JTHS BAA UPDATE

We have several new faces on the board (see the meeting minutes enclosed for more information) and they’re bringing a fresh perspective to our activities and outreach. Expect to see some great things in the coming months and years!! We’d like to take the opportunity to welcome them aboard!

Upcoming events

The Big Event

We have already had some initial discussions as to the nature of the celebration. Most importantly, we want to celebrate in the manner that you, the membership want! We want to have at least one concert, and based on the response from participants, we would like to see multiple concert ensembles.

Going back several years, probably about 5, shortly after the Rialto concert, Mike Fiske and Brad Uffelmann were discussing the alumni band and the possibilities for the ensemble and the centennial.

Realizing at the time, it was ten years out and pipe dreams were being discussed, the idea of entering the band at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic, held each year at the Chicago Hilton and Towers the week before Christmas came up. This topic has been revisited several times in the past, and was discussed a little bit both during the concert festivities this past summer and at the annual meeting.

For those of you who are unaware of the Mid-West Clinic, this is the Grand Prix of the music education world. Each year, somewhere between five and six thousand people (band/orchestra directors, university professors, private teachers, professional musicians and representatives from companies offering services to the music education world) attend this conference. Acceptance by an ensemble into the clinic is one of the highest compliments that can be given an ensemble.

Historically, the Joliet Township High School Bands have performed at the first clinic in 1947, again in 1949, 1956, and most recently in 1966. Also performing in the past was the Joliet Grade School Band under the baton of distinguished alumnus Charles S. Peters as well as the “A.R. McAllister Memorial Band of the American Legion” which is now better knows as the Joliet American Legion Band. The Mid-West Clinic has a rich history that intersects many times with Joliet bands, so it only seems fitting that we consider entering ourselves in contention in 2011-12. More information on this will be forthcoming as the years events are planned.

Please find attached the minutes from the annual meeting and the annual treasurer’s report as are traditionally included in the mailing following the annual meeting.

We hope that your year is going well, and that you have much joy and success in the new year! Please come out and support our JT Bands in all of their endeavors this school year. Our continued success is a direct result of the current students. One of the major pushes this year is to make our organization more visible to the current students. Watch the next several mailings closely as we will have some new initiatives that are currently in development!

Musically yours,

JTHS BAA Board