Jack Hille Middle School 8th Grade Concert Band

Illinois Music Education Conference

January 30, 2016 – 9:00AM

Peoria Civic Center

 

Program

Rough-Riders March ......................................................................... Karl King Arr. James Swearingen

The Last Stagecoach Heist ......................................................... Travis Weller Sea Songs ................................................................. Ralph Vaughan Williams

Arr. Robert Longfield Lightning Field ........................................................................... John Mackey

Sandy Kim, pianist

Music From Oklahoma! ................. Oscar Hammerstein II & Richard Rodgers

Arr. Johnnie Vinson

  Flute Maya Dixon Elise Irving- Mohammad Juliana Ramirez Anna Triezenberg Clarinet Ashley Bailey Kali Davis Sethan Dotts Kylie Dwyer Kyra Gibson Christina Hanson Eian Tapia Haylie Valenzuela Anna Zawislak Bass Clarinet Michelle Borosak Hayleigh Kemnic Zane Mahdi

Tenor Saxophone Jordan Jones

Jeffrey Willeford Julia Zelinski

Baritone Saxophone Devon Mackowiak Jeremy O'Connell

Alto Saxophone

Magi Altier Ashley Baugh

Allie Griffin Allison McDaniel David McKinney

Kyle Nielsen Alexander Nieszel Justin O’Connell Nathan Schlichter Justin Skrzelowski

Trumpet Stephen Damon

Austin Garza Nick Held Calvin Kill

Nick Lambros Kacey Mitchell

Jeremy Pinkowski Richard Tallon Jahzeel Taylor Carly Vidovic

Horn

Stewart Lilly Taylor Price

William Ramirez Prado

Trombone Doria Brown Tyler DuSold

Connor Mensing

Baritone Derrick Dian

Jonathan Mazylewski

Tuba Paul Scott Downen

Percussion

Katie Chavez Travis Dixon

Sethan Dotts Rachel Dumblauskas

Sarah Hau Christian McNeal

Zack Sheehy

Steven M. Nendza, Director

Sandy Kim, Pianist

Jack Hille Middle School 8th Grade Concert Band  

 

Program Notes Rough Riders Written in 1943, composer Karl King penned this circus march as part of a set of marches written for school bands in the 1940’s. King composed over 300 works, including marches, gallops, waltzes, and overtures. The Last Stagecoach Heist Composer Travis Weller’s work depicts the final criminal act of Black Bart. In the late 1800’s, The Old West provided a back-drop for a host of legendary colorful characters. Mr. Chalrles Earl Bowles, better known as Black Bart, was one such notorious outlaw who operated in Northern California and Southern Oregon. From July 1875 through his final robbery in November 1883, Black Bart made daring thefts of stagecoaches. Though he received fame for these bold robberies, Bart was also known for holding up coaches with an unloaded shotgun, never harming a passenger and leaving behind poetic messages after his heists. Detectives eventually tracked down Bart only nine days after his final heist. After his trial, it was determined that he committed 28 robberies during an eight-year criminal career. The work is energetic, daring, and at times, relentless - referencing the better qualities of a man who lived a life of crime! Sea Songs Written for British military bands in 1924, Robert Longfield’s arrangement keeps all of Vaughan Williams’ original melodic material and puts the work in a key well suited for young bands. This single-movement composition is based on three English sailing songs. The first of these, “Princess Royal,” briskly begins the work. The melody is delightful, with a lightly played eighth-note accompaniment propelling this section effortlessly onward. The second melody, “Admiral Benbow,” also referred to as “The Brother Tar's Song,” is bold in nature, continuing the allegro tempo of the opening. The melody of the final ballad, “Portsmouth,” is written in an expressive and flowing cantabile style. A quick repeat of the first two songs brings the work to its conclusion. The heart of “Sea Songs” is the buoyant rhythms and lapping motion of the melody that tells a musical tale of the labored life on the high seas. Lighting Field John Mackey's “Lightning Field” takes its title from a work of art by Walter De Maria. That work is a massive expanse of the New Mexico desert, claimed and transformed by the artist via an installation of steel rods planted in the earth and reaching toward the sky, they call down its power - literally creating man-made lightning storms. Like them, Mackey's piece speaks to the ancient impulse to summon nature's power, and the magic such acts unleash. A sense of energy runs throughout the work, with the driving onstage percussion enhanced by the sound of thunder, provided by hand-held percussion instruments called "thunder buckets." Oklahoma!!! The first collaboration of famed partners Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Oklahoma! set the American musical theatre standard. Set in Western Indian Territory just after the turn-of-the-20th-Century, the spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the backdrop for the love story between Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a beautiful farm girl. The road to true love is anything but smooth, but there is no doubt that these two romantics will succeed in making a life together. As the roads to romance and statehood converge, Curly and Laurey are poised to spend their new life together in a brand new state: O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A - OKLAHOMA! Johnnie Vinson’s arrangement features four classic songs from the original production: “Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin',” “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top,” “People Will Say We're In Love,” and “Oklahoma.”

