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NEW TRIER HIGH SCHOOL
An educational landmark located north of Chicago on the shore of Lake Michigan approximately 20 miles from downtown, New Trier Township High School District 203 is a comprehensive four-year public high school with a total of more than 4000 students. It serves the villages of Glencoe, Kenilworth, Northfield, Wilmette, Winnetka and portions of Glenview and Northbrook B communities that reflect a tradition of support for academic and cultural achievement. A certified staff of nearly 400 uniquely qualified, experienced professionals represents all academic disciplines and special service areas. The motto, "to commit minds to inquiry, hearts to composition, and lives to the service of humanity", embodies the philosophy of New Trier High School.
Over the years, New Trier has earned national recognition as a leader in secondary education. It has been recognized by the United States Department of Education=s Blue Ribbon Schools Program. In addition, such national media as Time, Fortune and Redbook magazines, Cable Network (CNN) and The Today Show (NBC) have included New Trier High School and its students in their coverage of quality education and student achievement in America.
MUSIC AT NEW TRIER
The curricular music program at New Trier includes nine choirs, four wind ensembles, four orchestras and four jazz ensembles that rehearse forty minutes each day with sectionals as needed. Nearly 1000 students are enrolled in the music program. A co-curricular chamber music program regularly results in more than 200 students participating in two solo and ensemble festivals each year. In lieu of a marching band, a volunteer Apep@ band provides entertainment at the school=s sporting events. In 1992, the New Trier Music Department received the first AIllinois Outstanding Total Music Program Award@ presented by the Illinois Music Educators Association. In 2000, the GRAMMY Foundation recognized the New Trier Music Department as a AGRAMMY Signature School GOLD Recipient”, and in 2007, the Music Department received the National GRAMMY Signature School Award.
The music department provides a two-year comprehensive music theory program and a student operated 48-track digital audio recording facility, Soundtraks. A vital part of our music department is the private teaching program that offers private lessons during and after the school day. More than 90% of the instrumental music students study privately with need based scholarships available to students who request them.
New Trier performing ensembles have actively participated in numerous professional music education conferences and conventions, invitational festivals and clinics in the United States and abroad. Many of these special performances and honors are listed below.
New Trier High School Music Department Faculty (2007)
Row #1: Bruce Daugherty, Peter Rosheger, Patti Rohwer, Susan Vaughan, James Warrick
Row #2: Tim Estberg, John Thomson, Nathan Landes, David Ladd
Not pictured: Kevin Burrow
Press release photo announcing new music faculty
Fall, 1982
Dr. Rod Bickert, Superintendent; Dr. Ted Klinka, Music Department Chair; Jim Warrick, Coordinator of Jazz Studies; Bruce Fowler, Director of Orchestras; John Thomson, Director of Bands
NEW TRIER HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLES
Special Performances and Honors (1982-2007)
2006-2007
- Music Department receives National Grammy Foundation Signature School Award
- SWE participates in Mid-West International Band & Orchestra Clinic, Chicago Hilton & Towers, Chicago, Illinois
- SWE performs at Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA), All-State Conference, Civic Center Theatre, Peoria, Illinois
- SWE World Premiere of STARSPLITTER by Philip Rothman, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
- SWE World Premiere of O’WHISTLE AND I’LL COME TO YE by Larry Daehn, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
2004-2005
- SWE World Premiere of CONVERSIONS by Sean Spicer, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
2003-2004
- SWE receives Down Beat Magazine, 27th Annual Student Music Award, Best Symphonic Wind Ensemble
2002-2003
- SWE performs at the Chicagoland "Invitational" Concert Band Festival, John Hersey High School, Arlington Heights, Illinois
- SWE World Premiere of BATTERY PARK SUITE by Philip Rothman, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
- CWE World Premiere of COURAGE AND COMPASSION by James Bonney, Gaffney Auditorium, NTHS (Winnetka Campus)
2001-2002
- SWE receives Down Beat Magazine, 25th Annual Student Music Award, Best Symphonic Wind Ensemble
- SWE World Premiere of PORTA NIGRA FANFARE by Scott Boerma, Cornog Auditorium, NTHS (Northfield Campus)
2000-2001
- SWE receives Down Beat Magazine, 24th Annual Student Music Award, Best Symphonic Wind Ensemble
- SWE performs at Superstate Concert Band Festival, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
- SWE World Premiere of AURORA BOREALIS by Robert Rumbelow, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
- SWE World Premiere of CENTENARY FANFARE by Michael Miller, Gaffney Auditorium, NTHS (Winnetka Campus)
1999-2000
- SWE performs at Superstate Concert Band Festival, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
- Music Department receives Grammy Signature School Award (Gold)
1998-1999
- SWE receives Down Beat Magazine, 22th Annual Student Music Award, Best Symphonic Wind Ensemble
- SWE performs at Superstate Concert Band Festival, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
1997-1998
- Australia/Hawaii Concert Tour, Honor Band of selected NT students
- SWE performs at Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA), All-State Conference, Civic Center Theatre, Peoria, Illinois
- SWE performs at Northern Illinois University, Conducting Clinic, Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, DeKalb, Illinois
- SWE World Premiere of SOL SOLATOR by Timothy Mahr, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
1996-1997
- SWE performs at Northern Illinois University, Invitational Band Festival, Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, DeKalb, Illinois
