Band

Upcoming Events

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.

Summer Beginning Band (Incoming 5th graders only)

August 5th-8th, 12th-15th

Your child’s introduction to beginning band will start this summer!   Starting in the summer allows your child to have a schedule of daily band practices before switching to the regular once- or twice-per-week schedule that we will have during the school year.  This consistent, daily practice will allow your child to progress much more rapidly in a much shorter time than they would otherwise, which in turn leads to a greater sense of enjoyment and feeling of success on their instrument.

The program will include 30 minutes of small group instruction per day.  Your child’s instrument will be given to them during the first day of summer band.  All lessons will occur in the Benjamin Middle School band room.  The program will run during the 2 weeks leading up to the new school year.

SUMMER BAND DATES

Week 1 = Monday, August 5 – Thursday, August 8

Week 2 = Monday, August 12 – Thursday, August 15

The schedule is determined by instrument. Your child will need to be dropped off at the band room doors (Door 18) at least 5 minutes prior to their start time.  Door 18 is located in the upper parking lot near the Administration Center.

8:00-8:30

Flute

8:30-9:00

Clarinet

9:00-9:30

Saxophone

9:30-10:00

Trumpet

10:00-10:30

Trombone/Baritone

10:30-11:00

Percussion

Band Calendar 23-24

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December Band Calendar

Band Handbook

About the Band Program

The Benjamin bands are open to all students at Benjamin Middle School.  Band is an activity that meets throughout the school year. Our band program includes Beginning Band, 6th Grade Band, 7th/8th Grade Band, and Jazz Band.  Each band rehearses once or twice per week as a full group, and students in the Benjamin bands have a weekly individual or small-group lesson with students in the same band who play the same instrument. Students are pulled from class during the school day for their individual or small group lesson on a rotating basis to avoid continually missing any one class.  It is the student's responsibility to complete any work they miss as a result of band in a timely manner. Students are expected to attend all band lessons, rehearsals, and performances for the group(s) they are in.

Each band performs in two concerts per year: one in December and one in May.  Additional performance opportunities vary by ensemble, including Bengals Night, the Evergreen Holiday Bazaar, WEGO Marching Band Night and WEGO Middle School Band Festival at WCCHS, and the Solo & Ensemble Festival.

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About the Director

Morgan Martin began her band directing career at Benjamin Middle School during the 2020-21 school year. Ms. Martin attended Elmhurst University and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2020 with bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Percussion Performance. She is currently working towards a masters in Music Education from the American Band College at Central Washington University. Ms. Martin is also the Percussion Director of the Oswego East High School Marching Wolves and conducted the Oswego East High School Percussion Ensemble at the 2024 Music for All National Festival.

Ms. Martin is an active performer who has played with ensembles throughout the Chicagoland area including the Naperville Winds (principal percussion), Chicago Brass Band, Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and the Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra. She will perform with the Naperville Winds at Carnegie Hall in June 2025. During her undergraduate studies, she was a two-time recipient of the Elmhurst University Honors Recital Award.

Ms. Martin is a member of the Illinois Music Education Association and serves as District IX Percussion Representative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact

Ms. Morgan Martin
mmartin@benjamin25.org
(630) 876-7820 ext. 2154

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