James Hart School bands received Division I ratings for the third consecutive year. It was the fourth time in five years that the school’s musicians have received this recognition.
The Symphonic Band took part in the Illinois Grade School Music Association District VI Organization Contest on March 10.
“At contest, bands are not ranked against one another, but receive a rating based on the overall quality of their playing from a panel of three judges,” band director Matthew Johnson said. “After an inspired performance, the band received the highest rating of Division I from all three judges.”
Students in the band music programs continue to be busy this spring semester.
The 60-member band will give two performances this month following successful performances in February and March. The band will perform April 12 at the South Suburban Junior High School Association Conference Band Festival hosted by James Hart School.
The Symphonic Band will give its second performance at the State of Illinois Concert Band Clinic at Illinois State University on April 21.
After giving its chamber recital Feb. 6 at school that included works of Bach, Beethoven, Haydn and Purcell, Symphonic Band members were joined by the Varsity Band for the annual James Hart Winter Music Festival that included performances by the bands, choir and orchestra.
On Feb. 15, the James Hart Gold Jazz Band performed at the 30th annual Prairie State College Jazz Invitational. The band’s presentation was assessed by award-winning artists who gave suggestions for improvement. Band directors Johnson and Kim Tallungan helped students learn how to include the jazz instruction in their performances.
James Hart Bands Music in Our Schools Month was celebrated March 6 with a concert performed by the Gold Jazz, the Maroon Jazz and Symphonic Bands. Johnson had students perform a traditional New Orleans brass band arrangement, and works by Benny Golson, Glenn Miller, Brian Balmages and Henry Filmore.
The program was highlighted by a performance of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.”