Announcements

Congratulations Oak Prairie Bands

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:22:25 -0600

Congratulations to the Oak Prairie Concert Band, the Oak Prairie Symphonic Band, and the Oak Prairie Jazz Bands on their wonderful performance last week at Lockport Central High School. You are demonstrating a high level of musicianship! Have a Happy Holidays and a great start to 2012!

Congratulations Jazz Band 1

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:28:38 -0600

Congratulations to Jazz Band 1 on their awesome lab demonstration session at the 2011 Midwest Clinic. You were very impressive to everyone; clinicians, band directors, parents, and other musicians! Great job!!

Winter Band Day

Thu, 1 Dec 2011 09:40:57 -0600

Oak Prairie students are invited to participate in the 2012 Winter Band Day with the Southwest Community Concert Band. This event will be held at the First Church of the Nazarene on Bell Road in Lemont on Saturday, January 21, 2012. Registration for the day is only $15 and includes music, pizza and pop. More details can be found on the Southwest Community Band website and with the registration documents below.

http://www.swcommunityband.com/bandday.html

Student Letter 2012.pdf
Winter_Band_Day_12.pdf

Hints for Success in Band

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:23:02 -0600

Mr. Rank will have this handout available during Parent Teacher conferences.

How Can I Help My Child Be More Successful in Band

Fundraiser Update

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:05:07 -0600

The Oak Prairie Bands participated in Carson’s Community Days Fundraiser for 2011. The Oak Prairie Band earned over $1000 in this fundraiser this year. Thank you to all parents, families and friends for their support! Although we did not meet our goal for this year, we have two other fundraising opportunities this spring as we will be hosting the IGSMA District 6 Organization/Jazz Contest and the IGSMA State Jazz Festival.
All funds raised are used to provide students with the following opportunities:
• IMEA Audition Fees ~ $150
• IMEA District Festivals ~ $165
• Oak Prairie Jazz Band Performance at Midwest ~ $500
• District 92 Band Festival ~ $1200
• District 92 Solo and Ensemble Festival ~ $400
• IGSMA District and State Organizational Contests ~ $250
• "End of Year" Band Picnic @ Haunted Trails ~ $800
• Awards & Engraving ~ $100
• Replacement Uniform Shirts, Bow Ties and Cummerbunds

Midwest Clinic Permission Slip

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:02:33 -0600

Here is the permission slip for Jazz Band 1 and Jazz Band 2 to attend the 2011 Midwest Clinic.

Permission Slip

Stocking Stuffers

Fri, 4 Nov 2011 12:25:11 -0500

Here’s a PDF of some gift ideas for your young musicians! Please remember to contact Mr. Rank or your private teacher if you are considering upgrading an instrument.

Stocking Stuffer.pdf

Congratulations Bands

Fri, 4 Nov 2011 08:16:13 -0500

Congratulations to the Oak Prairie Concert, Symphonic and Jazz Bands on a wonderful performance at the Fall Band Concert last night!

Congrats on IMEA Selection

Wed, 5 Oct 2011 10:34:22 -0500

Congratulations to four Oak Prairie Band members on their selection to the IMEA District 1 Bands.

Scott, Lauren and Sarah were all selected on clarinet for the IMEA Concert Band. Sierra was selected to perform on violin as part of the IMEA Orchestra. They will be performing at the IMEA Junior Festival on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at Riverside Brookfield High School.

Sarah (alto saxophone), Kristin (tenor saxophone), Cheyanne (trumpet), Gina (trombone), Jonathan (trombone) and Ryan (string bass) were all selected for the IMEA Junior Jazz Bands. The IMEA Jazz Festival is on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at Rich South High School.

There were over 1000 students who auditioned on Saturday and to be selected is a huge honor. Congratulations to all who auditioned.

New Playalongs!!!

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:33:16 -0500

Just created - New Playalong files for jazz band students!!
Check out Besame Mucho on the Jazz Band 1 Page

Here students can download a full play along chord progression.
Drummers should download the Playalong - Minus Drums. Bassists should download the Playalong - Minus Bass.
Pianists and Guitarists should download the Playalong - Minus Piano.

Put them on your iPods or CD players and jam out!!

For those iPod users.... iRealb is a great program for learning jazz tunes and chord progressions. It does need to be purchased, but is well worth the money. If you do purchase it, please have Mr. Rank show you how to get 1200 standard jazz tunes to play along with for free!

SmartMusic Assignments

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 07:38:50 -0500

Our brand new SmartMusic Rooms are up and running!
7th and 8th Graders, today is your first SmartMusic check. 6th Grade students will be getting SmartMusic logins in the next week and will be taught how to use SmartMusic during class.

Parents wishing to purchase SmartMusic for at home should visit http://www.smartmusic.com for more details.

Beginning Band Information

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:31:43 -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
August 24th - Symphonic Band Demonstration @ Ludwig School
September 1st - Instrument Try-Outs @ Ludwig School (4-8pm)
September 19th - First Day of Beginning Band
January TBA - District 92 Band Festival @ OP
April 26th - Spring Band Concert @ Lockport Central HS

Online Registration for Beginning Band

Instrument Rentals
Band Source Information
Questions? Check out the Band Source Website or call Band Source at (630) 477-0426

Treble Clef (708) 598-7208

Rental Information from Quinlan and Fabish
Rent Online from the Quinlan and Fabish Website

Welcome Back

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:32:57 -0500

In just a few short weeks, we’ll start the 2011-2012 School Year. Although Concert Dates are still being finalized, there are a couple of dates to quickly get on your calendars!

Band Camps:
August 15th and 16th
10-12pm Symphonic Band (7th and 8th grade students)
12:30-2:00pm Jazz Band 1

First Symphonic Band Demonstration:
August 24th @ Ludwig School

Beginning Band Instrument Try-outs:
Thursday, September 1st 4-8pm
(Mr. Rank will give NJHS hours for any students who would like to volunteer to help)

Please start building up your practice times now so that your chops have a chance to recover. Start slowly with 15-20 minutes a day and increase the practice time by 5-10 minutes per week.

We will again be using SmartMusic and there are a lot of warm-up exercises to practice in SmartMusic. Visit www.smartmusic.com to find out more information. You can also use SmartMusic to practice “The Great Locomotive Chase” which we will be performing as the highlight of our Fall Band Concert.

Summer Goal Setting

Wed, 1 Jun 2011 09:09:57 -0500

Dear Parents and Students,
While summer is on us and gives us time to look back and reflect upon the last school year, it also gives many students the chance to make major gains. Here are some ideas for how to give your child a chance to get ahead going into next year.

1. Set practice times and goals. To maintain a competent level, students should practice 150 minutes per week over the summer. To exceed it takes many more minutes of practice.   Practicing can include fun things, like playing along with recordings and books.  Include goals of making either the IMEA Concert Band or the IMEA Jazz Band. Create a summer practice chart with incentives for successful practice (like the libraries do). 
2. Attend a live performance. Check with local Park Districts about upcoming concerts. Check to see about a family trip to Ravinia or Grant Park. See the Brass Tracks Jazz Band at Hackneys on Wednesday nights. 
3. Take some private lessons. There is nothing better than having a professional on your instrument giving you one on one advice!
 Above all have fun and get ready for another great year in 2011-2012!!
Mr. Rank

Summer Music Programs

Mon, 2 May 2011 08:31:25 -0500

Here’s a list of local summer music programs to keep you groovin’ throughout the summer!!