April 18, 2023 – Students at Johns Hill Magnet School had a special opportunity Tuesday to collaborate with Millikin University’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
The Millikin Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the John’s Hill concert band rehearsed and performed for students at Johns Hill during the day, then both presented a concert for the community on Tuesday evening.
“It’s a great experience [for the students]. Anytime you get to play with someone that has the kind of experience. . for our Junior High Students it’s a great opportunity,” said Robert Prange, Principal of Johns Hill Magnet School.
Prange adds that some of the Millikin students playing are also former Johns Hill students. “With our arts integration and the fine arts programs, this is a chance to see that once you leave Johns Hill, your music career isn’t over… you can continue to play in High School and onto College.”
Dr. Neal Smith, Director of Bands at Millikin University, said the opportunity was also a benefit to his students as well. “Playing for a different conductor and teacher is great for my students at Millikin, many of which are music education students who serve as student teachers at Johns Hill. It helps my students to remind them where they came from.”
“This is the first time we have ever had a large university ensemble come to our school and I have been teaching here for 19 years”, said Tom Miller, band and orchestra teacher at Johns Hill Magnet School. “In the past, we have had small groups like string quartets and soloists come, but to have the entire Millikin University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, it’s really a nice treat and a great opportunity for the students.”
Miller added that it gave his 7th and 8th-grade students an added challenge. “It’s a real testament to the hard work of the students because they are playing all new music and collaborating in a very short rehearsal.”
“It was pretty cool getting to play with older players because they are so much more advanced and have so much more knowledge about the instruments,” said Kaylee Sommer, an 8th-grade clarinet player. “Just seeing what I could be like in just four or five years is an awesome experience.”