 

From Our Students  

“Music makes me be myself. If music never existed, then I would have never been able to jam out in the car or dance in the mirror.” Anna Zawislak - Clarinet

“Without music, life would be characterless. Music is amusing, exciting, and there are many genres and styles of music. But, our band music excites me the most, because I’m not just listening to it, I’m playing it.”……………………. Kacey Mitchell - Trumpet

“I was so excited and thrilled to find out we made it to play for the ILMEA conference. I knew that we were going to have to work ten times harder, but it felt amazing to know our hard work paid off and that Mr. Nendza wasn’t going crazy for no reason.” Kyra Gibson - Clarinet  

“Without music the world would have a hard time expressing emotions. Music communicates in ways that people can’t put into words. It also makes you feel emotions that you have not experienced before. Music is one of the little things that everyone loves. It comes in all different styles. So without it, the world would miss out on so much.” Michelle Borosak - Bass Clarinet  

“The most exciting piece is Lightning Field, it truly gives me an adrenalin rush. Really, by the end of the song, I’m out of breath; and I’m a percussionist! But I always love to look up at the end to see my awesome band director smiling at us and mouthing, “Great job.” It is so fun!!” Rachel Dumblauskas - Percussion  

“Music is not just meaningless noise. For me, music has a way of transporting me through different emotions. Music calms me and just gives life more meaning. It is a symbol that represents my life.” Alli McDaniel - Alto Saxophone  

“My favorite piece of the concert is Sea Songs. It’s my favorite because I hated it before. Now you’re probably asking yourself, ‘How could you love something if you hated it?' This piece has pushed me to be a better saxophone player today. I also love this because of its fast pace start and the slow steady pace at the end.” Ashley Baugh - Alto Saxophone

“Music is a piece of art that goes in the ears and straight to the heart. It helps you visualize the different colors, the lights and dark, the highs and lows and the ups and downs in a piece. Music is art.” Stewart Lilly - Horn  

“Lightning Field excites me the most, because it has a huge turn of events. It’s crazy when the tempo changes drastically in the beginning and the sudden dynamic changes that come out of know where.” Austin Garza - Trumpet  

“My favorite piece of the concert is the piece that is full of moving melodies, Sea Songs. When we first heard it in band class, no one was really excited to play it but we have grown to love it and the stories behind the songs. Especially the song about how the sailor fought through his injuries.” Anna Triezenberg - Flute  

