Prairie Grove Bands
Announcements
All info for students can be found on their respective Google Classroom pages.
Upcoming Events
MARCH, 2024
Mundelein Jazz Invitational (contest event for Jazz Band 1)
March 9 (Sat.), 5:00pm Performance, Mundelein HS
McTeacher Night (Jazz 1)
March 14 (Thurs.), 5:30pm Performance, McDonald’s at Rts. 31 and 176
IGSMA District Contest (contest event for Advanced Band and Jazz Band 1)
March 16 (Sat.), 2:10 and 3:30 Performances, Bernotas MS
APRIL, 2024
Prairie State Middle School Band Festival (event for Advanced Band)
April 13 (Sat.), 1:30pm Performance, Plainfield East HS
Dress Rehearsal for Shared Jazz Concert @ PRHS (Jazz Band 1 and Jazz Band 2)
April 18 (Thurs.), 7:00pm, Prairie Ridge HS theater
Shared Jazz Concert @ PRHS (Jazz Band 1 and Jazz Band 2)
April 23 (Tues.), 6:00pm report, doors open 6:45pm, performance 7:00pm PRHS theater
IGSMA State Band Contest (contest event for Advanced Band, if invited)
April 27 (Sat.), times TBD (morning or afternoon), Location TBD
MAY, 2024
IGSMA State Jazz Contest (contest event for Jazz Band 1, if invited)
May 4 (Sat.), times TBD (morning or afternoon), Location TBD
PG46 Fine Arts Night (Jazz 1 & Advanced Band Chamber Ensembles)
May 15 (Wed.), time and further info TBD, PG46
Spring Band Concert (Beginning & Cadet Bands)
May 22 (Wed.), 6:00pm report time, doors open 6:45pm, performance 7:00pm, PG46
Spring Awards Concert (Concert, Advanced, Jazz 2, and Jazz 1)
May 23 (Thurs.), 6:00pm report time, doors open 6:45pm, performance 7:00pm, PG46
Beginning Band Information Night for 2024-2025 Beginning Band Families
May 28 (Tues.), 7:00pm, PG46 Multipurpose Room
JUNE, 2024
Jazz 1 opening for Shout Section Big Band
June 2 (Sun.), 6:30pm Performance, ROXY Lockport
Weekly Schedule Overview
Beginning Band
Morning Band Rehearsal: Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 8:05-8:45am
Lessons: Mondays/Thursdays (depends on instrument) according to rotating schedule
Cadet Band
Class Rehearsal: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:10-11:45am
Lessons: Wednesdays according to rotating schedule
Concert Band
Class Rehearsal: Mondays and Fridays 9th period (2:10-2:45pm)
Lessons: Fridays according to rotating schedule
Advanced Band
Class Rehearsal: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9th period (2:10-2:45pm)
Lessons: Tuesdays according to rotating schedule
Jazz Band 2
Morning Rehearsal: Tuesdays, 7:15-8:00am
Jazz Band 1
Morning Rehearsal: Wed. & Fri. 7:15-8:00am
Lessons: Thursdays according to rotating schedule
Meet the Director
Mr. Jeff Crylen, Band Director
Mr. Crylen became the Band Director at Prairie Grove CSD 46 in 2018. His duties at Prairie Grove include directing the Beginning Band, Cadet Band, Concert Band, Advanced Band, Jazz Band 1, Jazz Band 2, and small group lessons for all band students. Under Mr. Crylen's direction, the Prairie Grove Bands have been represented at the state and national level, including performance at the Illinois Music Education Conference (2022: Jazz Band 1, 2024: Advanced Band) and the Jazz Education Network Conference (2024: Jazz Band 1 in New Orleans, Louisiana).
Additionally, the Prairie Grove Bands have consistently earned Division I ratings at local and state festivals, including the Illinois Grade School Music Association district and state band festivals, the Jazz in the Meadows festival, and the Mundelein Jazz Invitational (2023: JH Outstanding Section Award - Trumpets & Trombones). Students have also frequently earned Division I ratings at Solo & Ensemble contest. Outside of Prairie Grove, Mr. Crylen also serves as the Assistant Marching Band Director and Director of Jazz Studies at Prairie Ridge High School. He has also served as an adjudicator for Solo & Ensemble and Large Ensemble Organizational contests.
In addition to his various teaching responsibilities, Mr. Crylen is also an active musician as a member of the trumpet section with the Northshore Concert Band and the cornet section with the Chicago Brass Band. He has also performed as a member of the trumpet sections with the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra and the Wheaton Municipal Band.
Mr. Crylen earned his Bachelor of Music Education and his Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he graduated with Honors. He is a recipient of the prestigious Mark H. Hindsley Award for his commitment and musical contributions to the University of Illinois Bands Program. He is also a Founding Member of the Nu Xi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity. In February of 2021, he was honored to have received the Star 105.5 February "Teacher of the Month" Award.
Mr. Crylen is an active member of the Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA), Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA), Jazz Education Network (JEN), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the National Band Association (NBA). Outside of his involvement in music, he enjoys watching baseball (Go, Cubs, Go!) and spending time with family, friends, and his wife, Karen, and their dog, Maple. Of course, he would be remiss if he did not mention his love of (or, perhaps, addiction to) coffee, particularly Dunkin' Donuts.