FMA Newsletter 2016-17 FMA Board

Fremd Music Association Volume 12, Issue 3 March FMA Newsletter 2016-17 FMA Board

President Notes from the President Rob Coleman [email protected]

Dear Fremd Music Families, VP General Band Spring update. Show Choir has wrapped up a very successful season regularly placing at Chris Svec [email protected] the top of their division. Orchestra completed their chamber unit with their annual chamber night. The Jazz bands had their final concert and the annual Jazz & Java fundraiser. Concert bands are moving into festival season. There is never a slow time of VP Viking Marching Band the year for our music kids or their intrepid leaders. Ramnath Cidambi Janice Lewandowski FMA's hand prints are all over these events too. We supported Show Choir this season [email protected] again with $2500 for choreography and music. We paid for the Orchestra Chamber night VP Choir judges and clinicians. We ran the annual Jazz & Java and Band Benefit fundraisers Mary Mayo (thanks Chris Svec, Jean Swenson) and we provide funds for the Concert bands festivals. [email protected]

On March 10 we ran our last big fund raiser for the year. Our second annual (hopefully) Trivia Night was again a smashing success. We had over thirty tables of participants, VP Orchestra gave away $700 in prize money while raising over $2500 for the music department. Thank Hema Kaiwar/Susan Mathew you so much to Hema Kaiwar and Linda Kapko for all your hard work pulling this event off [email protected] [email protected] and making it look so effortless.

Our nominating committee is hard at work finalizing a slate for 2017/18. It should be Secretary Suzi Broderick posted soon at www.fremdmusic.org. We will have a full slate of board members but are [email protected] still looking for a couple committee chairs. Please contact me at [email protected] if you'd like more information. Treasurer Carrie Van Horn If you're at all on the fence about volunteering, let me nudge you forward. My first FMA [email protected] experience was volunteering to collect marching band uniforms after a home football game my daughter's freshman year. It took all of 45 minutes and I spent most of that time meeting other band parents; many hands make for light work. We are so fortunate to have numerous dedicated parents. Our group is an energetic, positive group who never fail to Music Faculty pitch in. Next year will be my last with a kid at Fremd and I know that I will sorely miss the experiences and the people.

Department Chair & Band Director An Orchestra trip to Los Angeles is coming up and the Choir is looking at travelling to Matthew Moore Nashville next year. The first stirrings of next year's marching band are starting; we should [email protected] know the show and drum majors soon! Assistant Band Directors FMA meetings this spring are Thursday April 20 and Wednesday May 24 (election - all Jeremy Figlewicz [email protected] members). Please come out and check us out.

John Teichert Many of us are on FaceBook. Getting messages out is easier when you follow us. Please [email protected] go to www.facebook.com/FremdMusicAssocation and like our page. Choir Director Christina Collins Rob Coleman [email protected]

Fremd Music Supporter Orchestra Director [email protected] Marla Caballero [email protected]

check out the FMA webpage - http://fremdmusic.org Band Notes

Dear FMA Band Families,

Greetings once again from the Fremd Band program! It’s hard to believe that we just started the fourth academic quarter and how fast the year has gone by. This past winter was very rewarding for the Fremd Band program and we are excited to share lots of information with you.

2017 Band Enrollment: We are excited to have 240 students enrolled in our four bands for next fall, including 75 incoming freshmen! We continue to be the largest band program in District 211 and are very proud that this will be our 12th consecutive year of having at least 240 students enrolled in the Band program. Our bands will meet during the following class periods next year: Wind Ensemble (2nd), Wind Symphony (3rd), Concert Band Percussion (5th), Concert Band (6th), and Symphonic Winds (7th). Thank you to the students for continuing your musical education with us– we certainly value everyone’s participation in the Fremd Bands!

February Band Benefit: Thank you very much to the large amount of Band families that attended our February Band Benefit Pops Concerts and Dinners. Through your support we were able to raise over $9,000 for the Fremd Band program and Viking Marching Band. Thank you very much!

Success with the Fremd Jazz Bands: This past winter our two jazz bands and jazz combo performed very well at two local jazz festivals and our annual “Jazz and avaJ ” show. Our 18th annual “Jazz and Java” Concert was a huge success and featured our three jazz groups and guest saxophonist Scott Burns. Thank you to all of the FMA families that made it out to the concert. All three of the jazz groups were also wara ded straight “Division 1/Superior” ratings at the Rolling Meadows HS “Jazz in the Meadows” Festival in February. The Jazz Ensemble were awarded first place in the 4A school division. The Jazz Combo was also awarded first place in the large school combo division. Congratulations to the students on these huge accomplishments. Thank you to all of our students involved in the azzJ Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble for your hard work over the past five months!

