Bengals Night (7th/8th grade band)
Thursday, April 18th - call time 6:00 PM, performance time 6:45-7:30 PM
Members of the Benjamin community are invited to sit in and watch the 7th/8th grade band rehearse in order to see the great effort our musicians put into preparing their music early in the morning each week. This will serve as our dress rehearsal for our upcoming performance at Northern Illinois University (details below).
Students in the 7th/8th grade band will need to be dropped off at Door 18 no later than 6:00 PM. We will meet in the band room, then set up and warm up until 6:30 PM, at which time we will go to the Large Gym to watch the choir perform. After the choir’s performance, band students will return to the band room to rehearse until 7:30. Chairs will be set up around the band room for anyone who wants to observe our rehearsal. Students will be released at 7:30, after which point I encourage you to explore everything else that is being showcased around the school for the remainder of Bengals Night.
ILMEA Band Festival @ Northern Illinois University (7th/8th grade band)
Friday, April 26th - Depart @ 8:30, return @ approx. 4:15
The 7th/8th grade band will be participating in a festival for middle school and high school bands at Northern Illinois University on Friday, April 26th. We will be performing music from our previous concert and our upcoming concert for a panel of music educator clinicians who will then rehearse the band and provide feedback to help us continue to improve our musicianship.
We will go to NIU in the morning to watch other school bands, then we will perform at 2:00 and receive a clinic at 2:30, then return to BMS around 4:15. It is your responsibility to transport your child home when we return from the festival. Students will need to bring their instrument and binder to school on the day of this performance. The dress code is formal, as it would be for a concert.
Instrument Selection Night (4th grade students/families)
Monday, April 29th - 6:00-8:00 PM
All students who will be 5th graders at Benjamin Middle School next year are invited to come to Benjamin to try out the instruments that they indicated they are most interested in playing when they visited us for 4th grade orientation. 4th grade families have been sent an email for you to RSVP if you plan to attend. If your student is considering joining band (whether they are 100% sure or on the fence), please have them come to this event. If you are unable to attend Instrument Selection Night but your child wants to try out an instrument, let me know and we can work together to arrange an alternate time to do so.
Spring Band and Choir Concert
Thursday, May 16th - Call time 6:00 PM, performance time 6:30 PM
Our spring Band and Choir Concert will be on Thursday, May 16th at 6:30pm in the large gym. All students will need to be dropped off at the band room doors (Door 18) no later than 6:00pm. Audience members will enter through Door 20. Performers will need to bring their instruments (except for percussion), binder, and any equipment they need to perform (reeds, neck straps, mouthpieces, etc.). Students are expected to stay for the entire duration of the concert.
The dress code for this event is formal (no jeans, sweatpants, gym shoes, t-shirts, etc.). Concert dress must be in compliance with school dress code. If you are unsure if a planned outfit is appropriate for the concert, please ask me.
During school on the day of the concert, we will be holding an assembly during which we will perform an abbreviated version of our concert for the student body. All students must bring their instrument and music to school during the day on Thursday, May 16th. We will wear this year's band t-shirts, jeans or khakis, and close-toed shoes for the assembly. Please help your child check their closet ahead of time to make sure they have their band t-shirt. I have limited quantities of extras that your child may borrow if their shirt is missing. If your child needs to borrow a shirt for the assembly, please let me know in advance.
