Dear Band Parents-

It is with great excitement that I inform you that the 7th and 8th Grade Concert Band has been accepted to perform at the 2008 University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival-one of the most prestigious concert band festivals in the Midwest! Many of you may recall that back in February I brought the Band together to record a CD in the Band Room as part of the audition process. 62 schools sent in audition CDs and Edison was one of seven middle schools accepted across the state. This is the second year in a row that this group was invited to perform at this festival-Bravo to your students!

The Festival is on Friday May 2nd in Foellinger Great Hall of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (KCPA) on the University of Illinois Campus. I will give you specific times as soon as they become available-all are welcome to attend this unbelievable performance. Like last year, I will be taking all of the 6th Grade Band Students to the KCPA to be part of this wonderful experience.

Sometimes the names of these contests/festivals can get a little be confusing... Back in early March, the 7th/8th Grade Concert Band performed at the Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) Contest and received a Division I rating. From there, they go on to the IGSMA State Level Contest in Palos Heights on April 26th. While the names are similar, the U of I Superstate Concert Band Festival has nothing to do with any of the IGSMA Contests. Acceptance into the Superstate Festival is based on the quality of your audition CD.

Congrats again to your students on this accomplishment and I look forward to this memorable performance!

Sincerely,

Mike Lehman

Director of Bands

Edison Middle School