Facebook & Instagram

We are asking all tour participants that use Facebook (and any parents or family that are interested in following us)  to visit and 'Like' our official D99 Honors Band Tour Facebook page.

This will provide you with another way to keep updated on final pre-tour announcements,

https://www.facebook.com/d99honorsband2012

If you are someone who enjoys using Instagram, we will be documenting various tour events through our 'd g n f i n e a r t s' Instagram feed.  We welcome you as a follower if you use Instagram!

Honors Band Seating Chart

UPDATED: Parking for DGN Rehearsals Next Week / Start Time

UPDATED!

There is a lot of construction at DGN, and there will be even more next week!  The Main Street lot is under construction, and students will not be able to use it next week.

The easiest way to get to and from band rehearsals at DGN next week will be to be dropped off and picked up.  The Forest Street entrance on the south side of the building will be open (there is a circle turn-around here that will make it easy for parents to drop off their children).  Alternatively, students may be dropped off on Grant Street, in front of Gloria Dei church, and then cross Main St. at the light.  (It is illegal to stop and drop directly on Main St.)

Students who are driving will have to park in the lot on the WEST side of the building (near the North football stadium).  After parking, students will walk across Prince Street and enter the campus at the NORTH-WEST corner of the football stadium.  Students should then walk around the stadium track (inside the stadium), and then enter the building via the doors by the Fine Arts Loading Dock.  This entrance is labeled “22” above the door.  Once you enter the building, the band room is #142, and is just steps away from this entrance.

We need to make great use of every rehearsal minute allocated to our band next week.  Give yourself plenty of time to be in the band room early on Monday morning.  We ask that you aim to arrive no later than 8:45 am so you have time to find your seat and warm up properly before a 9 AM downbeat.  If you are driving and parking, arrive at DGN by 8:30 am so you have time to walk to the band room through the construction.

As a reminder, the June 4th rehears schedule has the full band working from 9 AM - 12 noon, and the jazz band working from 1:30 - 3:30 PM.

Your music faculty is really looking forward to making music with you on Monday!

Concert Attire Requirements

For our formal concert in Bietigheim-Bissingen:

Men – Tuxedo or tuxedo look.  Black dress pants / Black dress socks / Black dress shoes / WHITE long sleeved dress shirt (tucked in with a black belt.  Black Sport Coat/Blazer.  Black bow –tie.   Women – Long Black dress skirt (should be well below the knees when seated) or Black dress pants / Black closed-toe dress shoes /black or neutral color nylons / Black long sleeved dress blouse (at least 3/4 sleeved REQUIRED – no straps, shoulders must be completely covered, conservative cut in front).  A formal black dress with long sleeves is also appropriate. Ladies, please note: any formal blouse/top must completely cover your waist when seated or standing.  You should not have to tug down on your blouse, or up on your pants, to cover your body. Dress pants do not include tight-fitting yoga style pants, or jeans of any kind.  Women must wear closed toe black dress shoes.  Sandals of any kind are inappropriate for any of our concerts on tour.   

Be Conservative – Be Formal – Be PROFESSIONAL!

For our informal concerts including our Jazz Band performances:

Men & Women – Tour Shirt with black crew neck t-shirt under the bowling shirt.  Black dress pants.  Black, closed-toe dress shoes.  Black socks or nylons.  

It's Electrifyin'!

With our tour quickly approaching, we have had some students beginning to ask for clarification about power adapters, phone chargers and all things electronic for use on the tour.  Here, once and for all, is the explanation (hopefully) of what students will need and will NOT need for the trip:

1)  DO NOT BRING A HAIR DRYER!  There is most likely one in your hotel room for your convenient use (we are confirming this, but in our experience this is standard. Your host family will probably have one as well.  You can email them ahead time to ask them!

2)  If you MUST bring a curling or straightening iron (or the hair dryer we just told you not to bring), Bring one that is made for travel and is DUAL VOLTAGE.  From looking at Target and Walmart online, it looks like there are several options.  MAKE SURE IT IS A DUAL VOLTAGE appliance.  When in doubt, ask!  Then, still read the box or instructions a couple times to make sure. There is also the possibility of using a voltage adapter, but despite our best efforts, it seems like students always try to make this work and run into some sort of trouble.  Again, you can ask your hosts if they have what you need.  

3)  If you are bringing small rechargeable electronics such as a cellphone, iPod, iPad, digital camera, etc. all you will probably need is a PLUG ADAPTER (explained below).  Here's how to know for sure.  Take a look at the charging plug for your electronic device.  It will have a bunch of writing on it.  Here is an example of two of my own charging plugs (Click on image to enlarge):

The plug on the left says "Input: AC 120v 60Hz 4W.  120v is what we use here in the US.  The UK and Europe use 240v so I cannot use this power supply in Italy and Germany without a LOW WATTAGE or DUAL WATTAGE VOLTAGE adapter (explained below, I promise!).  The plug on the right, however, says Input: 100-240v 200mz 50-60Hz.  That lets me know that it will work on US voltage AND UK/European voltage. So for that device, all I need is the PLUG ADAPTER!  So, look at your small electronics.  Most likely all you will need is the plug adapter.

