Brooks Bands, Week of Nov. 1st - 4th

Congratulations to all of our students for a wonderful performance this past Thursday evening at OPRFHS. The event was a huge success and couldn't of been done without their hard work and our parents' support!

HOMEWORK:

Practice Records: Week 10 is due on Monday 11/1

Music Theory: Will be Thursday this week
6th Graders: Unit 1 Ear Training and Review (Alfred Book 1)
7th/8th Graders: Unit 7 Ear Training and Review (Alfred Book 2)

There will be a Unit test the following Wed. (11/10) for all students.

OUTSIDE CONCERT SUMMARIES:

These summaries are based on attending an outside performance as an audience member and writing up a short review using our Outside Concert Observation form. The form should also have a ticket stub or concert program attached to it as well as a parent signature. One Outside Concert Summary is due each trimester and it may be a music performance, drama production or dance production/recital. Students may use school related events as well as outside performances. Students may not use a performance that they are an active performer in to satisfy this requirement. The 1st trimester Outside Concert Summaries are due by Friday, Nov. 19th. If anyone has any questions please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org.

JAZZ PROGRAM:
Reminder that all students participating in the Jazz Program needs to have a copy of Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble by Mike Steinel. This book is referred to time to time in Jazz Ensemble and is the primary resource for Jazz Lab Band. This book may be purchased through any of the recommended music vendors located in our supply list or can be ordered online through www.jwpepper.com or www.primamusic.com.

All students also need to purchase a Brooks Jazz T-Shirt for performances. All students received a t-shirt order form and have been told to return them with $10 as soon as possible. The Jazz Ensemble members will need them for our first performance on Nov. 10th.

Rehearsals:

Jazz Ensemble: Tuesday @ 8:00 a.m. There will be no rehearsal on Thursday this week.

Jazz Lab Band: There is no rehearsal this Friday or next Friday due to school holiday (this week) and Young Americans Workshops (next week). We will have a Monday morning rehearsal next week, Nov. 8th.

Brooks Bands, Week of Oct. 25th - 29th

D97 Instrumental Music Festival is this upcoming Thursday evening, Oct. 28th @ 7 p.m., OPRFHS Auditorium. All students will need to report at the following locations prior to their performance time. All students are expected to stay for the whole concert which should conclude at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Cadet Band: 6:30 p.m. in the Little Theatre
Intermediate Band: 6:45 p.m. in the Green Room
Concert Band: 7:15 p.m. Alternate Location to be announced this week!
Symphonic Band: 7:45 p.m. Alternate Location to be announced this week!

OPRFHS has scheduled at math competition the same evening as our festival so we needed to move our 7th/8th graders warm up area locations. Since there will be other people than us, I highly recommend coming early in order to find decent parking around the high school.

Concert Attire Reminder:

Boys: White button down dress shirt, solid black necktie, black slacks, black dress shoes (black socks and belt).

Girls: White blouse top that covers the shoulders, black slacks or skirt that is at least knee length, black dress shoes

Students are responsible for bringing their instrument to OPRF. Do not forget your instrument at Brooks. Baritone Sax, Bass Clarinet and Tuba players will leave their instruments at OPRF when we rehearse on Wed. & Thurs. We have made arrangements to have the instruments delivered back to Brooks the following morning along with percussion equipment.

BRAVO Fall Pie Fundraiser has started this past week! All band students and their families are encouraged to help raise funds for our Band, Repertory, Art, Vocal and Orchestra Programs at Brooks Middle School. Funds in the past have helped purchase much needed percussion equipment, tenor saxophones, bassoon and classroom books just to name a few items. For more information about the fall pie fundraiser check the BRAVO link or contact the BRAVO office at 708-524-5621.

D97 Festival Rehearsals

All Band students will be going to OPRFHS to rehearse with our Julian counterparts on Wednesday 10/27 (7th/8th Graders) or Thursday 10/28 (6th graders). All students must have a signed permission slip in order to be able to attend these rehearsals. Please check powerschool to see if your child has turned their permission slip in. If not, a simple email confirmation to Mr. Barnard, jbarnard@op97.org or a note giving your child permission will cover this requirement. We are not allowed to take any student out of the building without written parent consent.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Records: Week 9 is due on Monday, 10/25.

Music Theory: There is no music theory assignments this week. However, some classes may have a substitute teacher on Wed. and Thurs. while Mr. Barnard is with another group at the high school. These students will have in class assignments that will be collected at the end of each class period.

JAZZ PROGRAM:

Brooks Jazz T-Shirt Order Forms have been passed out to all of our students in the Jazz Program. The t-shirts will be part of the required concert attire for performances with Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble. We would like to have all of the t-shirts ordered at the end of next week and need everyone to turn in the order forms along with $10. Checks may be made out to BRAVO.

