Please be sure to read it in its entirety as I have updated sections.

Welcome to the new year! We are looking forward to continuing to create excellence in our music program moving forward.

WELCOME BACK MRS. CHENEY! We are happy to have Mrs. Cheney back with us after her maternity leave. Thank you to Mr. McGrath for filling in while she was gone.

Solo and Ensemble Pre-Contest will take place on Saturday, January 19 at MJH. A schedule has been emailed recently. Please direct any questions to Mrs. Bussean.

Choir Students - LWC will be hosting a Step Up event on Tuesday, January 29 in the evening at LWC. More information will be distributed soon. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Cheney.

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

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

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.

We still have quite a bit of outstanding money due in Charms. Please check your accounts over break and make sure you are up to date. Please be aware that the District is also reaching out about outstanding District participation fees. While this can get confusing, it is important that everyone understand that there is a difference between the participation fee charged by the District for participation in activities (ie basketball, track, scholastic bowl, band, choir, etc.) and the fees charged through the Music Boosters (Booster registration fee, books, polo shirts, etc.). Please make sure you are current on both sides. If you ever have any questions about this, please feel free to reach out to your director.

You will be receiving monthly Charms statements (these are the Music Booster fees) 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

1/8/19 - MORNING BAND REHEARSALS RESUME

1/8/19 - HAMILTON TRIP

1/15/19 - 7:00 PM Music Booster Meeting at MJH

1/19/19 - Solo and Ensemble Pre-Contest at MJH

1/22/19 - MJH Group Activity Photos will be taken before school at MJH

1/22/19 - LWC Choir Step Up Night

1/24 - 1/25/19 - NO MORNING REHEARSALS AND NO SECTIONALS as the directors will be attending the Illinois Music Educator Conference in Peoria