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The South Elgin High School Bands is part of the U-46 School District. The Bands include the South Elgin High School Marching Storm, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Varsity Band, Jazz Bands, Musical Pit Orchestra, & Basketball Pep Band. Each one of these ensembles plays an important role in the students' education, the Band Program, South Elgin High School, U-46, and the surrounding area communities.
South Elgin Bands on Social Media
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South Elgin High School Bands:
The Marching Storm:
This group performs for all home SEHS football games, community parades, select marching competitions, and school events each year. The Marching Storm are the sound of South Elgin High School Football. This ensemble is required for all high school band members.
Wind Ensemble:
This audition-only group is one of the main ensembles of the SEHS Bands. The Wind Ensemble is the top group in the South Elgin High School Bands. Auditions for this group take place in the Spring Semester. The Wind Ensemble starts once the football season concludes and is a full school-year long class. Any 10th-12th grade band students are eligible to audition, although 9th grade students can participate in specific situations.
Participation in out of school performances, concerts, competitions, parades, and festivals is required and reflected in the student's band grade. Dates of these events will be given with plenty of notice. This ensemble puts on 3 concerts each year (Holiday, Winter, and Spring Concerts). The Wind Ensemble participates in the U-46 Solo & Ensemble and Organization Contests each spring along with possible festivals/contests like the University of Illinois Superstate Contest and Illinois Music Education All-State Conference.
High School Band is a fun way for students to express themselves musically while learning leadership, teamwork, passion, responsibility, pride, and good work ethic in a safe band community. Students learn about their instruments in a performance based class focused on music education and playing their instruments everyday.
The pre-requisite to be in the Wind Ensemble is a spring semester audition with the Band Director or a specific recommendation from the Band Director.
Symphonic Band:
This audition-only group is one of the main ensembles of the SEHS Bands. The Symphonic Band is the second group in the South Elgin High School Bands. Auditions for this group take place in the Spring Semester. The Symphonic Band starts once the football season concludes and is a full school-year long class. Any 10th-12th grade band students are eligible to audition, although 9th grade students can participate in specific situations.
Participation in out of school performances, concerts, competitions, parades, and festivals is required and reflected in the student's band grade. Dates of these events will be given with plenty of notice. This ensemble puts on 3 concerts each year (Holiday, Winter, and Spring Concerts). The Symphonic Band participates in the U-46 Solo & Ensemble and Organization Contests each spring along with possible festivals/contests like the University of Illinois Superstate Contest and Illinois Music Education All-State Conference.
High School Band is a fun way for students to express themselves musically while learning leadership, teamwork, passion, responsibility, pride, and good work ethic in a safe band community. Students learn about their instruments in a performance based class focused on music education and playing their instruments everyday.
The pre-requisite to be in the Symphonic Band is a spring semester audition with the Band Director or a specific recommendation from the Band Director.
Concert Band:
This group is one of the main ensembles of the SEHS Bands. The Concert Band is the third group in the South Elgin High School Bands. The Concert Band starts once the football season concludes and is a full school-year long class. Any 10th-12th grade band students are eligible, although 9th grade students can participate in specific situations.
Participation in out of school performances, concerts, competitions, parades, and festivals is required and reflected in the student's band grade. Dates of these events will be given with plenty of notice. This ensemble puts on 3 concerts each year (Holiday, Winter, and Spring Concerts). The Concert Band participates in the U-46 Solo & Ensemble and Organization Contests each spring along with possible festivals/contests.
High School Band is a fun way for students to express themselves musically while learning leadership, teamwork, passion, responsibility, pride, and good work ethic in a safe band community. Students learn about their instruments in a performance based class focused on music education and playing their instruments everyday.
The pre-requisite to be in the Concert Band is completion of Varsity Band or a specific recommendation from the Band Director.
Varsity Band:
This group is one of the main ensembles of the SEHS Bands. The Varsity Band is the freshman group in the South Elgin High School Bands. The Varsity Band starts once the football season concludes and is a full school-year long class. All 9th grade students are placed in the Varsity Band as they enter SEHS from middle school band.
