All 4th through 8th grade students at Rhodes are welcome to participate in one of our bands. In the Rhodes Band program, we prioritize high quality music instruction and literacy, sharing our music and our service in our community and with others, as well as setting high expectations for our students and teaching them the skills to achieve excellence. Each band member receives one weekly small group lesson, and multiple full band rehearsals. Every band group is a class that receives a grade, based on participation, improvement over time, and musical understanding.

For additional information about our Band Program, please visit our Band Website.

Please join us for a visit to some of our program features by clicking on your choices below:

For more information of if you have any questions and need additional information about the Rhodes instrumental music program, please feel free to call Mr. Lark at (708) 453-6813, extension 119.

You may also write to:
Mr. Robert Lark, Band Director
c/o Rhodes School
8931 W. Fullerton Ave.
River Grove, Il. 60171

Contact Mr. Lark via Email

RHODES SENIOR BAND

The Rhodes Senior Band is our most advanced instrumental performing organization and class at Rhodes School. The Senior Band consists of students in grades 6 through 8 that have qualified by audition. The Senior Band meets daily as a full ensemble, either before or during school

The Rhodes Senior Band has a history of excellence and exciting experiences. We have performed in St. Louis, Missouri, Cincinnati, Ohio, several suburbs of the Chicagoland area, and Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Students also regularly perform at Leyden High School football games, the Leyden Halloween concert, the River Grove Arbor Day tree planting ceremony, breakfast with Santa, Viva La Musica dinner, and the IGSMA district organizational contest. All students also perform in an annual solo presentation, where they play a piece for a hired professional musician and judge, who scores them and gives them a short lesson and discussion on their performance.

RHODES JUNIOR AND BEGINNING BANDS

Band instruction is first offered in 4th grade at Rhodes, with students introduced to their instrument options in the first month of school of the year. However, any student in 5th-8th grade is also welcome to join band for the first time. Students in their first year of an instrument will start in beginning band, and if they are older than 5th grade, they can progress to our two more advanced groups (Junior and Senior Band) after showing the teacher sufficient progress. 4th graders advance to Junior Band after the completion of their first year of playing, after showing understanding of the concepts taught in their first year. Beginning Band meets twice per week after school starting in January, in addition to their once a week lesson.

All 5th grade students and older who have shown understanding of the concepts of beginning band become members of the Rhodes Junior Band. This is a stepping stone ensemble that works on songs and pieces more challenging than beginning band, focusing on harmony and ensemble play, and is the group students play in before being a member of our most advanced group, Senior Band. It meets twice a week after school, in addition to their weekly lesson.

JAZZ Band

All Rhodes Senior Band members are eligible to audition for placement in the Rhodes Jazz Band, requiring advanced skill on your instrument. This is the only performing ensemble that is an extracurricular club and not a graded class. This group works on music of a large variety of styles, and focuses on performances as well as learning improvisation in solos.

RHODES MUSIC PARENTS ORGANIZATION

Our supportive and active parent organization takes care of all fundraising activities for our music department. Each year our band and chorus members participate in a chocolate sale, host multiple car washes, organize our out of state overnight trips, and assist with other projects set up by our Rhodes Music Parents Organization. Officers meet once monthly with the band and chorus directors and a school administrator. Without the dedication of our parents, an active program like ours would never be possible.

Teachers can be contacted via DOJO and email. Please visit our Staff Connection to contact your child's teacher.

Instrumental Music Departments