Homepage of the Oswego High School Band Program

Today, we conclude what has been a great week of band camp with the annual PrairieFest parade. Our new PMB members did great in their first marching experience, and our new drum majors and leadership team did great in their new roles. It was a windy day, demonstrated by the flags in the bottom pic, and it also featured our new sousa covers. Pretty sharp, huh?

Last weekend, we said goodbye to an amazing senior class as they graduated at Northern Illinois University.
The ceremony’s music was provided by members of the Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble who weren’t graduating.

Graduates include…
MacKenzie Adamski, flute: University of Kentucky
Meghann Ashman, french horn: University of Edinburgh
Meg Bernard, euphonium: Waubonsee Community College
Sydney Blount, clarinet: University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse
Kevin Claus, trombone: Iowa State University
Amber Colon, clarinet: DePaul University
Erin Davey, clarinet: University of South Carolina
Greg Deck, euphonium: Waubonsee Community College
Mike Dolenak, tuba: University of Springfield
Crystal Flake, oboe: Brigham Young University
Sarah Frantik, trumpet: Drake University
Tom Hartnett, piano and percussion: Northern Illinois University
Shae Hunt, bassoon: North Central College
Ahmad Isaacs, tuba: Lindenwood University
Cassiday Kayer, clarinet: Waubonsee Community College
Nathan Krumholz, clarinet: Uniersity of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Calvin Leibrock, alto saxophone: Iowa State University
Kevin Lewis, trombone: Waubonsee Community College
Kyle Lewis, clarinet: Waubonsee Community College
GiGi Liberatore: Waubonsee Community College
Sydney Lloyd, trumpet: University of Wisconsin, Green Bay
Zach Manzella, percussion: Loyola University
Ross McWethy, euphonium: North Central College
Tom Mereness, trombone and euphonium: Navy
Hannah Milner, flute: University of Alabama
Charles Morrell, tuba: Bradley University
John O’Shaughnessy, percussion: University of Iowa
Josh Petko, alto saxophone: Waubonsee Community College
Jason Petzold, trombone: Waubonsee Community College
Christian Trujillo, saxophones: Waubonsee Community College

Two days later, our outstanding booster parents put together our annual Bandquet, an event that ends the year with some fun and awards. This year’s theme was “Carnival”, and there were games and food galore. Award winners this year included…
Outstanding Concert Band members: Evah Engel and Jared Johnson
Outstanding Chamber Winds members: Eileen Fey and Jerrell Rogers
Outstanding Symphonic Band members: Gabby Bauer and Wes DeGarmo
Outstanding Wind Ensemble members: Hayley Paladines and Nick Martinez
Outstanding Wind Symphony members: Hannah Milner and Zach Manzella
Outstanding Pep Band Member: Tiana Ninic
Jim Felts Spirit Award: Ross McWethy
Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser Award: Shae Hunt
National Marching Award: Shae Hunt
Patrick Gilmore Award: Bri Bradley
Woody Herman Jazz Award: John O’Shaughnessy
Louis Armstrong Jazz Award: Tom Hartnett
John Philip Sousa Award: Nathan Krumholz

After two excellent performances at the most prestigious state festivals Illinois has to offer (IMEA and Superstate), the OHS Wind Symphony has been invited to perform next year at the 2015 Western Illinois University Showcase of Bands Feb. 20-21!  This festival is by invitation only.  Only 3 schools from the Midwest get selected to perform each year.  You can find additional information  here.  Congrats!

The OHS Wind Symphony has had a banner year…first, a fantastic performance at the Illinois Music Educator’s Conference in January, and then tomorrow, they will e travelling to the University of Illinois to participate in Superstate, which is the premier band competition in Illinois. There are 7 bands in our class, and OHS performs at 4:00. Their performance will be streamed live…to watch and listen, click this link.Link to watch Superstate!!! Good luck Panthers…make us proud!!!

Last week, Bradley University Director of Bands David Vroman came to OHS and worked with our top two bands. His insight and rehearsal demeanor were awesome, and collectively we wished it could have lasted all day!!

This past week was a great one for OHS band students, especially the Wind Symphony. It all started on Tuesday, when we found out that they had been selected to the prestigous SuperState Band Competition, one of only seven schools in our class to be selected. They will be competing on Saturday, May 10th, down in Champaign. This has been a great year for the group, who was also selected to play at the All-State conference back in January.

On Wednesday evening, the band opened up for the Western Illinois University Wind Ensemble.

Then, on Saturday, about 75 people took buses from OHS downtown to see the CSO in concert. They gave a great program, and the students got to hear from composer Anna Clyne about her piece on the concert.

MUSIC OF WIZARD OF OZ AND WICKED!!!
Next year is going to be very exciting as we plunge into our second year as a competitive marching band.
Please see the committment letter below for the calendar, cost, and for additional information.
Registration is due May 1st!!!

Committmentletter2014-15

Well, our trip to Washington D.C. and Williamsburg has sadly come to and end. Here were a few musical highlights…
1) When we first stepped off the bus, we had an amazing clinic and rehearsal with the U.S. Navy Band.

2) We had to work our butts off, but had the privilege of playing (in the freezing cold) within steps of the Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and Washington Monument.


3) Our jazz band got to see guitar virtuoso Stanley Jordan at one of America’s premier jazz clubs, Blues Alley.

4) And finally, our marching band gave a spirited (and soaking wet) performance outside Busch Gardens, followed by a day of rollercoasters and shows.

For a more complete list of the hijinks that ensued on our trip, check out our trip blog at www.ohsbanddc.blogspot.com .

Check out our blog for our trip to Washington D.C. with our students…just click here…www.ohsbanddc.blogspot.com. The page will be updated frequently with pictures, updates, and other fun stuff, all in real time. Check back early and often.

In case you need an extra copy, here is the student handbook packet and finalized itinerary for the trip.

Student HandbookPacket

Final Itinerary