Participation in out of school performances, concerts, competitions, parades, and festivals is required and reflected in the student's band grade. Dates of these events will be given with plenty of notice. This ensemble puts on 3 concerts each year (Holiday, Winter, and Spring Concerts). The Varsity Band participates in the U-46 Solo & Ensemble and Organization Contests each spring along with possible festivals/contests.
High School Band is a fun way for students to express themselves musically while learning leadership, teamwork, passion, responsibility, pride, and good work ethic in a safe band community. Students learn about their instruments in a performance based class focused on music education and playing their instruments everyday.
The pre-requisite to be in the Varsity Band is completion of middle school band or a specific recommendation from the Band Director.
Basketball Pep Band:
This group performs for all home Boys and Girls SEHS basketball games. The Pep Band meets for a short time before every basketball game to rehearse. The SEHS Pep Band is often split into multiple equal bands that rotate home basketball games. The Pep Band is the sound of South Elgin High School Basketball. This ensemble is required for all high school band members.
Musical Pit Orchestra:
This group performs for the theatre musical productions at South Elgin High School. The Musical Pit Orchestra meets outside of the school day to rehearse and prepare for the production. This is an audition only group that is made up of instrumentation called for by the theatre production.
South Elgin Jazz Program:
Jazz Ensemble I:
The South Elgin Jazz Ensemble I is an audition-only group made up of approximately 22 students who want to participate in a big band style jazz band. The Jazz Ensemble I is an outside of school ensemble for students enrolled in the South Elgin Bands who are looking for a fun and challenging group to expose themselves to the world of jazz. This group rehearses twice per week for an hour and a half once the marching season concludes. This ensemble follows traditional jazz instrumentation called for by the big band jazz charts.
The South Elgin Jazz Ensemble I is the top of three jazz big bands at South Elgin, and is a competitive ensemble that attends multiple competitions and festivals each season. The band performs at all of the school’s band/jazz concerts, select jazz festivals/competitions such as the Jazz In The Meadows Competition, Evanston Jazz Festival, New Trier Jazz Festival, and other performances around South Elgin.
The philosophy behind the South Elgin Jazz Program is to expose students to different styles of music and give students an opportunity to express themselves and show their creativity through music.
Jazz Band II:
The South Elgin Jazz Band II is an audition-only group made up of approximately 22 students who want to participate in a big band style jazz band. The Jazz Band II is an outside of school ensemble for students enrolled in the South Elgin Bands who are looking for a fun and challenging group to expose themselves to the world of jazz. This group rehearses twice per week for an hour once the marching season concludes. This ensemble allows for non-traditional jazz instrumentation along with the traditional jazz instrumentation called for by the big band jazz charts.
The South Elgin Jazz Band II is the second of three jazz big bands at South Elgin, and is a competitive ensemble that attends multiple competitions and festivals each season. The band performs at all of the school’s band/jazz concerts, select jazz festivals/competitions such as the Jazz In The Meadows Competition, Evanston Jazz Festival, New Trier Jazz Festival, and other performances around South Elgin.
The philosophy behind the South Elgin Jazz Program is to expose students to different styles of music and give students an opportunity to express themselves and show their creativity through music.
Jazz Lab III:
The South Elgin Jazz Lab III is an audition only group made up of students who want to participate in a big band style jazz band. The Jazz Lab III is an outside of school ensemble for students enrolled in the South Elgin Bands who are looking for a fun group to expose themselves to the world of jazz. This group rehearses twice per week for an hour once the marching season concludes. This ensemble allows for non-traditional jazz instrumentation along with the traditional jazz instrumentation called for by the big band jazz charts.
The South Elgin Jazz Lab III is the third of three jazz big bands at South Elgin, and is an ensemble that attends multiple festivals each season. The band performs at all of the school’s band/jazz concerts, select jazz festivals/competitions such as the Jazz In The Meadows Competition, Evanston Jazz Festival, New Trier Jazz Festival, and other performances around South Elgin.
