Today, Don Shupe, one of the most heralded and respected high school directors around, came to work with the wind symphony on “Armenian Dances”, a very difficult piece that they are planning on doing for festival later this year, and recording to apply for some prestigious events next year.

This past week, the Suburban Prairie Honor Band Festival occurred at Plainfield North high school. After being rescehduled because of weather on Tuesday, the event finally happened on Thursday, February 11th. Students rehearsed in an “all-star” kind of band for the majority of the day, then gave a fantastic concert at night. The students selected to go this year were Matt Adams, Matt Memming, Alissa Cullen, Jennifer Moore, Rick Tormey, Kendra Lee, Coltan Parker, Deanna Reichardt, Ken Christy, Ken Citro, Brad Donati, Kayla Lee, Bridget Rodino, Eric Novak, Joey Corbino, and
Ryan Zerna.

Nationally, April is Jazz Appreciation Month. Around Oswego though, we celebrate a little earlier. The top jazz band recorded their application CD for the Essentially Ellington competition in New York. You can listen to our recordings in the Performances link of the Jazz page.

Next, the top jazz band participated in the NIU JazzDay, where schools from all over Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa come to receive a clinic by NIU professors, see the acclaimed NIU Jazz Ensemble play, and see masterclasses on their individual instruments. Our band played very well and received feedback on some tunes we will be playing at contest later this month. A couple individuals received some serious honors, as senior trombonist Justin Smith received an Outstanding Soloist award, and saxologist Maddie Vogler received a scholarship to come for Combo Day, where some of the best individuals from all over the Midwest come to jam with coaching by the NIU staff.

Justin Smith

Maddie Vogler

The next day, we hosted our annual JazzFest here at the OHS Auditorium. There were 9 bands that attended, including our two, Oswego East, Traughber and Thompson, 2 from Yorkville, Plainfield East, and Gwendolyn Brooks MS from Harvey. Our clinicians were trumpeter/bandleader Ian Torres and guitarist Don Tisch. Each band performed and received a clinic from both artists, and at the end, they sat in with OHS on a song to the delight of the crowd. For pictures of JazzFest, click here.

Ian Torres and Don Tisch work with Thompson MS

This year, The Oswego East Performing Arts Center is hosting a Battle of the Bands. We know there are several band students that play other instruments and may play in bands outside of school. If your band would like to participate, please click on this link for the application. The grand prize in a 10 hour recording session where you can do whatever you want in a real recording studio. The date of the Battle of the Bands is Saturday, March 6th at 6:00PM. Check it out!!!