Prairie Central Upper Elementary

   This is the first year for both band and choir here in the Prairie Central school system! Please give serious consideration to encouraging your 5th grade student to join band and/or choir. The benefits of a music education are well documented, click here for one article! Usually near the end of August each school year there is a parental information meeting - please join us to find out more about Prairie Central's music program! If you have any questions, they can be addressed at the meeting, or you may contact one of the directors. As your student progresses in band and choir there will be many exciting opportunites for performing: basketball games, concerts, school tours, football games, contests, and even a possible Disney trip at the High School level! Studies have shown that students (of any age!) involved in music tend to achieve more success in other areas as well. So, talk it over with your 5th grader and encourage them to join band and/or choir! Here at Prairie Central the band program is great - served by dedicated directors and administration, and great parents in the Music Boosters organization, which supports the band by doing fundraisers to purchase supplies and equipment, field trips and many other needs.

5th Grade Band

   Shortly after school starts each year, all 5th grade students will be given two opportunities to try out various instruments. Ask your son or daughter which they tried, and what they thought. Talk to older band students to see what it's like to play that instrument. After the Parental Informational meeting, there will be a 5th Grade Band Open House Sign Up, usually in the Upper Elementary Band Room. Representatives will be on hand to arrange for rental or purchase of instruments; some school rentals are also available. You may also use an instrument you already have, but you will need to have one of the band directors look it over for approval, and suggest repairs that might be needed.

   5th grade band meets on Tuesdays and Fridays from 2:00-2:45pm, and each student has a small group lesson once a week with one of the band directors.

   There are two concerts at the Upper Elementary, one near the end of November and one in February; and the 5th grade band also performs at Pops Concert in May at the High School. This is an exciting year, hearing the first concert and then hearing them at Pops! Come check it out!

6th Grade Band

   6th grade band meets on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:00-2:45pm, and each student has a small group lessons once a week with one of the band directors.

   There are two concerts at the Upper Elementary, one near the end of November and one in February; and the 6th grade band also performs at Pops Concert in May at the High School. At the director's discretion, here may be an additional performance opportunity during the Christmas season.

   Each student has the option of preparing a solo and/or ensemble to partipate in the IESA Solo and Ensemble Contest, which is usually held on a Saturday near the beginning of April.

   If the band is ready, we will participate in the IESA Organizational Contest. The entire band would perform for a panel of judges and receive comments and a rating. This event is required and is usually held on a Saturday near the end of April.

Combined 5th & 6th Grade Choir

   Choir at Prairie Central Elementary concentrates on teaching 2, 3 or 4-part singing, and other proper singing techniques. Most teaching is done during choir, which meets every Wednesday from 2:00-2:45pm (students can be in both band and choir!), with the group as a whole, or section by section.

   There are two concerts at the Upper Elementary, one near the end of November and one in February. The 5th and 6th grade choir has performed several other places, including local TV stations around the Holidays, and has sung the National Anthem at a Peoria Chiefs game!

   Students have the opportunity to prepare a vocal solo and/or ensemble and participate in the IESA Solo and Ensemble contest, which is usually held on a Saturday near the beginning of April.

Choir Chimes

   Choir Chimes at Prairie Central Elementary are offered at the discretion of the director and if there is enough student interest. In choir chimes, each student holds one or two chimes. When rung, each chime will play a musical pitch (different from the other chimes), or note, and they coordinate their playing to perform tunes. This is great for developing a good sense of rhythm and listening to the music being created! We've heard that the students in choir chimes usually have a great time.

   Practices are usually during school hours, and the group will perform at the two upper elementary concerts, and also at the Pops Concert in May at the High School. The choir chimes group has an occasional opportunity to perform outside the school, as well!

Lessons

   While our directors are happy to offer lessons to all band and choir students, private study is always encouraged and helps to make our program even stronger. Please contact one of our directors if you would like to know the names of private teachers in the area!

Other Activities

   Extra trips may be arranged occasionally in which band and choir members are invited to participate. These are usually at an additional cost and are outside of school hours, and include seeing musicals such as Wicked, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and more! The Music Department is excited to offer musical opportunities such as these if there is sufficient student interest.