The NWSC festival strives to provide students the opportunity to pursue excellence in music performance, listen to music with understanding, and celebrate the artistic achievements of other student-musicians. The festival also includes the organization and performance of All-Conference ensembles including orchestra, band, and choir. The very existence of the music festival reflects the commitment of the Northwest Suburban Conference member schools to promote student opportunities in the Fine Arts as well as Athletics.
During the festival, each school's most accomplished band, orchestra, and choir present a concert for other student-musicians on Monday. This concert is also reviewed and critiqued by the guest conductor-clinician. Critical listening forms are distributed to each student-musician. They are expected to hear as many of the other bands, choirs, and orchestras as time allows. The student-musicians then write their own critiques of the various performances and turn them in to their own director. This sharing of performances in a non-competitive, collegial atmosphere ensures the best educational experience for all student-musicians involved in the festival.
The All-Conference ensembles are select ensembles organized in October by the music educators of the NWSC. The three All-Conference ensembles rehearse during the month of January. These rehearsals, supported by private practice and instruction, prepare the ensembles for their dress rehearsal with the guest conductors.
Guest conductors and All-Conference ensembles work together on the second Sunday in February. After a Sunday afternoon of exciting and intense rehearsal with guest conductors the, NWSC All-Conference ensembles present the Grand Finale Concert on Sunday evening. The NWSC Music Festival has always featured excellent musicians and music educators as guest conductors and clinicians. Because of the support of the conference schools, these nationally recognized educators provide expert direction, commentary, and encouragement to NWSC student-musicians and directors.
During the festival, each school's most accomplished band, orchestra, and choir present a concert for other student-musicians on Monday. This concert is also reviewed and critiqued by the guest conductor-clinician. Critical listening forms are distributed to each student-musician. They are expected to hear as many of the other bands, choirs, and orchestras as time allows. The student-musicians then write their own critiques of the various performances and turn them in to their own director. This sharing of performances in a non-competitive, collegial atmosphere ensures the best educational experience for all student-musicians involved in the festival.
The All-Conference ensembles are select ensembles organized in October by the music educators of the NWSC. The three All-Conference ensembles rehearse during the month of January. These rehearsals, supported by private practice and instruction, prepare the ensembles for their dress rehearsal with the guest conductors.
Guest conductors and All-Conference ensembles work together on the second Sunday in February. After a Sunday afternoon of exciting and intense rehearsal with guest conductors the, NWSC All-Conference ensembles present the Grand Finale Concert on Sunday evening. The NWSC Music Festival has always featured excellent musicians and music educators as guest conductors and clinicians. Because of the support of the conference schools, these nationally recognized educators provide expert direction, commentary, and encouragement to NWSC student-musicians and directors.
