Jazz Band Update

Post date: Jan 14, 2009 11:04:22 PM

Greetings Jazz Band Students & Families:

The UHS Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo are off to a great start. The students have been working hard to prepare for our upcoming performances and I wanted to take a moment to give everyone an update regarding the UHS Jazz program.

-Jazz Band Parent Meeting:

I would like to have a brief meeting with all the jazz band parents to discuss our upcoming events (concerts, festivals, fundraisers, etc.). Do you have a preference for this meeting time? Feb. 4, or Feb. 5 @ 7pm. Please email Mr. Hall with your preferred meeting date. Thanks!

-Jazz Band Coordinator:

Do you enjoy planning, working with volunteers, and supporting your student in jazz band? Well... you may be just the person we're seeking! We're looking for a parent volunteer to act as the UHS Jazz Band Coordinator. This person would assist with the process of finding chaperons and volunteers for our upcoming Jazz Band performances & festivals. Please contact Mr. Hall (lhall@usd116.org) if you're interested. Thanks!

-New Jazz Combo Instructor:

It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you Jacob Stimmel as the UHS Jazz Combo instructor. Jacob is a Jazz Studies major at the University of Illinois and an excellent guitarist, musician, and teacher. Many thanks to the UHS Band Boosters for providing the financial support for this new position!

-Jazz Band Fees & Forms:

If you have not done so already, please complete the Jazz Band student agreement form and return it to Mr. Hall as soon as possible with the Jazz Band fee. Thanks!

-UHS Jazz Combo Cancellation Info:

Although school has been canceled for Thursday, January 14th, Jazz Combo will still have rehearsal at UHS from 4pm to 6pm on Friday, January 15th. If the weather gets worse for Friday and it becomes necessary to cancel the rehearsal, we will post a message on the UHS Band Web Site http://urbana-bands.org

-UHS Jazz Band Regular Rehearsal Info:

Jazz Ensemble - Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays 7am-7:40am

Jazz Combo - Fridays 4pm-6pm

-UHS Jazz Band Calendar Updates:

CANCELED - Jan. 23 - Field Trip/Clinic at Champaign Central High School for a clinic with the University of Nebraska Jazz Band. The field trip was not approved due to the fact that the school does not allow field trips during the first two weeks of a new semester.

OPTIONAL (but strongly recommended) - Jan. 23 Go see the Champaign Central HS Jazz Bands and the University of Nebraska Jazz Ensemble perform at Iron Post at 5:30pm, January 23rd. $5 cover to benefit the U of Nebraska ensemble.

TBA - Jazz Band Parent Meeting, 7pm (Feb. 4 or Feb. 5 TBA)

Feb. 5 - UHS Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal with guest conductor John Currey, Director of Bands at Champaign Central High School. Students will be released from their 8th period classes to participate in this clinic/rehearsal. The rehearsal will run from 2:26 to 3:45.

Feb. 10 - UHS Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Combo Performances @ USD116 Band Festival Dinner

Feb. 21 - UHS Jazz Ensemble Performance with the Champaign Central HS Jazz Ensemble @ Regent Ballroom, 3pm

Feb. 24 - UHS Jazz Ensemble Performance @ Bradley University Jazz Festival (all day)

March 14 - UHS Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Combo Performance @ Mundelein Jazz Festival

April 3 or 4 - UHS Jazz Ensemble Performance @ Organizational Contest

April 24 - (tentative) Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Combo Performances at Champaign Central High School Jazz Festival (evening performance)

Happy New Year! And thanks for your continued support!

Mr. Hall

lhall@usd116.org