Holiday Break

Dear PSHS Band Families,

This past week, Mr. Cook and I were at the 61st annual Midwest Bands and Orchestras Clinic in Chicago. Each year I look forward to this convention because it allows me to attend clinic sessions with expert conductors, hear amazing concerts, and meet many incredible educators. At a very busy time of the year, I always leave Midwest feeling inspired and re-energized!

Attending this convention makes all of us stop and think about our own programs, students, and music-making experience. This year I felt very proud to say that I work at PSHS with some of the finest students and parents around.

Thank you for your continued support of the PSHS Band Program. Please have a restful and enjoyable holiday break, and I look forward to seeing you all in the new year!

Musically Yours,
Chris Dortwegt

Updated Announcements for Collage Week

1. Collage Concerts are Thursday and Friday (12/13 & 12/14) starting at 7pm. Student call time is 6pm. Thank you to everyone for being flexible with adjusted schedules due to weather this week.
2. Solo & Ensemble registration is due today (12/13). If you missed the deadline, you must get your information and check to us as soon as possible. We will do our best, but we cannot guarantee that we will take late entries.
3. Next Monday is our field trip to Plainfield Central HS where we will watch the University of Illinois Symphonic Band. Cost is $3 to cover transportation. Due to the trip fee, this is not a mandatory event; however, students are strongly encouraged to attend. In-class announcements requested the trip fee and a trip consent form be turned in by today (12/13). If you have yet to turn one in, please do so by the end of this week.
4. Cheesecake pick-up is 12/13 & 12/14 at the Collage Concerts.
   

Collage Rehearsal (12/11) Canceled

The Collage Rehearsal for 12/11 has been canceled due to weather.

As of the time of this message, there is still rehearsal scheduled for tomorrow (12/12) starting at 3:30. The rehearsal will extend until 8:30 due to the loss of today's rehearsal time. Please be sure to bring homework and something to eat during times when you are not performing.

Please check back for updates over the next few days.

Solo and Ensemble

Believe it or not, the Plainfield High Schools Solo and Ensemble Festival is just around the corner on February 16, 2008. For those unfamiliar with this event, the Plainfield High Schools have traditionally run a Solo and Ensemble Festival which generally follows the IHSA Solo and Ensemble guidelines. Students are encouraged to prepare a solo or small group/ensemble to perform for an adjudicator. Performance slots are 15 minutes, meaning that after performing, students will receive approximately 10 minutes of individual instruction time with the clinician. This individual attention does not occur at IHSA Solo and Ensemble Festivals.

Preparing solo and ensemble literature is perhaps the most important avenue to improving as a musician. While learning to play in a large ensemble (such as band) is very important, performing solos and ensembles is where students learn the most about technique, sound, and facility on their respective instruments. We cannot stress enough how important we feel this event is to improving individual musicianship.

Students interested in participating should fill out a "Solo & Ensemble Commitment Form" indicating how many solos and/or ensemble events they are interested in performing. Fees for this festival are: $10 per solo and $15 per ensemble. The ensemble fee is NOT for each member of the ensemble, but rather for the ensemble as a whole, and the cost should be split amongst members of the group.

In addition to the Commitment Form, students should also fill out an "Entry Form" for each event in which they wish to participate. All forms were distributed in class and are available from a band director. Forms and payment are due December 13!

Toys for Tots

This winter the PSHS Bands will be participating in the annual Marine Toys for Tots Foundation toy drive. Please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy to this great cause. All donations can be brought to the PSHS Band office or dropped off at one of the Collage Concert performances on the 13th and 14th. Happy Holidays!

