Brooks Bands, Week of 2/27 - 3/2

Congratulations to all of our band and jazz students that performed on this Saturday's Pasta Night and Music Showcase. All of the students did a great job performing and representing the strengths our program has to offer as well as having a lot of fun. Also, thank you to the numerous amounts of parents that volunteered with student supervision, helping out on stage and/or working the dinner crowds all evening. This event is a monumental task and could not be accomplished without your help!!!

Also, thank you to all the families that participated in the pasta dinners and our raffle. We cannot thank you enough on all of your support you provide in order for us to run a high quality music program such as ours at Brooks Middle School. Throughout the years, your help has helped replace much needed school instruments as well as enhance our school equipment, classroom supplies and student opportunities throughout the years.

Upcoming Events:

Monday, Feb. 27th: BRAVO Preview, during the school day. 6th Grade Bands and Jazz Ensemble only perform for 5th graders from our four feeder elementary schools. Students can wear normal everyday school clothes for this performance. BRAVO, Brooks wear is encouraged!

Brooks Jazz Night & Art Show, Thursday, April 5th @ 7 p.m., GBMS Auditorium
BRAVO proudly announces their annual Brooks Jazz Night with guest artists, the Mark O'Connor Quintet & vocalist Typhanie Monique. The evening concert will feature both our Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble, followed by a set by our guest artists. The event does start at 3 p.m. with rehearsal clinics for both of our bands with our guest artists and are free and open to the public. This year we are adding an art exhibit that will be available for viewing in the auditorium lobby and commons. Admission for the evening concert is $8 adults, and $6 students and can be purchased in advance through the BRAVO hotline at 708-524-5621 and will be available for purchase soon online through the D97 webstore. For more information regarding the Brooks Jazz Night, please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org

ST. LOUIS MUSIC TOUR (7TH/8TH Graders)
Final payment for $130 or remaining balance for the tour is due on Mar. 15th along with all medical forms and copies of insurance information turned into the BRAVO office. Chaperones also need to submit their 2nd $110 payment by this date. Please contact Mr. Barnard if you have submitted for being a chaperone and you have not heard from anyone. All students that are participating should have signed up for room mates by now. Please see Mr. Barnard ASAP if this has not been accomplished!

HOMEWORK:

Practice Record Journals

Week 14 Due Monday, 2/27

Please make sure that the practice journal is also signed on the inside of the booklet as well as the front cover.

Practice records that are not turned in on time do receive a 10 point penalty each day it is late and will not receive credit if it is not turned in within the week. Make sure that both the cover as well as the assignments and goals page are signed to receive credit.

MUSIC THEORY:
6th Grade: No music theory this week due to scale test in class all week!

7th-8th Grade: Lessons 29, Activity Worksheet 7-3

2nd TRIMESTER OUTSIDE CONCERT SUMMARIES, Due Feb. 27th
Students in any academic music elective are required to attend one live performance of a music, dance or theatrical event each trimester and fill out the Concert Observation Form based on what they saw at the event. A copy of the program or ticket stub from the event will need to be attached and the form requires a parent signature for credit.

Students can attend any event that is school related or out in the community (i.e. OPRF Concerts, community concerts and recitals, events in downtown Chicago such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Broadway in Chicago productions, etc.). Copies of this form can be downloaded from the link provided in the upper right hand corner of the band blog.

Concert Summaries are 5% of the total band grade so please do not forget to accomplish this assignment.

JAZZ PROGRAM

Jazz Ensemble (7th/8th Graders):

Tuesday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

Thursday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

Jazz Lab Band:
Friday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

All jazz students, 6th-8th grade, will need to have the Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble book which will be used all three years of their jazz experience at brooks.

If students or families have any questions or concerns please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org.

Brooks Bands, Week of 2/21 - 2/25

Congratulations to the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble students on their rehearsal clinics at Elmhurst College last Thursday, Feb. 16th. Students received clinics from Dr. Judy Grimes, Director of Bands and Doug Beach, Director of Jazz Studies and was observed by Elmhurst College music students and faculty. Thank you to all of our parent volunteers that helped out chaperoning this event and making the day happen without a hitch!!!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Saturday, Feb. 25th: BRAVO Annual Pasta Night and Music Showcase, 4-9 p.m., GBMS Auditorium and Commons. Cadet & Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble and select small ensembles from Wind Ensemble.

