Successful Winter Concert

Well we had a very successful Winter Concert - Sounds of the Season.  Both choirs and both bands sang and played very well.  We have a nice audience and a really nice reception from those folks.  The venue of the Auditorium in the Historic Nauvoo Visitors' Center was a great place for this concert.  Everyone could see all of the performers and hear all of the nuances that we worked so hard to achieve.

We are looking for some pictures to display here, so if you took pictures, please forward them to us so that we can post them on the website.


We hope that every one has a wonderful and relaxing holiday.

Solo & Ensemble Contest

Students should be thinking about participating in the Solo & Ensemble Contest at the end of February.  Several students in band have already signed up.  We encourage all music students to participate in either a solo or and ensemble.  It really helps their playing and singing when they perform in a small group.

Everyone please note the date change for the IGSMA Solo and Ensemble contest.  It should be February 26, 2011.  The location is probably Baldwin Middle School in Quincy.

Please contact Mrs. Wilson or Mr. Dowell with your questions about Solo & Ensemble Contest.

Winter Concert - December 16

The band and chorus students are working hard toward their performance in the annual Winter Concert on Thursday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m.  Both groups are tackling some challenging music for this annual program.  We have always included a variety of seasonal music and this year is no exception.  As Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Dowell have worked with the groups this year, we have determined that we should perform a couple of combined songs, so we have selected a special arrangement of "Silent Night" that is just about the coolest arrangement of this traditional song that we have ever heard.  We hope that you will enjoy it.  And, we plan to close the program with a "Christmas Finale" that combines three favorite seasonal songs into a very nice arrangement for band and chorus.  The band is even planning a few "sing-a-long" traditional songs during its part of the program.  We hope that you look forward to our presentations and will make a point of attending this year's Winter Concert.

For this year's program, we decided to move to an atmosphere that is more suitable for our concerts.  We have received permission to use the West Auditorium in the Nauvoo Historic Visitors Center.  This intimate hall is designed for musical presentations, has a nice stage and lighting for the performers, and comfortable seating for the audience.  We have missed performing in the old Academy Auditorium and this seems a suitable replacement for our concerts.  We hope that you will like this venue and will support our decision by attending our concert there.

IMEA District Concert Festival

We successfully completed the day Saturday and all students had a really good time and learned a whole lot.  Congratulations to Devon and Ariel for their selection and participation in the Junior Band and Orchestra.  Both have said that they are looking forward to participating again next year.

Next, we look forward to our Winter Concert on December 16.  We have finalized our location for the concert.  We are going to hold the concert in the very nice auditorium in the Historic Visitors Center in Nauvoo.  This is a very nice auditorium that will provide our students the opportunity to sing and play in a hall designed for concerts and musical programs.  The program will begin at 7:00.  So, you'll want to save the date and be sure to come to our JH Choral and Instrumental Winter Program

Fall Concert, Jazz Concert, and Spooky Parade

We have our Fall Concert coming up next Thursday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m.  It will be held in the Gymnasium at the Junior High School building.  The Students have been working hard all fall to prepare this program and we think that we have an enjoyable evening planned.  Of course, everyone is invited to come and hear the students sing and play.  The Students are asked to come early, to warm-up for their part of the program.

The following day, the HS Jazz ensemble will be playing a program at both the grade school and junior high.  The grade school will be in the morning with the junior high performance in the afternoon.


Then, on Saturday is the annual Halloween festivities in downtown Nauvoo.  The parade begins at 6:00 p.m.  Our music students will be participating in the Spooky Parade and will gather at the Grade School at 5:30 p.m.  A bus will pickup the Warsaw students wanting to participate at 5:00 in front of the Warsaw High School Old Gym.  The students will be dressed in their favorite Halloween character for the parade and will be performing appropriate "Spooky" music.

Students are selected for District Concert Groups

Congratulations to Devon, Ariel, and Carlie for being accepted into the IMEA District Band, Orchestra, and Chorus respectively.  When you see them, give them a "Good Job!"  They will participate in these organizations on Saturday, 6 NOV 2010 in Macomb.  Rehearsals begin around 8:00 am.  So we will have the detailed information availble to the students by the end of this week.  Congratulations again to the three.

IMEA District Auditions - Monday, October 11, 2010

We have a number of Junior High Students who will be auditioning for the IMEA (Illinois Music Education Association) District 4 Concert Organizations on Monday, October 11, 2010, at PORTA High School in Petersberg, IL.  The students living in the Warsaw District will be riding the bus with the Warsaw HS band and chorus students.  It is leaving at 7:00 from the Band Room at the High School.  The JH students from Nauvoo with ride with Mrs. Wilson and they are leaving from the JH at 7:00.  If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Kanauss, Mrs. Wilson, or Mr. Dowell.