The philosophy behind the South Elgin Jazz Program is to expose students to different styles of music and give students an opportunity to express themselves and show their creativity through music.
The Marching Storm:
This group performs for all home SEHS football games, community parades, select marching competitions, and school events each year. The Marching Storm are the sound of South Elgin High School Football. This ensemble is required for all high school band members.
Wind Ensemble:
This audition-only group is one of the main ensembles of the SEHS Bands. The Wind Ensemble is the top group in the South Elgin High School Bands. Auditions for this group take place in the Spring Semester. The Wind Ensemble starts once the football season concludes and is a full school-year long class. Any 10th-12th grade band students are eligible to audition, although 9th grade students can participate in specific situations.
Participation in out of school performances, concerts, competitions, parades, and festivals is required and reflected in the student's band grade. Dates of these events will be given with plenty of notice. This ensemble puts on 3 concerts each year (Holiday, Winter, and Spring Concerts). The Wind Ensemble participates in the U-46 Solo & Ensemble and Organization Contests each spring along with possible festivals/contests like the University of Illinois Superstate Contest and Illinois Music Education All-State Conference.
High School Band is a fun way for students to express themselves musically while learning leadership, teamwork, passion, responsibility, pride, and good work ethic in a safe band community. Students learn about their instruments in a performance based class focused on music education and playing their instruments everyday.
The pre-requisite to be in the Wind Ensemble is a spring semester audition with the Band Director or a specific recommendation from the Band Director.
Symphonic Band:
This audition-only group is one of the main ensembles of the SEHS Bands. The Symphonic Band is the second group in the South Elgin High School Bands. Auditions for this group take place in the Spring Semester. The Symphonic Band starts once the football season concludes and is a full school-year long class. Any 10th-12th grade band students are eligible to audition, although 9th grade students can participate in specific situations.
Participation in out of school performances, concerts, competitions, parades, and festivals is required and reflected in the student's band grade. Dates of these events will be given with plenty of notice. This ensemble puts on 3 concerts each year (Holiday, Winter, and Spring Concerts). The Symphonic Band participates in the U-46 Solo & Ensemble and Organization Contests each spring along with possible festivals/contests like the University of Illinois Superstate Contest and Illinois Music Education All-State Conference.
High School Band is a fun way for students to express themselves musically while learning leadership, teamwork, passion, responsibility, pride, and good work ethic in a safe band community. Students learn about their instruments in a performance based class focused on music education and playing their instruments everyday.
The pre-requisite to be in the Symphonic Band is a spring semester audition with the Band Director or a specific recommendation from the Band Director.
Concert Band:
This group is one of the main ensembles of the SEHS Bands. The Concert Band is the third group in the South Elgin High School Bands. The Concert Band starts once the football season concludes and is a full school-year long class. Any 10th-12th grade band students are eligible, although 9th grade students can participate in specific situations.
Participation in out of school performances, concerts, competitions, parades, and festivals is required and reflected in the student's band grade. Dates of these events will be given with plenty of notice. This ensemble puts on 3 concerts each year (Holiday, Winter, and Spring Concerts). The Concert Band participates in the U-46 Solo & Ensemble and Organization Contests each spring along with possible festivals/contests.
High School Band is a fun way for students to express themselves musically while learning leadership, teamwork, passion, responsibility, pride, and good work ethic in a safe band community. Students learn about their instruments in a performance based class focused on music education and playing their instruments everyday.
The pre-requisite to be in the Concert Band is completion of Varsity Band or a specific recommendation from the Band Director.
Varsity Band:
This group is one of the main ensembles of the SEHS Bands. The Varsity Band is the freshman group in the South Elgin High School Bands. The Varsity Band starts once the football season concludes and is a full school-year long class. All 9th grade students are placed in the Varsity Band as they enter SEHS from middle school band.