IMPORTANT Announcements for week of 12/3

1. FRUIT SALE PICK-UP DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED!!! Unfortunately we do not have any control over the fruit delivery date, and the fruit company informed us that our fruit will arrive on WEDNESDAY (12/5). Pick-up will be after school on Wednesday from 5-7, during the day on Thursday, and Thursday after school from 3:30-6. If you are unable to pick up your fruit during these times, please make arrangements with us to pick-up at another time. We apologize for the inconvenience.
2. Cheesecake pick-up is scheduled to be 12/13. You may pick up your cheesecakes at the Collage concert that night if you wish.
3. Solo & Ensemble sign up will begin this week. Interest forms will be distributed and must be returned with payment by December 14!
   
4. Collage Concert - Please be aware of the rehearsal and performance schedule for next week:

• Rehearsals - Tuesday 12/11 and Wednesday 12/12 (3:30-8pm)
• Concerts - Thursday 12/13 and Friday 12/14 (7pm)
• There is NO Symphonic Band Rehearsal on Monday 12/10

Phantom of the Opera Trip!

Some photos from ESPN Zone before the show...

Announcements for week of 11/26

We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Below are some important announcements from this week...

1. Thanks to all who attended the Phantom of the Opera! It was a great trip!
2. Student debt invoices were sent home with students before Thanksgiving. Please detach, sign, and return the signature sheet by Friday, November 30. Payment for outstanding debt will be accepted at any time. Please make checks payable to: PSHS Band Boosters. Please also let us know if there are any discrepancies!
3. Pick-up for Cheesecake and Fruit will be the week of 12/10.
4. Auditions for second semester band placement begin 11/27.
5. Pep Band sign-up is now available. Remember that pep band counts towards end of the year awards point totals!
6. Collage Concert - Please check your calendar to make sure you are aware of the following schedule. Attendance is mandatory for all Concert Band and Symphonic Band Students.

• Rehearsals - Tuesday 12/11 and Wednesday 12/12 (3:30-8pm)
• Concerts - Thursday 12/13 and Friday 12/14 (7pm)
• There is NO Symphonic Band Rehearsal on Monday 12/10

Fruit & Cheesecake Sale

The fruit/cheesecake sale is here! Information was sent home in class, but here is a brief run-down:

• Selling Dates: 11/2-11/19
  
• Pickup: Week of 12/10 (exact time TBA)
• Requested sales: $40 fruit & 4 Cheesecakes. If you are unable to sell the requested amount, please try to sell as much as you can! Profits from items sold beyond the requested sales will go into student accounts.
  
• Buyout: $40
• Fruit-- Submit the order form (green and white sheet) AND monies in the accompanying envelope. There is also a "Door Step Direct" order form (white sheet) which may be used if you would like to have the fruit shipped directly to someone living out of the area.
• Cheesecake-- Submit order form (blue and white sheet) AND monies in a SEPARATE envelope.
• ALL MONEY IS DUE 11/19. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Coldstone!

Last Tuesday the PSHS Bands were at Coldstone Creamery in Shorewood selling ice cream! The event was a lot of fun and raised money for the PSHS Band Boosters. Thanks to Coldstone, and to our volunteer helpers: Cosette Bailey, Melanie Goff, Alex Sibley, Kyle Westfall, and Rod Westfall. It was fun to see everyone who showed up!

2007-2008 Jazz Bands

We are happy to announce that due to increased student interest, there will be two jazz bands at PSHS this year: The Jazz Ensemble and the Jazz Lab Band. Audition results have been posted outside the band office.

Rehearsals for the Jazz Ensemble will be with Mr. Cook on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:30. The first rehearsal will be Wednesday, 11/14.

Jazz Lab Band will rehearse with Mr. Dortwegt after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:35-4:35. The first rehearsal will be Tuesday, 11/13. Jazz Lab Band members will be asked to purchase the "Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method" book. Approximate cost is $15, but will vary slightly depending on your instrument. Books will be ordered through the school, so you may purchase them from Mr. Dortwegt directly. The details of this will be discussed at the first rehearsal.

Congratulations to all who auditioned for the PSHS Jazz Bands. We still have a few openings, especially in the trombone and rhythm sections. Please see a director if you are still interested in auditioning.

