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Benet Academy Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is the premier wind band at Benet Academy. Seating is most often one player on a part with many opportunities for solos. There are
also opportunities to perform in chamber ensembles. Musicians in this ensemble are held to very high standards of performance. The literature performed by this ensemble is comparable to the highest
professional concert environments. Placement in this group is according to ability, not age. Auditions take place in February with final chair auditions in May.
Literature performed by the Wind Ensemble includes:
Slava! by Leonard Bernstein
Apocalyptica by
George Rochberg
Suite of Old American Dances by Robert Russell Bennett
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Benet Academy Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band is a large concert performance band with more than one player on a part. There are opportunities to solo as well as the ability to learn
the art of ensemble performance. Placement into this group is through auditions in February and is according to ability, not age.
Literature performed by the Symphonic Band includes:
Slavonic Dances #8 by
Antonin Dvorak
Overture to Candide by Leonard Bernstein
Lone Star Celebration by James Curnow
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Benet Academy Concert Band
The Concert Band at Benet Academy exists to present challenging literature to Benet students and to sharpen the focus of
musicianship, interpretation, practice
techniques and musical styles.
Literature performed by the Concert Band includes:
A Child’s Embrace by Charles Young
Colonel Bogey by Kenneth Alford
Music for a Carnival by Clare Grundman
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Benet Academy Jazz Ensembles
There are three jazz ensembles at Benet Academy:
Benet Academy Jazz Ensemble: This is the premiere jazz group with one player on a part.
Placement is by audition only. The Jazz Ensemble performs contemporary big band music including such works as Isn’t She Lovely arranged by Bill Holman or Minuano (Six Eight) by Pat Metheny, as well as standard swing tunes, Latin and rock charts. In addition to the concerts held at Benet Academy, the Jazz Ensemble often travels to competitions and community performances. This group meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 7:00.
Benet Academy Jazz Band: This group is for anyone interested in learning or fine-tuning their jazz “chops.” There is no audition required to participate in the Jazz Band. No
instrument is left out! Meeting Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:00, this group plays standards, Latin jazz, and rock/funk tunes.
Benet Academy Jazz Combo: This is a small, elite jazz
group coached by professional jazz saxophonist, Mr. Matt Cashdollar (www.mattcashdollar.com). Placement is by audition only. This group focuses on improvisation and communication. In addition to the Benet Academy concerts, the Jazz Combo is often hired to
play at community gigs and private functions, including the Benet Academy Auction. The Combo rehearses weekly on Monday evenings at 7:00pm.
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Benet Academy Chamber Orchestra
The Chamber Orchestra is a new ensemble at Benet Academy. For most of the year, the ensemble is for strings only with the occasional opportunity to expand into a full orchestra. All
string players are welcome (violin, viola, cello, string bass). Seating within the violin and cello sections are by audition, although all
musicians are accepted. (For more information contact Mr. Einsinger censinger@mothermcauley.org)
Other opportunities for string players include:
Benedictine University Chamber Orchestra (contact Maryann Flock at BU MFlock@ben.edu)
Mass Choir performances
(contact Bret Lautenbach or Mr. Wand bwand@benet.org)
Pit Orchestra (Spring Musical only) (by audition; contact Mr. Alifantis ralifantis@benet.org)
Literature performed by the Chamber Orchestra includes:
Symphony No. 3 by Johannes Brahms
Irish Aire and Jig by Robert Kerr
Schindler’s List by John WIlliams
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Benet Academy Marching Redwings
The Marching Redwings is a marching band required of all members of the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and the Wind Ensemble.
Students wear a Benet Marching Redwings uniform which is provided by Benet Academy. The only additional items which students must purchase are the marching shoes
and the Benet academy Redwing T-shirt. Both of these items will be available for purchase at the beginning of the school year.
The Marching Redwings perform at all home football games: in the stands and before and after the games as well as during halftime. It is also an annual
tradition to be one of the select few marching bands in the Naperville “Last Fling” Labor Day Parade.
The 2009-2010 Marching Redwings Present:
The Music of Stevie Wonder!
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Benet Academy Basketball Band
The Benet Academy Basketball Band is required of members of the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and the Wind Ensemble. The group performs at all home
Men’s Varsity Basketball games and at one selected home Varsity Women’s Basketball game.
There are two bands - the Red band and the White band.
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