Participation in out of school performances, concerts, competitions, parades, and festivals is required and reflected in the student's band grade. Dates of these events will be given with plenty of notice. This ensemble puts on 3 concerts each year (Holiday, Winter, and Spring Concerts). The Varsity Band participates in the U-46 Solo & Ensemble and Organization Contests each spring along with possible festivals/contests.
High School Band is a fun way for students to express themselves musically while learning leadership, teamwork, passion, responsibility, pride, and good work ethic in a safe band community. Students learn about their instruments in a performance based class focused on music education and playing their instruments everyday.
The pre-requisite to be in the Varsity Band is completion of middle school band or a specific recommendation from the Band Director.
Basketball Pep Band:
This group performs for all home Boys and Girls SEHS basketball games. The Pep Band meets for a short time before every basketball game to rehearse. The SEHS Pep Band is often split into multiple equal bands that rotate home basketball games. The Pep Band is the sound of South Elgin High School Basketball. This ensemble is required for all high school band members.
Musical Pit Orchestra:
This group performs for the theatre musical productions at South Elgin High School. The Musical Pit Orchestra meets outside of the school day to rehearse and prepare for the production. This is an audition only group that is made up of instrumentation called for by the theatre production.
South Elgin Jazz Program:
Jazz Ensemble I:
The South Elgin Jazz Ensemble I is an audition-only group made up of approximately 22 students who want to participate in a big band style jazz band. The Jazz Ensemble I is an outside of school ensemble for students enrolled in the South Elgin Bands who are looking for a fun and challenging group to expose themselves to the world of jazz. This group rehearses twice per week for an hour and a half once the marching season concludes. This ensemble follows traditional jazz instrumentation called for by the big band jazz charts.
The South Elgin Jazz Ensemble I is the top of three jazz big bands at South Elgin, and is a competitive ensemble that attends multiple competitions and festivals each season. The band performs at all of the school’s band/jazz concerts, select jazz festivals/competitions such as the Jazz In The Meadows Competition, Evanston Jazz Festival, New Trier Jazz Festival, and other performances around South Elgin.
The philosophy behind the South Elgin Jazz Program is to expose students to different styles of music and give students an opportunity to express themselves and show their creativity through music.
Jazz Band II:
The South Elgin Jazz Band II is an audition-only group made up of approximately 22 students who want to participate in a big band style jazz band. The Jazz Band II is an outside of school ensemble for students enrolled in the South Elgin Bands who are looking for a fun and challenging group to expose themselves to the world of jazz. This group rehearses twice per week for an hour once the marching season concludes. This ensemble allows for non-traditional jazz instrumentation along with the traditional jazz instrumentation called for by the big band jazz charts.
The South Elgin Jazz Band II is the second of three jazz big bands at South Elgin, and is a competitive ensemble that attends multiple competitions and festivals each season. The band performs at all of the school’s band/jazz concerts, select jazz festivals/competitions such as the Jazz In The Meadows Competition, Evanston Jazz Festival, New Trier Jazz Festival, and other performances around South Elgin.
The philosophy behind the South Elgin Jazz Program is to expose students to different styles of music and give students an opportunity to express themselves and show their creativity through music.
Jazz Lab III:
The South Elgin Jazz Lab III is an audition only group made up of students who want to participate in a big band style jazz band. The Jazz Lab III is an outside of school ensemble for students enrolled in the South Elgin Bands who are looking for a fun group to expose themselves to the world of jazz. This group rehearses twice per week for an hour once the marching season concludes. This ensemble allows for non-traditional jazz instrumentation along with the traditional jazz instrumentation called for by the big band jazz charts.
The South Elgin Jazz Lab III is the third of three jazz big bands at South Elgin, and is an ensemble that attends multiple festivals each season. The band performs at all of the school’s band/jazz concerts, select jazz festivals/competitions such as the Jazz In The Meadows Competition, Evanston Jazz Festival, New Trier Jazz Festival, and other performances around South Elgin.
The philosophy behind the South Elgin Jazz Program is to expose students to different styles of music and give students an opportunity to express themselves and show their creativity through music.