Band Notes continued

Recent College/University Field Trips: On March 6th the Symphonic Band and Symphonic Winds participated in a field trip to the NIU School of Music in DeKalb. The bands had the opportunity to perform in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall and also worked with NIU Band Director Dr. Thomas Bough.

The Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony traveled to Wheaton College on March 21st to work with their Director of Bands Dr. Timothy Yontz. The students had an outstanding clinic with Dr. Yontz and also had the opportunity to rehearse in Wheaton College new state of art rehearsal room.

Band Notes continued

April Festivals The Fremd Symphonic Band will combine with the Schaumburg HS Symphonic Band and Palatine HS Concert Band to present “An Evening of Winds” festival on Friday April th7 in the Fremd Kolze Auditorium. The bands will support and watch each other’s performance, as well as receiving clinics from Dr. Richard Fischer (Director of Bands, Concordia University) and Dr. Jim Hile (Elmhurst College, Director of Bands).

The Symphonic Winds, Wind Ensemble, and Wind Symphony will travel to Hersey High School to perform in the “Chicagoland Invitational Concert Band Festival” on Saturday Aprilth 8 . In addition to their performances, all three bands will receive educational clinics from renowned collegiate band directors.

District 211 Honor Band: Congratulations to our twenty-three Band students who performed in the District 211 Honor Band on March 17 and 18. The students had the opportunity to work with Professor Jay Gephart – Director of Bands at Purdue University.

Ryan Groch Alto Sax Amelia Lobo Horn Kevin Li Alto Sax Claire Umeki Horn Scott Allen Bass Clarinet Jacob Cushman Percussion Claire Bowman Bassoon Matt Bustamante Tenor Sax Andy Hong Clarinet Kevin Eichelberg Trombone Kyle Scharm Clarinet Ben Hung Trombone (bass) Ryo Terada Clarinet Jason Buis Trumpet Emma Wood Clarinet Sylvia Eltherington Trumpet Jacob Leczycki Euphonium Justin Piotrowski Trumpet Alex Park Euphonium Nick Szoblik Trumpet Kyra Pagones Flute Jeff Galloway Tuba Bethany Sorman Flute/Piccolo

Band Notes continued

Final May Band Concerts: Don’t miss our final two concerts of the year occurring on Tuesday May 16th in the Kolze Auditorium (free admission). The Concert Band and Symphonic Band will perform at 6:00 pm for the “May Band Concert”. The “Senior Recognition Band Concert” will occur the same evening at 7:30 pm – featuring our Class of 2017 students, Symphonic Winds, Wind Ensemble, and Wind Symphony. We hope to see you at one or both concerts!

Viking Marching Band – 2017/18 Show Announcement !

The 2017 VMB is dying to meet you….

We are proud to present our 2017 competitive program, “Haunted Manor”. The show will take the audience through a candle-lit Victorian home. From the outside all seems well, but on the inside… The ghosts are in charge!

Teaser Trailer Link: https://youtu.be/5ZEAMk06PLc

Viking Marching Band – Summer 2017 Rehearsals: Students participating in the VMB 2017 Season– Please make sure you are available to attend the following VMB summer sessions and Band Camp week this summer: Session 1: June 26 – June 30 (Monday‐Friday) Session 2: July 25 – July 27 (Tuesday‐Thursday) VMB Band Camp: July 31 – August 5 (Monday‐Saturday)

Thank you for your continued support of the Fremd Bands! We hope to see you at our April Festival performances and/or final concerts on May 16th.

Sincerely, Mr. Moore, Mr. Figlewicz, and Mr. Teichert Band Directors Band Notes continued

ILMEA All-State Conference performance Choir Notes

Hello Choir Families,

It has been a fantastic start to 2017 with the Fremd Choirs!

The next choir concert is on Wednesday, April 5 at 7 PM in Kolze Auditorium. This concert will feature Choral Classics from different cultures and time periods. See you there!

There is still time to register for choir. We want the program to keep growing next year, espe‐ cially with incoming freshmen. All students are welcome; there is a spot for everybody! If you know a junior high student, even if they are not currently in choir, they can join Treble Choir (C135) or Men’s Chorale (C136).

Every student in choir next year is eligible to go on the Nashville trip in March 2018. Trip information is online and there will be an introductory meeting on Thursday, April 20 at 8 PM in Room 17 to discuss the trip. The first deposit of $100 which wille b due on May 1: http://fremdchoirs.weebly.com/choir-trips.html

Congratulations to the All-State choir students from Chamber Singers. They performed in Peoria at the end of January and strongly represented the Fremd Choir program.