Band Night successful

We had our annual Band Night on Monday, October 4.  We had about 12 families attend.  So far, we have 10 new band students who have joined the program.  If you weren't able to come to Band Night with your 4th grade student and still want them in the Band Program, please contact Mr. Dowell at the Grade School for the information packet and registration form.  The classroom teachers have been given copies of the packet for students who missed the program as well.

We still have room for more new band students.  So, if you are in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade and want to play in the band, you can still get enrolled.  Just see Mr. Dowell at the Grade School.

Attention Music Artists!

We are looking for student artists to design the cover for our fall concert.  Your design must be in black and white and fit a half sheet of paper (8" tall x 5" wide).  Your theme should be music and the fall season.  Please put your full name on the back of the design and turn it in to Mrs. Wilson or Mr. Dowell by Oct. 15th.  You may get to see your design in print!

Response to Big Sister's Questions

The Homecoming parade is billed from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  If you take the student after we're done, but before the parade has concluded, you can probably make both events with no problem.  I have to wait for the parade to get over so that we can get the bus out of the Hamilton parking lot.  Then, we will take any Warsaw students to the HS and then return to Nauvoo.  I won't be able to get the the Women's Music night until around 7:30.  I will miss the taco supper.   Mr. D.

Band Members Auditioning for District Concert Groups

Working hard for the IMEA District auditions are Bailey, Ariel, Devon, and Kelli.  This is a difficult audition so that they have to work really hard.  We encourage them to continuing working hard.  Good luck on your audition.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

We are sponsoring a trip to East Peoria on Friday night, December 10, to see the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. We will leave immediately after school that day, have supper in East Peoria (bring money) and return last that night.  Tickets will be $8 for students.  If you are interested, sign up with Mrs. Wilson or Mr. Dowell.  Seating is limited to 12 students!

Chorus update

The Chorus is working hard learning not only some interesting music, but how music works. We have spent time learning solfege, which is the language of syllables used to sing tones of the scale.  We even have a March which only uses that language - in 3 keys, no less!  We have also been learning how to sing in three- part harmony, which is challenging.
     Lathan Althide, Carly Jackson, Curstin Rutledge, and Elizabeth Cochran are preparing Auditions for District Chorus.  The Auditions are October 11 in Petersburg, IL. About half of those who audition are chosen for District Chorus.  Those who make it will rehearse and perform on the Western Illinois University campus on Saturday, November 6 with over a three hundred other young singers, band, and orchestra members.  The public is invited to this concert at Western Hall at 2:00 PM. There is a nominal charge for the concert.

Coming events

Well, the band is getting ready for the Titan Homecoming parade on Friday, 1 October and the Parade of Champions on Saturday, 9 October in Kahoka.  Members of the Band and Chorus are working hard to prepare for the IMEA District Auditions that are held on Monday, October 11.  Everyone is really busy and it looks like everyone is having a good time learning about music, marching, and teamwork.  We would like to congratulate our 8th graders who are serving as Drum Majors for this year's JH Marching Band:  Katie, Cassie, Alayna, Lexi, Aleetha, and Keaghan.  If you see them in the hall, give them a thanks for doing such a good job.

Mid Term

Well, it's mid-term tomorrow.  The Band has been working really hard on the new music and marching techniques.  We have our first performance in a major parade two weeks from tomorrow in the Homecoming Parade in Hamilton.  All band members really need to be working hard on the music so that we can play all three tunes for this parade.  Percussion have a real task to learn the cadences and the music.  It's coming together pretty well, but we're not there yet.  Band members are working really hard and doing a good job!  Keep it up!

Successful Grape Fest Parade

The JH Band successfully completed its part of the Grape Fest Pet Parade.  The students did a fine job of playing and marching.  Congratulations.  Pictures coming soon.

It's ON!

School has begun and we are on our way!  We are both excited about the new groups in the Music Dept. Parents, a reminder that our first concert is October 28.  I know that seems a long way off, but my experience is that it goes by so quickly! 

Students wishing to participate in the District Festival Auditions October 11 need to sign up next week.  They will need to practice the audition material which includes music and scales. Due to budget cuts, students need to pay the $5 Audition fee.  Those selected will get to perform at the District Festival held on the WIU campus November 6.  This is always a wonderful day of music - don't miss the opportunity to try it!

  If you need to contact either of us for any questions you might have, we both have active email addresses.  dowelld@nauvoo-colusa.com  and wilsonj@nauvoo-colusa.com .  Don't forget to check out our website for the handbook and calendar information.
                                                                                                                                                   jkw

Welcome!

Welcome to our new blog!  Mr. Dowell and I are planning on keeping you informed this year by posting here on our blog.  I am looking forward to a great year here at Nauvoo.  Our room is freshly painted, and I am busy putting up posters, looking for great new music, and finding out who will be our singers this year!
   I have put some pictures on from last year. As we get new ones, we will try to keep them updated.