Brooks Bands, Week of Nov. 29th - Dec. 3rd

We hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend. Leading up to winter break we have a couple events that will involve some of our band students. The first event is the BRAVO! Holiday Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 14th at 7 p.m. in the GBMS Auditorium. This event will include both the Jazz Lab Band & Jazz Ensemble as well as select small ensembles from our Symphonic Band. The concert will also include our Camerata String Ensemble, the Barbershop, Beauty Shop and Shoppettes vocal ensembles and our ORFF ensemble. This is a great concert that showcases talent from around our music department and is filled with a variety of winter and holiday repertoire.

Tuba and Euphonium players are invited to participate in an annual tradition called Tuba Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 18th. The day will start in downtown Oak Park as we invade our local merchants and spread music cheer in the morning followed by training down to the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago and participating in the official Tuba Christmas concert which will feature over 400 tuba, euphonium and sousaphone players from all over the Midwest. The concert is at 1:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Students interested in participating in Tuba Christmas will have rehearsals every Wednesday afternoon from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. in the band room. More information will soon follow.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Records: Week 1 of our new practice records (Blue Card Stock) is due on Monday, Nov. 29th. Week 13 of the 1st Trimester practice records were due on Monday, Nov. 22nd and will be added towards the 2nd trimester grades.

Music Theory: Wednesday

6th Graders: Alfred Music Theory Book 1, Lessons 6-7

7th/8th Graders: Flat Key Signatures Supplement packet

All music theory assignments are due on Friday, Dec. 3rd.

2nd Trimester Portfolio Assessments:

Tuesday, Jan 11th

2nd Trimester Outside Concert Summaries:

Due by Monday, Feb. 28th

JAZZ PROGRAM:

Jazz Ensemble: Rehearsals Tuesday & Thursday at 8 a.m.

Jazz Lab Band: Rehearsal on Friday at 8 a.m.

All students participating in the jazz program will need a Brooks Jazz T-Shirt for performances and may be purchased for $10. Please make checks payable to BRAVO.

Both Jazz Lab Band & Jazz Ensemble will be performing in the BRAVO Holiday Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 14th at GBMS Auditorium. Jazz Lab Band will be giving a preview performance starting at 6:30 p.m. followed by opening up the Holiday Concert at 7 p.m.

Brooks Bands, Week of Nov. 22nd - 23rd

Don't miss out on the Brooks Jazz Ensemble performance at Fitzgeralds this Sunday, Nov. 21st @ 5:00 p.m. The performance will also include the Julian Jazz Ensemble followed by the Chicago Grandstand Big Band. Admission is $10 adults and $8 students and a portion of the proceeds goes back to the Brooks and Julian jazz programs. Fitzgerald's is located at 6615 Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Records: Week 13 is due on Monday 11/22. This will actually be put into the 2nd trimester grades.

All late assignments from 1st trimester were collected by Friday, Nov. 19th.

There is no music theory work this week.

JAZZ PROGRAM:

Jazz Ensemble: Performance at Fitzgerald's, Sunday, Nov. 21st, report at 4:30 p.m. with instrument & music wearing the Brooks Jazz t-shirt, black slacks and black dress shoes.

There will be no rehearsal on Tuesday, Nov. 23rd. Enjoy the week off!

Jazz Lab Band: rehearsal on Monday, Nov. 22nd @ 8 a.m.

Both the Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble will be performing on the BRAVO Holiday Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 14th in the GBMS Auditorium. The Jazz Lab Band will be giving a preview starting at 6:30 p.m., prior to the start of the Holiday Concert.

All students participating in the jazz program should have the book, "Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble" by Mike Steinel and purchase a Brooks Jazz t-shirt to wear for performances. The books may be purchased at Austin Music, Kagan & Gaines Music or be ordered online at www.jwpepper.com. The t-shirts are $10 and can be purchased through Mr. Barnard. Checks need to be made out to BRAVO.

