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Elementary Band and Orchestra

Written: November, 5th Grade
Playing: October, 5th Grade

Junior High Band and Orchestra:

Written: October, 7th Grade
Playing: September, 8th Grade

Junior High Chorus:

Written: March, 8th Grade
Playing: September, 8th Grade

High School (All music):

Written: March
Playing: September

Overview
Students interested in joining chorus at the junior high level should register for the course at the same time they register for all other classes. There are no prerequisites to participate in Chorus. Chorus is a graded class based on attendance and vocal technique. Chorus requires a yearlong commitment from all members. High school chorus classes are multi-tiered, skills-based offerings that require either an audition or a director/counselor recommendation for participation.

Overview
Instrumental music in District #203 is available to all students in grades 4-12. At the elementary level, students are given one small-group lesson and one full ensemble rehearsal each week. If you are not a third or fourth grader and you wish to join an instrumental ensemble, you must consult your school's band or orchestra director. At the junior high level, students are given one small-group lesson and two to three full ensemble rehearsals each week. Small group lessons are scheduled on a rotating basis; this enables students to attend band or orchestra lessons with a minimum impact on other classes. Band and orchestra are graded classes that require a year long commitment from all members. High school instrumental music classes are multi-tiered, skills-based offerings that require either an audition or a director/counselor recommendation for participation.

3rd Grade Clinics
Students are given a demonstration of each wind and string instrument in late April. In May (see calendar), students are given the opportunity to try instruments while under the supervision and guidance of district music staff. Clinicians will work with the children to determine if the chosen instrument will best suit the student, and make an instrument recommendation based on their evaluation. The demonstration and clinic dates for 2010 are as follows:


School	Demonstrations	Clinics
Beebe	April 8	May 10
Ellsworth	April 6	May 4
Elmwood	April 8	April 26
Highlands	April 6	April 22
Kingsley	April 8	May 5
Maplebrook	April 8	May 17
Meadow Glens	April 7	April 30
Mill Street	April 8	April 29
Naper	April 6	May 10
Prairie	April 8	May 6
Ranch View	April 7	May 13
River Woods	April 7	May 14
Scott	April 7	May 7
Steeple Run	April 6	May 4



Summer Program vs. Fall Program
District #203 offers beginning instrumental music instruction to students during the summer or during the fall. Advantages to summer instruction include fast skill acquisition due to the consistency and frequency of the class meetings afforded by the summer schedule. Summer beginners typically start in the full ensemble experience immediately in the fall. Students entering 4th grade are eligible to enroll in the summer program.
The 2010 summer program for BEGINNERS will be announced in late February. We typically start the 2nd week of June and run through the last week of June.
Please contact your local school music instructor with questions regarding summer or fall music courses.
Summer Registration for Beginners
Materials Needed
All music students will need an instrument, instruction book, and pencil at each lesson. Students will also need a folding music stand for practicing at home and for use at concerts. Orchestra students will need Essential Elements Book 1, and band students will need Standard of Excellence Book 1. The parent should rent or obtain an instrument prior to the first lesson. Keep in mind that percussion students will need a bell kits and a snare drum kit. Your school music staff is available to assist you with these requirements.

School Rentals
District #203 rents string basses, baritones, tubas, and French horns. Students and parents must sign a rental contract and pay the fee of $100 for a one-year rental. Tubas and string basses may be rented in pairs (one for home practice and one for school) at an additional cost of $75/year (may be more for new instruments). All instruments are rented on a first-come first-served basis. Students are responsible for regular maintenance and for returning the instrument in the same condition in which is was rented.




2010 Advanced Summer Ensembles (for experienced band and orchestra students)
District #203 also offers summer band and orchestra programs to non-beginners. These are full ensemble rehearsals that meet five times a week beginning in early June and ending July 1. Experienced band and orchestra students are currently offered five choices - Cadet Ensemble, Intermediate Ensemble, Advanced Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and multiple Jazz Ensembles.

Registration forms and fees for students with at least one year of playing experience may be mailed to the address listed on the bottom of the registration form. The forms usually are distributed in mid-April by the band and orchestra teachers. Please contact your school music instructor with any questions regarding the summer ensembles.

Performance Philosophy
Performances for performance music classes are assessments. Therefore, we make every attempt to schedule performances in coordination with grading periods. These events require the thoughtful and meaningful interaction between all students, made possible by the thorough preparation of each individual performer. As a district, we believe the performance to be an integral and important component of the course experience. It is also an opportunity for parents and community to witness District #203 students actively engaged in an academic environment.
The following list highlights several annual components of our district performance music calendar. See your school's individual music page for specific dates.
Fall String Demonstration
In mid-November, all fall beginner orchestra students enrolled in a district elementary school perform a joint demonstration concert. This is an opportunity for parents to hear how much their sons and daughters have progressed since the beginning of the year. This concert is also an important incentive for the young musicians.
Junior High-High School Performance Music Festival
This festival is a grand concert featuring each high school and its corresponding "feeder" junior high school top bands. This concert provides an opportunity for junior high band members to hear their future high school band classmates.
Elementary Honor Band/Honor Orchestra
The Elementary Honor Ensembles are select groups of the finest musicians in the district. Members must audition in the month of October. Weekly rehearsals begin in November and continue until the culminating concert performance at the middle of February.
Solo and Ensemble Festival
The Solo and Ensemble Festival is a required activity for all junior high instrumental music students. This festival promotes musical independence, responsibility, and student leadership in a small group.
Elementary-Junior High Band Festival
This festival is a massive concert featuring each junior high school and its corresponding "feeder" elementary school 5th graders (4th and 5th graders for some schools). This concert provides an opportunity for elementary band members to perform along side their future junior high school band classmates under the direction of their future junior high band director.
Spring Orchestra Festival
This festival offers all string students in grades 4-6 an opportunity to meet and perform along side string students of many schools and grade levels. The concert will culminate in a combined piece featuring all of the district string students in grades 4-6. A second festival, held one week later, offers the same benefits to students in grades 7 and 8.
Memorial Day Parade
This parade features all District #203 junior high bands, high school bands, and the Bluegrass Strings. The parade route begins at Centennial Park, winds through downtown Naperville, and ends at Central Park. A detailed parade route is published by the City of Naperville. Some ensembles will be bussed to the starting point to alleviate congestion at the parade site and provide the safest environment for student participation. Parents are responsible for meeting their child at the end of the parade route immediately after their school has completed the parade.