Lauren Berryhill (senior) Kay Petrie (senior) Ria Ravi (junior) Collin Schroeder (senior) Allison Gile (senior, selected for the Future Music Educators Seminar)

AWC sang at the Illinois Choral Directors’ Association’s Women’s Choir Festival on February 2 at College of DuPage. They had a great clinic with Dr. Mona Wis from North Central College and watched performances from other women’s choirs from around the state.

Annie Yamamoto, Lauren Berryhill, and Allison Nakazawa sang vocal solos with the jazz bands at Jazz & Java in February. Lauren Berryhill and Jerry Zheng were selected as soloists by audition to perform with the Symphony Orchestra at the Concerto Aria Concert on Tuesday, April 11. Congratulations!

The showchoir had a very successful second year in competition with twost 1 place ratings and two 2nd place ratings at their 4 competitions. They also won additional awards for Best Vocals and Best Costumes and Annie Yamamoto won best female solo‐ ist at one of the competitions. The group involved 41 singers/dancers and 9 instrumentalists in the combo. At the competitions, they saw larger groups from around the Midwest and received feedback from professional musicians and choreographers.

Thank you to FMA and the Viking Boosters for their support of this new activity. For current showchoir families, there will be a wrap-up meeting on Thursday, April 20 at 8:30 PM in Room 17 (after the Nashville meeting) to reflect on this year as well as brainstorm ideas for the future. Choir Notes continued The 3 a cappella groups recently performed at the Variety Show and will have their own concert on Friday, April 28 at 7 PM at Countryside Church. We will sell tickets the week before the show and plan to sell out, so be sure to reserve them right away. This is a great way to see Perfect Harmony, Men’s A Cappella, and Audial Sunshine perform their entire repertoire in one show.

Thank you for your continued support of Fremd Choirs! I am so proud of the students’ progress this year. It is going to bea great spring!

Christina Collins

Choir Notes continued

Upcoming Events Thursday, March 23- Dine Out for Fremd Choir at Portillo’s (on Golf Road)

Wednesday, April 5- Choral Classics Concert at Kolze Auditorium, 7 PM *Students will turn in their choir uniforms immediately after the concert

Friday, April 28- AcaSpectacular at Countryside Church, 7 PM

Monday, May 22 Choir Dinner Fundraiser from 5:45-7:15 PM in student cafeteria Senior Recognition Concert at Kolze Auditorium, 7:30 PM Orchestra Notes

Retrospective Congratulations to the Fremd Symphony Orchestra Strings who were selected to perform at the 2017 Illinois Music Educator’s Conference. This ensemble was presented with some very difficult music to prepare and perform and they exceeded my expectations! I couldn’t be prouder of the members of this orchestra and it has been so exciting to see them has grow together in their musicianship this year!

Congratulations to our individual All-State musicians – Lauren Cardoza (viola); Andres Carrero (violin); Daniel Choi (viola); Hannah Lin (violin).

Congratulations to the following Fremd musicians who were selected to be members of the 2017 District 211 Honors Orchestra. District-wide auditions were held in November and these students were chosen among the best in our district. Under the direction of Mr. Peter Rosheger, the orchestra performed an exciting and inspirational concert at Palatine High School on February 11, 2017. Please take a listen to this very special concert on YouTube: 2017 Honors Orchestra - http://tinyurl.com/D211HonorsOrchestra2017 Violins Viola Violoncello Sarah Akutsu Piano Andrew S. Hwang Lauren Cardoza Cameron Choi Jaime Chen Gina Kang Steffi Chen Jiyoon Hwang Jaime Chen Daniel Choi Emma Liu Lucy Cho Devin Dionne Ben Mathew Jenny Kim Tom Filipiuk

Piccolo Bassoon Trumpet Bethany Sorman Duncan Harro Nick Szoblik Flute French Horn Trombone Bethany Sorman Amelia Lobo Jacob Leczycki Kristine Yim Claire Umeki

The Fremd Orchestras completed another successful Chamber Music Unit where all orchestra students were placed into a chamber ensemble (1 person per part), rehearsed together on their own and with some coaching sessions. A little bit about this year’s chamber music unit: 26 Chamber Ensembles Coaches included members of Elgin Symphony Orchestra, International Chamber Artists/Corky Siegel Chamber Blues, music faculty members of Wheaton and Bradley Universities Over 1000 total hours of groups rehearsal time + individual practice 4 Clinicians –Clark Sheldon (Barrington High School Orchestra Director), Steve Katz (Niles West High School Orchestra Director); Kevan Kosobayashi (Nequa Valley High School Orchestra Director); Maura Brown (Elk Grove High School Orchestra Director) Orchestra Notes continued

Thank you, to all of the parents who attended the performance, to the students who worked hard a grew as musicians through the process and to FMA for your financial support of this valuable musical and educational experience for the orchestra students.