UPCOMING PERFORMANCE EVENTS:

BRAVO HOLIDAY CONCERT: Tuesday, Dec. 14th @ 7 p.m., Jazz Lab Band performs @ 6:30 p.m. The evening also feature the Jazz Ensemble and select members of the Symphonic Band.

TUBA CHRISTMAS!!! Saturday, Dec. 18th, downtown Oak Park & the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago. All tuba and euphonium players are invited to participate. Participants will meet at the Marion Street Metra Station prior to the downtown Oak Park invasion. The event usually includes over 400 tuba, euphonium and sousaphone players from across the Midwest! The performance is free and open to the public. Rehearsals will be on Wednesdays, Dec. 1st, 8th and 15th.

BRAVO! PASTA DINNER AND MUSIC SHOWCASE: Saturday, Feb. 26th, from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. This event will include all bands (6th grade, Concert Band, Symphonic Band), small ensembles from Symphonic Band & Jazz Ensemble. The pasta dinner is a fundraiser for the music program and is optional to purchase. The Band Showcase will be held in the auditorium at 6 p.m. The small ensembles and the Jazz Ensemble will be featured in the commons.

More information will be available after the winter break!

Brooks Bands, Week of 11/15-11/19

Hello Band Families,

Congratulations to Eric G., Derrick G. and Collin P. for participating in this past weekend's IMEA Jr./Sr. Jazz Festival held at Fenton H.S. These students were among numerous students from all over the Chicagoland area performing in Jr. and Sr. High Jazz Bands, Jazz Choir and Jazz Combo. Our students had the opportunity to work with former Woody Herman trumpeter Scott Waggstaff and trombonist, and composer Tom Matta who is also on the music faculty at DePaul University.

We are nearing the end of our 1st trimester and will be collecting any late assignments along with our 1st Trimester Outside Concert Summary on Friday, Nov. 19th. If your child has any late music theory assignments they may complete and turn them in for 1/2 credit. Practice records however need to be turned in every week and this week's practice record will be the last week collected for the trimest er.

For 7th/8th grade students and parents, Music & Arts Music is having a step up instrument night at Percy Julian Middle School this Tuesday from 6 - 8 p.m. in the band room. Students and their families may come by at any time to tryout intermediate and professional level instruments as well as step up brass and woodwind mouthpieces. These instruments are great step up instruments from the student model instruments most students start on and are good investments for students that plan on playing throughout high school and/or college. There will be information available for purchasing and financing these instruments and Music & Arts has promised us that it will be a no pressure environment. This is a great opportunity for students and parents to try these instruments out even if they are currently not in the market for a step up instrument at this time. Please bring your mouthpieces, reeds, neckstraps, etc. The following instruments will be available to play: flutes, piccolos, clarinets, oboes, saxophones, trumpets, french horns, and trombones.

The Brooks Jazz Ensemble will be performing with the Percy Julian Jazz Ensemble and the Chicago Grandstand Big Band on Sunday, Nov. 21st at Fitzgerald's Nightclub, 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn at 5 p.m. Also some of our students will perform with the Chicago Grandstand Big Band on their first set so you don't want to miss this event!

There is admission cost of $10 adults and $8 for students accompanied by an adult. Part of the proceeds will go back into the Brooks and Julian jazz programs.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Records: Week 12 is due on Monday. This is the last week collected for the 1st trimester so make sure you get it in no later that Friday 11/19.

Outside Concert Summaries: 1st trimester outside concert summaries are due 11/19. Since this assignment can be completed anytime during the trimester no late concert summaries will be collected unless you have made arrangements with Mr. Barnard.

Music Theory: We will not be doing music theory this week other than reviewing for any students that did not score well on their music theory test last week. Students that need to retake the test will do so on Friday, 11/19. All other students will need to bring their instruments for a regular rehearsal period.