Jazz Ensemble does have an added performance on Wed., Nov. 10th @ 6:30 p.m. in the Brooks Commons as a preview for Dr. Roberts meeting and greet for the Brooks parents and community. All jazz ensemble members will need to be at Brooks at 6:00 p.m. to help with set up and will be finished at approximately 7:15 p.m., after putting all of our equipment away.

Rehearsals:

Jazz Ensemble: Tuesday and Thursday @ 8 a.m.

Jazz Lab Band: Friday @ 8 a.m.

Brooks Bands, Week of 10/12 - 10/15

Hello Band Families,

A quick reminder that the D97 Instrumental Music Festival is around the corner and we are still collecting permission slips so students can participate in rehearsals at OPRFHS on Oct. 27th & 28th. The festival is on Thursday, Oct. 28th at 7:00 p.m. at OPRFHS.

Concert Attire:

Boys: White button down dress shirt, black slacks, solid black necktie, black dress shoes (black socks and belt).

Girls: White blouse top that covers shoulders, black slacks or black skirt that is below the knees, black closed toe dress shoes.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Record: Week 7 is due on Tuesday, 10/12

Music Theory: Wednesday

6th Graders:Activity Worksheets 1-3 & 1-5

7th/8th Graders: Alfred Bk 2, Lessons 29 & 30, Homework: Activity Worksheets 7-3 & 7-4

All music theory homework is due on Friday. On Monday, Oct. 18th, students will be preparing their school portfolios for parent/teacher conferences on Oct. 21st. Students will receive an in class assignment to complete as they are preparing their band portion of this project.

Portfolio Assessments:

Last week students had portfolio assessments covering their required binder, books and essential sheet music, music theory and supplementary music/exercises. Please check the Powerschool Gradebook to see if your child has submitted their binder for assessment. Students may submit their binders by Friday, 10/15 before receiving a reduced grade for being late.

Students that would like to resubmit their binders for a better grade may also do so by 10/12.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES:
Parents are welcome to stop by D110 for parent/teachers conferences on a 1st come/1st serve basis. Since I teach students from several different teams, it is difficult to coordinate conference times with team leaders. A list of students and families I will like to see will be sent to the team leaders before parent/teacher conferences to remind them of coming down for a conference. Students should have their conference portfolio with them.

Parents are welcome to contact me via email at jbarnard@op97.org if we cannot meet in person and you have any questions about grades or the band program.

JAZZ PROGRAM:

Jazz Ensemble: Rehearsals Tuesday and Thursday @ 8:00 a.m.

Jazz Lab Band: Rehearsal Friday @ 8:00 a.m.

Jazz Ensemble will be performing with the Percy Julian Jazz Ensemble on Sunday, Nov. 21st @ Fitzgeralds Night Club in Berwyn, 5 p.m. Both groups will be opening up for the Chicago Grandstand Big Band. There is a cover for this event, $10 adults & $8 students with adult supervision, and part of the proceeds go back to our Brooks and Julian jazz programs.

Jazz Lab Band's first performance will be on Tuesday, Dec. 14th with the Jazz Ensemble on the BRAVO Holiday Concert.

Brooks Bands, Week of Oct. 4th - 8th

District 97 Instrumental Music Festival permission slips were past out this past Friday to get signed and returned to Mr. Barnard in order to participate in the event's rehearsals on Wed., Oct. 27th, and Thurs., Oct 28th. Students will need to have a signed permission slip in order to go to OPRFHS to rehearse with their Julian Band counterparts in preparation for the festival. The performance is on Thursday, Oct. 28th at 7 p.m. in the OPRFHS Auditorium. Also on the permission slips are report times and places for the event. Families are encouraged to come early in order to find parking and a seat since this is a very high profile event for our music program which will consist of over 600 middle school band and orchestra students.

Performance Attire: Students are required to have the following for concert performance attire.

Boys: White button down dress shirt, black dress slacks, solid black neck tie, black dress shoes and socks.

Girls: White blouse top (shoulders covered), black slacks or skirt that is below the knees, black shoes (closed toe).

Concert Performances are a required part of the Instrumental and Vocal Music Program in District 97. All students are expected to participate as a part of their grade. If there is a conflict that prevents someone to participate, their parents/guardians must contact Mr. Barnard at least 2 weeks in advance and will receive an excused absence. Any make up assignments must be turned in before the end of the trimester (Nov. 19th). In the case of an emergency or sickness, a parent/guardian can notify Mr. Barnard the following school day for confirmation. An alternative assignment will be offered to any excused absence in order to make up the points missed from the performance requirement.

No alternative assignment will be offered for an unexcused absence.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Records: Week 6 is due on Monday, 10/4

A reminder that practice records can be turned in within the week it is due for credit. Late practice records are penalized a letter grade for each day it is late. Any practice records that are turned in over a week late will be marked late in the grade book in order to encourage integrity in the weekly practicing requirements.

