Evanston/Skokie School District 65, Music Department

Mrs. Philbrick, Band (philbrickm@district65.net)/ Ms. Berger, Orchestra (bergera@district65.net)

Dear Parents and Students;

Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year from your music department! We strongly encourage your child to
join the Orchestra or Band this year. Your child has much to learn from being a part of the music program. Being a
school musician requires teamwork, discipline and concentration. They will experience personal achievement and an
appreciation for the beauty of music.

In District 65 music lessons are given during the school day on a weekly basis. Students are pulled
from their class for the 30 minute lesson and are required to make up any work that they miss.
The lessons are free, but students need to rent a good quality instrument and bring it to every lesson.
They also need a lesson book:
The lesson book for band is Standard of Excellence, Book 1 for beginners, Book 2 for advanced.
(Available at the rental shop).
The lesson book for Orchestra is: Essential Elements 2000 Book 1 (Available at the rental shop) 2nd
year players will be finishing their lesson book from last year and will be given additional music by
Ms. Berger

Your child saw a demonstration of the instruments available for them to learn at their school. There will be a
Parent Information Night for parents who are new to the program. At this meeting you will see a demonstration of
the instruments, meet the teachers and have the opportunity to ask questions. The band/orchestra program and
scheduling of lessons will be explained, along with the expectations of both students and parents.

If your child is a continuing Band or Orchestra member (2nd year) they need only to fill out the
enrollment form and wait for the schedule. Students are strongly encouraged to continue on the same
instrument, students will be allowed to switch instruments at the discretion of the teacher after a
conference with the parent.

Parent Information Night

Tuesday September 6th @7:00pm

Chute Middle School Cafeteria-1400 Oakton Street
*For families who are new to the instrumental music program only*
If you are unable to attend the Information Night please leave a message for
Ms. Philbrick (philbrickm@district65.net) or Ms. Berger (bergera@district65.net) at (847) 859-8651
or email.
Please return the enrollment form to your schools band/orchestra mailbox by Tuesday, September 6th. Once your child
has returned the form they will be given opportunity to try out the instruments during the school day (the sooner the
form is returned the better). Lessons will begin the third week of September (9/19-9/23).
***Scholarship Instruments: There are a limited number of scholarship instruments available (for a $45 annual
fee-including the lesson book) and they will be given out on a first call (or email), first served basis.
If you are interested in a scholarship instrument:
! You must qualify for free or reduced lunch
! You must call (847) 859-8651 or email either Ms. Berger (bergera@district65.net) or Mrs. Philbrick
(philbrick@district65.net) by September 6th and let us know: your childs name, school, grade, preferred
instrument and your phone number.
We look forward to meeting with you on September 6th!
Margaret Philbrick, Band Director /Alyson Berger, Orchestra Director/ John Carroll, Band Director

Local rental shops

For Band and Strings:
Evanston Band and Orchestra
4125 Main St, Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 673-3812
bandandorch.com
Strings Only
Chicago Strings-violins only
910 Sherman Ave, Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 440-7940
chicagostrings.com
Seman Violins
4447 Oakton St, Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 674-0690
semanviolins.com

Other Band Shops:

Quinlan and Fabish
630-654-4111
qandf.com


Band/Orchestra Enrollment Form

Please return this form to Ms. Bergers (Orchestra) or

Mrs. Philbricks (Band) mailbox by Monday, September 8th

_____ 1st year player
_____ 2nd year player


Students name ______________________________________________Grade________

School___________________________ Teacher_________________________________

Parents name ___________________________________________________________

Preferred phone ____________________________________________________



Parents email____________________________________________________________


The following instruments will be taught:

Band (Ms.Philbrick)

Orchestra (Ms. Berger)
Trumpet Trombone Baritone French Horn
Violin Viola Cello Bass

Flute Oboe Clarinet Saxophone Percussion





Beginning students should list their 1st and 2nd choices (if applicable)

1st choice______________________________ 2nd choice_____________________________



_________ We will rent an instrument from a local shop

_________If you are unable to attend the Information Night please leave a message for Ms.
Philbrick (philbrickm@district65.net) or Ms. Berger (bergera@district65.net) at (847859-
8651).

Scholarship instruments are available to students on free or reduced lunch for an

annual fee of $45. Please call (847) 859-8651 to have your childs name added to the
scholarship list. Please leave your childs name, grade, school and instrument they
would like to play. You may also email (bergera@district65.net or
philbrickm@district65.net)

_______ We are on free or reduced lunch and would like to apply for a scholarship
instrument.