New Website!

From now on, please refer to www.elmwoodparkbands.info for future announcements, handouts, and information. This blog will still exist, but will no longer be updated. Please update your bookmarks accordingly!

Parade

Nice job in the parade today, everyone! Thanks to the Mrs. Schmidts for helping out with the water.

Remember there's no practice this Thursday! We'll see everyone on Thursday, 7/15. Luis is in charge of getting a picnic together after practice that day, so make sure you touch base with him before then.

Online Drill

Check out the Beatles halftime drill on Youtube! Click any of the links below, and make sure to try them out in fullscreen HD so you can see your drill number once it's assigned to you.

Magical Mystery Tour Opener
Audience View
Drill View

Something
Audience View
Drill View

Can't Buy Me Love/Magical Mystery Tour
Audience View
Drill View

Band Fees

Please remember that band fees are due before the 4th of July parade. You need fees paid to get your polos, and you'll need your polos to march! If possible, try to bring fees to this Thursday's rehearsal to eliminate last-minute crises.

First Marching Band Rehearsal!

Our first rehearsal is this Thursday!

Time: 1:30-3:00PM
Place: EPHS
Bring: ALL MUSIC, marchable shoes, forms, fees, water, and sunscreen

See you there!

EPHS Band Update

EPHS Graduation (Required)
Call time tonight: 6:00PM. Music is Pomp and Circumstance (Grundman) and Folk Dances. Dress is “nice” – shirt and tie for guys, equivalent for girls. No jeans, gym shoes, t-shirts, etc.

Elm Graduation (Extra Credit)
Call time tomorrow: 6:00PM. Get your music from the band room beforehand. Dress is “nice”.

Public Apology
My sincerest apologies go out to Kevin Craddock, Zack LaPuma, and their families. I inadvertently left their names out of the senior recognition at Thursday night's band concert, and I'm truly sorry. Everyone makes occasional mistakes, and I apologize that one of mine had to occur during what should have been your moments in the spotlight. Please accept my apology and my best wishes for your future endeavors.

SL/DM/Freshman BBQ
All EPHS Leadership Team and Freshman – there will be a BBQ here at EPHS on Thursday, June 3rd! I’ll provide the burgers, you provide the pop, chips, cookies, games, etc. We’ll meet at the pavilion near the tennis courts around 11AM.

Summer Band Rehearsals
We will start rehearsing for the 4th of July Parade starting on Thursday, June 10th. We’ll meet in the band room from 1:30-3 that day. Please be on time, with your instrument and all music that was mailed out.

No More Jazz Band
For this year, anyway. No final for Jazz Band! Please make sure you talk to me and register for the class with your counselor for 2010-2011.

Concert Band Uniform Accessories
Please make sure all uniforms, parts, and hangers are returned. You will be billed for them if they don’t come back!

Band/Choir Picnic!

The Band and Choir will be having a picnic during lunch hours on Friday. Come on out to the BBQ near the tennis courts during your lunch time! Please bring something to share with everyone, like chips, side dishes, or pop.

4th of July

In case you haven’t heard, the 4th of July Parade is back on. All Band rehearsals leading up to that will remain the same as announced. Stay tuned for further details.

Graduation Performance(s)

EPHS Graduation (Required)
Date: Monday, 5/24/10
Time: 7:00PM (call time is 6:00PM)
Location: EPHS Gym
Music: Pomp and Circumstance (arr. Grundman), Folk Dances (seniors play Folk Dances only)
Dress: Look nice. Dress pants, shirt and tie for guys. Similar or dress for ladies. No jeans, gym shoes, t-shirts, etc.

Elm Graduation (Optional, Extra Credit!)
Date: Tuesday, 5/25/10
Time: 7:00PM (call time is 6:00PM)
Location: EPHS Gym
Music: Pomp and Circumstance (arr. Kinyon), other music TBA
Dress: Look nice. Dress pants, shirt and tie for guys. Similar or dress for ladies. No jeans, gym shoes, t-shirts, etc.

EPHS Band Update

Pep Tour Friday, 5/14
Band and Swing Choir people will be excused from classes on Friday to attend the Pep Tour. Please be practicing sectional feature tunes before then. Permission slips are due before Friday. Since it won’t be boiling hot on Friday, dress will be Band Polo with blue jeans. Approximate schedule is as follows:

7:30—Load busses and leave EPHS
8:00—Set up and begin at Elm Middle School
8:45-9:15—Tear down from Elm/Travel to John Mills
9:30-10:45—Set up/Perform at John Mills
10:45-12:15—Lunch at Russell’s Barbeque
12:15-12:45 Relax at Central Park
12:50-2:00—Set up/Perform at John Mills
2:15—Return to EPHS

Concert Thursday, 5/20
Our Spring Concert will be on Thursday, May 20th, at 7:00PM in the Auditorium. Call time is 6:00PM. Bring baked goods.

