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Naperville North Band FAQs
I’m not one of the stronger musicians at my junior high. Am I good enough to participate in high school music?We have ensembles suited to just about every level, from students who play or sing purely for fun, to students who will become music majors in college. We even have several students who learn new instruments, or sing in organized choir for the first time ever. Freshman wind players can either audition for placement in Wind Symphony (our second band) or simply register for Concert Band (our third band: mostly freshmen). These groups perform literature appropriate to the students’ abilities. Singers and String Players are automatically placed in the entry-level choirs and orchestra (Exceptions may be made in special circumstances, at the Directors’ discretion.) (Top)
Does participation in a high school music ensemble take up a lot of time?Our curricular music classes receive full credit (just like any other elective), and the grades apply fully to your Grade Point Average. The groups are classes that meet every day for 50 minutes (with no “pull-out” lessons from other classes). Students are assessed, and receive individual feedback on individual progress every quarter. Each of the groups performs four or five evening concerts during the year. The more advanced groups may attend various festivals and special trips. Personal practice time is left up to the individual, and involves as much time as is needed to play the assigned music at an acceptable level. That’s it! Additional participation in small ensembles, private lessons, musical productions, jazz groups, and/or marching band is purely voluntary, and has absolutely no bearing on grades in the curricular music classes! So, how much time it takes up is up to you (the vast majority of our music students also participate in extra-curricular activities, whether musical, athletic, or academic). (Top)
Do I need to have a study hall?At the High School, lunch periods are a full period long (50 minutes), allowing plenty of time to eat and do homework. Formal study hall periords are spread throughout the day and unlike junior high “Supervised Study”, academic teachers are generally not available during study halls. Also, in preparation for college, most classes are “lecture style” or “project-based" and often allow time for students to begin homework assignments during class (with plenty of access to teachers). As such, many successful students at NNHS do not find a seperate a study period to be necessary. (Top)
Will I have trouble keeping my other grades up, if I’m in a Music ensemble?The facts speak for themselves:
Conclusion: Smart kids take Music, but more importantly, music makes kids smart! Study after study indicates that the skills developed in music carry over into both mathematics and language! (Top)
Don’t I have to take four years of Foreign Language in order to get into college?Knowing a foreign language is a wonderful and important skill. We certainly recommend that all students (whether college-bound or not) take one of these highly enriching classes (though this is not a graduation requirement). Foreign Language requirements vary from college to college and we advise students to verify foriegn language needs for the colleges with their counsellor. There are only a few universities in the nation that require four years of Foreign Language study. In fact, the only colleges in Illinois that have any Foreign Language requirement whatsoever are Northwestern and U of I, who both require only two years. Students who truly desire to go beyond two years (in order to develop literacy in that language or to improve their chances of doing well on the A.P. exam) should certainly do so. However, this may ultimately force a choice between that course and other electives such as music. Many college recruiters look for participation in music programs when accepting or rejecting students. This is because they know that music students are generally dependable (good attendance), organized (able to handle a full schedule), and social (work well with others toward a common goal). These qualities are highly valued at any institution, and in any occupation. In other words, college recruiters look at how well-rounded you are as an individual – because they are looking for students who will add to their school’s total community. (Top)
What if none of my friends are in Music? Isn’t Music considered kind of “un-cool”? Do I have to wear a uniform?You are about to enter a phase of life that includes more change and choices than any other time. It is a scary and exciting time! Some of the kids who are your friends now will remain friends for life, but many (perhaps most) will develop other interests and make other choices. By the time you’re a Sophomore, your group of friends from Junior High will probably change a lot (Your best friend now may become someone you just wave to in the hall). But, the activities you choose in high school will introduce you to many new friends. Marching Band students have the advantage of making over a hundred new friends at the August rehearsals, making that first week of school a lot less scary! Despite what the media and popular culture would have you believe, music (at least in District 203) is very cool. You have only to attend a home football game and see the standing ovation at halftime to know that! The Percussion Ensemble performed at a recent assembly and received a standing ovation from the entire 3000-member student body! Over the past decade, NNHS Music groups have traveled to Orlando, Texas, New Orleans, St. Louis, Indianapolis, New York City, San Francisco, England, Germany, Italy, etc! How cool is that?! Our concert uniform for the instrumental groups is formal black (tuxes and gowns), and our marching band uniform is one of the most contemporary in the activity. It is always amusing to find that some of the students who complain the loudest about wearing a band uniform or choir robe will proudly wear a uniform while working at a fast-food place! (Top) |
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Copyright 2008, NNHS Friends of Music, All Rights Reserved. |
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