4/08
MARCHING REDHAWKS ORIENTATION
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2008 On Thursday, May 1, from 5-6 PM, there will be an informational meeting for all students (only) interested in the 2008-09 Marching Band at Naperville Central. It is not necessary for students to bring an instrument; rather, bring only a pencil/pen and any questions about the Marching Redhawks.
We will share the 2008 show concept, outline the fall season and commitments and meet the student section leaders and drum majors. Contracts will be offered to potential Marching Redhawks and we will end the evening with a pizza party!
4/08
BAND PARENT MEETING -- THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008
NCHS BAND ROOM -- 7:00 P.M.
Current and incoming freshmen band students and parents are invited to an informational meeting on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the NCHS Band Room. Mr. Alstadt and Mr. Silder will explain all facets of the curricular and extra-curricular bands at Naperville Central. Members of the Band Booster Association will also be on hand to explain the very important role the Band Boosters play in the success of all the bands at Naperville Central.
This is a perfect opportunity to have all your questions answered!
4/08
REDHAWK DRUMLINE ORIENTATION MEETING
There will be an orientation meeting for parents and students interested in auditioning for the award-winning Redhawk Drumline on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the NCHS Band Room.
Come and find out what the hype is all about! We will have our percussion staff on hand to answer your questions.
3/08
NCHS Jazz Café 2008
Featuring Guest Artist Brad Stirtz
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Don't miss your chance to hear some of the greatest jazz in town! Our very own Jazz Lab, Jazz Band, Jazz Studio Orchestra and JSO Combo will perform with guest artist Brad Stirtz on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at Bobak's Signature Room at Seven Bridges.
Doors open at 6:15 p.m.; Dinner served at 7:00 p.m.
You can order a CD of the evening's performances! Download the order form here.
3/08
2008 NCHS SOLO & ENSEMBLE EXTRAVAGANZA
Congratulations to the following performers who were selected "Best of Room" honors at the Solo & Ensemble Extravaganza on March 8th. They will perform at the Honors Recital held Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Benet Academy:
Scott Carrick, Bassoon (Wheaton Warrenville South)
Eric Moy, Clarinet (Naperville Central)
Ashley Zapar, Marimba (Benet)
Elizabeth Jaensch, Oboe (Naperville Central)
Trombone Octet (Wheaton Warrenville South)
Corbino/Rondino, Oboe/Bassoon (Oswego )
Why Not? Percussion Ensemble (Naperville Central)
Drew Danica, Voice (Joliet West)
Jordan DeLeon, Voice (Benet)
Alan Jaensch, Euphonium (Naperville Central)
Blumenthal/Johnson, Horn Duet (Naperville Central)
Samuel Lai, Flute (Naperville North)
Billy Auksik, Trumpet (Benet)
Sangeun Kim, Flute (Naperville Central)
Kevin Clymer, Tenor Sax (Joliet West)
Woodwind Quintet (Naperville Central)
3/08
CONGRATULATIONS SPIRITS!
A huge CONGRATULATIONS to the Spirits for the FIRST PLACE finish at the Minooka competition on Saturday!
2/08
WELCOME TO OUR EIGHTH GRADE VISITORS!
As you browse our website, you will find information about all curricular and extra-curricular bands, schedules, news, photographs, etc.. If at any time you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Alstadt, Mr. Silder, or any Band Booster Board Member. We will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Is membership in the school band program important?
The short answer is YES. The slightly longer answer is this: Students get a chance to do several, simultaneous educational things in the school band program. The band program becomes the students "musical laboratory" to try different things and develop musicianship skills that can be learned no place else.
In school band you get to:
Hang out and become friends with other "fine arts" kids. The other kids at the school lunch table may think the new video game rage(s), Guitar Hero and Rock Band are somehow connected to music and the arts. No, No, No, No, No, No, No!
Try out marching band and all the connected instruments (for percussionists: snare drum, quad toms, bass drums and front ensemble instruments.) Get your feet movin' and grovin' along with your hands. By learning these skills in band you might want to move up into the Division I drum corps world one day... Without school band, you have no place to learn these skills.
Play jazz in the school jazz band or play in the school musical. Learn to read music (charts) which could build you a career as a studio musician or in demand player that has the reputation of being able to "fill in" for anybody on short notice, playing any style or genre out there.
Become a music writer or arranger. High school band can take away the perceived fear of going public with creativity. Its all about confidence!
(The above excerpt was edited and reprinted with permission from percussion teacher Vern Spevak's "Percussion Parent Tips," which go out to his enrolled students' parents on a weekly basis. Visit his website at www.spevakpercussionconcepts.com for more information).
