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!