Research is available confirming the benefits of pullout lessons...please read this report.

Elementary Band and Orchestra

Written: November, 5th Grade
Playing: October, 5th Grade

Junior High Band and Orchestra:

Written: October, 7th Grade
Playing: September, 8th Grade

Junior High Chorus:

Written: March, 8th Grade
Playing: September, 8th Grade

High School (All music):

Written: March
Playing: September

Overview
Students interested in joining chorus at the junior high level should register for the course at the same time they register for all other classes. There are no prerequisites to participate in Chorus. Chorus is a graded class based on attendance and vocal technique. Chorus requires a yearlong commitment from all members. High school chorus classes are multi-tiered, skills-based offerings that require either an audition or a director/counselor recommendation for participation.

Overview
Instrumental music in District #203 is available to all students in grades 4-12. At the elementary level, students are given one small-group lesson and one full ensemble rehearsal each week. If you are not a third or fourth grader and you wish to join an instrumental ensemble, you must consult your school's band or orchestra director. At the junior high level, students are given one small-group lesson and two to three full ensemble rehearsals each week. Small group lessons are scheduled on a rotating basis; this enables students to attend band or orchestra lessons with a minimum impact on other classes. Band and orchestra are graded classes that require a year long commitment from all members. High school instrumental music classes are multi-tiered, skills-based offerings that require either an audition or a director/counselor recommendation for participation.

3rd Grade Clinics
Students are given a demonstration of each wind and string instrument in late April. In May (see calendar), students are given the opportunity to try instruments while under the supervision and guidance of district music staff. Clinicians will work with the children to determine if the chosen instrument will best suit the student, and make an instrument recommendation based on their evaluation. The demonstration and clinic dates for 2011 are:


 

School	Demonstrations	Clinics
Beebe	April 7	May 12
Ellsworth	April 5	May 10
Elmwood	April 7	May 11
Highlands	April 5	April 25
Kingsley	April 7	May 10
Maplebrook	April 7	April 21
Meadow Glens	April 6	May 2
Mill Street	April 7	April 29
Naper	April 5	May 9
Prairie	April 7	May 5
Ranch View	April 6	May 16
River Woods	April 6	May 13
Scott	April 6	May 9
Steeple Run	April 6	May 28




 

Summer Program vs. Fall Program
District #203 offers beginning instrumental music instruction to students during the summer or during the fall. Advantages to summer instruction include fast skill acquisition due to the consistency and frequency of the class meetings afforded by the summer schedule. Summer beginners typically start in the full ensemble experience immediately in the fall. Students entering 4th grade are eligible to enroll in the summer program.

 

The 2012 summer program for BEGINNERS will be announced in late February. We typically start the 2nd week of June and run through the first week of July.

 

Please contact your local school music instructor with questions regarding summer or fall music courses.

 

Summer Registration for Beginners

 

 

Materials Needed
All music students will need an instrument, instruction book, and pencil at each lesson. Students will also need a folding music stand for practicing at home and for use at concerts. Beginning band and orchestra students will need Essential Elements Book 1. The parent should rent or obtain an instrument prior to the first lesson. Keep in mind that percussion students will need a combination bell kit and a snare drum kit. Your school music staff is available to assist you with these requirements.

 

School Rentals
District #203 rents string basses, baritones, tubas, and French horns. Students and parents must sign a rental contract and pay the fee of $100 for a one-year rental. Tubas and string basses may be rented in pairs (one for home practice and one for school) at an additional cost of $50/year or $100/year for a new one, if available). All instruments are rented on a first-come first-served basis. Students are responsible for regular maintenance and for returning the instrument in the same condition in which is was rented.




2011 Advanced Summer Ensembles (for experienced band and orchestra students)
District #203 also offers summer band and orchestra programs to non-beginners. These are full ensemble rehearsals that meet five times a week beginning in early June and ending the first week of July. Experienced band and orchestra students are currently offered four choices - Elementary Ensemble (for 1st year students), Intermediate Ensemble (for 2nd year students), Advanced Ensemble (for 3rd-4th year students), and multiple Jazz Ensembles.

 

Registration forms and fees may be mailed to the address listed on the bottom of the registration form. The forms usually are distributed in mid-April by the band and orchestra teachers. Please contact your school music instructor with any questions regarding the summer ensembles.

Performance Philosophy
Performances for performance music classes are assessments. Therefore, we make every attempt to schedule performances in coordination with grading periods. These events require the thoughtful and meaningful interaction between all students, made possible by the thorough preparation of each individual performer. As a district, we believe the performance to be an integral and important component of the course experience. It is also an opportunity for parents and community to witness District #203 students actively engaged in an academic environment.

 

The following list highlights several annual components of our district performance music calendar. See your school's individual music page for specific dates.

