MUSIC PROGRAMS
Elementary: 5th grade students across the District are given 30 minute group lessons twice a week at their elementary school. through a “pull-out” program which means that students are pulled from their regular class in order to have their lessons. Students who sign up for band are given the opportunity to learn to play the flute, clarinet, trumpet, or trombone. Students who sign up for strings are given the opportunity to learn to play the violin, viola, or cello.Students in these programs will have three concerts throughout the year where they will meet as a group of all 5th grade students from the district in band and strings (All-City Concerts).
UMS: UMS has a 6th Grade Band, Choir, and Orchestra. Students are also given the opportunity to begin playing an instrument in the Beginning 6th Grade Band or Strings Classes. There is a 7th Grade Band, Choir, and Orchestra. Again, at the 7th grade level, there is another opportunity to being playing an instrument in the Beginning 7th Grade Band or Strings Classes. There is an 8th Grade Band, Choir, and Orchestra.In addition to these ensembles that meet during the school day, there is a Concert Band, Concert Choir, Concert Orchestra, and Jazz Band that meet before school. These ensembles are an enrichment opportunity for students who are excelling in their daily ensembles.
UHS: UHS has two concert bands: Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony. These two bands also makeup the Pep Bands that perform at home basketball games. The Tiger Marching Band begins its season with band camp during the summer, and they perform at home football games, parades, and competitions throughout the fall. UHS also houses Symphonic Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Urbana Singers, Concert Choir, and Honors Choir. In addition to these ensembles that meet during the school day, there are two A Cappella vocal groups, a Jazz Band, and a Jazz Combo. These ensembles are an enrichment opportunity for students who are excelling in their daily ensembles. These groups are selected by audition and/or invitation.
Contact: Stacey Peterik, Coordinator, EBU Program: speterik@usd116.org
The Evelyn Burnett Underwood (EBU) Instrumental Assistance Program provides musical instruments to low income students who want to participate in an Urbana School music program. Student requirements include a desire to learn, an agreement to meet the expectations of the class, and a financial need.
Over the past 25 years, the EBU program has provided instruments for over 1,500 students who otherwise would not have been able to participate in the instrumental music classes.
The music department encourages all students to achieve their musical potential as members of Urbana’s excellent performing organizations. Support from all sides- district funding, administrative support, community support, teacher instruction, student and family responsibility and effort- is necessary for the accomplishment of this goal.
You can make a donation to support the EBU Instrumental Assistance Program on our website: EBU Donations
Be sure to select “Evelyn Burnett Underwood Instrumental Assistance” in the drop down menu.
For $5 EBU could purchase
- Rosin for string instruments
- A cleaning rod for a flute
- Cork grease for a woodwind instrument
- Valve oil for a brass instrument
- Slide grease for brass instruments
- A pack of 24 pencils
For $10 EBU could purchase
- A method book
- A rock stop for a cello or bass
- A cleaning swab for an oboe or a clarinet
- A ligature for a woodwind player
- A reed case to protect woodwind instrument reeds
- A 3 pack of reeds for a beginning woodwind player
- A set of snare drum sticks
For $20 EBU could purchase
- One EBU Scholarship for a band or string student
- A folding music stand
- A shoulder rest for a violin or viola student
- A humidifier for a string instrument
- A box of reeds for a beginning woodwind player
- A neck strap for a saxophone player
- A maintenance kit for a wind player
- A percussion practice pad
- A percussion stick bag
For $30 EBU could purchase
- A set of replacement strings for a violin or a viola
- A clarinet or saxophone mouthpiece for a beginner
- 3 method books
- A box of reeds for an intermediate woodwind player
- A half hour private lesson for a student
- A set of Timpani mallets
- A set of percussion keyboard mallets
For $50 EBU could purchase
- A mute for a brass instrument
- A mouthpiece for a brass instrument
For $75 EBU could purchase
- A new string bow
- An intermediate brass mouthpiece
For $100 EBU could purchase
- An intermediate woodwind mouthpiece
- 5 EBU Scholarships for band or string students
- A month of lessons for a student
- A replacement case for an instrument
For $350 EBU could purchase
- A new violin or viola
- A used woodwind or brass instrument
- 1 new Yamaha Student Percussion Combo Kit
For $1000 EBU could purchase
- A new cello
- 2 new Yamaha Student Flutes
- 2 new Yamaha Student Clarinets
- 1 new Yamaha Student Alto Saxophone
- 1 new Yamaha Student Trumpet
- 1 new Yamaha Student Trombone
- 50 EBU Scholarships for band or strings students
- 100 method books
- 10 months of lessons for a student or 1 month of lessons for 10 students