Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to wish all the the friends of family of the DHS Bands a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving! It's been very busy down here in R-Hall, and I think we are all looking forward to some rest and relaxation. Two weeks ago we put on a fine fall concert, and our future band members from Shepard, Caruso, Holy Cross, and Bannockburn joined us for one number as a foretaste of what I hope will be four great years to come. We had two straight Saturdays at the IMEA festivals. The band/choir/orchestra fest was at Glenbrook South (my alma mater), and Emma Martin (bassoon), Will Barkalow (clarinet), and Logan Bloom (trombone) represented DHS quite well. The jazz fest was at Lake Zurich, and we had five band members involved: Logan Bloom (trombone), Carter Griffin (trombone), and Kenny Thompson (guitar) all played in the bands, and Nathan Fertig and Rahm Silverglade sang in the choir. All five students were featured soloists during the concert. Way to go!

This morning, being the last day before break, meant another traditional front hall performance for the jazz band. We played three world premieres: "Rush Hour" by Tom Bonadies, "An Idea" by Aaron Gundersheimer, and "Hindsight" by Kenny Thompson. It was great to play for people as they came in to school. This afternoon will be the Grandparents Day Concert, so the Warrior Marching Band will serenade the crowd with the fight song, "Warrior Spirit," and music from our 50s Sock Hop show.

We've also been busy with chamber music, including the Symphonic Band's first ever chance to split into small groups. We've already heard the saxophone section performing a movement from a concerto grosso by Corelli, a percussion ensemble, and a brass choir playing a piece by Michael Haydn. The Wind Ensemble is in the process of choosing their chamber repertoire, and the freshmen did a body percussion composition project to study how meter is used in music. In addition, SB and WE have been studying klezmer music as part of a year-long exploration of Jewish music and musicians.

Like I said, we've been busy...

So in closing, I leave you with a fine song of Thanksgiving. No, it's not the Dutch hymn "We Gather Together." It's Sly and the Family Stone singing "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)." Enjoy!