A New Partnership With Northbrook School District 28
We are excited to announce a new partnership with the Northbrook School District 28.. District 28 will provide a new rehearsal “home” for us at Northbrook Junior High (NBJH). NBJH Bands will benefit from joint performances with NCB, masterclass sessions led by NCB members, performance opportunities at the NCB Festival of Music, and other endeavors designed to encourage collaboration between the musicians of NCB and NBJH Bands.
We are committed to enriching the lives of music students as evidenced in a number of music education initiatives including our acclaimed Festival of Music, now in its 43rd year, and our annual Lifetime of Music program. The annual Festival of Music at Northwestern University has touched the lives of over 100,000 music students. Each season, we invite music students to join us on stage during our winter concert as part of our annual Lifetime of Music initiative. This unique performance opportunity allows students to experience being part of a large symphonic sound alongside accomplished adult musicians. This season, our Lifetime of Music concert will be held on Sunday, February 9, 2020.
Additional outreach performances include concerts at retirement villages, nursing homes, community band shells, and local schools, including a 2016 joint performance at Northbrook Junior High School with the NBJH Wind Ensemble.
The Northbrook Junior High Wind Ensemble performs with the Northshore Concert Band, Northbrook Junior High School, February 18, 2016
This partnership is a natural outgrowth of the strong support for the arts in Northbrook District 28. Under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Larry Hewitt and the support of a committed faculty and engaged community, Northbrook District 28 has been regularly recognized by the NAMM Foundation in the Best Communities for Music Education survey. The music education curriculum in District 28 spans grades K-8, and includes general music for all grade levels, orchestra for grades 3-8, band for grades 4-8, and choir ensembles for grades 5-8. The students in the performing ensembles in District 28 maintain a high degree of excellence, achieving distinction in various performance opportunities and festivals.
“The Northshore Concert Band is delighted to become a partner with Northbrook Junior High School,” said Dr. Mallory Thompson, Northshore Concert Band Artistic Director. “We appreciate the level of teaching and musical leadership exemplified by the faculty and look forward to fun and creative collaborations in the future.”
The hope for both organizations is that this marks the start of a long and fruitful collaboration, providing meaningful benefits to the musicians and community for years to come.