 About The Music Department The Jack Hille Middle School administration is dedicated to continuing to make music an integral part of the development of the whole child. They have created a schedule where students can take both band and choir, as these classes are offered at different times during the school day. Over 70% of the student population is enrolled in a band or choir class. The music classes offered during the day are 6th Grade Band, 7th Grade Band, 8th Grade Band, 6th & 7th Treble Choir, 6th & 7th Grade Boys Choir: 8th Grade Concert Choir and General Music. Outside of the regular school day, the following ensembles are also offered for students: two Jazz Bands, Woodwind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Holiday Brass Ensemble, Women’s Choir, Show Choir and a Spring Musical. Students in band and choir also participate in numerous other activities at Hille, including Basketball, Volleyball, Track, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Newspaper Club, Bowling, Scrapbooking Club, Art Club, Year Book Club, Student Council, International Club, Spelling Bee, Mathletes and National Junior Honor Society. Students also participate in local organizations including dance, swimming, football, baseball, hockey, softball, soccer, lacrosse, girl & boy scouts, martial arts and horseback riding. About The Band Program The Jack Hille Middle School band program has experienced tremendous growth in the past seven years and student band enrollment is over 185 students. Band students at Hille are grouped by grade level and meet as a class five days a week during the school day. At the middle school, each grade level is split between two class periods to allow for more individual instruction time. Students begin instrumental instruction in the 5th grade at one of two elementary schools where they receive group lessons and meet as a full ensemble twice a week after school. The total enrollment in band grades 5-8 is over 295 students. About The Community The community of Oak Forest is located about 25 miles southwest of Chicago and has a population of over 28,000 residents who show an amazing support for the music programs in Oak Forest. The mayor is a past school board member and many band parents have served on the school board. The history of Oak Forest extends back to the 1800s. The area currently known as Oak Forest was originally called Cooper’s Grove. Mr. Cooper, who settled here in the 1830s, was said to have been the first president of Bremen Township. A log cabin discovered by later settlers is believed to have been built by Cooper and was the first home built in the township. The community was further established when settlers arrived to farm in the area sometime in the mid to late 1840s. The Cooper’s Grove post office was renamed New Bremen in 1848; neighboring Tinley Park was part of the community known as New Bremen until it was incorporated in 1892. The earliest reference to the community as “Oak Forest” (probably named for its proximity to nearby forest preserves and mature oak trees throughout and surrounding the area) is in an 1893 Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway timetable. Oak Forest was incorporated as a village in 1947, and then incorporated as the City of Oak Forest in 1971.

 About The Director Steven M. Nendza is currently in his seventh year as band director at Jack Hille Middle School in Oak Forest, IL. Under his direction, the size of the band program has more than tripled. A second jazz band, a woodwind ensemble and percussion ensemble have also been added. In 2013, the Hille Middle School 6th Grade Band performed as a demonstration ensemble at the Midwest Clinic. In January of 2011, the Hille Jazz Band performed at the Illinois Music Education Conference. During Mr. Nendza’s tenure, the Hille bands have earned consistent Division I ratings at the IGSMA band contest and the South Suburban Junior High Conference Band Festival. Prior to Hille, Mr. Nendza taught for 10 years at Deer Path Middle School in Lake Forest, IL. Mr. Nendza is an active clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor for concert and jazz bands. He has also taught MECA courses and presented at VanderCook College of Music. In addition, he has presented at the Music for All Summer Symposium, and The Midwest Clinic: An International Band & Orchestra Conference. In 2011, he was awarded the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award sponsored by Quinlan & Fabish Music Company. He is a graduate of VanderCook College of Music where he received his bachelors and masters in music education. During his time there, he was a band assistant to the college band director Dr. Charles T. Menghini. He has two young sons, Jacob (9) & Matthew (6), and a wonderfully supportive wife, Darcy, who make this all possible. About The Pianist Sandy Kim received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Millikin University. She is currently in her fourth year as choir and band director at Jack Hille Middle School in Oak Forest, IL where she directs the Treble Choir and 5th grade Beginning Band. Prior to Jack Hille Middle School, Ms. Kim taught choir and general music at Brooks Middle School in Bolingbrook, IL. When she isn’t teaching, Ms. Kim enjoys running, spending time outdoors, and trying out new foods.

 Special Thanks…

To all of the parents of the performers on stage for continuing to support their child’s musical development and believing in them. To the entire District 142 Administration and Board of Education for their continued support of music education and the belief that through music, students can achieve at an even higher level in all areas of learning. To the Hille Secretaries, Rebecca Armstrong and Eileen Spagnola, for all of their help in planning for our trip to the IMEC. We couldn’t have done it with out you! To the Forest Ridge maintenance team for all of your help and assistance at all of our band events. To all of our Hille teachers who continue to support our expanding music department. To Kenootz Pizza and Ken Keeler for generously donating to the Hille Music Department. To Oak Forest Mayor Hank Kuspa for his generous support of our trip to perform at the IMEC. To our Forest Ridge music staff for all of their support and encouragement. You are all an amazing group of music teachers and colleagues. To all of our guest clinicians for spending time with the band to bring out the best in all of us.