Director of Bands: Mr. David Grayson |
EMAIL: davidgrayson@u-46.org
OFFICE PHONE: (847) 289-3760 ext. 3229 |
David Grayson was hired in 2021 as the Director of Bands at South Elgin High School in South Elgin, IL. He directs the Marching Storm, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Varsity Band, Jazz Bands, and Basketball Pep Band. Grayson graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with his Masters of Music Education (MME) in 2021 and Bachelor of Music Education (BME) in 2013. He graduated from Highland Park High School in 2009.
Prior to South Elgin, Grayson was the Director of Bands at Sherrard Jr. Sr. High School in Sherrard, IL for 5 years. Under Grayson's direction, the Sherrard band program grew in size and playing ability, receiving several program-best awards and distinctions. The Sherrard High School Jazz Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2020 All-State Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEC) for the first time in program history. The competitive Marching Tigers won its class at the 2019 & 2017 Geneseo, 2019 Washington, and 2019, 2018 & 2017 Metamora marching band competitions. The Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble I received Division I (Superior) Ratings at the IHSA contests, and the Jazz Ensemble I received Division I (Superior) Ratings at the Jazz in the Meadows Competition including placing 2nd. The Sherrard Jr. High Concert Band and Jazz Band II both attended the IGSMA State Contest receiving Division I (Superior) Ratings. Beyond competitions, Grayson took the Sherrard High School Bands to Disney World in Florida, the Sherrard Jazz Ensemble I to St. Louis, Missouri, established the Sherrard Jazz Band II, and established the first ever Sherrard Jazz Showcase/Festival in 2016, featuring 11 other area high school and college jazz bands. The Sherrard Jazz Program, under Grayson, grew from 14 students to 50 students and two jazz bands. Grayson designing and purchasing new marching band uniforms, purchasing/modifying a new band trailer, incorporating technology and professional clinicians into the program, and brought new professional-level music into the students’ hands.
Prior to Sherrard, Grayson was the Director of Bands and Choirs at Streator Township High School for two years. Under Grayson's baton, The Streator Bands won numerous program first time awards including 2nd Place at the 2014 Illinois Marching Band Championship, four top-two placements at other high school marching competitions, received Division I (Superior) Ratings at IHSA, and attended the Jazz Competition/Festivals for the first time. Grayson also started the first ever second band at Streator, the STHS Wind Ensemble. Grayson was the Band Director the prior year at Millburn School District #24 teaching the 4th, 5th, & 6th grade bands. Grayson student taught at Evanston Township High School and Wilmette Junior High School along with helping out at Highland Park High School.
Grayson currently writes drill for multiple high school marching bands and has written drill for the University of Illinois Marching Illini. He has arranged music for college bands of all ages including the University of Illinois Marching Illini, Basketball Bands and Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble. Grayson writes all of the music and drill for his competitive and non-competitive high school marching bands and pep bands. He is hired each year to arrange music for other high schools around Illinois. His drills and arrangements have won and placed at many high school and college marching competitions.
