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The West Suburban Home School Band, also known as the WSHSB, follows
the model of a community band and includes all wind instruments, woodwinds and brass, as
well as a full percussion section. There are no stringed instruments. Membership has grown
from 46 students/26 families in 2001, to 170 students/80 families in
2007-2008.
Director, founder and staff
Mrs. Karen Borow is the director and founder of the WSHSB. She is a home school mother of
seven. The director, assistant director, percussion coordinator and staff are volunteers.
Membership requirement
Students must be home schooled to be part of the WSHSB.
Ages
All home schooled students between the ages of 9 (recommended minimum) and 19. Home
schooled graduates may continue their membership as adult helpers. See Student and
Adult Helpers below.
Band Practice
Band practice is every Thursday at Resurrection Church in Wayne (NW corner of Route
59 & Army Trail Road). 5:15-6:00 Cadet Band, 6:00-7:00 Concert Junior Band, 7:00-8:00
Concert Senior Band, 8:00-9:00 Symphonic Band.
Ensemble Setting
At band practice, students work together as a group. Students are expected to take
personal responsibility for their musical development as part of their home schooling
experience. Daily practice is required and is the only sure means of progressing and
improving. While private lessons are not a requirement, they are encouraged, and will
generally help students progress faster than those who do not.
Trimester Schedule
Two concert trimesters are followed by a voluntary, summer marching trimester. First
concert trimester is late September through Winter Concert in January. Second concert
trimester is February through Spring Concert in May. There are a few additional
performance opportunities during the year.
Applications in SPRING AND SUMMER ONLY
Applications for the concert trimesters are accepted during the spring and summer only.
The fall roster is set and final by the end of August. See How to Join. All levels, except the beginner Cadets, must submit an audition tape by the
deadline in August. Specific dates associated with Auditions are posted on our Calendar.
AUDITIONING FOR A PARTICULAR BAND DOES NOT GUARANTEE ACCEPTANCE
IN THAT BAND. Experienced musicians, thinking about joining the band in the fall, may
participate in the summer Marching Trimester, before submitting an audition tape. See Marching Trimester below.
Cost
For each of the two concert trimesters, there is a nominal family fee plus a modest per
student fee with a discount for three or more children. The marching trimester fee for
student musicians is refundable, based on participation. Details are on the respective
registration forms, found on our Forms/Documents web page. Fees are subject to change.
Tuba Scholarship
The band currently offers a tuba scholarship to any student who chooses the tuba as their
primary instrument. The scholarship includes waiving of the family registration, student
tuition and tuba rental fees for the year. This offer is subject to withdrawal or change
from year to year.
Proficiency
There are four band levels to accommodate those with no musical training whatsoever to
those with advanced experience and abilities. The levels are Cadet, Concert Junior,
Concert Senior and Symphonic.
Multiple Instruments
Junior, Senior and Symphonic Band members may take up a second instrument as a Cadet.
However, when the combined bands play, they must play their instrument from the higher
band, otherwise known as their primary instrument. IMPORTANT: Exceptions to this
rule may occur based on the musical needs of a particular song. In that case, students who
play more than one instrument are expected to accept and follow the director’s
choice/decision as to which instrument they will play for that song.
Parental Membership
Beginner parents and experienced parents are welcome to participate, but must demonstrate
proficiency to determine if and where they might best be utilized.
Student and Adult Helpers
Student or adult band members interested in being a helper in a lower band are welcome to
do so with the approval of the director. However, there may be limits on the number of
helpers allowed, for a variety of reasons. Alternatively, the director may invite someone
to become a helper, based on musical needs. Once helpers commit, they are expected to
fulfill that role for the entire concert season, both trimesters.
Band Boosters
The WSHSB Boosters are parent volunteers who support the band in a variety of ways. All
band parents are asked to make a contribution of their time, assisting the band as needed,
throughout the year. A regularly updated list of jobs can be found on the Band Boosters web page.
Solo and Ensemble Contest
A Solo and Ensemble Contest is held in March.
Rentals Available
The band has a limited number of instruments available for rent. Contact the Director,
Mrs. Karen Borow, regarding the band's rental fees and available rental instruments.
Communication
The WSHSB website is our primary means of communication. It is the responsibility of
both parents and students to check the Member’s News Page regularly, for the most
current information. There, members will find links to weekly Rehearsal Notes, occasional
Wednesday Updates, time-sensitive announcements and forms or documents currently in use.
Most of these contain information for both parents and students. Parents should
also check the Boosters tab for the current Band Booster jobs needing volunteers.
Marching Trimester
For the marching trimester, the WSHSB is also known as "The Patriots". The marching trimester is voluntary and is open to
current WSHSB members and non-members alike. We need both musicians and
non-musicians. Any experienced, home-schooled musician, age 9 or older, is eligible to
march with the WSHSB. Musicians must have at least one school year of instruction or
experience on their instrument. Besides musicians, there is also a need for non-musicians
to complete the Color Guard Unit. There is no age restriction for the Color Guard Unit,
but volunteers must be physically strong enough to hold the flags/banner. For complete
marching info see Summer
Marching.
- Email
Click here
for General Information
Click here for Musical Director
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