On Tuesday, March 14, we hosted Mr. Lloyd Palmiter from Quinlan and Fabish. He talked with the students about the instrument making process. It was a great day learning about the process as well as the different kinds of wood that are used to make the instruments. I think the students have a greater appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into making our instruments!

Looking Ahead: Members of the Fremd Orchestras will be traveling over spring break to Los Angeles with members of the Palatine HS Orchestras! Itinerary highlights include attending a concert by the LA Philharmonic Orchestra, rehearsal at the Colburn School of Music, sightseeing on Hollywood Blvd., performance, clinic and free time at Disneyland and California Adventure Park, tour @ Sony Studios. The students have been rehearsing once a month since October and have come a really long way as an orchestra - it’s so fun to see the Palatine and Fremd Orchestras coming together for this trip! We would like to publically thank Mrs. Jennifer DeFranco, our parent volunteer who served as our Trip Coordinator. Special thanks to parent chaperones Mr. Mike Corrigan and Mrs. Tina Haasser - we couldn’t do this trip without you all! Follow us on Twitter @FremdOrchestras for pictures from the trip!

Chamber Strings and Symphony Orchestra is preparing for the 2017 Concerto/Aria Concert with this year’s competition winners Lauren Berryhill (mezzo soprano); Ryan Groch (alto saxophone); Hannah Lin (violin); Bethany Sorman (flute); Jerry Zheng, piano, This is always an exciting and unique concert as we feature 5 of our music students performing at a very high level. Please join us for this concert on Tuesday, April 11 @ 7 pm in the Fremd Auditorium.

Following the Concerto/Aria concert, we will be celebrating with ice cream - Dairy Queen Blizzards. You can find the order form included in the newsletter or at the following link: http://tinyurl.com/FHSDQ2017 Please consider pre-purchasing a blizzard so you can be included in our pre-order all orders need to be turned in by April 4th.

Seniors – All seniors will need to return tuxedo jackets, cummerbunds and bow ties at the end of the Concerto/ Aria Concert.

If you know someone who would like to be a part of the orchestra next year but who is not signed up yet, it is not too late to add orchestra to their schedule. Please have them contact me right away so we can get that added to their schedule for next year ([email protected])

SAVE THE DATES – The 2017-18 District 211 Orchestra Chamber Music Retreat will be held July 21-22 this year. More information to come in mid – late April. Registration will be due before school is out for the summer. Did you know spring time is a great time to get your instrument checked after the harsh winter. Take them to a reputable string store (a few suggestions include: The String Project – Palatine; Park Violins – Arlington Heights; Orchestra Notes continued

Cassandra Strings – Algonquin; Quinlan and Fabish – Arlington Heights) to have them checked so that they are in good playing condition. Instruments – check for open seams, cracks, warped bridges, is it time to get new strings? (You should replace strings once a year.)

Bows – re-hair (once a year – at least), is the stick straight?

Many thanks to : the following students who were a part of the incoming freshmen audition committee: Sarah Akutsu, Mayank Bhatia and Amanda Perez.

Hema Kaiwar, Susan Mathew and Laura Corrigan for their assistance with refreshments for the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Symphony Orchestra when they stopped to perform for the students in Chamber Strings, Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphonic Band and Concert Band.

Mr. Shinji Umeki for video recording the District 211 Honors Orchestra Concert!

Mark your calendars (important April/May Orchestra dates): April 6 – Symphony Orchestra & Chamber Strings Concerto/Aria rehearsal, 6:30 – 8:30, ice cream to follow April 10 - Symphony Orchestra/Chamber Strings Dress rehearsal, 7 – 9 pm (auditorium) April 11 – Concerto/Aria Concert (FSO/FCS perform, FCO/FPO attends) @ Fremd, 7 pm May 17 – Orchestras – Dress rehearsal (3 – 5 pm) May 18 – Orchestra Concert (7 pm)

Help needed! Parents, we have a band parent who has been volunteering to video record all of our concerts. We would really like to have an orchestra parent do this. These are the videos that we have been enjoying on YouTube and it is so nice to have an archive of all of our concerts. For more details, please contact Mrs. Caballero. We could use your help for the final two concerts of the year. Mr. Umeki will train you and I know that he would appreciate the help!