Pasta Night Dinner Fundraiser Flyers should be available online this week for families to make reservations (optional). Reservations can also be made online through the D97 Revtrak system. All reservations need to be made in advance since seating is limited and fills up quickly. The Pasta Night Fundraiser helps support our music programs purchase much needed equipment and supplies. Space is limited and does fill up fast. All band families should not make reservations during the 6 p.m. seating since it is during the same time the Band Showcase is in the Auditorium. Band families should make reservations for either the 5 p.m. or 7:15 p.m. seatings.

Concert Attire:
Boys: White button down dress shirt, black dress pants, black dress shoes, solid black necktie.
Girls: White blouse top that covers the shoulder, black dress pants (no skirts), black dress shoes.

Jazz students will not wear their "Brooks Jazz" t-shirts for this performance but will stay in formal concert attire.

REPORT TIMES

Wind Ensemble small groups (5:00 p.m.) First groups should be here at 4:30 p.m. and students should report at least 1/2 hour before their performance time.

6th Grade Bands: 5:30 p.m. in D110
Symphonic Band: 5:45 p.m. in D105
Wind Ensemble: 6:00 p.m. in 1st FL C Wing

Jazz Lab Band: 7:00 p.m. in 1st FL C Wing
Jazz Ensemble: Report in Commons ready to go at 7:30 p.m.

All students should leave valuables at home and any cell phones need to be on the individual (in pocket). We cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items. Thank you to all of our parents that have volunteered to help with student supervision!

Please refer to the band handbook if there are any questions/concerns or contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org.

*This event is the required performance event for 2nd trimester for all academic bands. Please contact Mr. Barnard in writing (email preferred) no later than two weeks before this event if there is an important family conflict.

Monday, Feb. 27th: BRAVO Preview, during the school day. 6th Grade Bands and Jazz Ensemble only perform for 5th graders from our four feeder elementary schools. Students can wear normal everyday school clothes for this performance. BRAVO, Brooks wear is encouraged!

ST. LOUIS MUSIC TOUR (7TH/8TH Graders)
Final payment for $130 or remaining balance for the tour is due on Mar. 15th along with all medical forms and copies of insurance information turned into the BRAVO office. Chaperones also need to submit their 2nd $110 payment by this date. Please contact Mr. Barnard if you have submitted for being a chaperone and you have not heard from anyone. All students that are participating should have signed up for room mates by now. Please see Mr. Barnard ASAP if this has not been accomplished!

HOMEWORK:

Practice Record Journals

Week 13 Due Tuesday, 2/21

Please make sure that the practice journal is also signed on the inside of the booklet as well as the front cover.

Practice records that are not turned in on time do receive a 10 point penalty each day it is late and will not receive credit if it is not turned in within the week. Make sure that both the cover as well as the assignments and goals page are signed to receive credit.

MUSIC THEORY:
There is no music theory this week and next week in preparation for Pasta Night

2nd TRIMESTER OUTSIDE CONCERT SUMMARIES, Due Feb. 27th
Students in any academic music elective are required to attend one live performance of a music, dance or theatrical event each trimester and fill out the Concert Observation Form based on what they saw at the event. A copy of the program or ticket stub from the event will need to be attached and the form requires a parent signature for credit.

Students can attend any event that is school related or out in the community (i.e. OPRF Concerts, community concerts and recitals, events in downtown Chicago such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Broadway in Chicago productions, etc.). Copies of this form can be downloaded from the link provided in the upper right hand corner of the band blog.

Concert Summaries are 5% of the total band grade so please do not forget to accomplish this assignment.

JAZZ PROGRAM

Jazz Ensemble (7th/8th Graders):

Tuesday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

Thursday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

Jazz Lab Band:
Friday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

Both jazz groups will be playing on Saturday, Feb. 25th @ 7:15 p.m. during our annual Pasta Night and Music Showcase.

All jazz students, 6th-8th grade, will need to have the Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble book which will be used all three years of their jazz experience at brooks.

If students or families have any questions or concerns please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org.

Brooks Bands, Week of 2/13 - 2/18

Wind Ensemble/Jazz Ensemble Field Trip, Feb. 16th to Elmhurst College
Members from Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble will participate in rehearsal clinics on Thursday, Feb. 16th on the campus of Elmhurst College. Students will work with Dr. Judith Grimes, Director of Bands at Elmhurst College and Doug Beach, Director of Jazz Studies at Elmhurst College as well as an award winning composer/arranger. Schedule permitting, students will observe a rehearse of on of Elmhurst College's chamber student groups. Emails have been sent out about the online permission slip have been sent out to families. A link for the permission slip can also be located on the right side of the band blog. Permission slips need to be in no later than this Wednesday, Feb. 15th.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Saturday, Feb. 25th: BRAVO Annual Pasta Night and Music Showcase, 4-9 p.m., GBMS Auditorium and Commons. Cadet & Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble and select small ensembles from Wind Ensemble.

