District 146 Beginning Band Debuts at Central Middle School

A group of charged, anxious fifth graders will take to the largest stage they have performed on as a group Thursday evening. The Beginning Band, an assembly of sixty-four students hailing from each elementary school in District 146, will debut on Central Middle School’s stage in Tinley Park at 6:30 p.m. on January 14.

Instruments were first placed in their hands in September of last year. Now, three and a half months later, they will demonstrate what they have learned to their family.

Jason Freeland and Christina Makropoulos, band directors at Central Middle School, both led the Beginning Band instruction. They traveled to each elementary school, Fulton, Fierke, Kruse and Memorial, to meet with students. As a large group, they rehearsed twice a week, and students also had individual lessons.

“It’s about learning the building blocks of music that they can continue to build upon for a lifetime,” Freeland said of the program. The students will have the opportunity to join the award-winning Central Middle School band when they enter sixth grade next school year.

Early morning, on January 14, the group gathers to practice before their first on-stage demonstration. The students try to recall their seating arrangements and open their music to the proper page. They chatter with friends and it seems to be a typical morning rehearsal.

But Makropoulos understands this is her last opportunity to instill months of hard work. She stomps her foot and the mood suddenly stiffens. “Eyes on me! Always watch my hands for the tempo,” she commands. The side-chatter abruptly stops and the students sit up in their chairs.

Makropoulos counts, one, two, ready, and she raises her hands high for the last count. Notes begin to stream out of their instruments in harmony and with purpose. For 11-year-olds, this is an unexpected surprise.

Parents look forward to witnessing their child’s progression in this short period of time. “It really showcases where they started and where they are now, which is leaps and bounds,” Freeland said.

The students finish their piece “Indian Summer” and Makropoulos reminds them of the importance of volume. “You want people in Canada to hear you! That’s how strong it needs to be,” she said. “Can you do that for me?” They emphatically agreed.

“They’re really excited to perform,” Freeland said. Tonight will be their first opportunity of many.