Announcements

Why Music Matters

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 12:51:45 -0500

Here’s a nice little audio clip that shares some insight into how music fits into our schools. Every parent and student should hear this short clip!

Band Fees

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:34:26 -0500

Oak Prairie students participating in athletics, band and choir will be assessed a $20 fee beginning in the 2010-2011 school year for each activity in which they participate, up to a maximum of $60 per student or $80 per family. The purpose of the fee is to help offset the cost of transportation, officials, equipment and uniforms.

In addition, we will be looking for a maintenance fee for any student who is uses a school-owned instrument during the school year. This includes piccolo, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, French horns, bass trombones, euphoniums, tubas and percussion that are borrowed from the school, either at school or for use at home. This will help offset the cost of repairs to these instruments, and keep repair bills at a reasonable level.

Band Camp

Mon, 9 Aug 2010 16:10:14 -0500

The Symphonic Band and Jazz Band 1 will have band camp August 16-18, 2010. Symphonic Band (7th and 8th Graders) will rehearse from 10:30-12:00pm. Jazz Band 1 will rehearse from 1:00-3:00pm. If you are in town and available, your attendance is greatly appreciated! If you are in Jazz Band 1, you can bring a sack lunch on Monday and Tuesday and hangout in the band room between rehearsals. I hope you all had a great break and I’m looking forward to an awesome 2010-2011 school year!!

SmartMusic 2011

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:12:26 -0500

The latest version of SmartMusic is now available. Please go to the following website to download the updated version:
http://www.smartmusic.com/Support/Updates.aspx

We will be using SmartMusic to evaluate student growth and understanding of curricular band concepts. Please update your software as soon as it is available to avoid late assignments during first quarter.

Mr. Rank visit’s the Bach and Selmer Factories in Elkhart, Indiana

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:11:39 -0500

Over the past three days, Mr. Rank visited Elkhart, Indiana where the Conn-Selmer Company makes Bach Stradivarius trumpets, Selmer Bliss Clarinets, Vito Clarinets, Selmer Oboes, Galway Spirit Flutes, Armstrong Flutes and Emerson Flutes. It was an amazing trip, as we toured the facilities and learned about the tradition of these American-made instruments.

In addition, to seeing some of the instruments that could be in students hands in just a few months, a group of educators spent time working with Selmer on different design aspects that could be improved on.

Thank you to Band Source and Conn-Selmer for taking us on this trip!

Illinois Music Educators Association - All-State Conference 2011

Wed, 7 Jul 2010 17:22:24 -0500

Congratulations to the Oak Prairie Jazz Band 1 on being selected to perform for the Illinois Music Educators Association’s All State Conference. The OP Jazz Band is one of two junior high/middle school jazz groups from across the state that has been selected for this high honor! The Jazz Band will perform for hundreds of music educators from across the state at the Peoria Civic Center in January 2011.

Thank you to all members of the 2009-2010 Jazz Band 1 who worked so hard on the recording that was submitted to IMEA for consideration! You are the reason that we have this honor!

Jazz Band 1 will begin the year with a Jazz Camp on Monday August 16th through Wednesday August 18th from 1:00 to 3:00pm. We will also have a number of performances and clinics leading up to our All-State Performance, including performances at “This Must Be The Place...” in Lemont and “Hackney’s in Palos Park”.

Attention iPhone Users

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 15:21:35 -0500

Are you thinking of upgrading to iPhone 4? Please consider donating your used iPhone 3G or 3GS to the Oak Prairie Bands.

With all the music apps on these “mini-computers”, your old phone can be used by students preparing for contests, transcribing solos, and recording within band classes.

The donation can be considered a tax-deductible contribution to a charitable organization.

Please contact Mr. Rank at brank@d92.org if you would like to donate your old iPhone. Thanks!!

Summer Music Camps

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 07:35:00 -0500

Check out the link on the left for Summer Music Camps. There are a variety of camps that students can choose that will expand their music education and help them become leaders in the classroom! A great opportunity for social and musical growth!

Beginning Band

Mon, 24 May 2010 11:47:10 -0500

Please click on the Ludwig Band Website for more information on 5th Grade Beginning Band. Beginning band is open to all incoming 5th grade students who are interested in learning a new instrument!

Upcoming dates:
May 17th - Instrument Try-outs @ Ludwig
June 1st - Parent Information Meeting @ Ludwig

Online Registration for Beginning Band

Rental Information from Treble Clef
Questions regarding Rentals, please call Treble Clef at (708) 598-7208.

Alumni Band - Graduation

Sun, 23 May 2010 09:17:29 -0500

Mr. Rank would like to extend an invitation to alumni of the OP Bands to perform with the band at graduation. Please wear white shirts and black pants.

Rehearsal: Tuesday, June 1st, 2:30 to 4:00pm @ OP
Graduation: Thursday, June 3rd, 7:00pm @ LTHS East

Music - You can download PDF’s of the graduation music here:
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Alto Saxophone Tenor Saxophone
Trumpet
French Horn
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion

Please RSVP to Mr. Rank if you are planning on participating in the Graduation Band.

Mouthpiece Upgrades

Fri, 21 May 2010 15:42:09 -0500

We’ve had quite a bit of discussion about upgrading mouthpieces in band classes lately. If you are studying with a private teacher, please ask them for advice on mouthpieces before upgrading. If not, here are the standard mouthpiece upgrades.

Clarinet - Vandoren 5RV Lyre
Clarinet - Vandoren M13
Alto Saxophone - Vandoren AL3
Alto Saxophone Jazz - Meyer 6M
Tenor Saxophone - Vandoren TL3
Tenor Saxophone Jazz - Meyer 6M
Trumpet - Bach 3C
French Horn - Holton Farkas MC
Trombone - Bach 6 1/2 AL
Tuba - Conn Helleberg

All of these mouthpiece are available through Treble Clef, Quinlan and Fabish, Woodwind and Brasswind, or Amazon.com. The advantage of trying mouthpieces at a local store is you can try a number of sizes and see what works best for you! Make a great end of the year gift!!

Jazz Concert TONIGHT!

Thu, 20 May 2010 07:31:36 -0500

Come enjoy an evening of jazz out on the back lawn of Oak Prairie tonight at 6pm. Jazz students should arrive between 5:30 and 5:45pm. Dress casual - Hawaiian shirts encouraged!

D92 Foundation Golf Outing

Thu, 20 May 2010 07:31:35 -0500

Friday, May 21, 2010 @ Gleneagles Golf Club
123rd Street (McCarthy Road) just west of Bell Road, Lemont

Arrive at 4:45pm
Dress: Shirts & Ties
Perform: 5:00-6:15pm

Bring: Instruments, Music, FOLDING MUSIC STAND!!

Your Brain and Jazz

Wed, 12 May 2010 10:23:02 -0500

Have you ever wondered what happens in the brain while someone is improvising music? This very cool video may shed light on the subject. Very innovative way of scientifically studying the brain waves.

Band Resources

Fri, 7 May 2010 18:32:56 -0500

Check out the extensive listing of free resources on the “Resources” page. There’s everything from online tuners to fingering charts to games.