Mokena Meteor Music

October 19 - 25, 2018

What is happening in the music department?

I will be sending a Newsletter similar to this every week (usually on Fridays).


Please be sure to read it in its entirety as I often update sections each week.


Our first concert is this coming Tuesday!

Important Information

Fall Concert Itinerary

Below is the tentative itinerary for our Fall Concerts that will take place on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at Mokena Junior High School.
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Concert Attire

All band and choir students will wear a uniform to all concerts. The uniform consists of the green Meteor Music Polo shirt. If you do not have a shirt, or your shirt is too small, you can purchase one through our store on Charms.


If your child already has the required uniform, please make sure they try it on ahead of time. There's nothing worse than trying to fit into a pair of pants you have grown out of 30 minutes before the concert!


Students are also required to wear black DRESS pants. No crop pants, yoga pants, athletic pants or black denim will be permitted. Students need to own a good pair of straight leg dress pants.


Students should wear black socks that cover their ankles. We don't want to see ankles when we sit down!


Also, shoes should be completely black.


I have included some photos of these items below.

Pep Band and Jazz Band Interest

There are sign up sheets in the band hallway for students who are interested in joining Pep Band and Jazz Band. If your child is interested in either or these groups, please encourage them to sign up on the lists posted outside the band room. If we have enough interest, these ensembles will go forward. If not enough students sign up, we be unable to run them.

Private Music Lessons

It is not required that Mokena music students take private lessons. It is true, however, that the vast majority of students who do not take private lessons tend to have improper playing habits, and never reach their full potential as musicians. SECTIONALS ARE NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR PRIVATE LESSONS. There are still many benefits of private instruction over full band rehearsal and small group sectionals. If you are interested in getting your child private lessons on their instrument, please visit the following link: https://www.mokenameteormusic159.org/uploads/2/3/4/4/23449316/private_lessons.pdf


If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bussean or Ms. Beekman

November Dine and Earn!

Please take the night off of cooking and come support our music programs at Panera on Thursday, November 1 at any time.


See the flyer below for more information.

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Mokena Parade of Lights

Please mark Saturday, November 17 for the Mokena Parade of Lights on your calendar if you have not already done so. This parade is MANDATORY for all Concert and Symphonic Band students.


This is a short parade through downtown Mokena. Students are encouraged to dress in lights and festive holiday outfits.


The itinerary is below.

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SPAMalot! Cast

Congratulations to the cast of SPAMalot! I am very excited to get to work on this hilarious show! Please check the Newsletter for rehearsal information and scheduling as well as other important information.

Hamilton!

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The second installment of $50 is due on October 31 if you did not pay $150. The final amount is due on Wednesday, November 28. You can check your balance due in Charms.



Here are the trip details:

  • When? Tuesday, January 8th
  • Time? We will depart from MJH after 3pm, head downtown for dinner, and then see the 7:30 performance of Hamilton. We should arrive back at MJH around 11pm
  • Who? All MJH Choir and Band students are invited to register - up to 105 students may attend
  • Apparel? Students are expected to dress nicely to attend this performance
  • Cost? The cost of the trip will be approximately $150 - it may go up or down slightly depending on bus and gas prices, but it should stay near $150. This includes transportation, dinner, and the ticket price for the show. Students can use fundraised IBA money to pay for this trip!


Students can pay one of four ways:


1) IBA Transfer if you have money in your account. You may combine this payment with other forms.


2) Cash - Please put it in an envelope clearly marked


3) Check - Please make your check payable to the Mokena Music Boosters


4) Paypal via your Charms account. Please note that there is a $2 convenience fee.


If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bussean.

Tonal Energy App - Highly Recommended

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TonalEnergy Tuner is an all-inclusive, easy to use application designed for individual practice and/or large ensemble rehearsals that aides musicians to improve sound quality and intonation.


Tuning, volume, articulation, release, duration, and steadiness are the key elements of developing a beautiful tone quality. TonalEnergy Tuner is the first multi-purpose application that allows users of all ages to understand and improve every aspect of their sound.

This app is especially useful to young brass players who struggle to find the correct partial. Oftentimes they think they are playing the correct pitch, when in fact, they are not. This can be very frustrating. This app can help students learn where the correct partial is and to hear when they are not matching the correct pitch.


In addition to its tuner capabilities, it has a built in metronome to keep students rehearsing with a steady beat!


We highly recommend that all students in our band program invest in this application if they have access to a device. It is well worth the $3.99 it costs. This is much more inexpensive than a separate metronome and tuner device.

Facebook Page

Did you know that we have Facebook page? We do! Please search Mokena Meteor Music Department and request access. All posts must be approved first. We post information about what is happening in the department, Dine and Earn information, fundraising information, etc.

Check Your Charms Account Balances

You will be receiving monthly Charms statements on or about the first of every month. Please check your balances in Charms at any time by logging into your child's account. If money is due, please pay one of four ways:


  1. Cash (in an envelope clearly marked)
  2. Check made payable to the Mokena Music Boosters - write who and what it is for in the memo line
  3. Paypal via the Paypal button on your Charms account
  4. IBA Transfer - please complete the online transfer form: https://goo.gl/forms/MOZFB8jurkbF7ByR2


If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bussean

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Help Support the Music Boosters by Shopping Online!

Any time you are shopping via Amazon, please consider using Amazon Smile for your purchases. You can select the Mokena Music Boosters to receive a donation on your behalf just by making your regular Amazon purchase through them. It doesn't cost you anything and helps the Music Boosters fund our programs. This is available year round. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bussean.
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October/November, 2018

10/19/18 - First Quarter Ends

10/23/18 - Fall Concert at MJHS

...................Beginning Band and Cadet Band - 6:00

...................Concert and Symphonic Band and Choir - 7:30

10/26/18 - Report Card Day

11/1/18 - November Dine and Earn (Panera)

11/3/18 - ILMEA Band Concert

11/9/18 - NO SCHOOL VETERAN'S DAY

11/13/18 - Pep Band Game (tentative based on enrollment)

11/14/18 - Pep Band Game (tentative based on enrollment)

11/17/18 - Mokena Parade of Lights (MANDATORY for all Concert/Symphonic Band students)

11/19/18 - First Rehearsal for SPAMalot!

11/20/18 - Music Booster Meeting 7:00 at MJHS

11/21/18 - 11/23/18 - NO SCHOOL FALL BREAK