High schools offer high-quality, low-cost concert options
Whether your kids already have a love of music or you want to try to instill one in them, there are plenty of free or low-cost concert opportunities throughout the suburbs. Community members are welcome to watch local school bands and choirs show off their best work at these student competitions and festivals.
• Wheaton Warrenville South High School Choral Classic Invitational, Wheaton Warrenville South High School, 1993 Tiger Trail, Wheaton, (630) 784-7200; wwshs.org
Time: 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. March 15
Admission: Free
The second annual competition lets you see traditional vocal ensembles and show choirs from around the state. Ensembles will sing typical choral music while the show choir performances are more akin to a Las Vegas or Broadway revue. Students perform pop songs or tunes from musicals complete with choreographed dance numbers built around specific themes. You'll also spot plenty of glittery costumes, with fancy dresses for girls and tuxedos for guys. Each of the 25 ensembles will be rated by a pair of judges and the top five will get the chance to perform in a final round starting at 7 p.m. Food and drinks are available to purchase all day to benefit Wheaton's music program.
• Illinois Grade School Music Association Band Organization Contest, Clarendon Hills Middle School, 301 Chicago Ave., Clarendon Hills, (630) 887-4260; d181.org
Time: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. March 21
Admission: Free
About 15 area concert bands compete in this contest to be ranked in one of three divisions according to skill. Divided into 40 minute sets, each group performs a march and two other pieces and is rated by a panel of three judges depending on their music selection and skills. Judges share their comments with the students on the spot, so the students know what to work on and viewers can learn more about what goes into appraising the showings.
• District 202 Band Festival, Lisle Community School, 1800 Short St., Lisle, (630) 493-8300; lisle.dupage.k12.il.us
Time: 7 p.m. March 25
Admission: Free
All of the bands in the school district perform at this festival. The lineup shows off the progression of musical skills, starting with 5th graders followed by shows from both middle school and high school concert bands.
• District 214 Concert Festival, Rolling Meadows High School, 2901 Central Road, Rolling Meadows, (847) 718-5754; rollingmeadowsband.com
Time: 7:30 p.m. March 18
Admission: $4
The Rolling Meadows, Wheeling and Elk Grove High School bands come together to show off their talent at this festival. Each group performs two pieces, one conducted by their regular director and the other by guest conductor John Bell of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Department of Music. The goal is to give the bands, which have about 40 students each, a chance to work with one another and with a college professor.