McCracken Middle School Band » News and Announcements

2010 IMEA All-State Conference

Chip De Stefano — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:25:09 +0000

Great news! Congratulations to the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band for being invited to present a concert at the 2010 Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference.

Our performance will take place January 28, 2010 at 7:15p – 7:45p in the Peoria Civic Center Theatre. We are sharing this double performance session with the amazing Libertyville High School Wind Ensemble 8:00p – 8:30p.

More information when we have it.

3rd Quarter Honor Roll

Chip De Stefano — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:38:41 +0000

Congratulations to all of our band members who performed very well academically during 3rd quarter. 41 out of 46 Symphonic Band members made the Honor Roll or High Honor Roll. 25 out of 35 Intermediate Band and Concert Band members placed on the Honor Roll or High Honor Roll as well.

Great work everyone!

2009 Midwest Clinic Performers Announced

Chip De Stefano — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:34:09 +0000

The Midwest Clinic has announced the 2009 Midwest Clinic Performers. As always it’s great to see many Illinois ensembles invited to perform:

- Neuqua Valley High School Wind Ensemble (Naperville, IL, Charles Staley, Jr., Conductor)
- VanderCook College of Music Symphonic Band (Chicago, IL, Charles T. Menghini, Conductor)
- Vernon Hills High School Symphony Orchestra (Vernon Hills, IL, Frank Lestina and Fran Fatta, Conductors)
- Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble (DeKalb, IL, Ronald Carter, Director)
- Warren Township High School Jazz Ensemble (Gurnee, IL, Drew Russell, Director)
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass (Chicago, IL)

2009 Superstate Schedule

Chip De Stefano — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:05:43 +0000

The performance schedule for the 2009 University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival has been announced.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2009
2009 SUPERSTATE FESTIVAL

Junior High/Middle School Combined
1:00 PM Edison Middle School
1:30 PM Clarendon Hills Middle School
2:00 PM McCracken Middle School
2:30 PM Wood Oaks Junior High School
3:00 PM Kelvin Grove Middle School
3:30-3:45 PM BREAK
3:45 PM Marion Junior High School
4:15 PM Geneseo Middle School
4:45 PM Westlake Middle School*
5:15-6:15 PM DINNER BREAK

Class A
6:15 PM Westmont High School
6:45 PM Macomb Senior High School
7:15 PM Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School
7:45 PM Illiana Christian High School*
8:15 PM JR/MS & Class A Awards

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009
2009 SUPERSTATE FESTIVAL

Class AA
8:00 AM Champaign Central High School
8:30 AM Champaign Centennial High School
9:00 AM Glenbard South High School
9:30 AM Vernon Hills High School
10:00 AM Marion Catholic High School*
10:30-10:45 AM BREAK

Class AAA
10:45 AM Maine South High School
11:15 AM Libertyville High School
11:45 AM Waubonsie Valley High School
12:15 PM Wheeling High School
12:45-1:45 PM LUNCH BREAK
1:45 PM New Trier High School
2:15 PM Warren Township High School
2:45 PM Glenbard East High School
3:15 PM Mundelein High School
3:45 – 4:00 PM BREAK
4:00 PM United Township High School
4:30 PM Lockport Township High School
5:00 PM West Aurora High School
5:30 PM John Hersey High School*
6:00-6:15 PM BREAK
6:15 PM Illinois Wind Symphony
6:45 PM Class AA and AAA Awards

*Denotes Honor Band from 2008 Festival

2009 Superstate Invitations

Chip De Stefano — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:00:51 +0000

Congratulations to the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band for their invitation to the 2009 University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival!

2009 SUPERSTATE SELECTED BANDS

Junior High/Middle Schools
- Clarendon Hills Middle School
- Edison Middle School
- Geneseo Middle School
- Kelvin Grove Middle School
- Marion Junior High School
- McCracken Middle School
- Wood Oaks Junior High School
- Westlake Middle School*
CLASS A
- Macomb Senior High School
- Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School
- Westmont High School
- Illiana Christian High School*
CLASS AA
- Champaign Centennial High School
- Champaign Central High School
- Glenbard South High School
- Vernon Hills High School
- Marian Catholic High School*
CLASS AAA
- Glenbard East High School
- Libertyville High School
- Lockport Township High School
- Maine South High School
- Mundelein High School
- New Trier High School
- United Township High School
- Warren Township High School
- Waubonsie Valley High School
- West Aurora High School
- Wheeling High School
- John Hersey High School*

*Denotes the 2008 Honor Band

In the Press • April 3

Chip De Stefano — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 02:51:57 +0000

- Here’s an absolutely music read. Karl Paulnack’s (director of music division) welcoming address to the 2004 Boston Conservatory freshman class. Absolutely stunning. [From the Top]
- College music programs booming despite economic bust [Chicago Tribune]

IGSMA District Contest Results

Chip De Stefano — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:35:25 +0000

Congratulations to the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band for their wonderful performance this afternoon at the 2009 Illinois Grade School Music Association District 7 Organization Contest. This also marks the third time in the last four years that the Symphonic Band received perfect scores from all three judges!

Both the 7th Grade Choir and 8th Grade Swing Choir performed beautifully as well, earning Division I ratings this morning.

Congrats again to all of our students for their hair work and successful day at contest!

Chicagoland Invitational Band Festival Schedule

Chip De Stefano — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 05:11:43 +0000

We just received the performance schedule for the Chicagoland Invitational Band Festival Schedule for April 4. Permission slips will go home soon!

First-Tier Performance Schedule (Gym)

1:00p • John Hersey High School Concert Band
1:30p • Prospect High School Concert Band
2:00p • Sandburg High School
2:30p • Schaumburg High School
3:00p • Illinois Wesleyan University Wind Ensemble (Dr. Steven Eggleston, Conductor)
3:40p • RATINGS PRESENTATION
4:00p • Maine West High School
4:30p • Elk Grove High School
5:00p • Joliet Central High School
5:30p • Joliet West High School
6:00p • Rolling Meadows High School
6:30p • Fremd High School
BREAK
7:15p • United Township High School
7:45p • Prospect High School
8:15p • Lockport High School
8:45p • John Hersey High School
9:15p • Western Illinois University Wind Symphony (Dr. Michael Fansler, Conductor)
9:55p • RATINGS PRESENTATION

Black Box Performance Schedule
11:00a • Thomas Middle School
11:50a • River Trails Middle School
12:40p • MacArthur Middle School
1:30p • McCracken Middle School

3:00p • Illinois Wesleyan University Wind Ensemble (Dr. Steven Eggleston, Conductor)
3:40p • RATINGS PRESENTATION
3:50p • Carl Sandburg High School
4:40p • Fremd High School
5:30p • United Township High School
6:20p • Lockport Township High School
7:10p • Schaumburg High School
9:15p • Western Illinois University Wind Symphony (Dr. Michael Fansler, Conductor)
9:55p • RATINGS PRESENTATION

Niles North High School Percussion Ensemble Concert

Chip De Stefano — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:43:14 +0000

This Friday (March 6), the Niles North “Progressive Steps” Percussion Ensemble will be performing at 7:00p at the Skokie Public Library. This is their pre-conference performance in preparation for their appearance at the Bands of American National Percussion Festival later this month. The concert is free but there will be t-shirts for sale and a donation bucket to help manage the costs of the trip.

Swing Choir Concert Date Change

Chip De Stefano — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:25:33 +0000

The spring choir concert originally scheduled for April 2nd has been moved to May 21st, with performances at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the McCracken gym.