Percussion at Waubonsie Valley
The percussion program at Waubonsie Valley High School is committed to developing superb musicianship through percussion performance. The comprehensive curriculum helps students become confident performers, knowledgeable musicians, and productive individuals who are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in all dimensions of professional life with a life-long passion for music of all kinds.
|
|
Overview of Percussion Opportunities
The Waubonsie Valley Music Department is proud to offer the following opportunities to students studying the percussive arts:
WVHS BANDS & PERCUSSION TECHNIQUE
Technique class is an important component of the WVHS band curriculum, and invaluable to all percussionists. All percussionists in the WV Music Department are placed into band courses based on auditions that occur in the spring of the preceding year. Rather than attending technique during their lunch period, percussionists are pulled from their band class twice each week. The comprehensive curriculum includes the study of snare drum, keyboards (primarily marimba), timpani, multiple percussion, world percussion, as well as improvisation and ensemble skills. One unit of the curriculum is devoted wholly to the study of an ensemble piece for percussion. Students perform their ensemble pieces on one of the percussion concerts, and also have the option to perform their piece in the District 204 Solo & Ensemble Festival.
The Percussion Technique Curriculum is rigorous and will push students to new heights. Students must practice their skills and musicianship in order to achieve mastery of their instruments. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the many available instruments and come in to practice before and/or after school or during their lunch option.
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE & WORLD BEAT
The WV Percussion Ensemble was founded in 2003 to provide Waubonsie Valley percussionists an opportunity to play significant repertoire for percussion ensemble. Waubonsie Valley has always had many talented and motivated percussionists that are often looking for new challenges and musical experiences. This ensemble provides them with an identity and feeling of accomplishment and self worth as they work for several months preparing difficult and significant repertoire. The ensemble currently meets twice each week and performs several times throughout the year including the Winter & Spring Percussion Concerts. The WV Percussion Ensemble has performed for various clinicians and guest artists, and in 2007, the WV Percussion Ensemble was invited to perform at the Music-For-All National Percussion Festival in Indianapolis, IN.
SOLO & ENSEMBLE
Solo & Ensemble is one of the best activities WVHS offers for student musicians. It is an opportunity for students to be able to perform solo or ensemble in a non-competitive venue. Students that participate in solo & ensemble develop profoundly as they work independently or in small groups to craft and hone a piece of music. This is a great opportunity for students to enhance and demonstrate their skills and musicianship to a professional musician and educator for constructive and helpful feedback. All percussion students are highly encouraged to participate in this great opportunity.
PERFORMANCES
Since 2004, the WVHS Percussion Program has been well represented with performances at the Spring Percussion Concert, Winter Percussion Concert, Prism Concerts, Meet the Artist Concert, Percussion Camp Student Recital, Steelband Concert, Orchestra Pops Concert, the MIOSM Concert (Music in Our Schools Month), Indian Prairie Solo & Ensemble Honors Recital, District 204 Opening Institute Day, IPEF Scholars Ceremony, the Music-for-All National Percussion Festival, and an outreach trip to the Humboldt Community Christian School in Humboldt Park.
SCHLAGZEUGFEST!
The WVHS Music Department hosted the first Schlagzeugfest (formerly called the Day of Percussion) in the winter of 2006. What started as an event for middle school and high school percussionists to work together to prepare a piece for the winter concert has grown into a full day of activities, including clinics and/or masterclasses, concerts, rehearsals, and social time. The culminating event of the DOP is the WVHS Winter Percussion Concert. This concert features various percussion groups from WVHS and District 204, which has included the WV Percussion Ensemble, WV Steelbands, WV Bands Percussion Sections, the Indian Prairie Combined Middle School Percussion Ensemble, the Granger Middle School Percussion Ensemble, the Neuqua Valley Percussion Ensemble & Steelbands, as well as guest artists and ensembles. Schlagzeugfest normally occurs in early January, with online registration.
Contact: Mr. Chris Dandeles
SUMMER PERCUSSION CAMP
The Indian Prairie Summer Music Percussion Camp (North) is one of the most comprehensive summer education experiences for the young percussionists in the state. Through hands-on experience, the Percussion Camp provides an excellent working knowledge of all the instruments and styles essential for today's percussionist. The camp provides students with performances, clinics, master classes, technique classes and ensemble rehearsals, taught by guest artists and top-notch percussion faculty. The packed half-day schedule is rigorous, but fun. Percussion Camp is the perfect opportunity for students to give their musicianship and skills a boost for the summer and coming year! The Summer Percussion Camp normally occurs in June, with registration usually due in early May.