Band/Choir Picnic Friday, 5/21
All Band and Choir members are invited to come out to the pavilion by the tennis courts during lunch hours for a BBQ! Admission is one of the following: chips, dessert, side dish, or pop. (Enough to share.) Popplewell and Rhoades will be grilling. Yes, it will be edible.

Extra Credit Opportunities
If you need extra credit in Band, consider one or both of these options.

Tonight (Tuesday, 5/11) is the Elm Band and Choir Concert. If you say hi to me at the concert and then turn in a program tomorrow with your name on it, you’ll get extra credit.

Elm Graduation is on Tuesday, 5/25 in the EPHS Gym. Mr. Lowrey would like a couple EPHS “ringers” for this gig – particularly on brass instruments. Mr. Rhoades should have music by the end of the week; pick it up and sign up with him at the same time. Extra credit for those people.

Percussion Ensemble
Every Wednesday at 8. Be on time. You can’t use Disney as an excuse every week.

EPHS Graduation Monday, 5/24
All EPHS Band members are expected to perform at the EPHS Graduation. Additional music will be handed out before then. Graduation is at 7:00PM. Call time is 6:00PM. Seniors will join the rest of the band for the Senior Song – Folk Dances.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or e-mail.

If anyone has any good pictures from the Disney trip, please e-mail them to rhoadesk@epcusd401.org and I'll post them here.

Exiting at 1st avenue. Come get your kids :-)

On the Eisenhower. Traffic is ok. ETA: 2:00.

Gary, Indiana. ETA closer to 2:00, depending on Eisenhower traffic.

Newton, Indiana for lunch. Still 1:30 or 2:00 ETA.

Just north of Louisville for breakfast. ETA: 1:30 or 2:00. Stay tuned for more updates.

Greetings from the EPHS Band Room!

MANDATORY Disney Parent Meeting

All students traveling to Disney need to bring their parents to a meeting in the band room on Monday, April 19th at 6:30PM. We will discuss all final details of the trip at this time.

JWPepper.com Listening Assignment

Today is the VERY last day I will accept these assignments. This was a great opportunity to increase your Q4 grade without much work. Last call – you can still get late credit for this assignment. If you need another copy, one was sent out with the last EPHS band update.



If you turned this in on time, thank you very much and enjoy your A! J

Disney Rehearsals

Please remember to report to the band room during A-Lab on Tuesday, 4/20/10 and Monday, 4/26/10. Please practice the Disney music outside of class so these rehearsals are more effective.

Scale Tests

Minor scale tests will begin during band class next Tuesday, 4/20/10. Please be reviewing minor scales #11-#4 at home. This test will be worth 50 points.

Drum Major/Section Leader Tryouts

We can still use more people trying out for DM and SL! Tryouts are after school on 4/20/10-4/22/10. Pick up a packet in the band room. Sections that need more representation: Clarinet, Low Brass/Woodwinds.

EPHS Band Update

Mandatory Disney Meeting
There is a required meeting for all students traveling to Disney AND their parents/guardians on Monday, April 19th. The meeting will begin at 6:30PM in the band room. At the meeting we will discuss all the final details of the Disney trip.



Disney Band Music
PLEASE practice outside of band class! We have only two rehearsals left before we perform!!



Percussion Ensemble
PE is still meeting every Wednesday morning at 8:00. Please be prompt.



JWPepper.com Assignment
Students can still turn in this assignment late for up to half credit. Get it in before Friday. The original assignment is worth 20 points.



Schilke Field Trip
For those students who will be going to Schilke on Thursday – please meet in the band room at 7:50. You are responsible for making up all missed assignments and lessons beforehand. Bring money for lunch. As soon as we’re back to EPHS (during 3rd hour), you should report to class.



Drum Major/Section Leader Tryouts
If you’re interested in trying out for 2010-2011 DM or SL, please take a packet and sign up with Mr. Rhoades before Friday. Tryouts are next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school.

EPHS Band Update

Jazz Café 2010
You can still buy tickets for the 2010 Jazz Café! Mr. Rhoades will accept late orders at the $7 price through this week. Tickets will be $9 at the door. The Jazz Café will be on Wednesday, 3/31/10 at 6:30PM in the EPHS Cafeteria.

Disney Rehearsals
Rehearsals for the Disney trip will begin on Tuesday, 3/30. Due to several conflicts after school, rehearsals will be in the band room during A-Lab. Please make sure you have a pass and please show up ASAP. Thank you to all band students for making your trip payments promptly!

Band Boosters Meeting
The next meeting will be tomorrow, 3/24, at 6:30PM in the band room.

