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.

Brooks Bands, Week of Sep. 7th-10th

Hello Band Families,

The band kids are getting back into the swing of things by bringing their instruments, books and binders to class every day. Hopefully you are noticing those lovely sounds through your homes as our students are starting to practice again. Families should be on the lookout for a yellow cardstock chart which is our Practice Records students use to keep track of their practice times at home.

HOMEWORK/WHAT'S DUE?

Practice Records:
Students are to keep track of Week 3 practice times and turn them into Mr. Barnard on Monday 9/13. Normally practice records are collected on every Monday. Students must have a parent/guardian signature on the practice records to verify their child's practice minutes. Practice records that are turned in without a parent signature will not receive credit.

6th Graders: The goal this week is 120 minutes for A.

7th/8th Graders: 150 minutes for A.

Music Theory:

Music Theory will start next week on Wednesday, 9/15. Music theory lessons are usually done on Wednesdays and all music theory assignments are due by each Friday. All students should have the following books for music theory:

6th Gr. Alfred Essentials of Music Theory, Bk 1

7th/8th Gr. Alfred Essentials of Music Theory, Bk 2

Jazz Program:

Students interested in auditioning for our 7th/8th grade Jazz Ensemble or participate in our Jazz Lab Band must pick up a permission slip and have it turned in prior to auditioning/participating.

Jazz Ensemble workshops an auditions are next week, 9/13-9/16. Please see our previous post or the jazz permission slip for more details. Results will be posted no later than 9/20 and our first rehearsal is 9/21.

Jazz Lab Band rehearsals start on Friday 9/24.

Brooks Bands, Week of 8/30 - 9/3

Hello Band Families,

It has been a little slow start so far with our PBIS Activities and the ISAT Practice test the first week of school. We look forward to getting things really started this week since we will be on our regular daily class schedules. Students will need to bring their instruments to school starting this Monday, Aug. 30th. Percussion and other students that rely on our larger school instruments need to make sure that they bring their stick/mallet bags (percussion) and mouthpieces with reeds, etc (all other students). Students also should have their books that are required for their band classes. Please refer the the band supply list or scroll down to previous postings for more information.

6th Grade Students:
We will be reviewing out of the Standards of Excellence Bk 3 to cover some foundational concepts as well as help me get to know where each student is in their playing abilities.

7th/8th Grade Students:
We will be working on the IMEA Jr. Division Scale Sheet as well as working/reviewing out of the Standards of Excellence, Bk 3. These students also have Toccata for Band and March of the Roughnecks that was passed out at the end of last school year as well as again this past week. In a couple of weeks will we start up our sectional lessons and this material will be used for our seating test and first performance skills test for the Fall trimester.

HOMEWORK:
We will not start up Music Theory lessons right away to help students that still need to order/purchase their books. Practice records will be distributed sometime this week and expectations about practicing will be covered in class. More details about practice expectations will be posted this upcoming week. Parents should be on the lookout for a yellow cardstock sheet that has a grid chart on it titled "Instrumental Music Practice Record".

Students will need to record their at home practice times and a parent/guardian will need to sign the practice record for that particular week. Practice records are collected every Monday and are 20% of each student's band grade.

JAZZ PROGRAM
7th/8th grade students are invited to audition for our Jazz Ensemble. The Jazz Ensemble is our premiere jazz group at Brooks Middle School and performs several concerts and community events throughout the school year. The Jazz Ensemble rehearses every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8:00-8:50 a.m. Students interested in auditioning for the Jazz Ensemble must pick up a Jazz Program Flyer and have the permission slip in before auditioning. The following is a list of workshop and audition dates.

Monday, Sep. 13th: Workshop (Saxes, Trombones, Trumpets) 8:00 - 8:50 a.m.

Rhythm Section Workshop (piano, guitar, bass, drum set, percussion)
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sep. 15th: Rhythm Section Auditions @ 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, Sep. 16th: Auditions for Saxes, Trombones and Trumpets at 8:00 a.m. or 3:30 - 5:00
p.m. These students will need to sign up for an audition time.

