Mrs Spindler's blog

Dear Concert Band Members and Parents,

I hope everyone had a relaxing winter break – Happy New Year! I am writing to let you know that there are a few changes on the band calendar. The Niles West Band Festival that is on the calendar for January 15th has been cancelled. The high school band has an opportunity to go to Washington to compete in a national music festival and attend the Presidential Inauguration. Isn’t that exciting?

It's almost here! It's the first concert for the 4th and 5th Grade Bands!

The concert takes place in the Lincoln Hall West Gym at 7:30 pm. 5th Grade Band members should be in the LGI at 7:00 pm to warm up and tune; 4th Grade Band members should be in the LGI at 7:15 pm to warm up and tune. The concert will conclude by 8:15 pm. Please "dress up" for this concert - no jeans, no tennis shoes.

Invite your friends and family to this fun concert - we love to play for a big audience!

Concert Band, Concert Orchestra, and the Lincoln Hall Chorale will be performing at three Holiday Assemblies on the morning of Friday, December 19th. All Concert Band members must be to school by 7:45 am dressed in their black and white "uniform." We will meet in the West Gym at 8:00 am to tune and warm up.

The performances will be a shortened version of our previous Holiday Concert that we will play at separate assemblies for Todd, Rutledge and Lincoln Hall. If you were unable to attend the evening performance, you are welcome to come to one of the morning assemblies. Seating warning!! There is much less available seating at the 9:15 and 10:00 am assemblies. Be prepared to stand if you attend one of those performances.

The annual Holiday Concert will be performed on Thursday, December 18th in the Lincoln Hall West Gym at 7:30 pm. This concert is for Concert Band and Concert Orchestra members only. Concert Band members should report to the LGI at 7:00 pm dressed in their best black and white "uniform." The concert should conclude by 8:30 pm.

Invite your friends and family to this festive concert! See you there!

Each year, band and orchestra students who have played for a year or more (grades 5-8) participate in the Illinois Grade School Music Association Solo and Ensemble Contest. This contest provides opportunites for our students to learn and rehearse chamber music and solos that we don't normally have time to do during the school year.

Please find attached to this article the Solo and Ensemble permission slip that each student should have received Tuesday, December 2nd. This handout explains more about the contest and must be turned in by Tuesday, December 9th.

Mark Saturday, February 14th on your calendar! Performance times will not be available until the beginning of February.

Congratulations to Melanie B. who auditioned for the IMEA Honors Band and was awarded a seat in the oboe section!  Melanie will be part of a 120-piece band that will perform at a concert in November.  Check back for more information on my blog.

Congratulations Melanie!

There will be NO Concert Band early rehearsal (7:30 am) on Wednesday, October 8th due to National Walk to School Day. Pull-out lessons and woodwind sectionals will continue as usual.

4th Grade Band will be starting on Friday, October 3rd. All new band members will need to have their instrument, Essential Elements 2000 book for their instrument, and a pencil.

Here is the schedule for the first day of band:

LUNCH RECESS REHEARSAL (Oct. 3)

I will meet the 4th grade brass players (trumpet, trombone, french horn) in the cafeteria at 11:40 and we will all walk over to Lincoln Hall together.

PULL-OUT LESSONS (Oct. 3)

Pull-out lessons for 4th grade woodwinds (flute, oboe, clarinet, alto sax, bassoon) on Oct. 3rd will be at the following times. Please leave a few minutes early so you get to Lincoln Hall on time. We will meet in the LGI (where you tried the instruments). Please fill out the Homework Buddy form before you leave and give it to your buddy so you will know what you missed while you were at your lesson.

8:15 - FLUTES ONLY