Music - Stevenson High School

Band

The Stevenson High School Band Program is comprised of multiple ensembles built around the five concert bands:

Freshman Band
Concert Band
Symphonic Band
Advanced Symphonic Band
Honor Band

Band members may extend their musical activities through participation in Marching Band, Pep Band, Jazz Bands, small ensembles, orchestra, the pit orchestra for the annual musical, solo and ensemble contests, chamber music performances, private lessons and community ensembles.

View the Band Program Brochure

About the Band Program

About Band

Band Directors

Caitlin McGovern
Director of Bands
cmcgovern@d125.org | 847-415-4774

Roland Hatcher
Music/Choir Director
rhatcher@d125.org | 847-415-4773

Mark Hiebert
Associate Director of Bands
mhiebert@d125.org | 847-415-4765

Madeline Vogler
Assistant Director of Bands
mvogler@d125.org | 847-415-4762

Band Quick Links

Communication

All band members and parents should subscribe to the SHS Band Email List.
To subscribe, please send an email to:
shs_band+subscribe@d125.org
Write “Subscribe” in the subject line, and write “subscribe” in the email.

All Color Guard members and parents should subscribe to the SHS Color Guard Email List.
To subscribe, please send an email to:
shs_colorguard+subscribe@d125.org
Write “Subscribe” in the subject line, and write “subscribe” in the email.

Follow the instructions on the subscription page; a confirmation of your subscription will be sent automatically.

Band Parents

Band Travel in 2023

Group Travel has provided the Stevenson Band and Color Guard students with wonderful performing and educational opportunities, as well as a chance to relax and play together, and visit places of cultural and entertainment interest. We are so excited to be offering these opportunities again!

The Stevenson Band and Color Guard will be traveling to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida on February 16 – 20, 2023. Anticipated highlights of the trip will include:

A parade performance in Disney’s Magic Kingdom*
Soundtrack Session Workshop (Band Students) and a Dance Disney Workshop (Color Guard)
Visits to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center and Hollywood Studios
Universal Studios Florida

Students will be departing from Stevenson on Thursday afternoon, February 16th at the end of the school day. Students will miss class on Friday, February 17th. There is no school on Monday, February 20th.

To learn more about the trip, download the Stevenson Band 2023 Tour - Florida Trip Initial Deposit Letter.

Choir

All choral members perform in four major concerts during the school year. In addition to these school performances, choral students participate in special field trips and community performance opportunities throughout the year. The main emphasis for the choirs is the study and preparation of quality choral music.

The Stevenson High School choral program is comprised of three choirs:

Stevenson Chorus
Advanced Choir
Patriot Singers

The Stevenson choral program extends their musical activities being active with several co-curricular vocal ensembles including Polyphonics, Low Frequency and Nothing But Treble.

View the Choir Program Brochure

About the Choir Program

About the Choir Program

Guitar

The Stevenson guitar program offers:

Guitar Techniques 1: A comprehensive course that covers chords, reading music, and learning to jam with others. No experience/audition necessary.
Guitar Techniques 2: This course is designed to teach intermediate techniques, solo music, and large group ensemble performances.
Patriot Guitar Ensemble: This course covers advanced techniques, college level solo/ensemble music, and performance etiquette.

View the Guitar Program Brochure

About the Guitar Program

About Guitar

Textbooks and Apps Used in Class

Charles Duncan: A Modern Approach to Classical Guitar
Royal Conservatory Guitar Series
Student Repertoire Series 1 & 2, by Lawrence Ferrara
GoogleClassroom
Tuner and Metronome app of your choosing
Acapella App by Mixcord

Additional study materials include

Breezin’ Thru Theory
Canvas

Guitar Faculty

Michael Tseitlin
mtseitlin@d125.org | 847-415-4759

Helpful Links

Auditions

Below are the prepared music required for consideration in the Guitar II and Patriot Guitar Ensemble classes for Fall 2021.

Within each packet of materials, there are requirements including a technique section (chords and scales), etudes, prepped classical material and a free submission of your choosing (read the description on page 2 of the packet for more information).

If you audition for Patriot Guitar and do not make it in, you are still considered for Guitar 2 and Guitar 1. If you audition for Guitar 2 and do not make it in, you will still be able to register for Guitar 1.

Each submission will receive an email with feedback!

Auditions will be virtual and submission of your five videos will be due by 11:59 p.m. on April 20, 2021. Submit videos via email to Mr. Tseitlin at (mtseitlin@d125.org).