Now for the explanations!

Voltage Adapters/Converter

These come in three types - High Wattage (for devices from about 50w to about 1800w), Low Wattage (for devices less than 50w), and Dual Wattage (which can do both kinds of devices by switching a switch). Small electronics will need the Low or Dual Wattage adapter (set on Low).  Using the High Wattage converter with small electronics will cause damage. To use these voltage adapters, you will also need to have the appropriate plug adapters (which are often but not always included).

A quick look on Frys.com turned up the following low wattage adapter for what seems to be a great price (click on top line for link to website):

50 Watt Voltage Converter Transforms 220/240 Volts Into 110/120 Volts - VC-50

Mfr: Black Point   Model: VC-50   FRYS.com #1769524   UPC: 014759030065 $7.95

As of this posting, it is available currently in the store right here in Downers Grove.  Note that this adapter does not come with the plug adapters that you will need to plug this into the wall in your hotel room and with your host family. (plug adapter goes into the wall, then the voltage adapter plugs into that, and then your device plugs into the voltage adapter).

Plug Adapters Even if you do not need a voltage adapter/converter you will still need a plug adapter that will change the shape of your US plug to the European plug type.  Fry's sells a couple sets of plug adapters  for a range of prices.  The adapter you need looks like this: Here are two sets of adapters that look like they will work (click on the top line of each to get the link.  Both are in stock at the Downers Grove Fry's as well.)  Then you are ready for future international adventures! (Note - Despite this first set saying "United Kingdom", it is indeed a set for Europe and the UK) United Kingdom Plug Adapter These 4 Plug Adapters will Convert most Elect. Plugs VC-40  GQ Products: FRYS.com #: 1769513 $8.79 Lenmar: AC5 World Traveler Adapter Plug Set, With Various Adapter Plugs  Power Transformers: FRYS.com #: 4132603 $10.99 I hope this helps!  Please feel free to email Mr. Miller if you still have any questions!

What You Need To Have Ready for the First Rehearsal

Our first rehearsal of the D99 Honors Band is just one week away!  On Monday, June 4^th, we will gather at 9:00 am in the North High Band Room (142) to read all of the literature we hope to perform in Germany.

We are working under the presumption that you have already secured all of your parts (following the instructions provided earlier) and you have been busy preparing your music in anticipation of next week’s ‘boot camp.’ It is really important that you review ALL of the music prior to June 4^th, even if you already feel like you have a general technical/musical grasp on the literature.  Some of the pieces you may not have performed in over 6 months.  Other pieces are new for everyone!  Support the collective musicianship of the team/ensemble by knowing your parts before you show up next Monday.  No member of the band should be sight-reading anything.

Additionally, we will be checking on June 4^th to make sure your music binder is appropriately organized, and labeled with your name.

So here are the items you need to have with you next Monday, June 4^th

1.       Your instrument and all equipment to make great music.  Brass players make certain you have all mutes required of you.  Woodwinds have multiple high-functioning reeds.  Percussionists bring all personal mallets and sticks, making sure that all are labeled with your name. 

2.       Your own pencil.

3.       A plain, black, 3 ring binder.  Your name should appear on the inside of the binder and be easy for someone to locate if your binder is misplaced.  (Please do not affix your name to the outside of the binder.

4.       Enough plastic sleeves to hold all of your concert band music (and jazz, if you are playing in the jazz band).  You can buy these sleeves at Office Depot (or similar).  Remember you can place your music pages back-to-back in the sleeves. 

5.       Your personal copies of the music.  For now, please organize your folder with your music in this order …

Fanfare of Freedom – David Ott
(Leave one blank plastic sheet for the National Anthems, which we will distribute to you on June 4.)
Procession of the Nobles - Rimsky-Korsakov
... Go! - Sam Hazo
The Thunderer – Sousa

After the Thunderer - Ira Hershen

Slava! – Leonard Bernstein
Dreamland - Michael Markowski
Harry Potter Suite – John Williams
                I. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (arr. Lopez)
                II. Harry’s Wondrous World (arr. Brubaker)
Alleluia! Laudemus Te - Alfred Reed
National Game – Sousa/ed. Keith Brion
Stars and Stripes
Beguine for Band – Glenn Osser

Students who are playing in the D99 Honors Jazz Band should also include that music in their binder.  We suggest that, for now, you simply organize those pieces alpha by title.