- SWE World Premiere of A DAY IN THE LIFE OF WALTER MITTY by Chris Salerno, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
1995-1996
- SWE performs at Atlanta International Band & Orchestra Conference, Georgia Convention Center, Main Concert Hall, Atlanta, Georgia
- SWE World Premiere of HANDS UP by Andrew Boysen, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
1993-1994
- SWE performs at Music Educators National Conference (MENC), Biennial In-Service Conference, Civic Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- SWE World Premiere of ANCIENT VISIONS: A FANFARE FOR WINDS AND PERCUSSION by Thomas Stone, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
1992-1993
- SWE performs at Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA), All-State Conference, Civic Center Theatre, Peoria, Illinois
- SWE World Premiere of AFRICA: CEREMONY, SONG AND RITUAL by Robert Smith, Gaffney Auditorium, NTHS (Winnetka Campus)
1991-1992
- Music Department receives Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA), Total Music Program Award
1990-1991
- SWE performs at Mid-West International Band & Orchestra Clinic, Chicago Hilton & Towers, Chicago, Illinois
1989-1990
- SWE performs at Invitational Band Showcase, Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois
1988-1989
- SWE performs at Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA), All-State Conference, Civic Center Theatre, Peoria, Illinois
1985-1986
- SWE performs at Mid-West International Band & Orchestra Clinic, Chicago Hilton & Towers, Chicago, Illinois
1983-1984
- SWE participates in European Concert Tour of Switzerland, Germany and Holland
- SWE World Premiere of TRIER FANFARE AND CELEBRATION by James Warrick, Trier, Germany
NEW TRIER HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLES
Guest Artists (1982-2007)
- 2007 – Larry Daehn, Guest Composer, Daehn Publications, New Glarus, Wisconsin
- 2006 – Paula Crider, Guest Clinician, University of Texas (Retired), Austin, Texas
- 2005 - Charles “Charlie” Vernon, trombone, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
- 2005 – Sean Spicer, Guest Composer, Farmington, Michigan
- 2005 - Frederic J. B. Hemke, alto saxophone, (New Trier Alumni, Class of 1985), Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota
- 2005 - Ed Risinger, tuba, (New Trier Alumni, Class of 1986), Illinois Wesleyan University, Normal, Illinois
- 2004 - Dale Clevenger, horn, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
- 2003 - Mallory Thompson, Guest Clinician, Director of Bands, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
- 2003 – Philip Rothman, Guest Composer, New York, New York
- 2003 - Rebecca Frost, flute, (New Trier Alumni, Class of 2003), Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York
- 2002 – Scott Boerma, Guest Composer, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- 2001 – Robert Rumbelow, Guest Composer, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois
- 2001 – Michael Miller, Guest Composer, Chicago, Illinois
- 2001 – John Tatgenhorst, Guest Composer, Tatgenhorst Music, Wilmette, Illinois
- 2000 - Kathryne Pirtle, clarinet, Orion Chamber Ensemble, Chicago, Illinois
- 1999 - Dr. Charles Menghini, Guest Conductor, VanderCook College of Music, Chicago, Illinois
- 1998 - Dennis Zeisler, clarinet, Director of Bands and Music Department Chairman, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
- 1998 - Stephen Squires, Guest Clinician, Director of Bands, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
- 1998 – Timothy Mahr, Guest Composer, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota
- 1996 - Frank Wickes, Guest Conductor, Director of Bands, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- 1996 – Andrew Boysen, Guest Composer, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire
- 1994 - Craig Kirchhoff, Guest Conductor, Director of Bands, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- 1993 – Robert Smith, Guest Composer, Troy University, Troy, Alabama
- 1992 - Dr. Earle Louder, euphonium, Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky
- 1991 - Dr. Donald Casey, Guest Conductor, Dean, School of Music, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois
- 1990 - John Paynter, Guest Conductor, Director of Bands, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
- 1990 - Dale Clevenger, horn, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
- 1990 - Dr. Stephen Peterson, Guest Conductor, Director of Bands, Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York
- 1990 - Fisher Tull, Guest Conductor, Chair, Music Department, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas
- 1990 - Jon Dugle, Guest Conductor, Director of Bands, Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois
- 1989 - Dr. Harry Begian, Guest Conductor, Director of Bands (retired), University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
- 1989 - Richard Graef, horn, (New Trier Alumni, Class of 1984), Indianapolis Orchestra
- 1988 - Mike Vax, trumpet, Artist/Clinician, Pittsburg, California
- 1987 - Dr. Frank Bencriscutto, Guest Conductor, Director of Bands, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- 1987 - Dr. Paul Bauer, bass trombone, Dean, School of Music, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
- 1986 - Don Owens, Guest Conductor, Director of Jazz Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
- 1985 - Jeffrey Bradetich, double bass, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
- 1985 - John Paynter, Guest Conductor, Director of Bands, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
- 1985 - H. Robert Reynolds, Guest Conductor, Director of Bands, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
NEW TRIER HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLES
Invitational Concert Series (1982-2007)
The “Invitational” Concert series worked so well at East Allegheny High School that I brought it with me to New Trier High School. Each year, we invited one or two guest ensembles to appear with us in concert. The approach was non-competitive, and the students and staff always had an opportunity to meet and visit before and after the concert.
