Homepage of the Oswego High School Band Program

WOODSTOCK!!!! This iconic music festival, it’s music, and musicians, will be celebrated with a rip-roaring show out in Panther Stadium all year long. The songs we will be performing are “Travelin’ Band” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, “House of the Rising Sun” made popular by the Animals, “Pinball Wizard” by the Who, and “All Along the Watchtower”, performed by Jimi Hendrix. The show is sure to rock your “stocks” off

The OHS Jazz Ensemble and the OEHS Jazz Ensemble had the distinction of playing at the Oswego District 308 50th Anniversary Gala. Besides commemorating this momentous event, three individuals were inducted into the OHS Hall of Distinction, including former House Speaker Dennis Hastert. For several students, it was their first “paid” gig. (we were fed steak and chicken) Enjoy some pictures!!!

The OHS Jazz Season is nearing it’s end, though it was marked with some great events and better music. It started back in October with auditions, where students were placed in one of two jazz bands. We welcomed several guests to work with the bands, including guitarist Brian O’Callaghan, pianist Scott Mertens, VanderCook sax and jazz professor Tony Kidonakis, trombonist Eric Miller, percussionist extraordinaire Vern Spivak, and three individuals who did sectionals with Jazz 1 all year long, trombonist Luke Malevicz, trumpeter and Oswego 308 employee Clint Hafenrichter, and saxologist Rich Moore. Jazz 1 competed in the Rolling Meadows JazzFest, and auditioned for the 16th annual Essentially Ellington competition. Both bands competed in the NorthShore JazzFest, where Jazz 1 took third place in their division. And if that weren’t enough, members of both bands played several times on our trip to Memphis and New Orleans, places instrumental in the founding of this great American tradition. Jazz1 has one more gig this Saturday, at the Oswego 308 50th anniversary dinner. Enjoy these pictures from JazzNite March 11th, which featured special guest sax and clarinetist Rich Moore.

On April 9th, the Oswego Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony are traveling to the Hersey Band Invitational. At this event, there will be professional recordings made of all the bands, which will be sold for $15. If you would like to order one of these ahead of time to save $5, click below for the order form.
Link for early CD order form

For those of you going on the Memphis/New Orleans trip, the countdown is definitely underway. We leave bright and early for Memphis on Monday the 21st, and return on Saturday the 26th. If you did not have a chance to get to the meeting to hear the information, school policy dictates that we have you sign a sheet that says that you have read and understand all the rules associated with a trip of this magnitude. Click below for the trip handbook.
2011 Trip Handbook

Also, even if you are not going on the trip, you can follow along with the band by our trip blog…just click below!!!
OHS Trip Blog

This year, in honor of Oswego District 308′s 50 year anniversary, the Oswego Foundation for Educational Excellence is sponsoring several great workshops for students interested in the arts. These workshops range from songwriting, to improv comedy, to dance and visual art. These workshops are free and will be taking place over the next 6 weeks. Students can use these for Patrons of the Arts credit as well!! If you are interested, click on the above picture, and look to the right….you will see a link for register for workshops, and simply choose the one(s) you want. If you have any questions, see Mr. Schoenbach or Mr. Skura in the art wing.

Our seven All-State musicians!!!

The OHS Band Program has great students every year, both on and off the stage. This year, several members of the bands were named Illinois State Scholars, an honor based on SAT and ACT scores and class rank. These students were Bradly Donati, Courtney Friesen, Hannah Kaitschuk, Kayla Lee, Melanie Lloyd, Jessica Parkhurst, Jeremy Perez, Bridget Rodino, Jessica Runyon, Michael Supej, and Benjamin Wooley.

Junior clarinetist Courtney Petoskey is a star on the bowling team, and this season posted her first 300 game!!!!

Lastly, (and perhaps most important for us) eight of our students were named All-State musicians by the state of Illinois, and will be participating in a festival at the end of January in scenic Peoria. They are…
Joey Corbino, Hannah Kaitschuk, Amanda Muscato, Eric Novak, Jessie Runyon, Maddie Vogler, and Ben Wooley.  Ryan Zerna was also named, but is unable to attend. This is the most All-State performers we have ever had (we think).

On behalf of the OHS Music department, we want to thank all of the students, teachers, staff, and parents who made this years Crystals such a success. We sold 1,929 tickets, one away from last year’s record. Aside from some humorous “blizzards” on stage, the performances went off great, and we have many people to thank for it. First off, thanks to the Messmers for all of the outstanding decorations, and for giving up their time to do them. Thanks to the band parents and boosters who staffed tickets and all of the backstage areas. Thanks to the custodial staff for helping clean the auditorium up each day. Thanks to our administration for supporting us. And lastly, thanks to the students for making this years performances come together so easily.

Former OHS band student Chad O’Brien is currently attending the Eastman School of Music, one of the most prestigious musical institutions in the country. He has taken on the task of composing a jazz octet and wants to record and perform the piece in February. To rent the studio space, he needs some financial backing. If you know Chad, or just want to support creative music, check out this link which will tell you how you can donate.
Donate to Chad O’Brien
You can also check out his own website at www.chadobrien.com.

Enjoy these shots from our concerts this past November 10th and 11th.