

Chip De Stefano — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:16:17 +0000

Congratulations to the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band for their invitation to present a concert at the 2011 Ohio Music Educators Association/MENC North Central Division Professional Development Conference! This is great news. We don’t have any details regarding a performance date or time yet, more info when we have it!

Dear Mr. De Stefano,

Thank you for submitting your application to perform at the 2011 OMEA/MENC North Central Division Professional Development Conference. This event will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 27-29, 2011. Over 150 CDs were submitted representing outstanding groups from all areas and levels. Groups were selected through “blind” audition by each of our content sub-committees (band, choral, orchestra, and jazz). We can assure you that great care was taken to listen to each CD and to select groups that will represent not only quality, but also the great diversity of performing ensembles in our nation.

It is our pleasure to inform you that your ensemble, the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band has been selected to appear at the 2011 OMEA/MENC North Central Division Professional Development Conference, “Music Knows No Boundaries.” Congratulations!

…

Thank you for your commitment to MENC/OMEA and CONGRATULATIONS!

Sincerely,
Mark A. Hensler
Karen Schweinfest
Conference Co-chairs

National Band Association Board of Directors Election

Chip De Stefano — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 04:30:51 +0000

Congratulations to Mr. De Stefano for being elected to the Board of Directors of the National Band Association (NBA), as a Elementary/Middle School Representative, for the 2010-2012 biennium.

The complete results of the election should be announced by the NBA soon.

Dengeos Fundraiser • May 21, 2010

Chip De Stefano — Thu, 13 May 2010 06:14:25 +0000

We’re very excited to announce that on Friday, May 21, Dengeos Restaurant will be donating 20% of their sales made with an accompanying voucher to the McCracken Middle School and Middleton Elementary School Band Program.

A big THANK YOU to Dengeos for their support, and thank you to band parent Sherry Schlau for organizing this fundraiser for us!

Dengeos Fundraiser Voucher

2010 Superstate Honor Bands

Chip De Stefano — Mon, 10 May 2010 03:26:45 +0000

Congratulations to the bands selected as Honor Bands at this year’s University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival:

2010 Superstate Honor Bands
- MIddle School: Troy Middle School (Ted Lega)
- Class A: Illiana Christian High School (Patricia Menninga)
- Class AA: Marian Catholic High School (Greg Bimm)
- Class AAA: Warren Township High School (Kurt Gros)

2010 Midwest Clinic Performers

Chip De Stefano — Tue, 04 May 2010 16:09:55 +0000

The Midwest Clinic has announced the performers for the 2010 Midwest Clinic on their website. I, for one, already can’t wait to hear these wonderful bands next year!

BANDS
- Carlton J. Kell High School Wind Symphony (Marietta, GA, David McGrath, Conductor)
- Dekaney High School Wind Ensemble (Houston, TX, Trent Cooper, Conductor)
- Grand Symphonic Winds (Eagan, MN, Matthew George, Conductor)
- Hebron High School Wind Symphony (Carrollton, TX, Andy Sealy, Conductor)
- Henry Middle School Honors Band (Cedar Park, TX, Robert Herrings, Conductor)
- Kealing Middle School Wind Ensemble (Austin, TX, Mark Gurgel, Conductor)
- Scott County High School Symphonic Winds (Georgetown, KY, Tom Brawner, Conductor)
- Seika Girls High School Band (Fukoka City, Japan, Yoshihisa Fujishige, Conductor)
- Texas A&M University Wind Symphony (College Station, TX, Timothy Rhea, Conductor)
- United States “President’s Own” Marine Band (Washington, DC, Colonel Michael Coburn, Conductor)
- University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory Wind Symphony (Kansas City, MO, Steven Davis, Conductor)
- VanderCook College of Music Symphonic Band (Chicago, IL, Charles T. Menghini, Conductor)
- West Ridge Middle School Wind Ensemble (Austin, TX, Susan Glover, Conductor)

IGSMA State Festival

Chip De Stefano — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:20:10 +0000

Congratulations to the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band for their wonderful performance at the 2010 IGSMA State Festival yesterday hosted by Troy Middle School.

This also marks the 8th time that the Symphonic Band has been selected as an “honors ensemble” at the State Festival…a remarkable streak of being selected every year we have participated!

Congratulations as well to the 7th Grade Choir and 8th Grade Swing Choir for amazing performances with the 7th Grade Choir being selected as an honors group. McCracken Middle School was certainly represented very well this weekend!

2010 Superstate Schedule

Chip De Stefano — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:10:46 +0000

The schedule (and all participating bands) has been announced. Congratulations to all selected bands!

Junior High/Middle School Combined

1:00 PM Edison Middle School
1:30 PM Westlake Middle School
2:00 PM Marion Junior High School
2:30 PM Wilmette Junior High School
3:00 PM Urbana Middle School

BREAK

3:45 PM Troy Middle School
4:15 PM MacArthur Middle School
4:45 PM McCracken Middle School
5:15 PM Clarendon Hills Middle School*

DINNER BREAK

Class A

6:30 PM Tri-Valley High School
7:00 PM Westmont High School
7:30 PM Illiana Christian High School
8:00 PM Macomb Senior High School*

8:30 PM JH/MS & Class A Awards

SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2010

Class AA

8:00 AM Champaign Central High School
8:30 AM Washington Community High School
9:00 AM Champaign Centennial High School
9:30 AM Marian Catholic High School
10:00 AM Glenbard South High School
10:30 AM Vernon Hills High School*

LUNCH BREAK

Class AAA

11:45 PM Lake Zurich High School
12:15 PM Downer’s Grove South High School
12:45 PM Mundelein High School
1:15 PM Lockport Township High School
1:45 PM Willowbrook High School
2:15 PM O’Fallon Township High School

BREAK

3:00 PM Warren Township High School
3:30 PM Joliet West High School
4:00 PM Glenbard East High School
4:30 PM Wheeling High School
5:00 PM John Hersey High School
5:30 PM Libertyville High School*
6:00 PM Illinois Wind Symphony

6:30 PM Class AA and AAA Awards

*DENOTES HONOR BAND FROM 2009 FESTIVAL