 

Fall String Demonstration
In mid-November, all fall beginner orchestra students enrolled in a district elementary school perform a joint demonstration concert. This is an opportunity for parents to hear how much their sons and daughters have progressed since the beginning of the year. This concert is also an important incentive for the young musicians.

 

Junior High-High School Performance Music Festival
This festival is a grand concert featuring each high school and its corresponding "feeder" junior high school top bands. This concert provides an opportunity for junior high band members to hear their future high school band classmates.

 

Elementary Honor Band/Honor Orchestra
The Elementary Honor Ensembles are select groups of the finest musicians in the district. Members must audition in the month of October. Weekly rehearsals begin in November and continue until the culminating concert performance at the end of February. This year's Honor Ensembles will present their concert at Kennedy Junior High School on February 27, 2002.

 

Solo and Ensemble Festival
The Solo and Ensemble Festival is a required activity for all junior high instrumental music students. This festival promotes musical independence, responsibility, and student leadership in a small group.

 

Elementary-Junior High Band Festival
This festival is a massive concert featuring each junior high school and its corresponding "feeder" elementary school 5th graders (4th and 5th graders for some schools). This concert provides an opportunity for elementary band members to perform along side their future junior high school band classmates under the direction of their future junior high band director.

 

Spring Orchestra Festival
This festival offers all string students in grades 4-6 an opportunity to meet and perform along side string students of many schools and grade levels. The concert will culminate in a combined piece featuring all of the district string students in grades 4-6. A second festival, held one week later, offers the same benefits to students in grades 7 and 8.

 

Memorial Day Parade
This parade features all District #203 junior high bands, high school bands, and the Bluegrass Strings. The parade route begins at Centennial Park, winds through downtown Naperville, and ends at Central Park. A detailed parade route is published by the City of Naperville. Some ensembles will be bussed to the starting point to alleviate congestion at the parade site and provide the safest environment for student participation. Parents are responsible for meeting their child at the end of the parade route immediately after their school has completed the parade.

 

Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) Files require the free Acrobat Reader Plugin. These files may be printed, but are unchangeable. File sizes average 35KB for a scale sheet, and 120KB for a fingering chart.

Finale files are now downloadable in their native .mus format. However, you need to install the free Finale Notepad to view them. These are the clearest scale sheets you can download. File sizes average about 65KB.

Image (.jpg) files are not always clear and have the longest download time. However, they do not require a special Plugin to view. File sizes average about 100KB.

Flute

After playing each day, wipe the entire length of the flute with a clean polishing cloth. Be careful not to scratch the keys or tear the pads. Remove the headjoint. Insert a clean cloth or handkerchief into the slot at the tip of the cleaning rod. Draw the cloth and cleaning rod through the flute to remove any moisture from the pads. Place the flute back in the case, laying the cloth flat over the body of the flute to allow it to dry. About once a month, apply one drop of key oil to all rod endings (you will see a tiny line at the end of each rod), being careful not to get any oil on the pads, as it will damage them. About once a year, the flute may need to be polished. Silver polish will work nicely; just be careful not to use too much polish, as it is extremely difficult to get out of tight spaces. Also be careful not to get any polish on the pads, as it will damage them. If you do notice any damage to the pads, have a professional repair technician replace them immediately.

Oboe

After playing each day, wipe the entire length of the oboe with a clean, dry cloth. Be careful not to scratch the keys or tear the pads. Draw the swap through the oboe from TOP to BOTTOM. This is important--this will prevent you from catching the swab on the post on the interior of the oboe body. If the swab does get stuck--STOP! Do NOT keep pulling. Take your oboe immediately to a repair technician. If the swap is wedged too tightly, the technician will need to cut apart your swab to remove it from your oboe. About once a month, apply one drop of key oil to all rod endings (you will see a tiny line at the end of each rod), being careful not to get any oil on the pads, as it will damage them. Do not try to polish the oboe. If the keys need polishing, take your oboe to a repair shop. If you notice any torn or worn pads, take your oboe to the shop immediately.

Clarinet

After playing each day, wipe the entire length of the clarinet with a clean, dry cloth. Be careful not to scratch the keys or tear the pads. Remove the reed and dry it with a clean cloth. Place the reed in a reed case. Draw the swab through the mouthpiece to absorb the moisture. Put the mouthpiece cap on the mouthpiece and place it in the case. Draw the swab through the bell of the clarinet and out the barrel of the clarinet to remove the moisture. The tenon joints tend to collect the most moisture, which could severely damage wood clarinets. Be sure to dry these areas completely. About once a month, apply one drop of key oil to all rod endings (you will see a tiny line at the end of each rod), being careful not to get any oil on the pads, as it will damage them. Do not try to polish the clarinet. If the keys need polishing, take your clarinet to a repair shop. If you notice any torn or worn pads, take your clarinet to the shop immediately.