2/08
WIND ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE AT WIU
February 21-23, 2008
We will be departing from Naperville Central AFTER SCHOOL on the 21st to participate as the Showcase Band at Western Illinios University. Our performance will be February 23rd at 1:o00 p.m. at the COFAC Recital Hall. The schedule can be downloaded - click here.
The information packet relating to the WIU Showcase of Bands can be downloaded:
Showcase Schedule
Important Information
Master Class Schedule
Medical Form
Sectionals Schedule
Parents, you are welcomed (and encouraged) to come and listen to the concert. Six chaperones are needed to attend with us. Please know that you will be asked to have a criminal background check, unless you have done so already through District 203. Seniors, We will be home in time for the senior party!!!
We will be performing Steven Reineke 1st Symphony, which has four movements. Other highlights include: Conducting with Director of Bands from LSU, Dr. Frank Wicks, sectionals with the faculty at Western Illinois University, performances from our chamber ensembles, and selected solos from our students, working with Associate Director of Bands Doug Philips and Director of Bands Michael Fansler
Sectional Faculty from WIU includes:
Bruce Briney, trumpet
John Cooper, trumpet
Michael Ericson, oboe
Randall Faust, horn
Eric Ginsberg, clarinet
Tammara K. Phillips, flute
Douglas Huff, bassoon
Rick Kurasz, percussion
John Mindeman, trombone
Kevin Nichols, percussion
Terry Solomonson, tuba
John Vana, saxophone
2/08
CONGRATULATIONS, SPIRITS!!!
Congratulations go out to the Spirits for two terrific performances of their show "The Masquerade" this past weekend. They finished third in the Chesterton, Indiana competition on Saturday and finished second in the LaPorte, Indiana competition on Sunday!
Their next competition is at Minooka High School on March 2nd. The competition begins at 10:00 a.m. The Spirits competition dates can be found on the Main Calendar or by visiting their website.
Way to go, ladies! Keep up the great work!!!
2/08
CONGRATULATIONS TO IMEA ALL-STATE MUSICIANS!
Congratulations to our IMEA All-State Musicians: Adam Almeter, Josh Blumenthal, Kelly Drinkard, Stephany Kim, Jennifer Laspisa and Eric Moy.
2/08
Students: If you would like to get a head start out with the 'A' Auditions for the 2008-09 school year, check out this link: http://www.ilmea.org/div_band02.shtml.
Audition packets will be available from your band director next week.
2/08
REFERENDUM / FACILITIES INFORMATION
The February 5th election date, which includes the school referendum issue, is fast approaching. The NCHS Band Booster Association urges all District 203 families to educate themselves on this school issue. Much needed facilities improvements at Naperville Central in the instrumental music area, as well as artificial turf for the football field, are proposed upgrades that will directly benefit the band program.
More information can lso be found by following the link below:
www.buildthefuture203.org
1/08
CONCESSIONS VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED!
Adults and students are needed to volunteer in the concession stand for this very busy season. Please consult the Concessions Calendar for available dates. Our concessons coordinators are working many shifts due to a lack of adult volunteers. The winter season (basketball, wrestling, etc.) is our busiest and enables us to earn important funding for ALL BANDS at Naperville Central.
Thank you very much to all parents, students and friends who have already volunteered -- your help is greatly appreciated!
Parents, if you haven't signed up yet, won't you please consider helping out with this very important fundraiser?
1/08
CONGRATULATIONS TO JSO & JSO COMBO
JSO and JSO Combo recently performed at the prestigious North Shore Jazz Festival at Glenbrook South High School. Both groups were amazing and amongst stiff competition, JSO won third third place overall and JSO Combo won first place!
1/08
CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. & MRS. SILDER ON THE BIRTH OF THEIR FIRST CHILD, DAUGHTER KATHARINE RUTH SILDER, BORN FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2008!
1/08
WELCOME TO STUDENT TEACHER, DANIEL TRIPP!
Daniel Tripp is a graduate of Sandwich High School in Sandwich, Illinois. Playing trombone since age 10, Dan was able to be a part of the Renegade Regiment Marching Band, Jazz Band, and Wind Ensemble at Sandwich HS. Learning from his band director, Terry Wickwire, he graduated and attended Western Illinois University to pursue an undergraduate degree in instrumental music education. Taking lessons from John Mindeman and Randall Faust in Macomb, Dan was involved in multiple ensembles at WIU including the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Studio Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, Pep Band, and the Marching Leathernecks, where he was a section leader for two years and Senior Drum Major for two years.
