Brooks Bands, Week of 12/13 - 12/17

This Tuesday evening is our annual BRAVO Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. in the Brooks Auditorium. The concert will feature our Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble and select small ensembles from our Symphonic Band. Students from our Beautyshop, Shoppettes, and Barbershop vocal ensembles, Camerata String Ensemble and ORFF Ensemble will also perform for this event.

The Jazz Lab Band will be presenting a preview at 6:30 p.m. in addition to opening up the concert at 7 p.m. All students need to report to D110 at the following times:

6 p.m. Jazz Lab Band

6:30 p.m. Jazz Ensemble and small ensembles

Concert attire for jazz students are the Brooks Jazz T-Shirts along with black dress pants and shoes. Small ensemble members from Symphonic Band should wear our traditional black and white attire. Students are encouraged to wear festive hats that help present our holidays theme. Please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org if you have any questions.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Records: Week 3 practice records are due on Monday, 12/13

Over the Winter Break, students may combine weeks 5 and 6 to add up to 150 minutes total. Week 4 will need to be 150 minutes for an A since it is the last week of school before winter break.

Music Theory: will be this Thursday instead of the traditional Wednesday lessons.
6th Graders: Worksheets 2-2 & 2-3
7th/8th Graders: Worksheets 8-1 & 8-2

All music theory assignments are due on Friday. If students used their class time wisely it can be completed during class on Thursday.

JAZZ PROGRAM:

Jazz Lab Band: Rehearsal this Monday at 8 am. in the auditorium. BRAVO Holiday Concert performance Tuesday Evening at Brooks. NO REHEARSAL THIS FRIDAY!

Jazz Ensemble: Rehearsal this Tuesday at 8 a.m. in the auditorium. BRAVO Holiday Concert performance Tuesday Evening at Brooks. NO REHEARSAL THIS THURSDAY!

All students should have a Brooks Jazz T-Shirt to wear for all jazz performances. These may be purchased for $10 and checks can be made out to BRAVO.

UPCOMING EVENTS!

BRAVO Pasta Night and Music Showcase, Sat., Feb. 26th, 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. Specific performance times will be available soon. All band, choral and orchestra students participate in this event. The Pasta Dinners are a fundraiser for the music program and purchasing of dinners are not required in order to see your child perform. Flyers should be available soon after Winter Break.

Oak Park & River Forest Symphony w/ CSO Trumpeter, Chris Martin TOMORROW

Hello Families,

I announced this concert this week in our classes. The concert is at the First United Church on Lake St. tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. All students can attend this concert free and tickets are $20 for adults. Chris Martin is known around the world as one of the best classical trumpet players and is the principal trumpet for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Also, another performance I have brought up isn't so close to Oak Park, but is a great hearing opportunity for our jazz students. The Pete Ellman Big Band will be performing a special Holiday Show with guest trumpeter, Wayne Bergeron, this Thursday, 12/16 at Jilly's, 103 S. Main St., downtown Naperville. The show starts at 7 p.m. with the Naperville Central H.S. Jazz Ensemble and the Pete Ellman Big Band at 8 - 10 p.m. There is no cover charge for this event, but it is recommended that you call to make reservations since it will be packed 630-355-1001. We understand it is a weeknight, but since its a day before Winter Break it wouldn't be the end of the world to stay up late for this one. Wayne Bergeron is one of the most in demand studio musicians and has performed with the Maynard Ferguson and Gordon Goodwin's Phat Pack Big Band and can be heard on the soundtracks to "The Incredibles" and "The Family Guy" as well as numerous other movies and television shows. The Pete Ellman Big Band is one of the newer big bands in Chicago that consists of some of Chicago's best jazz musicians. Some members of the group have performed with Ray Charles, Mel Torme, Count Basie, Harry Connick Jr. just to name a few. This group performs every Tuesday night at Jilly's in Naperville.

Brooks Bands, Week of 12/6 - 12/10

Reminder that the BRAVO Holiday Concert is on Tuesday, Dec. 14th @ 7 p.m. in the GBMS Auditorium. The concert will feature our Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble and select small ensembles from our Symphonic Band. The concert is free and open to the public. Student performers will need to report at the following locations and times.

Jazz Lab Band: 6:00 p.m. D110

Jazz Ensemble: 6:30 p.m. D110

Small Ensembles: 6:30 p.m. D110

More detailed information for small ensemble members will be available next week during rehearsal. All jazz students will wear their Brooks Jazz T-Shirts with black slacks and dress shoes. Small ensembles will wear black and white and all students are encouraged to wear festive hats, scarfs, etc.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Records: Week 2 is due on Monday 12/6

Music Theory:

6th Graders: Alfred Book 1, Lessons 8 & 9. Activity Worksheet 2-1.

7th/8th Graders: Sharp Key Signatures Supplement

All music theory assignments are due by Friday, 12/10

JAZZ PROGRAM:

Jazz Lab Band: Rehearsal Monday & Friday, 8:00 - 8:50 a.m. Rehearsal next Monday, 12/13 @ 8 a.m.

Jazz Ensemble: Rehearsal Tuesday & Thursday 8:00 - 8:50 a.m.

All jazz students will need to purchase a Brooks Jazz t-shirt for $10. This will be worn at all jazz performances. Checks can be made out to BRAVO! Shirts run in adult sizes.

TUBA CHRISTMAS:
The Next Tuba Christmas Rehearsal is Wednesday, Dec. 8th 3:30-4:30 p.m. Permission slips were handed out last week in class for those students interested in performing on the Tuba Christmas event on Saturday, Dec. 18th. The event includes performing in downtown Oak Park and performing at the Chicago Tuba Christmas at the Palmer House Hilton in Downtown Chicago. The day should last approximately 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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.