Announcements for week of 10/29

1. Coldstone - Tuesday night Mr. Cook and Mr. Dortwegt will be at Coldstone Creamery as a fundraiser for the band. Please stop by to say hello and get some ice cream! More details are in the previous announcements.
2. Uniform fee - Please bring $15 to cover the uniform cleaning ASAP.
3. Debt - Please take care of your outstanding debt as soon as possible. Installments are always welcome!
4. November 8 Concert - The first concert of the year will be Nov. 8 at 7pm in the PSHS Auditorium.
5. Next Band Booster Meeting is Nov. 13 at 7pm. Please note the date change due to parent-teacher conferences!
   

Announcements for week of 10/22

1. Coldstone Creamery Fundraiser-- On Tuesday, October 30, Mr. Dortwegt and Mr. Cook, along with a select number of students, will be at Coldstone Creamery in Shorewood working the counter from 6-9pm. The tips from the evening's sales will go to the PSHS Band Boosters. Student helpers for this event will selected based on who volunteered to work the most hours at this weekend's craft show (see below). So...come out, have some ice cream, laugh at your directors a little :) and support the boosters!
2. Band Boosters Fall Craft Show-- The annual fall booster craft show is this weekend, hosted at Plainfield Central High School. Hours for the show are Saturday (9am-4pm) and Sunday (10am-3pm). There will be an incredible amount of crafts and gift ideas, and all proceeds will be split amongst the three Plainfield high school band booster organizations. Students can sign up to help at school. Parents, if you are interested in helping with the craft show, please contact Mr. Cook. Thank you to Mr. And Mrs. Westfall, Margie Bonuchi, and everyone else involved in organizing this event!
3. Scrip-- A new fundraiser for the band program starts this month and will continue through the school year. Scrip is a term that means “substitute money”. When you purchase scrip, you’re purchasing prepaid cards that are used just like cash. You can use scrip to purchase everyday expenses like food, clothing, and other essentials, and with every purchase, you earn revenue for the band boosters. The best part is there is no additional cost to you, aside from the initial purchase. For instance, you might spend $50 for a Jewel card. You retain that entire value when you shop a Jewel, and Jewel donates a percentage to the PSHS Band Boosters. If you are interested in this fundraiser, please obtain a handout at school. You can also e-mail our wonderful Scrip coordinators (Susan Janasik and Karen Kelly) at PSHSBandScrip@yahoo.com.
4. Uniform Cleaning Fee-- $15 should be turned in as soon as possible. Please see previous announcements for more information.
5. Student Debt-- There are still many students with outstanding debt from the marching band season. Please check with a director to see what you owe and let us know a timetable for payment. Thanks!
   

IMEA

Congratulations to tubaist Dave Garon for his successful audition for the IMEA District Band! Dave will represent the Plainfield South Band Program at the IMEA District 9 Festival held on November 17 at Naperville North High School. Acceptance to IMEA is a very prestigious honor reserved for only the very top music students in the area. Please congratulate Dave for his accomplishment, and come out to Naperville North to support him next month!

Announcements for 10/17

Parents and Students,

Some updated items for this week:

1. Friday night's forecast calls for rain. Please do NOT assume that our performance will be canceled if it it is raining. Students are still expected to arrive at 4pm on Friday regardless of weather conditions. A decision to cancel our performance (if necessary) will be made by the directors shortly before game time.
2. This Friday is Senior Night. Seniors will receive an information sheet in class today and need to complete and return it by Thursday. Details about this event will be on the information sheet and will be discussed in class.
3. Thursday's after school rehearsal (10/18) has been canceled! Enjoy your free time!
   
4. There are some additional Phantom of the Opera tickets left! These are open to any parent, student, or sibling. If you would like to attend, please send a signed trip consent form (students only) and a check for $85 (made payable to PSHS Band Boosters) to Mr. Dortwegt.
5. We are in need of parents with sewing abilities! Though we already have some incredible parents helping with our concert uniform alterations, we could use more help. Let Mr. Cook know if you are interested.
   

