District band festival unites area music students
Band students from six grade schools, middle schools and high schools gathered at ACHS on Tuesday, May 5th for District 117's annual band festival. Deborah Sheldon, professor of music education at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, was the guest conductor for the day.
Sheldon worked with younger band students in the morning, turning her attention to the advanced band students in the afternoon. Band members rehearsed selections that they had been preparing for weeks at their home schools.
In the evening performance, band students from every school played together in a program of patriotic and traditional songs. High school honors band members were in the spotlight with their own number, "Second Suite in F" by Holst.

Percussion Ensemble Concert a Success!

The first-ever ACHS Percussion Ensemble concert, on Apr 27, featured ensembles and solos.  Pictures are available on the school's shared folders:  

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ACHS Adv. Winds combines with LCHS Winds to create D117 Honors Band at District Band Festival

The top bands at Antioch Comm HS and Lakes Comm HS will be combining together for a honors band performance at the annual District Band Festival.  Though this idea has been in the works for a few years, it is the first time the concert bands have combined.  The plans are that this district ensemble will become an annual tradition.  This may eventually evolve to a group that travels to represent the best of D117.  A recording of their first rehearsal is available:   http://d117honorband.wikispaces.com/ 

The District Band Festival is at 7 pm on Tuesday, May 4 in the Main Gym at ACHS.  The festival combines all D117 and sender school instrumental music students into a massive 500 member ensemble.  Admission is free.  Student call time is 6 pm.  8th grade parents have a short informational meeting presented by the boosters organization at 6:15 pm in the auditorium. Students are excited to have Dr. Deborah Sheldon as their guest conductor.

Bands Take Div I and II at IHSA Organizational Contest

On 4/17, the ACHS concert bands and jazz band performed at the 2010 IHSA Organizational Contest held at Lakes Community High School.  Advanced Wind Ensemble received a Division I rating.  Out of a possible 40 points, the three judges gave us 37.9, 37.4, and 37.0.  Comments include: "NICE FFF!  Great warmth!  Good work with phrasing.  Great solos!  Good separation of notes.  Nice vocal intro.  Very nice lines!  Great dynamic contrast, and good restraint by the percussion section!  Very nice bones!  Excellent overall rhythmic feel, especially on the syncopation!"  and, in reference to Cloudburst, "Very cool to the EXTREME!" The Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble received a high Division II rating. Out of a possible 40 points, the three judges gave us 36.0, 34.3, and 31.0.  Comments included, "Opening trumpets - YEAH! & Horns too!  Nice matching flutes.  Nice double tongue in trumpets!  Nice performance.  Good dynamic contrast, good energy" and in reference to articulation, "Yes!  Good work, great matching."  The Jazz Band also received a Division I rating.

Check out the recordings under the "video" tab!