Please reach to Mr. Tseitlin (mtseitlin@d125.org) with questions.

Download materials

Uniforms/Attire

Uniform requirements for Stevenson Strings students for the 2021-22 School Year:

Guitar Boys and Girls

Guitar Polo (purchased once for personal use)

For all polo shirt purchases (Guitar and Orchestra), sizing is on the Superstore.

GUITAR POLO ORDERS

Stevenson, Concert, Symphonic Orchestra (both boys and girls)

All-black ensemble (see Policy Change here)
Orchestra Polo (purchased once for personal use)

We are pleased to inform you that the Superstore options for the required Orchestra Polo have been updated.

ORCHESTRA POLO ORDERS
If you already own the Orchestra Polo Shirt, there is no need to re-order.

Questions? Please email shs.stringparents@gmail.com.

Patriot Orchestra ONLY

Boys

Tuxedo Jacket and Pants (rented annually)
Tuxedo Shirt, Bowtie and Cummerbund (purchased once for personal use)
Orchestra Polo (purchased once for personal use)

Girls (Violin/Viola)

Concert Dress (purchased once for personal use)
Orchestra Polo (purchased once for personal use)

Girls (Cello/Bass)

Concert Blouse (purchased once for personal use)
Orchestra Polo (purchased once for personal use)

PATRIOT ORCHESTRA UNIFORM ORDERS

All Patriot Orchestra students have been sent information via email to submit their measurements/sizes online. You can also complete that information via these links:

Tuxedo Pants and Orchestra Dresses come in one length and must be hemmed temporarily for the student. The pants cannot be cut. Download this coupon for hemming services.

Additionally, there will be in-person Uniform support by the String Parents Association on the following days:

Thursday, Aug. 5 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (lobby space outside Band Room)
Friday, Aug. 6 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (lobby space outside Band Room)

For questions, email shs.stringparents@gmail.com

Orchestra

The Stevenson High School orchestra program is comprised of four orchestras:

Stevenson Orchestra
Concert Orchestra
Symphonic Orchestra
Patriot Orchestra

All orchestra members perform in four major concerts during the school year. The main emphasis for the orchestra program is the development of total musicianship through the study, preparation and performance of quality literature and an authentic understanding of the language of music through a sequential curriculum of music theory topics.

View the Orchestra Program Brochure

About the Orchestra Program

About Orchestra

The Stevenson Orchestra course is our entry-level class, suitable for young string players who want to continue their technical development. The Concert Orchestra class is more advanced and requires director approval for entry. Symphonic and Patriot Orchestra are by audition only and require higher technical and performance expectations for admittance. These top ensembles have regular collaborations with members of the Band department for full orchestra experiences.

All ensembles play in regular concerts throughout the school year, and have opportunities for chamber music, service, travel, private lessons, and co-curricular clubs like the "Baroque Ensemble", "Viol Consort", "Pit Orchestra" and "Student Strings Board". In addition, special outreach, cultural and social activities are developed to enhance the ensemble experience and enrich the orchestra members. The orchestras receive unyielding support throughout the year from the String Parents Association.

Orchestra Directors

Enrique Vilaseco
Director of Orchestra
evilaseco@d125.org
847- 415-4771

Anthony Krempa
Associate Director of Orchestra
akrempa@d125.org
847-415-4766

Quick Links

Helpful Links

Auditions

Incoming Freshman and Transfer Students Strings Auditions for Fall 2022

Incoming freshmen and transfer students are allowed to audition for Symphonic Orchestra. Auditions will take place on Monday, April 17th, 2023. Audition details are below, if you have any questions or are a transfer student, please contact Mr. Vilaseco at evilaseco@d125.org. Follow the link below to sign up for an audition slot.

REGISTER: Freshman Symphonic Auditions

Symphonic Orchestra Audition Materials for 2023-24 Placement

These materials represent the required music for the Symphonic Orchestra auditions for the Spring of 2023. The results of these placement auditions will help determine our class placements for the Fall of 2023. Below is a list of the musical excerpts for each instrument, links to each part, required scales, and information about the sight-reading component.

Instrument Specific Excerpts

Violin Excerpts:
- PDF: Mendelssohn Symph. No. 4, first violin, measures 1-110.
  - Resources: https://orchestraexcerpts.com/mendelssohn-symphony-4-violin-excerpt/.
- PDF: Prokofiev Classical Symph. first violin, beginning to C.
  - Resources: https://orchestraexcerpts.com/prokofiev-classical-symphony-violin-excerpt-mvt-ii-2/.

