MUSIC PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES
MUSIC PROGRAM
Immanuel has a Comprehensive, Rewarding, & Fulfilling Music Program
And while we may not offer instruction on the harp or the ram’s horn, each of our musical ensembles and every one of our groups’ directors share five goals, which form the heart of Immanuel’s music program. The shared goals of the musical ensembles here at Immanuel are:
- to bring glory and honor to God
- to help each child discover and maximize his/her God-given musical talents
- to develop ensembles that will enrich the educational experience
- to strive for excellence within each musical group
- to create an environment within each group that encourages creativity, cooperation, and a commitment for work
Our Commitment to You
As directors of the musical ensembles here at Immanuel, we promise not only to strive to meet the goals listed above, but also to be fair in our treatment of each student within each of the ensembles. Students who participate in music ensembles are asked to put forth their best efforts and be faithful in both rehearsal and performance participation. Click on the link below to access the Attendance Policy and Covenant for Music Ensembles.
ILS Music Participation Opportunities 2024-25
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vocal ensembles
Vocal Ensembles
Participating in a vocal ensemble is an exciting and fulfilling musical experience. Working together, those who enjoy singing can blend their voices to make music that touches the listener in the way that the spoken word only rarely can. Here at Immanuel Lutheran School, students have the opportunity to participate in various vocal groups, which are described below.
PK and Kindergarten Class Choirs
Students in these classes have a natural love for music and singing. Students enjoy music while singing and participating in related activities during daily classes. They also have the opportunity to sing songs of praise to their Lord during preschool chapel time and sing as a group in several worship services at Immanuel during the school year.
Lower Grade Student Choirs
All students in Grades K through 4 participate in a choir class as part of their regular music instruction at Immanuel. Students learn about the fundamentals of singing through fun-filled vocal warm ups, hymns and contemporary praise songs, traditional and folk songs, song/movement videos, and more. Students in Grades K, 1-2 and 3-4 have the opportunity to prepare songs and sing praises to our Lord when their group participates periodically in weekend worship services at Immanuel. Students in the 3rd and 4th Grade Choir also perform several selections at the Spring Concert in May, which gives students an opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned in classes throughout the year. Recent selections include “It's Ruff Being a Dog", "My Paddle”, "Yonder Come Day", and “The Friday Song”– a real favorite that is requested over and over again each year.
K-4 Music at ILS-Information and Dates 2024-25
Chancel Choir
This extra-curricular group brings together the voices of students in grades 5-8. Its purpose is to praise the Lord through song and further develop the musical talents He has given us. Students are expected to make a commitment to attend practices and performances as scheduled. This group rehearses on Thursday mornings at 7:30 a.m. from August through May in the church basement music room. The group is led by Immanuel’s 8th grade teacher Mrs. Cena Becker, an experienced musician who truly enjoys working with students to help them use their voices to fullest potential. Mrs. Kris Bartelt, Immanuel’s music teacher, serves as the group’s accompanist and assists Mrs. Becker with this group. The Chancel Choir, also referred to as the School Chorus, performs as a group at two concerts during the school year — the Winter Concert and the Spring Concert. In addition, this group sings specially chosen selections at various Immanuel church worship services. Every other year, all chorus members participate in the gr. 5-8 fall musical. Many of the Chancel Choir members also sing in vocal ensembles and/or prepare solos for the D300 Solo and Ensemble Contest and as well, and the chorus sings as a group in the Lutheran Fine Arts Festival each spring.
2024-25 Gr. 5-8 Chorus Schedule
HANDBELL ensembles
Handbell Ensembles
Being part of a handbell group is a terrific learning experience which is both challenging and fun! Each student is assigned to play several bells from the musical scale (for example, middle C and D) and rings a bell each time he/she sees the note representing that bell written on the page of music. Together, the choir of bell ringers makes beautiful music–but it requires a great deal of teamwork and concentration. It can be said that being part of a bell choir is an experience that is both rewarding and unique at the same time. Here at Immanuel Lutheran School, our older students have the opportunity to participate in several handbell ensembles.
Chancel Ringers
This group typically includes students in grades 7-8. They meet for rehearsals on Wednesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. in the church balcony from the end of August through May. The group is led by Mrs. Shelly Pieper, an excellent teacher and musician with a wide variety of musical experiences and interests. The Chancel Ringers usually perform at two concerts throughout the school year —the Winter Concert and the Spring Concert. They also work together to play special music for various Immanuel Lutheran Church worship services.