Orchestra Notes continued HONORS Orchestra

All-state send off Jazz Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra and All-State individual musicians Symphony Orchestra ILMEA

ILMEA Symphony Orchestra Mr. Lloyd Palmiter from Quinlan and Fabish Show Choir Ends Season with TWO First Place Wins!

In only its second year, the Fremd Competitive Show Choir continues to shine.

El Paso-Gridley Invitational, Feb. 25- Grand Champion in Festival Division, Outstanding Performer- Annie Yamamoto

Chicagoland Showcase, Mar. 4 at John Hersey HS- Grand Champion and Best Vocals in Festival Division, Outstanding Performer- Allison Nakazawa

Individual awards were received by Luke Madden, Annie Yamamoto and Allison Nakazawa as outstanding performers in the group. The Instrumental Combo also did a fantastic job, placing second for their scores at these last two competitions!

Auditions for the Fremd Competitive Show Choir happen in the Fall of each school year. If you know a guy or girl who would enjoy this extracurricular song-and-dance experience with a great group of students, watch for announcements on auditions for next season, this coming fall.

April Planning Meeting- Choir Trip to Nashville

All Fremd Choir students (including incoming freshmen) are invited to go on the Nashville Choir Trip during Spring Break 2018. The first planning meeting will take place on Thursday, April 20, 8:00-8:30 p.m., immediately following the FMA Meeting.

Topics to be covered are the itinerary for the trip and the online payment system. The first payment of $100 will be due on May 1. Read more about the Fremd Choirs at http://fremdchoirs.weebly.com. Trivia Night a Rousing Success!

Thirty-two teams demonstrated their knowledge of all things trivia on Friday, March 10 as they competed for cash and bragging rights. Congratulations to the winners:

Green Division Gold Division 1st: Viking Funeral (from PHS) 1st (tie): Here Comes Treble 2nd: Scotty 2 Hotty Tri-Lambs 3rd: Mariagnos 3rd: Dream Team

50/50 Raffle Winner:Lisa Szczupaj

We thank the Trivia Night sponsors for supporting the Fremd Music Association: Horn Stash & Fix This! Musical Instrument Repair Ernie’s Auto Service Plum Grove Cleaners Palatine Children’s Chorus Driving 4 Teens Archadeck Outdoor Living Biscuits & Bows Grooming & Daycare Cassandra Strings McAlister’s Deli

We would like to thank Lisa Szczupaj and the wimming teams—Here Comes the Treble and Mariagnos for gener‐ ously donating their winnings to FMA.

Trivia Night raised approximately $2,700 for FMA’s general funds account – which is used for a variety of purposes including clinicians and judges, new instruments, competition entry fees, and scholarships.

See you next year!

Great Attendance and Great FMA Volunteers at Trivia Night ! The FMA Nominating Committee announces the following slate of officers for -2017 2018:

President - Hema Kaiwar VP-Band - Chris Svec VP-Choir - Mary Mayo & Sue Lech VP-Orchestra - Laura Nehf & Anu Rajagopalan VP-Marching Band - Mike Corrigan & Patrizia DeChiara Treasurer - Carrie Van Horn Secretary - Archna Jagtiani

The election will be held at the FMA meeting on May 24 at 7:00pm in the Band room (room 16). We have also been working to fill committee positions for next year. There are several openings, so if you have some free time and you’ve been thinking about getting involved with FMA, take the plunge and say yes! You’ll be glad you did; as one of our members observed at Trivia Night, “FMA volunteers are just the nicest people!”

Technology Committee - Shinji Umeki & OPEN (maintain FMA website, record video of concerts) Student Accounts - Nora Gile Band Benefit- Jean Swenson & OPEN (organize Band Benefit dinner in February) Scholarships - Alex Jimenez Floral Design Showcase - Sue DeWitt Viking Booster Club Liaison - Kristi Svec Membership - Suriya Ramachandra Fundraising coordinator - Ramnath Cidambi Publicity - OPEN (publicize FMA events through various channels) Newsletter- Jan Sieben Uniforms - OPEN (organize volunteers to help with uniform sizing (fall) and collection (spring)) Hospitality - OPEN (organize volunteers to serve and donate refreshments for concerts) Manna fundraiser - OPEN (needed NOW, to receive our gift card order weekly on Tuesday mornings) Trivia Night Fundraiser-OPEN

FMA Nominating Committee: Ramnath Cidambi, Tracey Coleman, and Mary Mayo