Contact: Mr. Chris Dandeles
WVHS BANDS & PERCUSSION TECHNIQUE
Technique class is an important component of the WVHS band curriculum, and invaluable to all percussionists. All percussionists in the WV Music Department are placed into band courses based on auditions that occur in the spring of the preceding year. Rather than attending technique during their lunch period, percussionists are pulled from their band class twice each week. The comprehensive curriculum includes the study of snare drum, keyboards (primarily marimba), timpani, multiple percussion, world percussion, as well as improvisation and ensemble skills. One unit of the curriculum is devoted wholly to the study of an ensemble piece for percussion. Students perform their ensemble pieces on one of the percussion concerts, and also have the option to perform their piece in the District 204 Solo & Ensemble Festival.
The Percussion Technique Curriculum is rigorous and will push students to new heights. Students must practice their skills and musicianship in order to achieve mastery of their instruments. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the many available instruments and come in to practice before and/or after school or during their lunch option.
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE & WORLD BEAT
The WV Percussion Ensemble was founded in 2003 to provide Waubonsie Valley percussionists an opportunity to play significant repertoire for percussion ensemble. Waubonsie Valley has always had many talented and motivated percussionists that are often looking for new challenges and musical experiences. This ensemble provides them with an identity and feeling of accomplishment and self worth as they work for several months preparing difficult and significant repertoire. The ensemble currently meets twice each week and performs several times throughout the year including the Winter & Spring Percussion Concerts. The WV Percussion Ensemble has performed for various clinicians and guest artists, and in 2007, the WV Percussion Ensemble was invited to perform at the Music-For-All National Percussion Festival in Indianapolis, IN.
SOLO & ENSEMBLE
Solo & Ensemble is one of the best activities WVHS offers for student musicians. It is an opportunity for students to be able to perform solo or ensemble in a non-competitive venue. Students that participate in solo & ensemble develop profoundly as they work independently or in small groups to craft and hone a piece of music. This is a great opportunity for students to enhance and demonstrate their skills and musicianship to a professional musician and educator for constructive and helpful feedback. All percussion students are highly encouraged to participate in this great opportunity.
PERFORMANCES
Since 2004, the WVHS Percussion Program has been well represented with performances at the Spring Percussion Concert, Winter Percussion Concert, Prism Concerts, Meet the Artist Concert, Percussion Camp Student Recital, Steelband Concert, Orchestra Pops Concert, the MIOSM Concert (Music in Our Schools Month), Indian Prairie Solo & Ensemble Honors Recital, District 204 Opening Institute Day, IPEF Scholars Ceremony, the Music-for-All National Percussion Festival, and an outreach trip to the Humboldt Community Christian School in Humboldt Park.
SCHLAGZEUGFEST!
The WVHS Music Department hosted the first Schlagzeugfest (formerly called the Day of Percussion) in the winter of 2006. What started as an event for middle school and high school percussionists to work together to prepare a piece for the winter concert has grown into a full day of activities, including clinics and/or masterclasses, concerts, rehearsals, and social time. The culminating event of the DOP is the WVHS Winter Percussion Concert. This concert features various percussion groups from WVHS and District 204, which has included the WV Percussion Ensemble, WV Steelbands, WV Bands Percussion Sections, the Indian Prairie Combined Middle School Percussion Ensemble, the Granger Middle School Percussion Ensemble, the Neuqua Valley Percussion Ensemble & Steelbands, as well as guest artists and ensembles. Schlagzeugfest normally occurs in early January, with online registration.
Contact: Mr. Chris Dandeles
SUMMER PERCUSSION CAMP
The Indian Prairie Summer Music Percussion Camp (North) is one of the most comprehensive summer education experiences for the young percussionists in the state. Through hands-on experience, the Percussion Camp provides an excellent working knowledge of all the instruments and styles essential for today's percussionist. The camp provides students with performances, clinics, master classes, technique classes and ensemble rehearsals, taught by guest artists and top-notch percussion faculty. The packed half-day schedule is rigorous, but fun. Percussion Camp is the perfect opportunity for students to give their musicianship and skills a boost for the summer and coming year! The Summer Percussion Camp normally occurs in June, with registration usually due in early May.
Contact: Mr. Chris Dandeles
Percussion Faculty & Staff
Mr. Chris Dandeles
Percussion Coordinator, Percussion Technique Classes, WVHS Percussion Ensemble, Marching Warriors Front Ensemble (Pit)
Mr. Kevin Carroll
Percussion Technique Classes
Mrs. Shelley May Hutchison
Percussion Ensemble, Associate Director
Mr. Frank Check
Steel Bands and Drumset Specialist
Ms. Raychel Taylor
Marching Warriors Drumline and Private Lesson Instructor
Percussion Coordinator, Percussion Technique Classes, WVHS Percussion Ensemble, Marching Warriors Front Ensemble (Pit)
Mr. Kevin Carroll
Percussion Technique Classes
Mrs. Shelley May Hutchison
Percussion Ensemble, Associate Director
Mr. Frank Check
Steel Bands and Drumset Specialist
Ms. Raychel Taylor
Marching Warriors Drumline and Private Lesson Instructor