Des Plaines Orchestra Festival 2024 #207Now #62Learns #orchestra #musiceducation @mworchestras @62schools @mainewestfab

 

On Tuesday, October 22nd, Maine West had the pleasure of hosting over 130 area middle school orchestra students and their directors from Chippewa, Algonquin and Iroquois for the annual Des Plaines Orchestra Festival.

During the school day, students participated in rehearsals and workshops, with a special highlight being our guest clinician, Dr. Diego Piedra, the conductor of the Valparaiso University Orchestra.

The evening concert allowed each separate ensemble to shine in the spotlight with a piece or two performed independently, and then culminated with a mega-orchestra performance with all students performing Mechanical Monsters by Randall Standridge.

Thank you to all of the students and families for coming to West to participate in this very special community event!

Thank you to directors Kristin Vaziri, Dion Morales, Dominique Radtke and Daniella Valdez for organizing the events!

HERE is a folder full of pictures from tonight's concert. 

HERE is the concert program.

If you missed tonight's concert, please watch the livestream below:

Maine West & District 62 Middle School Bands Collaborate for Marching Band Night #207Now #band #marchingband @mainewestband @mainewestfab @62schools

 

On Wednesday, October 16th, Maine West welcomed students and directors from the three District 62 middle schools - Iroquois, Chippewa and Algonquin - to perform in the annual Maine West & District 62 Marching Band Night. 

The Marching Warriors performed their show, Mad Romance, and the District 62 students joined the Marching Warriors in performance of the Warrior Fight Song.

Thank you to all of the students and directors for coming to Maine West to share the joy of music! We look forward to welcoming all of the future Warriors to the West Band!

Click HERE to learn more about the Maine West Band, and what to look forward to when you join us at West! 

Click HERE to see many more pictures from the event!

2024 Des Plaines Orchestra Festival #207Now #orchestra #musiceducation @mworchestras @62schools @mwactivities @mainewestfab

Today, Maine West had the pleasure of hosting the Des Plaines Orchestra Festival, where string students from Algonquin Middle School, Chippewa Middle School, Iroquois Community School, and Maine West High School showcased their incredible talents. This festival was not just a performance but an enriching educational experience, as students participated in clinics throughout the day, honing their skills and learning from each other.

The highlight of the clinic was the invaluable guidance provided by Dr. Yvonne Davila-Cortes, our esteemed guest clinician. Her expertise and enthusiasm truly elevated the learning experience for District 62 orchestra students.

This evening's Des Plaines Orchestra Festival Concert was a testament to the hard work and dedication of all the students and their instructors. Each orchestra brought its unique flair, culminating in a stunning collaborative performance of the piece, Battle Charger by Dion Morales. Mr. Morales is not only a composer, but he is the director of the Chippewa Middle School Orchestra! 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the students who participated today, as well as their teachers - Mr. Dominique Radtke, Mr. Dion Morales, Ms. Kristin Vaziri and Ms. Daniella Valdez - for making this educational experience and performance possible. 

HERE is a link to the livestream if you would like to watch the concert.

HERE is the program from tonight's concert.

HERE are more pictures from today's Des Plaines Orchestra Festival.

A huge thank you to the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters for supporting tonight's event. We hope that many more of our parents and caregivers will consider supporting the arts by contributing to the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters through financial and/or volunteer contributions.

Maine West and District 62 Art Show at the Des Plaines Public Library #207Now #artshow @mainewestart @lahartanddesign2 @62Schools @mwactivities @mainewestfab

Maine West and District 62 artists will have work featured in the annual D62/MW Des Plaines Library Art Show. Work will be on display from January 19th through February 6th. Come out and enjoy the works of these talented young artists!

Maine West & District 62 Bands Collaborate in the 2024 Band Festival #207now #band #musiceducation @mainewestband @D62schools @mainewestfab

 

Today, Maine West welcomed middle school students from Iroquois Community School, Chippewa Middle School and Algonquin Middle School to participate in the 2024 Maine West & District 62 Band Festival. 

Each middle school band program performed a piece independently, and then all band programs combined together to perform a piece together. Mr. Gerstmayr provided some valuable, individualized feedback to each of the middle school ensembles to help them in their preparation of their pieces.

Thank you to Mr. Bernie Gerstmayr, Maine West Band Director, Ms. Missy Legutki, Algonquin Band Director, Mr. Brian Gavilan, Chippewa Band Director, and Ms. Stephanie Strzalka, Iroquois Band Director for working together to organize this wonderful event for Des Plaines are band students! 

More pictures from today's Band Festival can be viewed HERE.

Maine West's Choir and Orchestra Performs for District 62 and Lee Manor #207Now #musiceducation #partnerschools @mworchestras @mainewestchoir @mainewestfab

 On Thursday, December 14th members of the Maine West Choir and Orchestra programs spent the day touring Algonquin, Chippewa and Iroquois Schools, as well as the Lee Manor Nursing Home. Thank you to the Maine West students for sharing your talents with the community, and a huge shout out to the leaders in District 62 who organized and supported these assembly performances. It was so nice to play for all of your students!

2023 MW/D62 Marching Band Night! #207Now #62Learns @mainewestband @62schools @mainewestfab

 
Tonight, Maine West hosted 7th and 8th grade band students and teachers from Iroquois, Algonquin and Chippewa at the annual MW/D62 Marching Band Night! Our friends from District 62 learned to play the fight song in student-led sectionals earlier in the evening.

At the concert, the Maine West Band performed their show The Architect, among other fan favorites - the fight song and drumline cadences. The District 62 and Maine West Bands joined together to finish the concert in Mega Band Mode and performed a Taylor Swift tune and the Maine West Fight Song!

Congratulations to all of the student musicians and music teachers, especially our friends from District 62! We look forward to welcoming all of you in the Maine West Band program as students soon!

More pictures from tonight's program can be found HERE.