In his four and a half years at the Macomb campus, Dan was given many opportunities to grow and participate in the School of Music . While taking conducting classes with Douglas Phillips, Mike Fansler, and James Stegall, Dan was given the privilege to conduct the WIU Concert Band on a Student Conductors' Concert in March of 2006. Other organizations Dan has been apart of are MENC, NBA, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity.
Recently, Dan has completed his block teaching experience with Erin Stegall at Edison Elementary in Macomb. In this experience, he assisted with Mrs. Stegall's 92 student 6th grade choir, and learned many important aspects of classroom management and student interactions. He was also allowed to conduct a piece in their Winter Concert in December of 2007.
After his student teaching experience in Naperville , Dan will be graduating in May of 2008 (Magna Cum Laude) with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education.
1/08
Congratulations to Adam Almeter, Stephany Kim, and Eric Moy who were selected by the Northshore Concert Band to be a part of their Lifetime of Music Program. They will perform with the professional wind ensemble on February 10 on the stage of Northwestern University's Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. This is a tremendous honor for these fine musicians!
1/08
BRASS FEST @ WIU - JANUARY 20-21
Mr. Alstadt will be taking a group of brass students to Western Illinois University for a Brass Festival January 20-21, 2008. We will meet at the train station and from there depart for Macomb, Illinois. This has been a yearly trip and has always been a highlight of our year. Students will have the opportunity to work with brass faculty up close and experience a day of wonderful learning and fun.
If you are planning to go to Brass Fest, please email DJ Alstadt at dalstadt@naperville203.org as soon as possible and confirm that you are going. We are currently working with the School of Music and attempting to know how many rooms to block off, how much food for the caterer to prepare, and arrange transportation from the train station to our hotel. Refer to the Main Calendar for a schedule of the activities and planned events.
You must also turn in the permission to Mr. Alstadt before January 16th, along with the payments outlined on the form. Click here to download the permission slip.
1/08
NEW STEEL PAN ENSEMBLES -- INFORMATIONAL MEETING
This past spring, the Naperville Education Foundation generously funded the start of the District 203 Steel Drum Bands, and we are now proud to announce the formation and beginning of this new and exciting addition to the NCHS Band Program!
Beginning this winter we will invite 20 junior high students and 20 high school students from the district to learn the art of steel pan performance, under the guidance of a number of highly trained professionals. Our two junior high ensembles will meet for 90-minute rehearsals on Wednesday evenings. Our three high school ensembles will meet for 90-minute rehearsals on Monday evenings. (Our advanced high school ensemble will meet both Mondays and Wednesday evenings). The high school students will be subject to an application process.
Instructors for the ensembles will be:
Ms. Yuko Asada – Doctoral student at Northern Illinois University studying steel pan. Ms. Asada has her Masters Degree in Steel Pan Performance and her Bachelors Degree in Percussion Performance. Ms. Asada is an active steel pan performer in the Chicagoland area.
Ms. Joeanne Klonowsky – learned to play steel pan 15 years ago in Barbados and received her training in steel pan while living in Antigua for four years. Ms. Klonowsky also taught at St. Joseph 's Academy and John Marshall High School in Rochester, New York. Ms. Klonowsky has a genuine passion for steel pan performance and for working with students in this area.
Mr. Ben Wahlund – Percussion instructor, performer, and composer. Mr. Wahlund has his first Masters Degree in Percussion Performance, a second Masters Degree in Composition, and a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. Before joining the teaching staff at Naperville Central, Mr. Wahlund was a band director in Iowa. During this time he was recognized two times as a Golden Apple Educator.
An informational meeting for high school students and their parents will be on Monday, January 14 th at 7:30pm in the band room of Naperville Central.
1/08
WELCOME BACK FROM ATLANTA!
The trip to the Chick-fil-A Bowl was fantastic. The local Fox affiliate in Atlanta interviewed our drum major Adam Almeter and took some fun shots of our band students in the Chick-fil-A Bowl Parade!
Parents and students wishing to order a video of the performance can download the form -- click here.
12/07
THANK YOU TO BEARS GAMES VOLUNTEERS!
A huge thank you goes out to parents, alumni and friends who worked the Bears games this fall. This was an excellent fundraising opportunity given to us by the Bears organization.
Band parents earned $3,932.04 for the band programs and Spirit parents earned $3,771.96 for the Spirits organization.
We are looking forward to this great fundraising opportunity again in 2008.
12/07 CHICK-FIL-A BOWL (F/K/A PEACH BOWL) INFORMATION
Congratulations to the Naperville Central Band Program for being selected as the Honor Band for the 2007 Chick-Fil-A Bowl! We will be leaving December 27 and returning the evening of January 1, 2008.