Music Theory: Lessons on Wednesdays

6th Graders: Activity Worksheets 1-2 & 1-4 Music Notation and Keyboard identification, Music Terms Word Search for Unit 1.

7th/8th Graders: Alfred Book 2, Lesson 28, Activity Worksheet 7-2

All music theory homework is due on Fridays

All students that have any missing music theory assignments are encouraged to turn them in by Wednesday, Oct. 6th!

Portfolio Assessments:

All band students will have a portfolio assessment completed this week. 6th graders will accomplish this task on Wednesday, Oct. 6th and 7th/8th graders will accomplish this during their band sectional. Students must need to have the following criteria for an (A) portfolio.

1. 3-ring binder with their first and last name and their class on the outside cover.

2. Both required band books with their first and last name labeled (outside cover preferred).

3. All current sheet music, handouts and music theory assignments are secured on 3-rings.

4. Practice record is secured on 3-rings.

The portfolio assessments are designed to help students keep organized and have all the materials needed for daily class participation.

Jazz Program:

Jazz Ensemble rehearsals Tuesday and Thursday at 8 a.m.

Jazz Lab Band rehearsal Friday at 8 a.m.

Brooks Bands, Week of 9/27-10/1

Congratulations to all the 8th grade students that participated in the OPRF Marching Huskies recruitment night. The event was a huge success in large part to YOU!

IMEA Jr. Auditions (Band, Choir, Jazz, Orchestra)

are this Saturday, Oct. 2nd at Summit Hill Jr. High in Frankfort, IL. There is a bus scheduled to leave from Percy Julian Middle School @ 7:15 a.m. Details about IMEA Auditions will be available to those students who registered this week. All Brooks students are scheduled to audition in the morning and families are more than welcome to drive their child to and from the auditions with prior written notification.

Results should be available within a week of auditions.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Records: Week 5 is due on Monday 9/27 150 minutes is the goal for an A.

Music Theory:

6th Graders: Alfred Music Theory Bk 1: Lesson 5, Homework: Ledger Lines Supplement

7th/8th Graders: Tetrachord Supplement Packet

All music theory homework is due on Fridays.

Power School:

All grades are updated as of Sunday, September 26th. The grade book is updated weekly and families are encouraged to check at least once every week on their children's progress.

D97 Instrumental Music Festival is on Thursday, Oct. 28th @ OPRFHS, 7:00 p.m.

All band and orchestra students will be participating in the event along with our Julian counterparts. Preparation for the festival also includes rehearsals at OPRFHS with Julian students on Wed./Thurs. Oct 27th & 28th during the school day. Permission slips for these rehearsals will be sent home very soon with students.

The students are already working on musical selections for this highly anticipated event! There will be over 600 students representing our middle school instrumental music programs in D97.

Concert Dress Reminder

Students will need to have the following attire for all concerts.

Boys: White button down dress shirt, solid black necktie or bow tie, black slacks, black dress shoes and socks

Girls: White blouse top with sleeves, black slacks or skirt that is at least knee length when sitting down, black dress shoes

Jazz Program

Jazz Ensemble: Rehearsals Tuesday and Thursday @ 8 a.m.

Jazz Lab Band: Rehearsal Friday @ 8 a.m.

All students should meet Mr. Barnard at the main entrance doors at 7:50 a.m. in order to have rehearsals start on time.

Brooks Bands, Week of 9/20 - 9/24

OPRF Marching Huskies are hosting their annual 8th grade recruitment night this Friday at OPRFHS. All 8th grade band members are invited to participate in this event. Permission slips were given to all 8th graders and need to be turned in by this Thursday. The following activities will happen on Friday.

3:30 p.m. Meet in the band room to walk over to OPRFHS. Students will need to carry instruments, backpacks, etc. Students may meet us at the OPRF Band Room at 4:30 p.m. if they are getting a ride to the event. Please let Mr. Barnard know in writing if you plan on meeting us at OPRF.

4:30 p.m. Meet with Julian/Roosevelt 8th graders and section leaders from the Marching Huskies in the OPRF Band Room.

5:00 p.m. Rehearsal pre-game show with the Marching Huskies on the practice field.

6:00 p.m. Pizza Dinner provided by the OPRF Band Parents.

7:00 p.m. Pre-game show for the Huskies Varsity Football Game. Students will sit in the stands with the OPRF Marching Huskies to play pep band tunes during the 1st Half. 8th graders will stay in the stands to watch the Marching Huskies perform this year's half-time show.

9:00 p.m. Following the half-time show, students will go back to the OPRF band room to pack up instruments and get picked up by parents at the main Scoville entrance. Students may stay to watch the rest of the game but will not be supervised by OPRF or D97 music staff.