JAZZ PROGRAM

Jazz Ensemble: Rehearsals Tuesday and Thursday at 8 a.m. Performance on Sunday, Nov. 21st at Fitzgerald's Nightclub, 6615 Roosevelt Rd., at 5 p.m. All students will need to report at Fitzgerald's at 4:30 p.m. with their instrument and music. Mr Barnard will be bringing the vibraphone and a drum set and amplifiers will be available. Make sure to have your Brooks Jazz T-Shirt with black slacks and black dress shoes.

Jazz Lab Band: Rehearsal on Friday at 8 a.m. We will be having a rehearsal on Monday, Nov. 22nd at 8 a.m. due to no school for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Brooks Bands, Week of 11/8 - 11/12

Congratulations to Collin P. for performing this past weekend in the IMEA District I Jr. High Honors Band, Choir & Orchestra Festival at Lincoln Way North H.S. in Frankfort. This upcoming Saturday, Collin P., Eric G. and Derrick G. will be representing Brooks Middle School in the IMEA District I Jr. & Sr. High Jazz Festival at Fenton H.S. in Bensenville.

The Jazz Ensemble will be performing this Wednesday, 11/10 for the Meet & Greet of our new Superintendent, Dr. Roberts. The performance will start at 6:30 p.m. including performances from the Barbershop, Beautyshop and Shoppettes. The meeting will start at approximately 7:30 p.m.

HOMEWORK:

Outside Concert Summaries: are due no later than Friday, 11/19. It is a BRAVO requirement that students attend one outside performance as an audience member each trimester and write up a summary form, provide a parent/guardian signature, and attach a ticket stub or concert program. Students may attend events held at Brooks or out in the community or professional venues. The requirement is 5% of the entire band grade.

Practice Records: Week 12 is due on Monday 11/8

Music Theory: Wednesday 11/10

6th Graders: Will be taking a test covering Unit 1 of the Alfred Essentials of Music Theory. Students should review both the Unit 1 lessons in the book as well as the Unit 1 Activity Worksheets and supplements for studying.

7th/8th Graders: Will be taking a test covering Unit 7 of the Alfred Essentials of Music Theory. Students should review both Unit 7 lessons in the books as well as Unit I Activity Worksheets and supplements for studying.

JAZZ PROGRAM:

Jazz Ensemble has a special performance this Wednesday, 11/10 @ 6:30 p.m. at GBMS for the Meet & Greet for Dr. Roberts. We will meet in D110 at 6 p.m. and performance attire will be black slacks, black dress shoes and our Brooks Jazz T-Shirts. All students should be done at approx. 7:15 p.m. after tearing down and putting away our set up. This event will be held in the GBMS Commons.

Brooks Jazz T-Shirts

If your child has not ordered their T-Shirt yet they may do so immediately. The cost of the t-shirt is $10 and checks may be made out to BRAVO. All students participating in the jazz program will need to have one for performances.

Jazz Ensemble:

Tuesday: Rehearsal @ 8 a.m.

Wednesday: Performance @ GBMS, report at 6 p.m.

Thursday: Rehearsal @ 8 a.m.

Jazz Lab Band:

Monday: Rehearsal @ 8 a.m. This rehearsal has been moved due to the Young Americans Workshops this upcoming Friday. There is no rehearsal this Friday!

UPCOMING EVENTS!

Wed. 11/10: Jazz Ensemble Performance for the Meet & Greet with Dr. Roberts @ 6:30 p.m.

Sun. 11/21: Jazz Ensemble Performance at Fitzgerald's Nightclub with the Percy Julian Jazz Ensemble and the Chicago Grandstand Big Band @ 5 p.m. The cost is $10 adults & $8 children (accompanied by an adult). Part of the proceeds go back into the Brooks & Julian Jazz Programs.

Tues. 12/14: BRAVO Holiday Concert, GBMS Auditorium @ 7 p.m. This performance will including the Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble and select small ensembles from the Symphonic Band. The Jazz Lab Band will be doing a preview at 6:30 p.m. that evening.

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.