Watch Out EIU!

In November the opportunity for JH students to apply for an honor band at EIU arose. Many interested students sent in applications with my recommendations on the back. However, as with an honor group only a few were selected. The EPGJHS Bands are proud to contribute four members to the Eastern Illinois University Honor Band.

Students selected were Tess Pala(Percussion), Justin Skare(Clarinet), Amy Fairburn(Flute), and Blade Parrish(Baritone). I will accompany them for a day on campus at the new Doudna Fine Arts Center in Charleston.

EIU offers a unique opportunity because not many universities do honor bands for JH students. The festival consists of a full day of rehearsals and clinics with nationally recognized composers/conductors. At 4:30PM on Sat February 7th all are welcome to attend the culmination concert which will feature the JH honor bands as well as the EIU Wind Symphony.

Please give these students a congratulations if you see them. It's truly a great accomplishment. They are well on their way to becoming the next big thing in the high school music department.

Local Band Student Goes to California

Music can take you many places in life. EPGHS Junior, Sarah Fairburn knows this first hand as she recently used her talents to take her all the way to sunny California. Sarah spent the first few days of 2009 working with student-musicians from all of the country as she played trumpet for the Tournament of Roses Parade. Sarah was selected by audition and director reccommendation to perform with the All-American Marching Band. The main event was marching a the 5.5 mile parade. That's over 5 times the size of the El Paso-Gridley Homecoming Parade!

The types of people in band programs seem to be consistent across the country. "It was great to meet all these people, but a lot of them reminded me of members of our own band." Sarah said, all smiles as she told the band about her trip during our first week back.

"These experiences are vital for our students. It's very rewarding to see them using the skills they develop in our classes to get out and really do something. I hope more students gain these types of experiences through our programs at EPG."
- Mr. Freesen

HOIC Selection Results

The following students were selected for the HOIC Honor Band. The concert will be on March 19th at the BCPA, in Bloomington. Please support these students and the conference by attending this event.
Danny Hermes – Alto I
Jessica Bigger – Baritone
Kate Flanagan – Baritone
Tylene Joye – Clarinet II
Lauren Kapraun – Flute II
Miranda Bunting – Horn I
Ben Mock – Horn III
Sam Stuckel – Percussion
Andy Barnard – Percussion
Andrew Durham – Tenor Sax
Bobby Dickison – Trom. III
Mark Rhodes – Trumpet I
Jeff Delaney – Trumpet I

Words From Our Students

As I finish up my planning for a busy Monday I have a stack of finals next to me on the couch. After the students have answered questions about terms, literature, and theory they write a few short answers. My last short answer question is as follows; "Define your favorite moment of band so far this year."

I learned my content and how to conduct in my college coursework. However, no class prepared me for the way it feels to really reach students. You know that feeling that I'm not only teaching music, but something more important than that. As I look forward to a new semester and the unlimited opportunities that are before us, I would like to show some of what our students are saying about their experiences. I promise not to bore you with all of them!

My Favorite Moment Was...
"...when we won the percussion trophy. It show us that hard work between the battery and front ensemble can achieve great things." - Junior Percussion
"...in sectionals we would tell crazy stories that made us laugh. The first game because it was the first time to show what we have done." - Junior Brass
"...winning all those amazing trophies for the MT. It's a great accomplishment for me to be so dedicated to something that I never expected to like doing. - Sophomore Percussion
"...the competitions. We get L.O.s and win a lot. The competitions make all the practices worthwhile" - Sophomore Woodwind
"...our last competition when we FINALLY beat Tri-Valley." - Junior Brass
"...at Metamora. I like the whole time. I loved marching in the parade, the field show...It was pretty awesome." - Freshman Woodwind
"...at Mahomet-Seymour when we went up against really good bands and still managed to rank fairly high." - Junior Brass
"...was making the 'free high fives' sign and spinning around like airplanes for our skit(during band olympics)" - Sophomore Woodwind
"...was being with friends. I'm not usually the one to go up in front of people to perform, but when I go up the group it's better." - Freshman Woodwind
"There were so many. Whether it be winning best major overall, performing our ridiculous skit...this year has been great. My favorite is going to DQ after rehearsals. Being able to talk and laugh with my friends, my bandmates, give us something to laugh about in practices and brought us closer together." - Senior Woodwind
"...watching the Rich Central school. They were awesome!!(but not as awesome as us) - Freshman Woodwind
"...when I did well and got a part I had never done before when I was on the field. I had a lot of fun this year and am very ancouraged to do it again, but better, next year." Freshman Woodwind
"...the Christmas Concert jazz band. The jazz band got a standing ovation after we played Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. We totally stole the show." - Junior Woodwind
"...when we won all our awards it was awesome. Hanging with Harrison and doing as great as we did made me feel a lot more confident. Plus, just being with the band can't be beat." Junior Woodwind
"...the first time we marched the last set of the show while playing. It was such a relief." - Sophomore Percussion
"...going to EIU honor band. It was an awesome learning experience. It exposed me to a whole new experience and was a great opportunity to able to play with students of exceptional skill. The music was cool too." - Junior Percussion

I guess it shouldn't shock me that none of them wrote about learning their Circle of 4ths. I wish so many of them wouldn't have exempted my test so I could've read more responses.

Thanks for letting me share these thoughts with you as we start the new semester!

In Music -
Mr. F

2008 Show Video

Here's the final set of links for "Aerodynamics:A Celebration of Flight". Click the links to go straight to Youtube clips. Thanks again to Ann for putting this together!

Halloween Show Performance

Mahomet-Seymour Performance

I couldn't have been happier with this season. Go MT!!