Fremd High School Band Performs at Renown Band Convention

The William Fremd High School Wind Symphony recently performed at the 65th Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic at McCormick Center West on Dec. 15. The Midwest Clinic is annually attended by 16,000 people and is the world’s largest band and orchestra convention.

The Fremd Wind Symphony is made up of 66 students and is the top of four symphonic bands offered by the high school. The Fremd Band program consists of 265 students and is under the direction of Matthew Moore.

The Fremd Wind Symphony performed in front of approximately 600 music educators who chose to attend their presentation. The band performed segments from thirteen pieces along with the topic entitled “Good Music is Good Music: Identifying Quality Repertoire for Bands of All Levels.”  The selected compositions include a wide variety of music and styles, which were prepared over the past four months. The compositions were chosen based on the following shared themes: marches, traditional folk songs, variations on folk songs, modern techniques, seasonal references, and ancient events/themes. 

The presentation was the combined efforts of band directors Matthew Moore (Fremd High School), Rick LoPresto (Benotas Middle School, Crystal Lake), and Dr. Brian Shelton (Texas A & M, Kingsville). Last year the band director trio gave similar presentations at the Illinois Music Educators Association “All-State Conference,” and the Texas Music Educators Association “All-State Conference.”  The three band directors have long been friends, having met at Northern Illinois University during their undergraduate studies.

The directors were notified in July that they were selected for the prestigious Midwest Clinic. The presentation/performance was one of 90 clinics selected for the four day convention (out of 250 applicants). Stipulations for the presentation included performance of all selected compositions by the Fremd Wind Symphony. Other area ensembles that performed clinics or performances at the conference included: Hersey High School Symphony Orchestra, jazz bands from St. Charles North and Downers Grove South, and symphonic bands from Stevenson, Lockport, and Warren Township High School. 

The presentation was met with excellent reviews and was a rewarding experience for the students. In addition to the clinic, Fremd students were also fortunate to meet famous band/orchestra composers (Roger Cichy, John Mackey, Frank Ticheli) as well as other notable professional musicians (Chris Martin, Principal Trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra).

Information submitted by Township High School District 211.