- 2007 - Glenbrook North High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Mark Running, Conductor
- 2006 - Lake Zurich High School Wind Ensemble
Josh Thompson, Conductor
- 2005 - Niles North High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Elton Eisele, Conductor
- 2004 - Millar Brass Ensemble
Stephen Squires, Principal Guest Conductor
- 2003 - Colorado Christian University Wind Ensemble
Mark S. Dorn, Conductor
Evanston Township High School Wind Ensemble
David Fodor, Conductor
- 2002 - Pittwater High School Symphonic Band (Mona Vale, Australia)
Martin Hardy & Katie E. de Wild, Conductors
- 2002 - Glenbrook North High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Mark Running, Conductor
Maine South High School Symphony Band “A”
Michael Pressler, Conductor
- 2001 - Deerfield High School Wind Ensemble
Daniel Brame, Conductor
Highland Park High School Wind Ensemble
James Hile, Conductor
- 2000 - Downers Grove High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Craig Roselieb, Conductor
Lake Forest High School Wind Ensemble
Mark Taylor, Conductor
- 1999 - Warren Township High School Symphonic Band I
Tom Beckwith, Conductor
- 1998 - Evanston Township High School Wind Ensemble
Randy Meyer, Conductor
- 1997 - Stevenson High School Honor Band
Jeff Slepak, Conductor
Wheeling High School Wind Symphony
Brian Logan, Conductor
- 1996 - Highland Park High School Wind Ensemble
Glenn Williams, Conductor
Willowbrook High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble
William Gilmer, Conductor
- 1995 - VanderCook College of Music Symphonic Band
Charles Menghini, Conductor
- 1994 - Glenbard East High School Symphonic Band
Ross Kellan, Conductor
Pittwater High School Symphonic Band (Mona Vale, Australia)
Martin Hardy, Conductor
- 1993 - Rolling Meadows High School Wind Ensemble
William Jastrow, Conductor
Waubonsie Valley High School Wind Ensemble
Charles Staley, Conductor
- 1992 - York High School Concert Band
Ronald Polancich, Conductor
- 1991 - Elk Grove High School Symphonic Band
Mark Botti, Conductor
- 1990 - Buffalo Grove High School Symphonic Band
Edward Jacobi, Conductor
- 1989 - Niles North High School Symphonic Band
Elton Eisele, Conductor
- 1988 - Illinois Wesleyan University Wind Ensemble
Steven Eggleston, Conductor
- 1987 - DePaul University Wind Ensemble
Donald DeRoche, Conductor
- 1986 - Highland Park High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Ronald Polancich, Conductor
Niles North High School Symphonic Band
Elton Eisele, Conductor
- 1985 - Northern Illinois University Wind Ensemble
Stephen Squires, Conductor
- 1984 - Glenbrook North High School Wind Ensemble
Peter Herr, Conductor
NEW TRIER HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLES
Student Teachers (1982-2007)
- 2007 – Christopher Schetter, Northwestern University
- 2003 – Daniel Singer, Northwestern University
- 2003 – Tabitha Hughes, Northwestern University
- 2002 – Jim Barbick, DePaul University
- 2001 – Carolyn Wallner, University of Illinois
- 2000 – Nora Hamilton, University of Illinois
- 2000 – Nic Meyer, DePaul University
- 1998 – Sarah Rathke, Northwestern University
- 1997 – Trey Pritner, Northwestern University
- 1996 – Megan Hazelton, Northern Illinois University
- 1995 – Amy Novik, Northwestern University
- 1995 – Rick LoPresto, Northern Illinois University
- 1993 – Stuart Bailey, Northwestern University
- 1992 – Ann Crawford, Northwestern University
- 1991 – Richard Erne, University of Southern Louisiana
- 1991 – Jody Patterson, Northwestern University
- 1990 – Timothy Weiss, Northwestern University
- 1989 – Michelle Kabele, Northwestern University
- 1989 – Betsy Jackson, Illinois Wesleyan University
- 1988 – Wayne Gordon, Northwestern University
- 1987 – Donald Rebstock, Northwestern University
- 1986 – Christopher Bianco, Northwestern University
- 1986 – Corey Berman, Northwestern University
- 1985 – Eleanor Havens, Northwestern University
- 1985 – Eric Hinton, Northwestern University
- 1984 – Theresa Wall, University of Illinois
- 1984 – Clark Rundell, Northwestern University
- 1983 – John Jones, Northwestern University
- 1983 – Erin Lisk, University of Iowa