During college, Grayson played in the University of Illinois' Wind Symphony, Marching Illini, Basketball Bands, Philharmonic Orchestra, Concert Bands, Brass Band, Brass Quintets, and Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble. While in the Marching Illini, Grayson was the Sousaphone Section Leader and marched/performed in 3 NFL stadiums, 2 MLB stadiums, and in 2 NCAA bowl games. Grayson has played tuba with the Illinois Brass Band, Eastern Iowa Brass Band, Wilmette Community Band, and Big River Brass Band. He continues to play tuba during his free time, does woodworking, builds lamps out of old instruments, and collects pre-WWII Conn instruments like his 1925 Conn 40K 4-valve sousaphone, 1921 Eb Helicon, 1924 and 1909 Conn Double-Bell Euphoniums, 1924 Conn New York Symphony Trumpet, 1906 Conn-queror Cornet, 1915 3H Trombone, 1914 C-Melody Saxophone, 1914 Alto Saxophone, 1928 Tenor Saxophone, and 30+ more. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA), National Band Association (NBA), Jazz Education Network (JEN), and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Prior to South Elgin, Grayson was the Director of Bands at Sherrard Jr. Sr. High School in Sherrard, IL for 5 years. Under Grayson's direction, the Sherrard band program grew in size and playing ability, receiving several program-best awards and distinctions. The Sherrard High School Jazz Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2020 All-State Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEC) for the first time in program history. The competitive Marching Tigers won its class at the 2019 & 2017 Geneseo, 2019 Washington, and 2019, 2018 & 2017 Metamora marching band competitions. The Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble I received Division I (Superior) Ratings at the IHSA contests, and the Jazz Ensemble I received Division I (Superior) Ratings at the Jazz in the Meadows Competition including placing 2nd. The Sherrard Jr. High Concert Band and Jazz Band II both attended the IGSMA State Contest receiving Division I (Superior) Ratings. Beyond competitions, Grayson took the Sherrard High School Bands to Disney World in Florida, the Sherrard Jazz Ensemble I to St. Louis, Missouri, established the Sherrard Jazz Band II, and established the first ever Sherrard Jazz Showcase/Festival in 2016, featuring 11 other area high school and college jazz bands. The Sherrard Jazz Program, under Grayson, grew from 14 students to 50 students and two jazz bands. Grayson designing and purchasing new marching band uniforms, purchasing/modifying a new band trailer, incorporating technology and professional clinicians into the program, and brought new professional-level music into the students’ hands.
Prior to Sherrard, Grayson was the Director of Bands and Choirs at Streator Township High School for two years. Under Grayson's baton, The Streator Bands won numerous program first time awards including 2nd Place at the 2014 Illinois Marching Band Championship, four top-two placements at other high school marching competitions, received Division I (Superior) Ratings at IHSA, and attended the Jazz Competition/Festivals for the first time. Grayson also started the first ever second band at Streator, the STHS Wind Ensemble. Grayson was the Band Director the prior year at Millburn School District #24 teaching the 4th, 5th, & 6th grade bands. Grayson student taught at Evanston Township High School and Wilmette Junior High School along with helping out at Highland Park High School.
Grayson currently writes drill for multiple high school marching bands and has written drill for the University of Illinois Marching Illini. He has arranged music for college bands of all ages including the University of Illinois Marching Illini, Basketball Bands and Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble. Grayson writes all of the music and drill for his competitive and non-competitive high school marching bands and pep bands. He is hired each year to arrange music for other high schools around Illinois. His drills and arrangements have won and placed at many high school and college marching competitions.
During college, Grayson played in the University of Illinois' Wind Symphony, Marching Illini, Basketball Bands, Philharmonic Orchestra, Concert Bands, Brass Band, Brass Quintets, and Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble. While in the Marching Illini, Grayson was the Sousaphone Section Leader and marched/performed in 3 NFL stadiums, 2 MLB stadiums, and in 2 NCAA bowl games. Grayson has played tuba with the Illinois Brass Band, Eastern Iowa Brass Band, Wilmette Community Band, and Big River Brass Band. He continues to play tuba during his free time, does woodworking, builds lamps out of old instruments, and collects pre-WWII Conn instruments like his 1925 Conn 40K 4-valve sousaphone, 1921 Eb Helicon, 1924 and 1909 Conn Double-Bell Euphoniums, 1924 Conn New York Symphony Trumpet, 1906 Conn-queror Cornet, 1915 3H Trombone, 1914 C-Melody Saxophone, 1914 Alto Saxophone, 1928 Tenor Saxophone, and 30+ more. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA), National Band Association (NBA), Jazz Education Network (JEN), and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
South Elgin Marching BANDS STAFF:AssistanT Director: CHRISTIE ZIMMERMAN
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Program Awards:
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Marching Storm:
More information at www.ilmarching.com: CLICK HERE
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© David Grayson 2021