*** Again, to reinforce expectations, every student is expected to have their very own black binder completely assembled and ready to use at 9:00 am on June 4^th.  Walk into the rehearsal with your materials ready to go, the music learned, and excited to make great music with a very talented group of your peers!

Group Photograph Set For June 6th - 8:30 AM

We will take the publicity/press photograph of the District 99 Honors Band at 8:30 AM on Wednesday, June 6th.  Band members are asked to kindly add this event to their personal calendar.

Students are asked to arrive at North High wearing their full dress 'Concert Black' at 8:20 AM.  This includes 'tuxedo' look with ties for men, and long/covering black clothing for the women.  Appropriate closed-toe black dress shoes required.

Students should set up their instrument in the band room, and then report to the Main Street Lobby of North High School for the picture, which will be taken at 8:30 AM.  If a student is late, they will not be in this photograph, which will be used in press releases, and also framed to hang in our schools.  We will take the photograph at 8:30 AM with the students who are ready to go.  Please plan transportation accordingly, and consider potential traffic delays at train tracks, etc.  The school building will be open by 8:00 AM for anyone who would like to be early.

Following the picture, students will have the opportunity to change into comfortable clothing for the rehearsal, which will begin at 9:00 AM, so don't forget to bring a change of clothes with you!

Departure in ...

Host Family Assignments Updated

We received an updated roster of Host Family Assignments from our friends in Germany.  Many of the missing email addresses of host families have now been filled in.  You may access that list here.

This updated list, and all future updates, may be accessed via the link on the right hand side of this page, marked "Host Family Assignments."  We will always keep the most updated information in this "Tour Resources section of the Blog.

Did you know???

Did you know we are visiting the Roman Colosseum very soon?  Did you know that during the prime time of funcationality, lions would "pop" up out of the floor of the Colosseum to wage battles with gladiators?  Did you know that when you know something about places you are going to visit your experience will be greatly enhanced?

Check out this fabulous article from the Smithsonian Magazine that uncovers previously unknown secrets of the Roman Colosseum..........

Secrets of the Roman Colosseum

Please Review Your Part Assignments

We have created an updated list of all part assignments.  This is a very specific list that should help you know exactly which part you are playing on each piece of literature.  (For example, a clarinet player might be playing 'Clarinet 3' on one piece, but playing 'Clarinet 4' on another.)

Click here to access the Google Doc that shows your part assignments for each individual piece of tour literature.  Note that there are two 'tabs' at the bottom of the spreadsheet.  One is for 'Winds' and one is for 'Percussion.'

Reference Recordings Online!

To help in your preparation for our quickly approaching tour, we have posted reference recordings of most of the concert and jazz literature.  Even if you have performed this literature during the year, hearing these recordings should help you in your practicing.  There are also several pieces in both the concert and jazz band repertoire that NO ONE has played this year! For those tour participants who have not played any of this literature during the year, it is very important for you to start listening and to continue to prepare your music so you can be caught up by the time our rehearsals start in June.

Recordings can be found in the TOUR RESOURCES link on the right side of our blog page.

Host Family Assignments

We have just received the host family assignments!

Click here to see the list, and find your name.

The music faculty at the Musikschule are working to fill in the blanks of missing email addresses.  We will update the list as it is made available to us.

Students will probably start to receive communication from the host family in the next week.  You are also encouraged to 'reach out' to your host, if you would like to say hello!

Departure in ...

Tour Chaperone Assignments

Want to Swim in Rome? Pack a Swim Cap!

Our new hotel has a roof-top pool.  If you want to swim in it, you must pack a swim cap.  This hotel, like many in Italy, require that all swimmers (male and female) wear a swim cap.  No exceptions.  If you don't have one, they will not let you swim.

Hotel in Rome - Change

We were informed today, by our travel agent, that a change has been made regarding our hotel in Rome.

Reason for the change: -  The H10 Hotel recently had a student group stay at the hotel and there was some damage done to the hotel. A decision was made by the hotel management that they will no longer allow student groups and they have cancelled our contract and the contract of another student group scheduled for June.

Our agent has found an outstanding alternate property, and we are already booked.  It is a four star hotel with a roof top pool and Wi-Fi.

All roommate assignments will still be honored at the new hotel.  

The new hotel's website may be accessed by clicking here.

A copy of the tour itinerary, updated with the new hotel information, may be found here or accessed through the navigation links of this blog.

Departure in ...

Calendar Addition: Send Off Concert!

The District 99 Honors Band, and Honors Jazz Band, will present a 'Tour Send Off Concert' featuring musical excerpts from our tour repertoire, on Monday evening, June 11th, from 7:00 - 8:00 pm in the North High School Auditorium.

We hope that family and friends in the community will come out to support our student musicians who will be appreciative of an audience to play for prior to tour departure.

Following the concert there will be a brief (20-30 min.) final parent/participant meeting in the Auditorium.

Thank you for adding this to your calendar.