Composer Dr. Sáez Speaks with Maine West Choir Students #207Now #composer #guestartist @mainewestchoir @mainewestfab

On Friday, October 13th, Maine West's Concert Choir had the opportunity to Zoom with Dr. Diana Sáez (Choral Professor at Towson University- Towson, Maryland). Dr. Sáez is a Puerto-Rican American composer. She spoke with the students about how her Latina identity plays a role in her composition work, and also discussed the diversity of Latin American choral music!

Concert Choir is currently singing one of Dr. Sáez's pieces in class-- "Plena"-- a Puerto-Rican rhythm and dance. "Plena" will be performed at our Dimensions concert next month. This year, the theme of Dimensions is Identity so there were many rich connections students were able to make to their own identities during this Zoom session. The session concluded with Maine West students singing "Plena" for Dr. Sáez! 

Thank you to choral director, Mr. Jim Schiffer, for arranging this wonderful opportunity that afforded Maine West choir students the ability to converse with a professional composer!

Guest Artists Crossing Borders Music Presents "Stories and Music of Resilience" #207Now #guestartists #musiceducation #resilience @mainewestfab @mainewestchoir @crossingbordersmusic

 
On January 24th, Maine West students in music and social science classes had the opportunity to hear guest artists Crossing Borders Music present a program entitled, "Stories and Music of Resilience." Students learned about social, political, historical and cultural issues and their impact on the music from diverse cultures, as well as how music can be a vehicle to express and celebrate human resilience.

Music performed included:

Amanda John: Yeah...I Hit Like a Girl - Chickasaw Nation (Oklahoma, US)
Cruise Berry: Donne XIV - Chickasaw Nation (Oklahoma, US)
Dmitri Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 8, in C Minor, Op. 110 - Soviet Union
Ching Ju Shih: Mending Broken Fishing Nets - Taiwan
Ástor Piazzolla: Adiós Noniño (Farewell, Granddaddy) - Argentina
Justinian Tamusuza: Mu KKubo Ery 'Omusaalaba (On the Way of the Cross) - Uganda
Florence B. Price: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, from Five Folksongs in Counterpoint - US

The ensemble also performed three Cambodian pieces, in collaboration with Nisa Pov from the National Cambodian Heritage Museum.

Thank you to Tom Clowes, Jennifer Leckie, Rasa Mahmoudian, Wilfred Farquharson, Nisa Pov, and Kaoru Watanabe for coming to Maine West to share this amazing program!

Brandon Podjasek Visits Percussion Techniques Class #207Now #percussion #musiceducation #guestartist @mainewestband @mainewestfab

On April 27th, students in the Percussion Techniques class had the opportunity to work with guest clinician Brandon Podjasek from North Park University. The focus of Mr. Podjasek's clinic was percussion technique. He reviewed common weaknesses in percussion technique and explained how to execute various fundamentals with proper technique, demonstrating the resulting sound when played properly. Students walked away with many useful tips that will immediately improve their playing!

Thank you to Mr. Podjasek for sharing your time and talents with the Maine West percussionists!

Thank you to Mr. Gerstmayr for making this opportunity happen!

Maine West Welcomes D62 String Players to the Des Plaines Orchestra Festival! #207Now #orchestra #musiceducation #futurewarriors @mworchestras @62schools

Today, Maine West welcomed students from the area Des Plaines middle schools: Chippewa, Algonquin and Iroquois to the Des Plaines Orchestra Festival. Each school performed one piece and Ms. Valdez gave some valuable feedback and performance tips and then rehearsed with each ensemble. The Maine West Orchestras then performed some pieces from last night's Masterworks Concert. 

The orchestra students and teachers were treated to a wonderful performance by guest artist, Caitlin Edwards, who also spoke to the students about her journey and career as a musician. Thank you for sharing your time and talents with us, Ms. Edwards!

This morning's event was a wonderful celebration of music, and we are looking forward to welcoming all of the District 62 string players to the Maine West Orchestra in the years to come!

More pictures from the Des Plaines Orchestra Festival can be found HERE. 

Taka Matsunaga Visits Orchestra Classes at West #207Now #guestartists #guestconductor @mworchestras @mainewestfab

Maine West Orchestra students had the pleasure of working with Mr. Matsunaga, Director of Orchestras at Elmhurst University and the recipient of the 2021 Conductor of the Year granted by the Illinois Council of Orchestras. 

Mr. Matsunaga offered valuable performance strategies for the repertoire students are preparing for the Masterworks Orchestra concert on Tuesday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m.

Thank you to Mr. Matsunaga for visiting Maine West and for your work with the orchestra students! Thank you to Ms. Valdez for making Mr. Matsunaga's visit happen!

More pictures from Mr. Matsunaga's visit can be found HERE.