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