Results will be posted no later than Monday, Sep. 20th and the first rehearsal starts on Tuesday, Sep. 21st.

6th Graders may participate in our Jazz Lab Band that meets on Friday mornings from 8:00 - 8:50 a.m. The first rehearsal for Jazz Lab Band is Sep. 24th. Students interested in participating in Jazz Lab Band need to pick up a Jazz Program Flyer and have a signed permission slip turned in before our first rehearsal. Students the play flute, clarinet and Euphonium may also participate in Jazz Lab Band. We are always looking for students with a solid background in piano, guitar and bass.

If anyone has any questions about the jazz program or other aspects of the band program please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org.

2010-2011 Brooks Band Events

Please mark these events down in your family calendars!

Fri. Sep. 24^th: OPRF Marching Huskies 8^th Grade Recruitment Night, all 8^th graders

invited to perform with the Marching Huskies for a night football game!

Sat. Oct. 2^nd: IMEA District I Jr. High Auditions, Summit Hill Jr. H.S., Frankfort,

select 7^th & 8^th grade students

Thurs. Oct. 28^th: Oak Park D97 Middle School Instrumental Music Festival, 7:00 p.m., OPRFHS Auditorium, Cadet, Intermediate, Concert and Symphonic Bands

Sat. Nov. 6^th: IMEA District I Jr. High Band, Choir and Orchestra Festival, Lincoln Way-North

H.S., Frankfort, select 7^th & 8^th grade students selected from auditions

Sat. Nov. 13^th: IMEA District I Jr./Sr. High Jazz Festival, Fenton H.S., Bensenville,

Select 7^th & 8^th grade students selected from auditions

Sun. Nov. 21st: Jazz Ensemble performance with The Chicago Grandstand Big Band,

5:00 p.m. Fitzgerald’s Nightclub 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn

Tues. Dec. 14^th: BRAVO! Holiday Concert, 7:00 p.m., GBMS Auditorium,

Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble & select small ensembles from Symphonic Band

Sat. Feb. 26th: BRAVO! Pasta Night and Music Showcase, 4-9 p.m. GBMS Auditorium & Commons, Jazz Ensemble, Cadet, Intermediate, Concert & Symphonic Bands

Wed. Mar. 9^th: D97 Art Show, 6:00 p.m. OPRFHS Student Center, Jazz Ensemble

Tues. Mar. 15th: BRAVO! Preview for 5^th graders. During the school day.

Jazz Ensemble, Cadet & Intermediate

Thurs. Apr. 7^th: “Brooks Jazz Night” featuring Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble and

Guest Artist, TBA. 7 p.m. GBMS Auditorium. Tickets $8 adults and $5 students

16 yrs/under.

Tues. May 17^th: 7^th & 8^th Grade Awards & Scholarship Concert, 7 p.m. GBMS

Auditorium, Concert, Symphonic, Jazz Ensemble

Thurs. May 19^th: 6^th Grade Awards & Scholarship Concert, 7 p.m. GBMS Auditorium

Cadet, Intermediate and Jazz Lab. This performance will start concluding the

elementary bands performances.

Thurs. June 2nd: 8^th Grade Graduation Ceremony, OPRFHS Auditorium

Select 6^th & 7^th Grade band students, time TBA.

Additional dates may be added for select students and ensembles. Please check the PTO listserve’s “What’s Happening”or www.brooksbands.blogspot.com for weekly event information.

Brooks Bands, Week of Aug. 24th - 27th

Hello Band Families,

Welcome new students to Brooks Middle School and welcome back returning members to another great year of learning and making great music! Since the first week of school we will be working with our PBIS Initiatives and our ISAT Practice tests this week, no one will need to bring their instrument for band until Monday, Aug. 3oth. Depending on your class period, I will only be seeing you once or twice this week and we will be covering various housekeeping duties and items.

For more information on instrument and band supply needs please read our previous post! We look forward to seeing everybody!!!