Our band will march in the Chick fil-A Bowl Parade and then will walk to Fan Fest in the Georgia World Congress Center before departing for the Georgia Dome. They will perform at the Massed Band Pregame Performance and again at halftime.
This year's Chick-fil-A Bowl game is between the Auburn Tigers (8-4, 5-3) and the Clemson Tigers (9-3, 5-3), The game will be broadcast on ESPN beginning at 6:30 p.m. (Central time).
WE WISH ALL OUR STUDENTS, DIRECTORS AND CHAPERONES GOOD LUCK AND SAFE TRAVEL TO AND FROM ATLANTA!!
12/07
CONGRATULATIONS TO 2008 DRUMSHOW CAST!
Congratulations to the following percussionists who auditioned and were selected as members of the 2008 Drumshow cast:
Binder, Molly
Kasten, Cali
Kumar, Prateek
Moffitt, Tom
Marsala, Aaron
Page, Sam
Parker, Adam
Pratt, Ben
Reilly, Brian
Sapadin, Abby
Shahidehpour, Dustin
Stirtz, Carter
Telomen, Christopher
Thill, Ryan
Mark your calendars for Drumshow 2008, which will take place April 11& 12, 2007 in the NCHS Auditorium.
11/07
“AN EVENING WITH THE HUMANITIES”
November 28, 2007
Performances at 5:45 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
An Evening with the Humanities is approaching at a quick pace and, as in the past, refreshments will be served to the guests and the performers.
The Hospitality Committee is requesting that all Fine Arts Band, Chorus and Orchestra families bring 3 to 4 dozen treats to share with the audience and performers during this spectacular evening.
We are also looking for parents from each of the different Fine Arts groups to help set up, serve and/or clean up on this night.
Since each of us would like to see our children and share in the festivities, we need several hands to make this possible.
Please contact Julie Debnar at juldebnar@aol.com or Denise Montgomery at doods323@wowway.com, if you have any questions. You can download the sign-up form: click here.
All treats (on disposable ware, labeled with your name) need to be dropped off in the auditorium lobby before you report to your Director!
Thanks to all who make this possible!
11/07
WELCOME TO STUDENT TEACHER JOHN QUIAOIT!
Jon Quiaoit is currently student teaching in Naperville Community Unit District 203, his final step in completing his degree from Western Illinois University. He will receive a Bachelor's of Music in Music Education. Jon's teaching experience includes drumline experience with R.O.W.V.A. High School, Galesburg High School, and Bloomington High School. In addition to his student teaching and pre-student teaching experience, he was a Summer Music Camp Counselor at WIU for three consecutive summers. Jon is an active performer. At WIU, he has played in the Jazz Studio Orchestra, Jazz Band, Jazz Combos, Steel Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Concert Band, and Percussion Ensemble. Jon also had college vocal ensemble experience. He sang in the Concert Choir and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. As an active performer, Jon played around the state of Illinois. He has played at McGillicuddy's, a restaurant that hosts jazz for Knox College and other various jazz groups. He was also invited to play for IMEA District IV Jazz Festival to play as a jazz percussionist for the district vocal jazz choir. Jon, along with two of his college colleagues, created a jazz quintet.
We wish Jon the best of luck in his teaching career!
11/07
JSO PERFORMS AT THE LEGENDARY GREEN MILL JAZZ CLUB
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH at 8:00 p.m.
Jazz Studio Orchestra will be performing at the Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 North Broadway in Chicago on Wednesday, November 14th at 8:00 p.m. Anyone under 21 must be accompanied by a parent. We would like to pack Green Mill, so please come out for a fantastic show!
Also performing on Wednesday evening is the WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra with guest artist is Chris Vadala. The Western Illinois University Jazz Studio Orchestra is under the direction of Dr. John B. Cooper, Director of Jazz Studies and Conductor.
One of the country's foremost woodwind artists, Chris Vadala is in demand as a jazz/classical performer and educator. He has appeared on more than 100 recordings to date, as well as innumerable jingle sessions, film and TV scores, performing on all the saxophones, flutes, and clarinets. Mr. Vadala's performing career has been highlighted by a long tenure as standout woodwind artist with the Internationally recognized Chuck Mangione Quartet, which included performances in all 50 states, Canada, Australia, Japan, Phillipines, China, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, England, Italy, France,
Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, and Switzerland, and performing credits on five gold and two platinum albums, plus two Grammy, one Emmy, one Georgie (AGVA) and one Golden Globe Award.
