On this past Saturday, November 14, U-High musicians Sam Frampton, guitar, and Andy Zheng, tenor saxophone, participated in the IMEA district jazz festival held at Lyons Township High School. Sam was in a combo directed by Tim Coffman. Mr. Coffman is on the jazz studies faculty of DePaul University. Andy was chosen to perform in one of the big bands, led by Kevin Carroll, who directs the jazz ensembles at St. Patrick High School in Chicago.

Sam and Andy were chosen by audition back in October. Saturday’s event consisted of all day rehearsals and sectionals, followed by a late afternoon performance by all the ensembles. It’s quite an honor to be selected, and it speaks well of the dedicated students involved in our jazz ensembles, and the leadership provided by Mr. Gustafson in the middle school, and Mr. Piane in the high school.  Congratulations again to these two outstanding young musicians.

Andrew coaching 5th grade students

Today U High senior Andrew Sandwick presented a mini masterclass for Ms. Janovjak’s fifth grade clarinet class.  Andrew began playing clarinet at Lab in fifth grade.  He continued through middle school and branched out into jazz in the upper grades, playing in both the Middle School and High School Jazz Bands.  In addition to his music participation at Lab, Andrew has played in many outside groups including the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, CYSO’s Encore Chamber Orchestra, Interlochen Arts Camp and Northwestern’s National High School Music Institute.  Most recently he was selected to participate in the Illinois Music Educator’s Association District 1 Festival Orchestra on November 21, 2009.  Andrew studies clarinet privately and plans to continue his music studies at the university level.

Andrew focused on beginning concepts with the fifth grade students - basics of tone production, breathing and articulation.  He played excerpts from movement II of Brahms’ Symphony #3, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Rimsky Korsakov’s Cappricio Espagnol.  It was exciting to see the inspiration and eagerness in our student’s faces as they considered the ideas Andrew presented.  All in all, it was a great student to student experience across the schools at Lab!

Sam Frampton and Andy Zheng will be participating in the jazz ensemble on Saturday, November 14, at West Leyden High School in Franklin Park. Ellyn Butler was chosen for the symphonic band. Henry Bergman, Andrew Sandwick, and Catherine Zhou were selected for orchestra. The band and orchestra festival will be held on November 21, at Lincoln Way West High School, in New Lenox.

Our students will be gathering with student-musicians from throughout the Chicago area, rehearsing for the entire day, and then performing late in the afternoon. It’s quite an honor, and we are all proud of their efforts.

This is a wonderful opportunity to listen to a fabulous youth orchestra, and Andrew is an incredible young clarinetist. For additional information, the Introductions website is:                http://www.wfmtintroductions.com/

Peter and The Wolf and
The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses
Featuring The Chicago Chamber Musicians with
The Oak Park and River Forest Children’s Chorus
in Chicago Shakespeare’s Courtyard Theater

Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15, 2009
at 10:00 and 11:30 a.m.

Join The Chicago Chamber Musicians and Chicago Shakespeare for a fun-filled performance of music and stories. The hour-long concert-designed to introduce children ages 4 and up to the joys of live performance-features Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” and “The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses” by composer Bruce Adolphe. At 11:00 a.m. on both days, performers are available for autographs and pictures in the lobby, while young musicians demonstrate and answer questions about the featured instruments.

Approximate Running Time: 1 hour

Recommended for children ages four and up.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please call the Chicago Shakespeare Theater Box Office at 312.595.5600,
or go to their website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

Students will perform a variety of works, from the classical repertoire. Interest in this event continues to grow, and it is an excellent opportunity to hear our student-musicians. These events are free and open to the public.

U-High Jazz Band opens Hyde Park Jazz Fest! The U-High Jazz Band performs first at the Hyde Park Jazz Fest on Saturday, September 26. Featuring five U-High students led by teacher Dominic Piane, the band will perform on the festival’s main stage located at the Midway ice skating rink. Admission to the all-day event is free, and more information can be found at the festival web site.

It’s a great weekend of jazz, and it is particularly
exciting to have one of our recent graduates as a
participant.