Announcements for week of 10/15

Parents and Students,

This week is our final week of marching band. Please note the following announcements:

1. Monday Rehearsal (ALL students) 6-9pm.
   
2. Concert Uniform fitting will occur on Monday 10/15. Female students: Please see the announcement below about bringing your concert dress shoes to rehearsal.
3. Students will be assessed a $15 uniform fee. Payment will be accepted starting this week. This fee covers cleaning/alterations for both the marching and concert band uniforms. See the Rules and Regulations book for more info.
4. Thursday Rehearsal (ALL students) 3:35-4:35pm. ---CANCELED---
   
5. Friday Football Game - Homecoming & Senior Night - Call time is 4pm. We will perform our competitive show, and seniors will be recognized with their parents before the game. More info will be provided in class later this week.
6. Those who have not yet paid for meals at either the Downers Grove or U of I competitions must turn in their payment as soon as possible.
   

U of I Marching Competition

Congratulations to the PSHS Marching Band for placing 7th against a very strong field this past Saturday at the University of Illinois Illini Marching Band Festival. We had a great day in Champaign, having the chance to perform in Memorial Stadium in front of a very large audience. One of the highlights of the evening was seeing the Marching Illini, one of the top collegiate marching bands in the country, perform their pregame and halftime shows.

Thank you to everone who helped make this weekend and this marching season a success. We especially want to thank the chaperones, uniform crew, pit crew, and the Lehpamers for organizing our meals at Downers Grove and U of I. Most of all, thanks to each student for your hard work and dedication this fall!

Concert Uniform Fitting

During the evening rehearsal on Monday, October 15, our fantastic uniform parents will be here to fit students for concert uniforms. For new-comers to the program, concert dress for male students includes school-provided tuxedo pants, jacket, vest, and bow tie. Male students must provide a tuxedo shirt, black shoes, and black socks. Female students are provided with a concert dress, and must provide their own close-toe black shoes. For more info regarding required items for concerts, please see p. 14 of the 07-08 Rules and Regulations Book.

ATTENTION! The uniform parents have requested that FEMALE STUDENTS BRING THEIR BLACK CONCERT SHOES WITH THEM TO REHEARSAL on Monday, October 15. When sizing dresses, knowing the shoe height is essential to selecting the correct dress length! Thank you in advance for your help!

Announcements for week of 10/9

Parents and Students,

It's hard to believe, but the end of marching season is rapidly approaching. This Saturday is our last marching band competition, held at the University of Illinois. Call time and other info regarding this is below. Next week will be our last week of marching rehearsals, as we prepare for our final home football game. Then it is on to concert season! Below are some annoucements regarding the next few weeks.

Go Marching Cougars!
Mr. Cook & Mr. Dortwegt
__________________________________

Announcements:
1. Upcoming Events:

10/11 3:35-4:35pm Rehearsal (after school)
10/13 U of I Competition (see below)
10/15 6-9pm Rehearsal
10/18 3:35-4:35pm Rehearsal (after school)
10/19 Final Home Football Game (4pm call time)

2. U of I Competition

Below is the tentative schedule for 10/13.
11am Rehearse
12am Load Equipment/put on uniform pants
12:45 Depart PSHS
3:45 Arrive at U of I, unload
4:10 Watch PHS-CC performance
4:30 Get ready for performance
6:30 PERFORMANCE
6:45 Dinner (Provided at a cost of $3 per student)
7:45 Marching Illini Performance
8:15 Awards
8:45 Depart
11:00 Arrive back at PSHS (approx.)

Please note that dinner is offered at a cost of $3. Please turn in money to Mr. Dortwegt ASAP. Also, if you have not paid for last week's Downers Grove meal, that cost is $5. Copies of the schedule are available outside the directors' office.

