Junior High Band Notes
November 21, 2016
Happy Thanksgiving!
This newsletter contains very important information about our upcoming winter concert AND our solo contest that we do in February. Please take a few minutes to read through this newsletter thoroughly so you know the details of these two upcoming events.
Winter Band Concert- Tuesday, December 13th
Our Winter Concert will be on Tuesday, December 13th and 7:00 P.M. in the junior high auditorium. The students have been hard at work since our October concert and we are looking forward to presenting an evening of holiday music. All 6th grade band students will need to arrive in uniform by 6:15 and be in the gymnasium for a warm-up by 6:20 P.M. We will be opening the concert so be sure to arrive on time! The students need to stay for the entire concert which should end at approximately 8:30 PM.
Solo and Ensemble Contest- Saturday, February 25th, 2017
Solo and Ensemble Festival Details
Location:
Wheaton Christian Grammar School
1N350 Taylor Drive, Winfield, IL 60190
What exactly is this festival?
Every 6th-8th Grade student in band will perform a solo at the annual IGSMA Contest as part of their third quarter grade. In the coming weeks, students will choose a solo to begin preparing. Small-group lessons in the months of January and February will primarily be to prepare the students on their solos. Mr. Schraub and Mrs. Kiener strongly believe that this festival is one of the most important parts of a student’s musical education here at Lisle. By preparing a solo, the students will vastly improve their technique on their instruments and, in turn, our band as a whole will rapidly improve.
What do I need to perform at this festival?
All band students are required to perform a solo. In addition to their solo, students will also have the opportunity to play in an optional small-group ensemble with their friends.
What solo should I play?
All band students will need to order a solo book. Each book contains several different solos from which the students can choose as well as a CD that they can play along with to learn their piece. Here are the books that we recommend for each student:
Trumpets- Trumpet Stars by H.A. Vandercook (Hal Leonard publishing)
Trombones and Baritones- Trombone Gems by H.A. Vandercook (Hal Leonard publishing)
Percussion- Festival Solos Book 1 by Bruce Pearson and Mary Elledge (KJOS Music Company)
All other instruments- Festival Solos Book 2 by Bruce Pearson and Mary Elledge (KJOS Music Company)
Where should I get my solo book from?
They are easy to find online at websites such as Amazon (www.amazon.com)and Quinlan and Fabish (www.qandf.com). A simple google search should find the book pretty easily. If you would like to get it in person, we recommend that you contact Quinlan and Fabish Music in Burr Ridge (630-654-4111) or Band Source in Downers Grove (630- 477-0426) to order/purchase your solo. These retailers have a large number of solos in stock. You can simply call them and order your child’s recommended solo book over the phone with a credit card. If you order from Quinlan and Fabish, their representative can deliver the solo book directly to school.
When should I order my solo book?
As soon as possible! The earlier you choose your solo and acquire your book, the more prepared you will be for the contest when it arrives. Please have your solo book ordered by Monday, November 28.
Do I need a piano accompanist?
Yes, all students will perform their solo with a piano accompanist. We recommend that you contact one of the following accompanists as soon as possible to reserve your slot with them. E-mail is the preferred route of communication. Please have an accompanist chosen and contact that accompanist by Monday, December 5.
Mrs. Phyllis Sutton 630-309-8879 phylsutton@comcast.net
Mrs. Arlene Leonard 630-493-8120 aleonard@lisle202.org
Mrs. Stephanie Boesso 630-968-6134 sboesso@yahoo.com
*You can use any piano player that you wish; it does not have to be one of the above names. However, your accompanist must be able to play at an advanced level.
Timeline of Events:
Order your solo book by Monday, November 28
Contact a piano accompanist and let Mr. Schraub know who that accompanist is by Monday, December 5th.
Schedule rehearsal time with your piano accompanist. You should plan on practicing 2-3 times with your accompanist BEFORE the contest on February 25th.
Practice, practice, practice!! This is a great opportunity for you to showcase your skills!
More specific information about the festival will be sent out at a later date. Right now, the students need to simply focus on choosing a solo and preparing it. If you have any questions about any of this information, please contact Mr. Schraub or Ms. Kiener.