Marching Band 2010
The theme for next year’s marching band show will be Music of The Beatles! Please keep an eye out for music and information in the mail before the end of the school year.

Field Trip Opportunity

In the morning on Thursday, April 15th, students may travel with Mr. Rhoades to take a tour of the Schilke Brass Factory in Melrose Park. There we will learn how brass instruments and mouthpieces are made, and students may have an opportunity to try them out afterwards. When we’re done touring, we’ll stop somewhere for lunch. Students will return before 4th hour begins; they will be expected to return immediately (and quietly) to class when we get back. Transportation will be the EPHS Activity Bus, so participation will be limited to 14 students (brass players will take priority). This field trip is at no cost to you (except for lunch)! Permission slips will be handed out today during Band.

Disney Payments

Final payments are due Monday, 3/15. Contact Mr. Rhoades if you need to know the amount of your last payment.

Candy Sales

Candy Sales will end this week. Please see Rhoades for any last minute purchases!

Private Lessons

If you are interested in taking private lessons, please contact Mr. Rhoades. Students will be given an informational sheet today during 3rd hour.

Band Camp 2010

Band camp will be 8/2-8/6, 8/9-8/10, from 9AM to 3PM. Please remember that Band camp is required for all band students.

Extra Disney Rehearsals

Since the entire band is not traveling to Disney, we will be scheduling a few rehearsals outside of school. There will be some different music for the Disney Band in addition to a few pieces that have already been played. Dates for the rehearsals will be:

Tuesday, 3/30/10, 3-4PM
Tuesday, 4/13/10, 3-4PM
Tuesday, 4/20/10, 3-4PM
Monday, 4/26/10, 3-4PM (or possibly longer if needed)

Please check sport and activity schedules and contact Mr. Rhoades on or before Monday, March 1 with any conflicts that arise.

Concert 2/22

Call time for the concert is 6PM, unless your extra credit tasks say to arrive earlier. Please bring baked goods to share after the concert.

Boosters President

Band Boosters will be looking for a new president at the end of the year. If you may be interested, please contact Pat Craddock at craddockp@epcusd401.org.

Band Candy Fundraiser

Here’s how the candy sale works:

Step 1 Go visit Mr. Rhoades.
Step 2 Buy a box of candy for $1/bar. Different boxes cost different amounts.
Step 3 Sell the candy BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL for $1/bar.
Step 4 Repeat from Step 1.

The boxes of candy each have at least a 50% profit margin, which means at least you get at least 50 cents per candy bar sold. That credit will be taken off your March Disney payment. Find out how much your next payment is so you know how much you should sell! Mr. Rhoades will have the candy available in his office until Thursday, February 11, while supplies last.

The general idea is that you pay in full before you sell – that way Rhoades and Popplewell don’t need to hunt you down for anything. It will be up to you to recuperate your funds once you purchase your box.

Prices per box are as follows:

Skittles/Starbursts Pack $30
Starburst GummiBursts $24
Blue Chocolate Variety Pack $30
Reese’s Big Cup $32
Red Max Box $52

Band people who are not going to Disney – you can still sell! Either pick a good friend and donate your profits, or ask Rhoades to have it added to your student account. This account can be used to pay for Band fees next fall.

DO NOT EXPECT MR. POPPLEWELL OR MR. RHOADES TO MAKE CHANGE! Please pay with exact change or with a check. Rhoades will not hand out any candy without advance payment in full. Checks can be made out to EPHS Choir or EPHS Band Boosters, just like the normal trip payments.

Basketball 2/19

Call time: 6PM
Game time: 7PM
Wear polos and be on time for full credit. We'll be done after halftime so that we can enjoy pizza in the cafeteria with the 8th graders. EPHS students please bring a dessert to share.

Senior Solos

If you're a senior and you'd like an opportunity to play a solo with band accompaniment at the May concert, get an application from Mr. Rhoades and return it by Friday, 1/29/10.

Disney Payment

Your next payment of $200 is due this Friday, 1/15/10.

Chicago/TheatreFest

GREAT JOB to all cast, crew, and pit for a PHENOMENAL performance at TheatreFest! The energy evident in this performance was easily double that of any previous.

Basketball Band 2010

Dates are listed below. Performances are 50 points each. Call time is 6:00PM for a 7:00 game unless otherwise listed. Wear jeans and EPHS Band Polos. Freshman/JV basketball members should report to band as soon as your game is finished. Varsity team members should be present at games for the opposite gender when possible. Notify Mr. Rhoades ahead of time of any conflicts.

Tuesday, 1/12 Girls vs. Luther North
Friday, 1/22 Boys vs. R-B (pack the place)
Monday, 1/25 Girls vs. Lisle
Friday, 2/19 Boys vs. Illiana Christian (8th grade night)