Downers Grove South Mustang Music Bowl

The Mustang Music Bowl Competition held at Downers Grove South High School this past Saturday was a great success for the PSHS band. Although the band did not come home with any awards, the progress made in the past three weeks since the Naperville Competition was evident. The performance was much more musical and visually exciting; however, we still have a LOT of work to do! Students - How much better can you get this week before our last competition???

8th Grade Band Night '07

The PSHS band was excited to host 8^th grade band night at this past Friday’s home football game. The afternoon began with a combined rehearsal with the high school and middle school bands, giving the 8^th graders a chance to see what high school band is all about. Students also had a chance to mingle and get to know each other during the pizza dinner provided by the PSHS Band Boosters.

The pregame and halftime performances were the highlight of the evening, however, as both Aux Sable and Drauden Point’s bands combined to perform the Star Spangled Banner and PSHS School Song. At halftime, the Aux Sable band, directed by Mr. Brent Rathgeb, gave a great performance of “When the Saints Go Swingin’ In.” Not to be outdone, Drauden Point gave an equally exciting performance of “Bang the Drum All Day.” The PSHS Band then concluded the performance with a unique rendition of “What I Like About You.”

Congrats to all of the 8^th grade students on a great evening!

Upcoming Events and Announcements

Students and Parents,

Below are some important announcements regarding upcoming events…

1. Upcoming Performances:

October 5 – Home football game vs. PNHS (4pm call)

October 6 – Downers South Competition (12:30pm call)

October 13 – U of I Marching Competition (call time TBA)

October 19 – Homecoming football game (4pm call)

2. Upcoming Rehearsals:

October 4 3:35-4:35pm rehearsal

October 8 Columbus Day – NO SCHOOL / NO REHEARSAL.

October 10 6-9pm MAKE-UP rehearsal

October 11 3:35-4:35pm rehearsal

3. Phantom of the Opera Trip

Students are invited to attend the PSHS band trip to see the famous Phantom of the Opera musical on November 20. Ticket price is $85 and includes transportation by coach bus, dinner at ESPN Zone, and excellent seats! Tickets are limited, and sign up for the trip has already filled up. For those on the sign up list already, your spot is currently reserved, and money is due Tuesday, October 9. If there are students on the sign-up sheet who have not paid by the end of the day on October 9, their tickets will no longer be reserved and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis to anyone with payment. Be sure to turn in your money and trip consent form ASAP!

4. Band T-shirts

Band T-shirts are in! They were designed by Aaron Tarlini and look great! If you have not paid for your shirt yet, they are $10.

Questions? E-mail or call us!

Mr. Cook & Mr. Dortwegt

Plainfield Community Parade

Downtown Plainfield was the place to be last Saturday as the PSHS Band marched in the Plainfield Community Parade. The Cougar Marching Band represented Plainfield South well by putting on a great performance in front of thousands of bystanders. Enjoy the photos above courtesy of Ms. Adams!

Naperville Central Competition

Congratulations to the PSHS Cougar Marching Band for its success at the Naperville Central Marching Classic on September 15! The band received 3rd place honors in class AAA!

For many students in the band, this was their first marching competition. A “great job” goes out especially to all first year members! You are no longer rookies! We’re proud of you!

Thanks to all the parents and supporters who came out to watch the performance. Students - you did a great job on the field and were very respectful in the stands. Keep up the good work!

Football Game vs. Plainfield Central

The Cougar Marching Band kicked off its performance season on Friday, September 14, at the home football game against Plainfield Central. The evening was a great success (musically...that is) and the band entertained all with a lively halftime performance which included the tunes "What I Like About You" and "Time Warp."

Other highlights of the evening included the stand tunes and cheers led by the drum majors. Congrats to all for a great performance in support of our Cougar football team! Thanks much to Mrs. Tarlini for the photos!