CHMS Symphonic Band Participates In International Clinic
Posted December 28, 2012
On December 19, 67 students in the Symphonic Band of Clarendon Hills Middle School participated in a clinic at McCormick Place West in Chicago. Australian conductor Jemima Bunn led the clinic, entitled Making Ensemble Count: Strategies for a Curriculum-Based Approach. The clinic was one of dozens of events taking place as part of the 66th Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, which welcomed more than 17,000 visitors for workshops, concerts, and exhibits. The CHMS band participated in the event five years ago and was asked to return to help demonstrate the lessons that Bunn will be sharing.
On December 17 and 18, students met with Bunn and colleague Jo Heaton for a rehearsal at the school. Bunn, Heaton and Symphonic Band Director Terry Melbourn spoke only once prior to the rehearsal via video chat, though thanks to the “wonderful world of Google,” Bunn and Heaton say they learned a bit about the school and band program in advance. Bunn, who has been a band teacher for nearly 15 years, remarked that the students’ ability in Clarendon Hills is on par with that of the Australian students she teaches, though in their schools, Bunn says band class is not part of the day, but rather after school only. “We’re very fortunate to have music education during the day,” Melbourn noted. When asked about any interesting differences between students on the two continents, Heaton noted, “Kids are the same all over the world.”
