Posts from — April 2010

Two special events occurred last week, honoring OHS Band students for their excellence, in and out of the band room.

This is the first year that OHS has had a chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. To be a part of Tri-M, students need a minimum GPA, show excellence on their instrument, leadership and exemplary conduct, and be recommended by a teacher. This year’s inaugural Tri-M class from band are:
Ryan Adorjan, Jake Berry, Andrew Bockus, Ken Christy, Joey Corbino, Brad Donati, Erin Doty, Courtney Friesen, Megan Gailey, Hannah Kaitschuk, Mark Hansen, Tom Hopkins, Jenna Kaleel, Joe Kulick, Kayla Lee, Melanie Lloyd, Amanda Muscato, Eric Novak, Jessie Parkhurst, Brandon Ramsey, Bridget Rodino, Jessie Runyon, Mike Scaramelli, Erin Smith, Caitlin Strange, Kevi Stredde, Mike Supej, Alex Takacs, Amanda Watts, Rebecca Webber, Ben Wooley, and Ryan Zerna.

Every year, OHS sends students to participate in the Fox Valley Honor Band. These students rehearse for two days with the best students our area has to offer, and puts on an amazing concert. This years guest conductor was Dale Lonis, conductor of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. The OHS students who participated this year were Matt Adams, Andrew Bockus, Collin Bradley, Brad Donati, Emily Ericson, Josh Fornek, Courtney Friesen, Cassie Johnson, Hannah Kaitschuk, Melanie Lloyd, John Norris, and Mary Watson.

Within one week in mid-April, two outstanding college wind ensembles visited OHS to perform and do clinics with our groups. First off, on Wednesday, April 14th, Thomas Bough and the NIU Wind Ensemble paid a visit to our auditorium and performed an outstanding concert for our entire band program, with our own Wind Symphony opening up for them. One of the pieces they performed featured Mark Ponzo, Professor of Trumpet, and our group was among the first people ever to hear this brand new song. Dr. Bough came in the previous week a did a clinic with the Wind Symphony, working with them on their festival songs.

The next week, on Monday, April 19th, the North Central College Wind Ensemble under the direction of Lawrence Van Oyen came in and did a performance and clinic session with our top freshman group, the Chamber Winds. Because the stage was set up for the play, we had to do the entire session in the band room, which made for a very cramped but cozy atmosphere. After an excellent and varied concert, our students were able to sit amongst the collegiates and play and learn with them. Dr. Van Oyen has a great way of working with young people, and our students got a lot out of the session.