All students are asked to wear orange and blue to represent OPRF's school colors.

If parents have any questions please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org.

CONCERT REMINDER: The first band concert of the school year is on Thursday, Oct. 28th @ OPRF Auditorium. The event is the D97 Instrumental Music Festival featuring Band and Orchestra students from both Brooks and Julian Middle Schools. There will be rehearsals at OPRFHS on Wed., Thurs. Oct 27th/28th during the school day and permission slips will be available soon for students to bring home.

Concert performances are part of the middle school music curriculum in D97 and students are expected to participate. If there is a conflict please contact Mr. Barnard no later than two weeks prior to any performance event. An alternate assignment will be given to those students with an excused absence and must be completed before the end of the trimester.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Records: Week 4 is due this Monday, 9/20. All students are expected to practice 150 minutes this week for an A. Please remember that the practice records must be signed by a parent each week before it is turned in for credit.

Music Theory: (Wednesdays)

6th Graders: Alfred Book 1, Lessons 4-5, Homework: Activity Worksheet 1-1

7th/8th Graders: Alfred Book 2, Lesson 26-27, Homework: Activity Worksheet 7-1

All music theory assignments are due by Friday 9/24.

JAZZ PROGRAM:

Jazz Ensemble: 1st rehearsals this week, Tuesday & Thursday @ 8 a.m.
Jazz Lab Band: 1st rehearsal this Friday @ 8 a.m. Guitar & Bass players bring your patch chords.

All students are asked to meet Mr. Barnard at the main entrance at 7:50 a.m. in order to start rehearsals on time. All students must have a signed permission slip to participate.

Brooks Bands, Week of 9/13 - 9/17

Workshops and auditions for our 7th/8th Grade Jazz Ensemble are this week. The following is the schedule:

Monday, 9/13: 8:00 - 8:50 a.m. Saxes, Fl., Clar., Trumpet, Trombone, Vibraphone
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums

Wednesday, 9/15: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Rhythm Section Auditions (Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums)
Each student must sign up for an individual time.

Thursday, 9/16: 8:00 - 8:50 a.m. & 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Auditions (Saxes, Fl., Clar., Trumpet,
Trombone, Vibraphone) Each student must sign up for an individual time.

All students must have a signed permission slip before auditioning for Jazz Ensemble.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Records: Week 3 in due on Monday, Sep. 17th. Each practice record must be signed by a parent/guardian for credit. 6th graders (goal is 120 minutes for an A) 7th/8th graders (goal is the standard 150 minutes for an A). Practice records that are turned in late a penalized a letter grade for each day it is turned in late. Any practice record that is not turned in the week it is due will result in a 0. Practice records are 20% of the total band grade.

Music Theory: On Wednesday (9/15), students will have their first music theory lessons and homework assignments for the school year. Homework assignments are due by Friday (9/17).

6th Graders:
Alfred Book 1: Lessons 1-3, Homework: Treble/Bass Clef Supplement

7th/8th Graders:
Interval Review, Homework: Supplement Packet (Lessons 44-46)


7TH/8TH GRADE BAND SECTIONALS
The band sectionals start this week for all 7th/8th grade band students. Students come down from class once a week to work with similar instruments in a small group setting to work on instrument specific techniques and provide more individual help. The sectional time is also used for testing students' performance (playing) skills periodically which requires one on one assessment with the teacher. The sectional schedule does rotate so students should only miss the same class period every three weeks. Students are excused from a sectional if their class room teacher needs to have them take a test/quiz, lab, etc. If a student misses a sectional that requires a performance skills test, they must make it up within the week for credit (after school).

Students received a copy of the sectional schedule this past week. Students need to report to their classroom teacher first for attendance, turning in homework, etc. before coming down for their sectional lesson. The sectional schedule is also used as their pass so it is important to have it if their teacher asks for it.

We will be doing seating auditions this week in sectionals. Students will be auditioning on the following material that was given back in May.

Concert Band: IMEA Jr. Scale Sheet, March of the Roughnecks
Symphonic Band: IMEA Jr. Scale Sheet, Toccata for Band

Both bands have been working on this material since the beginning of the school year and should be prepared to play excerpts from these selections.

JAZZ PROGRAM
Workshops and auditions for Jazz Ensemble are this week. Please read above for detailed information. Students must have a signed permission slip by the time they audition.

Jazz Lab Band will have it's first rehearsal on Friday, Sep. 24th at 8:00 a.m. The Jazz Lab Band is open to students that play flute, clarinet, sax, trumpet, trombone (Euphonium), guitar, piano, bass, drums. There is no audition to participate in Jazz Lab Band and permission slips need to be turned in by the 1st rehearsal.