We hope to see you there for a great evening of jazz!
11/07
FACILITIES AT NAPERVILLE CENTRAL
The Band Booster and Color Guard Booster Associations would like to encourage all Naperville Central band parents to take part in the tours, presentations, surveys and discussions relating to facilities improvements in District 203, particularly with regard to Naperville Central High School . As many of you know, NCHS is at the forefront of the discussion because it is a 57-year-old building with a variety of problems that need to be addressed now for the safety and security of our students and staff.
One of the items being proposed is a synthetic turf athletic field, which will directly benefit the marching band program by giving us a trouble-free performance venue. In addition, a new music facility is being proposed that would give us state-of-the-art practice and rehearsal space.
The NCHS Spirits Winter Guard currently has to practice at alternate facilities late in the evening because there are no available indoor accommodations at NCHS. The new facilities plan would rectify this.
The District 203 Facilities Task Force is making a concerted effect to inform the Naperville community about the options currently being considered. We urge parents to take the time to tour Naperville Central to become fully informed of the condition of the school where our children spend each day. Please don't rely on hearsay or others' opinions about the condition of the school -- see for yourself why a NEW Naperville Central is really the only logical choice.
For further details regarding District 203 facilities, see the District 203 website Facilities Task Force page at www.naperville203.org/departments/buildings/FacilitiesTaskForce.asp . Included are costs and possible referendum options.
11/07
15TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY POINSETTIA FUNDRAISER
All NCHS Band and Spirit families have been mailed the order forms for this year's poinsettia fundraiser. This year there are five choices of plants, from 4" to 10". The sale begins now and will end on Monday, November 5th. You must turn in your "Annual Poinsettia Tally Sheet," with payment, to the Band Booster volunteers on hand to collect forms on November 5th. Sorry, no late orders can be accepted. Please do not turn in your forms to Mr. Alstadt or Mr. Silder or leave them in the Band Room or Band Office!
Additional copies of the poinsettia order form and packet can be downloaded -- click here.
If you have questions, please e-mail Tom Rogers at [bethebull@aol.com].
10/07
CONGRATULATIONS MARCHING REDHAWKS!
The Marching Redhawks were among 41 bands who competed in the 42nd Annual "Band Day" at Illinois State University on Saturday, October 20th. Their fantastic performance of their show, "el Toro del Fuego" in the preliminary competition earned them an opportunity to perform a second time in the finals competition, resulting in an 11th place finish! What a great end to the season!
Special thanks go out to all the roadies, parents and alumni who helped with props and equipment, drove the trucks, assisted with uniforms, served dinner, rode buses as chaperones and cheered for the Marching Redhawks. We are very fortunate to have such wonderful, dedicated volunteers!
10/07
CONGRATULATIONS TO IMEA SELECTEES!!!!
Congratulations to the following students who were selected by IMEA District IX to perform this in November -- we are SO proud of you!!!
BAND |
INSTRUMENT |
| 1 Josh Blumenthal (11) |
French Horn |
| 2 Mike Brdicka (12) |
Euphonium |
| 3 Kelly Drinkard (12) |
Bass Clarinet |
| 4 Seamus Horan (11) |
Trumpet |
| 5 Katharine Janda (10) |
Bb Clarinet |
| 6 Sangeun Kim (12) |
Flute |
| 7 Jennifer Laspisa (12) |
Bb Clarinet |
| 8 Nicole Sayer (12) |
Bassoon |
| 9 Paul Schumacher (12) |
Trumpet |
| 10 Christopher Telemon (12) |
Percussion |
ORCHESTRA |
|
|
|
| Adam Almeter (12) |
Trombone |
| Elizabeth Jaensch (12) |
Oboe |
| Nathan Johnson (11) |
French Horn |
| Eric Moy (12) |
Bb Clarinet |
JAZZ BAND |
|
| Adam Almeter (12) |
Trombone |
| Kevin Petit (12) |
String/Elec Bass |
| Abby Sapadin (11) |
Vibes |
| Dillon Shoemaker (10) |
Guitar |
| Carter Stirtz (10) |
Drum Set |
| Kim Truemper (11) |
Bass Trombone |
9/07
Thank you to all volunteers, spectators and bands who participated in the inaugural Naperville Central Marching Band Classic on Saturday, September 15th. It was a wonderful day! For a list of scores and winners, see our Marching Classic page.
9/07
Due to the cancellation of the first football game, we had to reschedule the photographer scheduled to take pictures of the band. Information will be forthcoming. Please bring your completed order form (click here) and payment to the rescheduled date (TBA). |
