2/9/08
The second piano accompanist rehearsal schedule for the solo/ensemble contest has been distributed. If you would like an extra copy click here. Please be aware some days and times have changed. An letter about the contest has also been given to the students. Contact Mr. Kehl if you need another copy.
Upcoming Dates:
Tuesday, February 19 Solo/Ensemble Preview Recital Dress Rehearsal
Saturday, February 23 Solo/Ensemble Contest
Saturday, March 8 Band and Choir District Contest
1/19/08 Recordings
With the new year the band students have received a lot of new music to practice. A recordings section has been added to the Concert Band and Cadet Band pages so students may listen to the new music as played by professional musicians.
12/19/07 Important Schedule Update
Please click here to view a flier that went home with band students this week. Note: this schedule change does not effect lesson times.
12/18/07 First Pep Band Performance
The Pep Band had tons of fun as they played their first home basketball game. The Band accompanied the audience in cheering on the 6th/7th grade team in their exciting comeback and victory against Leigh school. The next rehersal will be held Monday, January 7, 2008 at lunch and the next game will be the Tuesday, January 8. Pics!
12/06/07 Winter Concert
Congratulations on a job well done to all of the bands and choirs. Additional congratulations to the ISYM scholarship winners. The ISYM winners will be attending a summer music camp at the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL. Click here to view pics.
11/30/07 Pep Band Auditions
Concert and Cadet Band students may audition for the Pep Band the week of December 3rd. See Mr. Kehl for the audition music and info letter/permission slip.
10/21/07 Band in the Newspaper!
The Concert Band was featured as the cover story of the River Grove Messenger this week. Copies of this week's messenger have been quickly snapped up, so click here to read the article.
10/20/07 RGMO Pancake Breakfast/Jazz Band Performance
The annual Fall pancake breakfast was a success. We saw a record turnout and were pleased to see many parents as well as teachers and administrators. It was great to see Mr. Grieshaber serving coffee and juice alongside the volunteer choir and band servers.
We had a contest to see which students could get the most people to attend. Best Buy gift cards were given to two winners. Congratulations to Michael Jardine and Clara Rivera.
Jazz Band performed a four-song set and a number of the new memebrs had an opportunity to play their first solos.
The next pancake breakfast will be happening in Spring. Check the calendar and tell everyone you know. All of the money raised is used to support the Band and Choir programs at River Grove School.
10/19/07 Leyden Band Night
Members of Concert Band and Cadet Band traveled to West Leyden High School to practice and perform with the Leyden High School Marching Band at a football game half-time show. The River Grove band joined forces with bands from Rhodes School, Mannheim Middle School, Hester School, and Rosemont School and performed music from High School Musical and Blues Brothers. River Grove students had a lot of fun and had the chance to get a glimpse of what band in high school is all about.
10/13/07 Columbus Day Parade
Marilyn May, Mayor of River Grove, secured the River Grove School Band a slot in the Annual Joint Civic Commitee of Italian Americans Columbus Day Parade in downtown Chicago. This was the first time that a band from River Grove has participated in this parade and the childeren had a great time. They were positioned 4th in line, just behind the U.S. Navy Band, Mayor Richard Daley, and Senator Dick Durbin. The River Grove students were able to watch the rest of the parade after finishing and had the chance to hear a number of high school marching bands.
The parade was televised live on ABC 7 and later rebroadcast on CBS 2. Click here to view the video.
The Band has already been asked to perform at the parade next year and they are counting the days.
9/27/07 New School Year!!!
The 2007-2008 school year is off to a great start. We have a new principal, Mr. Grieshaber, and a new Director of Student Services (Vice Principal), Mrs. O'Connell.
Enrollment in band has increased again. The beginning band currently has 43 students, slighlty more than half of the 4th grade. Cadet Band and Jazz Band have both doubled in size.
Some new equipment has been purchased. The Bands now have a set of 4 concert tom toms, a tam tam (gong), a bass guitar, and amplifiers for guitar and bass.
