Music program something of a marvel

[slt]

Music program something of a marvel

December 7, 2007

My family lucked into an absolutely incredible music program when we moved into the Indian Prairie School District. My children were young and I didn't know the district had a great program, nor would I have even known it would matter to us. The music program in our schools continues to astound me.

Over the years, my children have participated in orchestra, band, chorus and a variety of musicals. I've been to dozens of performances and have always been impressed. The district is teeming with musical talent.

The elementary school music program has an impressive curriculum and includes an evening musical performance each year for each grade in every school. Fourth and fifth graders have the opportunity to take part in chorus, and a large number of students participate. Fifth graders can join band or orchestra after spending a few weeks learning about all the instrument choices and deciding on the one that's right for them.

The middle schools also have strong band, orchestra and chorus programs. Among the several concerts performed by Granger students each year is the Kaleidoscope concert. This beautiful concert is held in December and all of the music students perform in the decorated gym. Extra-curricular music groups such as Fiddlers, Select Strings, Concert Choir and Wind Ensemble meet before school and perform several times each year. Students especially enjoy taking part in the spring musical. District students from sixth grade on have the opportunity to audition for Illinois Music Educators Association festival and to participate in annual solo/ensemble festivals.

This extensive preparation in the earlier grades leads these gifted musicians into our Grammy Award-winning high school music programs. Waubonsie Valley and Neuqua Valley have been honored by the Grammy Foundation numerous times.

About 20 percent of Waubonsie students participate in music programs. Dozens of concerts are held at Waubonsie and other locations each year. Our students have done particularly well at IMEA, and this year we have 21 students attending the All-State Conference.

I'm usually not the sort of person to gush, but I'm absolutely amazed at the quality of the concerts I've attended at Waubonsie. The most well-known and attended district concerts of the year are Waubonsie's Prism concert and Neuqua's Crystal Concert, both held in December.

This is the 16th year the Prism concert has been held. There will be at least 600 performers in 26 musical ensembles. This is a musical experience I wish I could invite all of you to witness for yourselves, but tickets are very hard to come by. The concert is performed four times over two nights to an audience of almost 3,600.

The Prism concert features a dazzling array of exceptional performers in multiple areas throughout the auditorium. The audience's attention and lights shift from song to song to locations in front, back, center, one side or the other. The finale is absolutely incredible and includes all of the concert participants filling the stage and aisles and providing an unforgettable ending to an incredible evening. This concert would not be possible without the directors, auditorium staff, dedicated music students and numerous parent helpers.

Another huge event every year is the Fine Arts Festival, held at each high school in May. This day-long event features musical performances and art work from students at every grade level. I am amazed each year by the high quality sewing projects and architectural drawings, the furniture, drawings, paintings, and 3-D art projects. This is an excellent chance to see and hear the talents of our students, with no tickets or fees required. Waubonsie has a large and active Tri-M club. Tri-M is an honors music society that does community service. This year's Waubonsie club goal is to raise $50,000 to help start music programs in some schools in Chicago.

It would take a book to fully describe the district's music program and all of its concerts, awards and honors. Many thanks are due to all the people who work so hard for this success.

[e-mail]

[EagleDad]

Looks cool - almost makes a curmudgeon want to try something new

[bob]

eagledad said:

Looks cool - almost makes a curmudgeon want to try something new

I was expecting to see a music on a cart reference.

[EagleDad]

I did say "almost" afterall...

[Arch]

I was thinking something similar about how much better the program would be if they put it all on a cart in all the schools throughout the district. Afterall, studies show the students do better that way.. according to someone in the SD Administration.

On a more real note, I hope they can raise the funding they've set a goal for and even surpass it.

[rew]

We really wanted to attend this year's Crystal Concert, it is impossible to get tickets for unless you have a kid performing.

[warriorpride]

rew said:

We really wanted to attend this year's Crystal Concert, it is impossible to get tickets for unless you have a kid performing.

Same for Prism - no extras, at all

[momto4]

archwinsome said:

I was thinking something similar about how much better the program would be if they put it all on a cart in all the schools throughout the district. Afterall, studies show the students do better that way.. according to someone in the SD Administration.

On a more real note, I hope they can raise the funding they've set a goal for and even surpass it.

From today's WV announcements at
www.ipsd.org/Uploads/news_16901_2.pdf

Tri-M & Winter Guard Fundraiser- Winter Guard Members & Tri-M Music Honor Society are selling gift cards in the amounts of $10
and $20 (or greater) for Texas Roadhouse Restaurant for our winter fundraiser now through December 17th. Contact these
organizations if you'd like to make a purchase. Cards will be mailed to the purchaser's address in time for holiday giving.

10% of the gift card price will go to the fundraiser.

If you want to buy some but don't know any Tri-M kids, feel free to PM me.

[happymom]

I also marvel every year at the Prism concert. Just wondered if anyone attended the Crystal Concert at Neuqua? A few friends who attended told me about the NEW, grand piano that Neuqua has -- cost $100,000.

Too bad WV has moldy band uniforms, instruments that are falling apart and don't work and pianos that only get tuned twice a year and still aren't in tune.

