Weekly Update
This Week in the OEHS Bands
Monday 11/12 – Tri M Meeting 2.30pm-3pm (Instrumentalists please bring your instrument); Jazz Ensemble 3pm-5pm; School Board Meeting 6.30pm (see below)
Tuesday 11/13 – Jazz Band 2.45pm-3.15pm; Big Band 3.15pm-3.45pm; Fall Jazz Concert 7pm (student call time 6.15pm)
Thursday 11/15 – Big Band 3pm-4pm; Jazz Band 4pm-5pm;
Friday 11/6– Jazz Ensemble 2.40pm-5pm
Saturday 11/17 – ILMEA District 9 Jazz Festival (auditioned student)
Curricular Band Information
YOUR VOICE IS GREATLY NEEDED: SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MONDAY, 11/12
On Monday, the school board will be considering several changes to the upcoming school year. These changes will be voted upon either during that meeting or a future meeting.
A change that will greatly and negatively impact the music programs is changing the incoming freshman schedule so that students can only sign up for six classes. This will eliminate the opportunity for students to take multiple electives. The following courses are samples of electives:
-Languages (Spanish, French, Mandarin, German)
-Project Lead the Way
-Consumer Education Courses (i.e. Business, Cooking, Autos, Shop)
-All Fine Arts Courses (Band, Choir, Art, Theater)
Truly this will horribly impact the band and choir programs.
If you wish to speak at the meeting, there is a sign-up table outside of the actual meeting. Most meetings take place in the OEHS Community Room. If there is a large amount of people attending, they sometimes move the meeting into the PAC.
If you want to speak, fantastic. However, you do not have to speak; simply being in attendance greatly stands as a visual presence.
The full meeting starts at 6.30pm, with the general public portion beginning around 7pm.
If you cannot attend the meeting but wish to email the school board, the emails are as follows:
Brad Banks BBanks@sd308.org
Lauri Doyle LDoyle@sd308.org
Jared Ploger JPloger@sd308.org
Toni Morgan TMorgan01@sd308.org
Brent Lightfoot BLightfoot@sd308.org
Matt Bauman MBauman@sd308.org
Heather Moyer HMoyer@sd308.org
November Curricular Concerts
Congratulations to all of our students on fantastic concerts this past week. Thank you to the band parents who helped to organize the cheesecake samples, as well as those who took orders for patches and ornaments.
Winter Concert: Tuesday, December 4th
On Tuesday, December 4th, all band and choir students will perform in two evening concerts. We hold two concerts because the audience numbers exceed the space the auditorium allows for one performance. Both concerts are identical, and students are required to perform during both.
The concerts start at 5.30pm and 7.30pm. Student call time for the evening is 4.45pm.
Student dress is the same as for the November concerts. Students can also wear some type of holiday “flare” (Santa hat, portable lights on the instrument, garland, etc.).
Each concert lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
A link for purchasing concert tickets will be available soon. Music patrons will be given four tickets for free. All families can become music patrons throughout the year. If you wish to become a music patron, please visit http://www.oswegoeasthighschoolbands.com/music-patrons.html
Cheesecake and Fruit Fundraiser
Band students received order forms for our Cheesecake and Fruit fundraiser. This fundraiser helps to add money into student accounts, which can then be accessed to help pay for trips. Any money not used for trips goes to the general band fund to help purchase needed items. Per item, students raise at least $6 into their accounts. Samples of cheesecake will be available after both of this week’s concerts.
Orders are due by November 26th. All checks should be made payable to OEHS Band Boosters. Items must be picked up on Saturday, December 8th by students/families who sold. Pick-up is from 9.30am until Noon in the OEHS Band Room. Because the items are perishable, the items must be picked up during the time slot on December 8th.
New this year: If you would prefer to have a Band Booster deliver your order to your house, you can choose to do so by filling out the green form (provided in the fundraiser envelope) and make a payment of $10.
OEHS Band Patches
Band Patches can now be ordered and purchased. A link to the order form can be found by visiting http://www.oswegoeasthighschoolbands.com/patches.html
Kearby Creations has provided letterman jackets to many of the Oswego East students. A link to their company can be found by visiting: https://kearbycreations.com/
Wind Symphony In-School Field Trip Monday, November 19th
On Monday, November 19th, 8th grade band students from Bednarcik, Murphy, and Plank Junior High will come over to OEHS to sit in with our Wind Symphony students for three rehearsals. Wind Symphony students have received permission forms to attend this event. Through this event, the 8th graders will have the opportunity to work alongside high school students.
December 1st Bake Sale
During the December 1st OE Wolf Parents Craft Fair at OEHS, the OEHS Band Boosters will be selling baked goods. If you are able to bake items or able to help at the table 9am-1.30pm, please contact Mrs. Cory Mehnert at cbmehnert@gmail.com
Mattress Sale Fundraiser: Saturday, March 16th
On Saturday, March 16th, we will be holding our first mattress sale fundraiser in the OEHS Band Room. For every item purchased, a portion of the sale goes directly back to the band department. These funds will help to pay for classroom chairs, stands, instruments, storage, music, clinicians, transportation, festival fees, and much more. Please see the attached flyer. More information will be provided as we grow nearer to the date.
Band Bucks
One of the easiest ways to help raise money in a student band account (which you can access to help pay for trips) is through participating in band bucks. Information about how to register for band bucks and how to use the program can be found by visiting http://www.oswegoeasthighschoolbands.com/band-bucks.html
Private Lesson Teachers
Taking private lessons allows students to reach their highest potential as musicians. Several private lesson teachers are available for our students during and after school, with many lessons taking place during the actual band class. A list of recommended instructors is available at http://www.oswegoeasthighschoolbands.com/lesson-teachers.html
Jazz Band Information
Fall Jazz Concert
The first Jazz Concert of the school year is this Tuesday, November 13th at 7pm. Call time for students is 6:15pm.
Students are to wear all black with an optional colored tied.
Monday 11/12 – Jazz Ensemble 3pm-5pm
Tuesday 11/13 – Jazz Band 2.45pm-3.15pm; Big Band 3.15pm-3.45pm; Fall Jazz Concert 7pm (student call time 6.15pm)
Thursday 11/15 – Big Band 3pm-4pm; Jazz Band 4pm-5pm;
Friday 11/6– Jazz Ensemble 2.40pm-5pm