NVHS Music Department

Band Orchestra Choir Summer Music


Summer Music Registration
 

 


Faculty

Charles Staley
Department Chair

Winds and Percussion
BM, University of Wisconsin
MS, University of Illinois
NBPTS Certification-EAYA Music
 
charles_staley@ipsd.org
428-6670
William Jastrow
Asst. Deptment Chair
Winds and Percussion

BS, University of Illinois
MmusEd, Northwestern University

bill_jastrow@ipsd.org
428-6440 
Richard Bauer
Orchestra
BmusEd, University of Idaho
MM, Ohio State University

richard_bauer@ipsd.org
428-6673
John DeGroot
Choir
BM, Western Illinois University
MmusEd, Western Illinois University

John_DeGroot@ipsd.org
428-6400 
Jay Kellner
Choir
BM, Lawrence University
MmusEd, Northwestern Univ.

Jay_Kellner@ipsd.org
428-6672 
Jonathan Lauff
Winds and Percussion
BmusEd, Illinois Wesleyan Univ.
MM, Northwestern University
 

jonathon_lauff@ipsd.org
428-6669 
Rachel Luhn
Winds and Percussion
BmusEd, Illinois Wesleyan Univ..
MmusEd, Vandercook College 
rachel_luhn@ipsd.org
428-6440 
Brad Pfeil
Orchestra

BmusEd, University of Michigan
MmusEd, University of Nevada-Las Vegas

brad_pfeil@ipsd.org
428-6452
 J. Ryan Rimington
Choir/Music Theory
BmusEd, University of Illinois
MS, University of Illinois
NBPTS Certification-EAYA Music
Ryan_Rimington@ipsd.org
428-6672
Reid Spears
Accompanist
BM, Indiana University
Reid_Spears@ipsd.org
428-6672

Greg Schwaegler
Orchestra
BmusEd, University of Illinois
greg_schwaegler@ipsd.org
428-6673

Kingsley Tang
Winds and Percussion
BM, Northwestern University
MmusEd, Northwestern University
Kingsley_Tang@ipsd.org
428-6669

Neuqua Valley High School MUSIC

2005 National GRAMMY Signature School
BEST SCHOOL FOR MUSIC IN THE U.S.!


   Our Mission
           "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
                                                                                                                            - Aristotle

 Band

 Concert Winds
 Concert Band
(Jastrow & Luhn) 
 Symphonic Winds
 Symphonic Band
(Luhn & Tang)
 Wind Symphony
 Wind Ensemble
(Senior Honors)

 Choir

 Treble Chorus
 Cecillian Singers
(period 8/9)
  Bass Chorus (Blue & Gold)
  Concert Choir
 Varsity Singers 2
 Varsity Singers 1
(senior Honors)

 Orchestra

 Concert Strings
 Concert Orchestra
(period 2/3)
 Symphonic Strings
 Symphonic Orchestra
(period 2/6)
Chamber Orchestra
Chamber Strings
(Senior Honors)

 Music Theory

 Music Theory  AP Music Theory  Ind. Study  

 Extra and Co-Curricular Activities

 Marching Wildcats
 Jazz Bands
 Jazz Ensemble
 Jazz Combos
 Musicals 
Chamber Singers
Wildcat Fiddlers
Pep Band
WildScats Gold
Otake Singers
NV Symphony Orchestra
Jazz Orchestra
WildScats Blue
Steel Bands
Solo and Ensemble
Neuqua World Voices

 Philosophy of the Neuqua Valley High School Music Department

Young people should have an education that gives them the opportunity for a wide variety of learning experiences. Music provides a unique avenue to the imaginative and affective aspects of life and their contribution to our cultural heritage. Young people play, sing, move, compose, and listen to music through participation in the music program. They have active musical experiences of both an individual and shared nature under expert guidance. Their lives and the life of the community will be enriched by their participation.

As Neuqua Valley High School music educators, we strive to do the following:

  • Nurture an enjoyment & understanding of music, enriching the quality of life

  • Help students realize their potential by providing opportunities for creativity and expression of feelings and ideas through music.

  • Develop individual musical interests and skills which will allow participation in music making throughout life and which may lead to a career in music.

  • Expand knowledge, awareness, and appreciation of different kinds of music to cultivate discriminating consumers

  • Offer varied musical experiences through which students may become acquainted with other art forms and cultures.

 Graduation Requirements

Students and parents are encouraged to consider the benefits of music participation and accomplishments when selecting courses.  From the perspective of those who evaluate college applications, participation in music classes in high school is a strong indicator of future success. The long-term benefit of involvement in Neuqua’s nationally recognized program is invaluable.
 

 Awards and Recognitions

NVHS Symphony selected to perform at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic 2007
National GRAMMY Signature School 2005
GRAMMY
Gold Signature School 2000, 2003 and 2004
GRAMMY Signature School 1998, 1999 and 2001
Ninety-Eight IMEA All-District Students in 2007
Twenty-Four IMEA All-State Students in 2008
University of Illinois Superstate 2002
Multiple Performances at the IlMEA Convention
420 participants in the Illinois High School Association Solo and Ensemble 2007

Our greatest strength as a music department is our continuing effort to intrinsically motivate students through great music.  We do not emphasize external awards. We center our teaching on the merits of the music performed and the process needed to present the music as the composer intended.

Since Neuqua Valley High School opened in 1997, we have developed a program based on an established music curriculum and the musical needs of our students. We have 8 curricular choirs, 8 curricular bands, 8 curricular orchestras, 4 sections of music theory and 2 sections of AP Music Theory.

 We regularly feature guest soloists at our concerts and clinicians in our classrooms.  Clinicians have included Donald Schleicher, Harold Jones, Ron Carter, John Lynch, Virginia Dixon, Lynn Latham, Mona Wis, Brad Holmes, Rick Bjella, Janice Borla, Chet Awes, Liam Teague, Kim Richmond, Clay Jenkins, Steve Squires, David Bixler, Dennis Glocke and Michael Kocour.  John Hagstrom, "Kitka", Birmingham Winds, Roosevelt Wind Ensemble, University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Naperville Municipal Band and Northern Illinois University Jazz Band have honored us with performances.  Our annual Masterworks Concert features our freshmen and our top performing ensembles.  Our first Masterworks Concert featured Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms".  Five Lyric Opera Chorus members and two harpists were featured. Since then, we have performed the Fauré Requiem, Carmina Burana and the Brahms Requiem
 

 Special Programs

Crystal Concert, Fine Arts Festival, District 204 Solo and Ensemble Festival, Honor Winds Symposium, Masterworks Concert, Honor's Recital, Soloist Concert, Tri-M Music Honor Society, NVSO Spooktacular Concert on the weekend before Halloween, District 204 Music Festival

 

Questions?  Suggestions?   Email Us!