§ Rob Calhoun – Director of Bands, South Suburban College § Brian Covey – Director of Bands, Lockport Township High School § Rebecca Falls – Director of Bands, Arbor Park Middle School § Andy Hofel – Retired Director or Bands, South Suburban College § Mark Inwinski – Director of Bands, Andrew High School § Paul Melidona – Clarinet Instructor § Nick Rojek – Director of Bands, Oak Forest High School

To our sales representative from Quinlan & Fabish, Dan Halloran. Thank you for all of your help and support these past seven years. To VanderCook College of Music and percussion instructor, James Yakas, for generously loaning equipment for today’s performance. To the ILMEA Board of Directors and Darcy Nendza and Mickey Joseph at he ILMEA State Office, for all of their help in planning and organizing the 2016 IMEC. Thank you, 8th grade band students for all of your hard work, dedication and wonderful music making. I hope that you are as proud of yourselves and your performance as I am. This has been an amazing journey and your hard work has truly paid off. I’m looking forward to continuing to see you develop musically and personally. Mr. Nendza

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Gerard Curran, President

Roxana Agler, Vice-President

Sarah Doff, Secretary

Tina Banialis, Joseph Bittner, Mary Derman & Nancy Hullinger, Members

ADMINISTRATION

Paul McDermott, Superintendent

John Orth, Jack Hille Middle School Principal

Amanda Brown, Jack Hille Middle School Assistant Principal

Curt Beringer, Lee R. Foster Elementary School Principal

Jeff Kulik, G. Kerkstra Elementary School Principal

Elizabeth Ehrhart, Ridge Early Childhood Center Principal

MUSIC STAFF

Kyle Grace, Choir Director

Sandy Kim, 5th Grade Band Director & Choir Director

Joy Latka, Music Teacher

Steven M. Nendza, Band Director

Heidi Schuber, Sign Language Interpreter

 5 Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument 1. Increases the capacity of your memory. Research has shown that both listening to music and playing a musical instrument stimulate your brain and can increase your memory. A study was done in which 22 children from age 3 to 4 and a half years old were given either singing lessons or keyboard lessons. A control group of 15 children received no music lessons at all. Both groups participated in the same preschool activities. The results showed that preschoolers who had weekly keyboard lessons improved their spatial- temporal skills 34 percent more than the other children. Not only that, but researchers said that the effect lasted long- term. (Source: http://goo.gl/VZ1IjO) 2. Refines your time management and organizational skills. Learning how to play an instrument requires you to really learn how to be organized and to manage your time wisely. A good musician knows that the quality of practice time is more valuable than the quantity. In order for a musician to progress quicker, he/she will learn how to organize his/her practice time and plan different challenges to work on, making efficient use of time. 3. Boosts your team skills. Team skills are a very important aspect of being successful in life. Playing an instrument requires you to work with others to make music. In band and orchestra settings you must learn how to cooperate with the people around you. Also, in order for a group to make beautiful music, each player and section must learn how to listen to each other and play together. 4. Teaches you perseverance. Learning to play an instrument takes time and effort, which really teaches you patience and perseverance. Most people can’t play every piece of music perfectly the first time. In fact, the majority of musicians have to work difficult sections of music multiple times in a row before they can play it correctly. 5. Promotes happiness in your life and those around you. Playing a musical instrument can be very fun and exciting. Not only is it fun to play music that you enjoy, but it feels wonderful to hear an audience applaud you for giving a great performance. It can also be very honorable and gratifying to voluntarily play in your local community and see the happiness on people’s faces because they enjoy watching you play. For more reasons visit http://goo.gl/9wf6U

 

Jack Hille Middle School 5800 W 151st St.

Oak Forest, IL 60452