Saxophone

Same as clarinet

Trumpet, French Horn, Baritone, Tuba

After playing each day, wipe the instrument with a clean polishing cloth. Note: Never use a silver polishing cloth on a lacquer (gold) instrument. Conversely, never use a lacquer polishing cloth on a silver instrument. Oil the keys or valves about twice a week (maybe more if needed). Be sure to only remove one valve at a time so the valves do not get switched. After replacing each valve, blow air through the instrument to make sure the valve is facing the right direction. If the instrument seems difficult to blow freely, turn the valve around 180 degrees. Grease all tuning slides about once a month. If the grease becomes sticky, it is dirty, and needs to be removed with a towel and replaced with new, clean grease. When greasing the tuning slides, use a non water-based grease. Water-based greases (like petroleum jelly) will evaporate after a few days.

About once a year, the instrument should be given a bath. The water should be lukewarm. If the water is too hot, it will remove the lacquer from the instrument and destroy the shiny finish. After removing all valves and slides, run a "snake" through all portions of your instrument. "Snakes" are long brushes that you feed through the tubing of your instrument. Dry the instrument with a soft towel, being careful not to scratch the surface. Do not try to polish your instrument--the wrong kind of polish can ruin the finish of your instrument. One successful alternative is to spray Original Lemon Pledge on your instrument, then wipe it dry. Pledge will remove fingerprints and dust that collect on your instrument.

Trombone

For general instrument care, observe the directions listed for Trumpet. etc.,. The only difference is the care to the main slide of the trombone. There are many lubricating systems for trombone slides. Basically, the slide should drop freely to the floor if the slide lock is released...if this is not the case, then the trombone needs either dent work or more (or better) lubrication. The system most beginners use is to simply use oil (clear) or liquid cream (white). More advanced players may use a synthetic oil or a combination of cold cream and water. Never mix systems. If you change systems, be sure to remove the first system entirely, which usually means giving your trombone a bath. Whenever you remove the outer slide from the inner slide, be very careful not to drop or hit the slide on anything, as even the slightest dent will render the slide inoperable.

Snare Drum

IF YOUR SNARE DOES NOT SOUND CRISP

If the snares continue to "buzz" after the initial stroke, then the snares are not pulled tightly against the drum head. The first step is to tighten the tension screw on the side of the snare drum. If the screw will not pull the snares any tighter, then you should completely loosen the snares and pull the slack snare cords through the strainer plate more firmly. Tighten the strainer plate, then adjust the tension screw.

If the snare still has an extra buzz, then you need to "bridge" the snare cords. This is done by inserting a toothpick, match, or nail under the outside snare cords, but over the middle cords.

CHANGING A DRUM HEAD

If the top (batter) or bottom (snare) head tears, rips, or breaks, it needs to be replaced. Remove the hoop by loosening the hoop screws. Replace the head and the hoop. Hand tighten all hoop screws until they are firm. Use your drum key to continue to tighten the hoop screws, two revolutions at a time. After tightening the first screw, move across the drum head to the opposite screw, like changing a tire. Continue moving across the drumhead until all screws are tightened at the same tension. The head will stretch from the counter hoop as you tighten it. Tighten again after a few days to allow the head to "settle."

Mallets -- General Information

Never use the instrument as a trap table
Always leave the instrument covered
Always use the right mallets
When moving it, always lift it over cracks, bumps, and thresholds

BELLS

Clean with metal polish
Replace worn felts, rubber spacers, and the suspension cord as necessary
Replace any screws that become loose or are bent

MARIMBA, XYLOPHONES

Polish bars with a furniture polish with no wax
Dust the resonators and frame
Vacuum the resonators
Check the pitch of the resonators with the pitch of the bar. The resonator caps can be adjusted if the two pitches do not match. Consult a professional to adjust the resonator caps.
Replace the spacers and suspension cord and replace as necessary.
Never use plastic-acrylic mallets on a rosewood xylophone or marimba. Use polyethylene or rosewood mallets to prevent damaging the bars.

Cymbals

Use a commercial cymbal cleaning polish-do not use an abrasive cleaning polish
Wipe the polish on and off following the grooves of the cymbal
If the cymbal cracks, drill a hold at the end of the crack and file the edges to prevent extra vibrations.

 

• Beginners start on soft reeds because they produce a tone easily (2 or S)
• Within the first year of playing, most players should move up to the next strength (2 1/2 or MS)
• Within the second year of playing, most players again move up to the next strength (3 or M)
• If the reed is too soft, it will play flat (below normal pitch)
• If the reed is too hard, it will not respond well.
• Reed strengths are not universal from brand to brand...each company has its own standards. For example, a Vandoren 2 1/2 is equivalent to a Rico 3.
• Every reed needs to be "broken in"-never play a reed right out of the box
• Invest in reed making or reed adjusting equipment...it will save you lots of money in the long run
• Next to the reed, the mouthpiece has the greatest influence on your sound. Consider upgrading around seventh grade.