Get Excited for Hadley Band!
January 2024
Hello from Ms. Tribley & Mr. Cooper, the Hadley Band Directors
- Welcome and Looking Forward to Next Year
- Band Continues After 5th Grade & Top 5 Reasons
- What Is Band Like Every Day?
- New & More Instruments in 6th Grade
- Frequently Asked Questions & Google Form
- Enrolling in Hadley Band for Next School Year
- Hadley Band YouTube Channel
Welcome and Looking Forward to Next Year
Band Continues After 5th Grade
5th grade is only the beginning! Many of our students continue playing all the way through high school and after! We’ve never met someone who said, “I’m so glad I quit.” We’ve only met people who said, "I wish I had stayed with it.”
Look at your teachers...
Ms. Pressly & Ms. Tribley playing for Basketball Band at The University of Illinois
Playing their instruments...
Mr. Cooper in 7th Grade
When they were younger!
Ms. Tribley in 7th Grade
Top 5 Reasons to Stay in Band
You get to play your instrument every single day!
You will make new and lasting friendships – because of music!
Your teachers care about you and want you to succeed.
Band is your home away from home. We are a family!
No one sits on the bench during band. Everyone is included!
What Is Band Like Every Day?
Students have so much fun in the Hadley Band Program! We play our instruments every day, as band is a class in your child's schedule. Students make friends from all four elementary schools plus more! There are two equal ability 6th Grade Band classes. We learn the skills to play our instruments through warm-ups, sight-reading, a method book, and concert pieces. We also learn through a variety of different approaches with technology, guest clinicians, collaborative avenues, and more . All instruments are combined in the full band classes, and one class includes the band students who also want to participate in Band/Choir Combo.
Our students use high-quality instruments in a beautiful rehearsal space. We have a full percussion section keyboard, battery, and auxiliary percussion instruments. We also use top-notch audio, visual technology, and recording equipment. The picture below of our classroom is from a virtual clinic we held with renowned composer Randall D. Standridge.
Our goal is to provide students a place to grow musically, socially, and academically. Communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity are constants in our classroom. Students who participate in band and music are equipped to thrive in a 21st Century world. We strive for the program to be a "home away from home" for the band students at Hadley. Students develop relationships with peers and teachers, have a great experience performing challenging and exciting music, and develop a lifelong love of music and learning. Your child will have the opportunity to work with both Chris Cooper and Samantha Tribley. Having two teachers offers variety in teaching styles and the opportunity for students to work with teachers in large and small settings.
New & More Instruments in 6th Grade
Midway through 6th Grade Band, some students step up playing the “color” or “auxiliary” instruments in the ensemble. These include oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, bari saxophone, French horn, and tuba. The percussion section continues to expand as students are becoming versatile on all the instruments - beyond only the xylophone and snare drum! Your child will have the opportunity to play any of the typical band and percussion instruments being part of the Hadley Band Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do we use MusicFirst? We continue using just like in 5th grade. It is a practice tool to help us improve on our instruments at home and at school.
- Where will I keep my instrument? Every child will get a band locker to store all band-related items, including their instrument, binder, and supplies. Band lockers are close to the Auditorium and music classrooms, and provide designated "band storage" beyond the school locker.
- How many concerts are there? There are two (2) per year in the winter and spring, just like in 5th grade.
- Do I miss other classes to play in band? Nope! Band is a daily class just like math, literacy, Spanish, PE, etc.
- What if I play a very large instrument? The school provides one for school-use so you don’t have to carry a trombone or euphonium back and forth or try to manage carrying the large instrument on the bus. We make it so easy!
- Are there any commitments before or after school? Just the two (2) evening concerts in the winter and spring -- that’s it!
- Can I do both band and choir? Yes! Band and Choir Combo is available to those interested. Students participate in band three (3) days a week and choir two (2) days a week. It is during the same class period every day, just in a different classroom. If you are interested in Choir Combo for your child, please contact Mr. Marchese at pmarchese@d41.org for more information.
Do You Have Any Questions?
Enrolling in Hadley Band for Next School Year
Additionally, District 41 has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. You definitely don't want to miss out on this opportunity for your child to participate in an award-winning music program!
Hadley Band YouTube Channel
Samantha Tribley & Chris Cooper
Email: stribley@d41.org and ccooper@d41.org
Website: http://hadleybands.weebly.com/ and YouTube Channel
Location: 240 Hawthorne Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, IL, USA
Phone: 630-534-7252 (Tribley) and 630-534-7456 (Cooper)