Did NV really need a $100,000 piano? Sorry to be an "unhappy mom", but as an avid band supporter -- I am REALLY tired of the inequities that the schools have as far as resources go.

WV doesn't have a fine arts chair to advocate for the school and with MV on the horizon, will the kids at WV ever get the opportunity to have the uniforms and instruments that NV and MV have?

[lacy]

"HappyMom" - you don't seem one bit happy - how about "Chip on the Shoulder Mom?"

It is my understanding that NVHS is currently raising funds for the piano through private donations - no district money will be spent on the piano. It is also my understanding that it has not been purchased. I am quite certain the district spends the same money to support the fine arts programs at WVHS as they do at NVHS.

Futhermore, my kid plays an instrument that I purchased. No one provided it to me - although I am sure if kids have a financial constraint that the district does help.

Please get your facts straight before you complain next time. I just get so tired of the bashing when people don't even know what they're talking about.

[macy]

happymom said:

I also marvel every year at the Prism concert. Just wondered if anyone attended the Crystal Concert at Neuqua? A few friends who attended told me about the NEW, grand piano that Neuqua has -- cost $100,000.

Too bad WV has moldy band uniforms, instruments that are falling apart and don't work and pianos that only get tuned twice a year and still aren't in tune.

Did NV really need a $100,000 piano? Sorry to be an "unhappy mom", but as an avid band supporter -- I am REALLY tired of the inequities that the schools have as far as resources go.

WV doesn't have a fine arts chair to advocate for the school and with MV on the horizon, will the kids at WV ever get the opportunity to have the uniforms and instruments that NV and MV have?

Happymom,

Is there a band booster organization at WVHS? I know there are many avid music fans at WVHS and some very talented musicians.

I'm pretty sure that the funding for the piano, etc. for the music program at NVHS comes from the boosters organization. Parents and kids work very, very hard to achieve their fundraising goals.

[al]

Happy Mom -

not sure how it works at WVHS, but I've been involved with the band booster parents at NVHS and they contribute what amounts to a full-time job to clean and maintain the uniforms and raise money to fund this. There is a massive volunteer effort making this possible. Also (as mentioned) the piano has not been purchased, and if fundraising goal is reached it is totally by contribution, no district money.

[title1parent]

Yes Al and Macy, there is a VERY active Band Booster organization at WV, who do the same things that you mention.

[happymom]

To clarify........Agreeing with title1parent, there is a VERY active Band Booster org at WV. Our family (parents and extended family) have spent hundreds of hours a year volunteering. The Band Booster organization is not an organization that goes in and purchases instruments, uniforms, etc. We are a support organization of the entire band department. We have over 20 committees where every parent has an opportunity to help out wherever they have the time. Our family is also a Music Patron supporter.

Regarding the instruments. I was referring to school issued instruments (percussion, tubas, sousaphones, specialty instruments). I have 2 students that are in/have gone through the band program. Both students have 2 instruments that our family has purchased (one for marching -- the "student/beginner" instrument and one for concert -- a "professional/concert" instrument). Both of my students have been asked to play a specialty instrument in their particular instrument.

All students at WV rent/own their instruments. It is these "district owned" instruments to which I am referring. Yes, our band has taken the marching band field with instruments (district owned) held together with duct tape. We have had students march with instruments (district owned) that do not work but the students were told to just march in their place and not play.

If I come off as having a chip on my shoulder that is not my intent. As a taxpayer that pays the same percentage as everyone else in this district I am all about EQUITY.

Does every student in middle school read the same selections? No, but each student should be able to read a book with all of the pages.

If every student has to take a timed math test and allowed to use a calculator, is it fair to give some students calculators that work and some students calculators where some of the keys don't work. No.

I don't believe that everyone has to do the exact same thing to receive an equitable education. I do believe that every student in the same school district should be given the same resources so that they have the same opportunity.

Please notice that the only inequitable items I noted were "district provided" items. I completely understand that parents donate money and if NV parents can donate thousands of dollars to extras then (unless the school board has a policy against it) there isn't anything that is technically wrong.

I understand the NV band trailer was a parent donation. WV uses rental trucks. I never mentioned that because I was not picking on parent donations. I know how hard parents who are involved in any of the fine arts programs work. It doesn't matter if your student is in band, chorus, orchestra, drama. If you have ever worked in moving a group of 100+ students on a trip with equipment, it is like moving a small army. Any parent who helps out their respective school is to be commended.

$25,000 of the piano money is coming from NV Grammy money
$25,000 is coming from the Piano Patrol donations (as stated on the form)

I am just curious if the other $50,000 is truly from donations. That is all I asked. A friend asked a school board member and that person is looking into it.

Let's all have a great holiday and wish the best to all the students. My friends said they enjoyed the Crystal Concert and I loved the Prism Concert.

Let's all hope that all the schools (included MV when it's open) have the same opportunities so that no students feels "less than" another student at another school.

[gatormom]

I contacted a SB member. My understanding is the piano will be purchased entirely from the Grammy money and donations.

I think it is wonderful that Neuqua will have this wonderful instrument for their program.

ETA: I have never had the pleasure of attending the Prism concert. I have heard so much praise, I am really looking forward to getting tickets some day when I have a child in the music program at ?? Valley High School. ;D