Viola Excerpts:
- PDF: Mozart Symph. 35, mvt 4, measures 134-181.
  - Resources: https://orchestraexcerpts.com/mozart-symphony-35-mvt-iv-m-134-181/.
- PDF: Shostakovich Symph. 5, mvt. 1, reh 15-17.
  - Resources: https://orchestraexcerpts.com/shostakovich-symphony-5-viola-excerpt/.

Cello Excerpts:
- PDF: Beethoven Symph 5, mvt. 2, three excerpts.
  - Resources: https://orchestraexcerpts.com/beethoven-symphony-no-5-mvt-ii-3-excerpts/.
- PDF: Brahms Symphony 2, mvt 2, measures 1-15.
  - Resources: https://orchestraexcerpts.com/brahms-symphony-2-mvt-ii-mm1-15/.

Bass Excerpts:
- PDF: Brahms Symph. 2, mvt.1, measures 118-156Links to an external site.
  - Resources: https://orchestraexcerpts.com/brahms-symphony-2-mvt-i-reh-e-f-or-mm-118-156/Links to an external site.
- PDF: Strauss Don Juan, Reh F-G.
  - Resources: https://orchestraexcerpts.com/r-strauss-don-juan-rehearsal F-GLinks to an external site.

Scale Requirements

Click here for the sample ILMEA Orchestra Scale Sheets

C, G, D, A, E, F, and Bb Major
c and g melodic minor
Violin-Viola-Cello: Three Octaves
String Bass: Two Octaves
Quarter Note = 120
Detached Bowing

Sight-Reading Requirements

A short sight-reading example will be a part of your audition experience.

Uniforms

Uniform requirements for Stevenson Strings students for the 2021-22 School Year:

Stevenson, Concert, Symphonic Orchestra (both boys and girls)

All-black ensemble (see Policy Change here)
Orchestra Polo (purchased once for personal use)

We are pleased to inform you that the Superstore options for the required Orchestra Polo have been updated.

ORCHESTRA POLO ORDERS
If you already own the Orchestra Polo Shirt, there is no need to re-order.

Questions? Please email shs.stringparents@gmail.com.

Patriot Orchestra ONLY

Boys

Tuxedo Jacket and Pants (rented annually)
Tuxedo Shirt, Bowtie and Cummerbund (purchased once for personal use)
Orchestra Polo (purchased once for personal use)

Girls (Violin/Viola)

Concert Dress (purchased once for personal use)
Orchestra Polo (purchased once for personal use)

Girls (Cello/Bass)

Concert Blouse (purchased once for personal use)
Orchestra Polo (purchased once for personal use)

PATRIOT ORCHESTRA UNIFORM ORDERS

All Patriot Orchestra students have been sent information via email to submit their measurements/sizes online. You can also complete that information via these links:

Tuxedo Pants and Orchestra Dresses come in one length and must be hemmed temporarily for the student. The pants cannot be cut. Download this coupon for hemming services.

Guitar Boys and Girls

Guitar Polo (purchased once for personal use)

For all polo shirt purchases (Guitar and Orchestra), sizing is on the Superstore.

GUITAR POLO ORDERS

Additionally, there will be in-person Uniform support by the String Parents Association on the following days:

Thursday, Aug. 5 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (lobby space outside Band Room)
Friday, Aug. 6 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (lobby space outside Band Room)

Questions? Email shs.stringparents@gmail.com

ILMEA Auditions

If you are interested in auditioning for the ILMEA District 7 Orchestra this Fall please read below for information, links, and music excerpts, or visit this website https://ilmea.org/orchestra-audition-process

Auditions will occur on Tuesday, Oct. 1
Festival will be Saturday, Nov. 6
Location: TBD

Required Strings Audition Materials

Fall 2021 Audition Material

Senior-level auditions will be blind auditions; click here for a sample script of what to expect.

For Piano Audition Information, please see Wind & Percussion District Audition Process

1 .2021-2022: Beethoven Year
Click Here for the state-required excerpts for Fall 2021 auditions.

2. Senior-Level Scales
Click Here for the Orchestra Scale Sheets

C, G, D, A, E, F, and Bb Major
C and G melodic minor
Violin-Viola-Cello: Three Octaves
String Bass: Two Octaves
Quarter Note = 120
Detached Bowing

3. Sight-reading
Retired sight-reading examples can be found under Audition Resources.

4. District-selected supplemental excerpts.