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Benet Academy Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is the premier concert band at Benet Academy. Seating is most often one player on a part with many opportunities for solos. There are
opportunities, as well, to perform in small chamber ensembles. Placement in this group is through auditions in February and is according to ability, not age.
Literature performed by the Wind Ensemble includes:
La Forza del Destino by Giuseppe Verdi
Festive Overture by Dmitri Shostakovich
Four Dances from “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein
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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:
Havendance by David Holsinger
Cajun Folk Songs by Frank Ticheli
Ye Banks and Braes O’ Bonnie Doon by Percy Grainger
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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.
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. Nolan jnolan@benet.org)
Literature performed by the Chamber Orchestra includes:
Concerto Grosso in a-minor by Antonio Vivaldi
The Barber of Seville by Gioacchino Rossini
Hoe Down by Aaron Copland
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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 Marching Redwings
The Marching Redwings is a marching band required of all members of the Concert Band and the Wind Ensemble. 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 2007-2008 Marching Redwings Present:
Quidam: The Music of Cirque Du Soleil
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Benet Academy Basketball Band
The Benet Academy Basketball Band is required of members of the Concert 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. The number one goal? Get the crowd on their feet excited and entertained!
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