Pasta Night Dinner Fundraiser Flyers should be available online this week for families to make reservations (optional). Reservations can also be made online through the D97 Revtrak system. All reservations need to be made in advance since seating is limited and fills up quickly. The Pasta Night Fundraiser helps support our music programs purchase much needed equipment and supplies. Space is limited and does fill up fast. All band families should not make reservations during the 6 p.m. seating since it is during the same time the Band Showcase is in the Auditorium. Band families should make reservations for either the 5 p.m. or 7:15 p.m. seatings.

Concert Attire:
Boys: White button down dress shirt, black dress pants, black dress shoes, solid black necktie.
Girls: White blouse top that covers the shoulder, black dress pants (no skirts), black dress shoes.

Jazz students will not wear their "Brooks Jazz" t-shirts for this performance but will stay in formal concert attire.

REPORT TIMES

Wind Ensemble small groups (5:00 p.m.) First groups should be here at 4:30 p.m. and students should report at least 1/2 hour before their performance time.

6th Grade Bands: 5:30 p.m. in D110
Symphonic Band: 5:45 p.m. in D105
Wind Ensemble: 6:00 p.m. in 1st FL C Wing

Jazz Lab Band: 7:00 p.m. in 1st FL C Wing
Jazz Ensemble: Report in Commons ready to go at 7:30 p.m.

All students should leave valuables at home and any cell phones need to be on the individual (in pocket). We cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items. Thank you to all of our parents that have volunteered to help with student supervision!

Please refer to the band handbook if there are any questions/concerns or contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org.

*This event is the required performance event for 2nd trimester for all academic bands. Please contact Mr. Barnard in writing (email preferred) no later than two weeks before this event if there is an important family conflict.

Monday, Feb. 27th: BRAVO Preview, during the school day. 6th Grade Bands and Jazz Ensemble only perform for 5th graders from our four feeder elementary schools. Students can wear normal everyday school clothes for this performance. BRAVO, Brooks wear is encouraged!

ST. LOUIS MUSIC TOUR (7TH/8TH Graders)
At this time we are no longer accepting the Oak Park Township Youth Services Applications. Notification for the OPRF Financial Assistance Program should be available by mid-February.

Feb. 8th: $150 payment was due, please make online payments through Revtrak or make checks payable to BRAVO and have you child turn it into Mr. Barnard or the BRAVO office. Chaperones also need to submit their 1st $110 payment by this date. Please contact Mr. Barnard if you have submitted for being a chaperone and you have not heard from anyone.

7th/8th Grade St. Louis Tour Raffle Ticket Fundraiser:
Congratulations to all of our students that participated in the Raffle Ticket fundraiser to help raise funds towards their tour costs. Students raised over $9,000 in the raffle and a couple students raised enough money to pay for the entire cost of the tour!!!! On Friday, Feb. 10th, we hosted the raffle drawing before the 6th grade play "Dear Edwina".

Congratulations to all of our winners (11 in total)! We started contacting our winners over the weekend to come claim their prizes. Thank you everyone that helped support our students through donating prizes and purchasing raffle tickets.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Record Journals

Week 12 Due Monday, 2/13

Please make sure that the practice journal is also signed on the inside of the booklet as well as the front cover.

Practice records that are not turned in on time do receive a 10 point penalty each day it is late and will not receive credit if it is not turned in within the week. Make sure that both the cover as well as the assignments and goals page are signed to receive credit.

MUSIC THEORY:
There is no music theory this week and next week in preparation for Pasta Night

2nd TRIMESTER OUTSIDE CONCERT SUMMARIES, Due Feb. 27th
Students in any academic music elective are required to attend one live performance of a music, dance or theatrical event each trimester and fill out the Concert Observation Form based on what they saw at the event. A copy of the program or ticket stub from the event will need to be attached and the form requires a parent signature for credit.

Students can attend any event that is school related or out in the community (i.e. OPRF Concerts, community concerts and recitals, events in downtown Chicago such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Broadway in Chicago productions, etc.). Copies of this form can be downloaded from the link provided in the upper right hand corner of the band blog.

Concert Summaries are 5% of the total band grade so please do not forget to accomplish this assignment.

JAZZ PROGRAM

Jazz Ensemble (7th/8th Graders):

Tuesday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

Thursday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

Jazz Lab Band:

Monday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal (added in preparation for Pasta Night!)
Friday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

All jazz students, 6th-8th grade, will need to have the Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble book which will be used all three years of their jazz experience at brooks.

If students or families have any questions or concerns please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org.