2024-25 Chancel Ringers Schedule
Chancel Chimes
This group typically includes students in grades 5 and 6, and begins on Friday mornings at 7:30 near the start of the second semester each January. Students use both handbells and handchimes to create their music in the church balcony from January through May. This group is also directed by Mrs. Shelly Pieper. The Chancel Chimes are normally scheduled to perform in at least one concert each school year (the Spring Concert in May), as well as during several worship services at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
BAND ensembles
Immanuel offers a variety of band opportunities. For cost/tuition to participate in band,
please contact Mr. Bill Gade, Immanuel’s Music Director.
Concert Band
Typically, Immanuel's Concert Band involves students in grades 6 through 8 and performs at two concerts — one in winter and one in spring. Many band students also play at the D300 Solo and Ensemble Contest each April. In some years band students also play at one or two Immanuel Church services as well as the Lutheran Honor Band Festival in Peoria.
Concert and Cadet Bands and specific group rehearsals take place before school. Weekly student instrument lessons are held during the school day (as a "pull out" on a rotating schedule so the student doesn't miss the same subject each time.)
See specific information below from Mr. Gade, distributed on Registration Day on July 31, 2024.
2024-25 Continuing Band Student Info Sheet from Registration Day
2024-25 New to Band - Registration Sheet from Registration Day
Our Cadet Band for beginning students is comprised mostly of 5th and 6th graders, and performs first at a mini-concert in March or April, and then at the spring concert in May. Read the information distributed on Registration Day (below) to find out more about beginning band.
Large group rehearsals are held weekly before the school day, with weekly lessons for students on their instruments during the school day (as a "pull out" on a rotating schedule so the student doesn't miss the same subject each time.)
MUSICALS
Upper Grade Musical
Students in Immanuel's grades 5-8 are slated to present their next musical in the fall of 2025. Last schoolyear they worked together to perform "Sister Act, Jr." in Novemeber of 2023. It was "FABULOUS!" (that's a song title from the musical if you didn't know) to see how everyone working together could put on such a great show.
Musicals showcase the talents of a wide variety of ILS students, who participate by acting, singing, dancing, managing stage and props, serving on sound and spotlight crew, and more. We praise God for blessing us with the opportunity to have fun putting on a show and grow as we use our talents to His glory.
Lower Grade Musical
Immanuel's gr. 1-4 students work together to present a musical every other spring. We're currently learning songs, movement, lines and more as we prepare for "Spend Awhile on the Nile". This operetta is a fun production in which we'll join Mr. Cruise and his sister Ms. Isla on a boat trip up the Nile to hear stories about Bible characters like Joseph, Moses, and the Isaraelites. We look forward to showcasing our musical and drama abilites as we work to help others understand the real truth about God's enduring love and faithfulness to His people.
Keep on the lookout for specific showtimes and details for the shows-slated for May 1-2, 2025 (Thursday and Friday).
Preschool Program
Each year, Immanuel’s PK students perform a special program featuring their singing, dancing, new knowledge and smiles that receives rave reviews from parents, grandparents and friends. The 2024-25 school year production will be a Christmas themed program on December 8th, 2025. Thanks to our teachers and classroom aides who work so diligently to help these little ones shine and share what they’re learning!
The Kindergarten Showcase
Throughout the schoolyear kindergarten students learn songs, actions and more to share at their annual Kindergarten Showcase, which is scheduled for Friday, May 9th, 2025. They'll been singing, learning and smiling throughout the months of this school year to get ready for this special performance for family and friends.
Curious as to what they'll be sharing? In past performances students have delightfully recounted much of what they had learned including the days of the week, the months and seasons of the year along with counting to a 100 by fives, and about God's never ending for them and everyone He created. At their last showcase they included favorites such as “Albuquerque Turkey” and “Pizza Hut”.
What a joy it's been to watch those little ones sing, dance, tell jokes (“What is a race car driver’s favorite day of the year? April Fuels Day!”), and share their newly learned skills. We say "Great job, students"–and thanks to Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Hollquist for your wonderful leadership! Kindergarteners, we love to see you perform and share how you have “grown up” as you progress through the months of kindergarten.
FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
2024-25 Music Opportunities for Gr. 5-8 Students
Lutheran Honor Band Festival – Some of Immanuel’s band students will be selected to perform at this event in Peoria in March of 2025.
The D300 Piano Festival in April is open to piano students in gr. 3-8 who attend school in the district. Further information and the opportunity to register is shared with students during music class each January.
D300 Solo and Ensemble Contest is also held in April each year. Mr. Gade communicates with band students and their parents about this opportunity. Mrs. Becker connects with our 8th grade vocalists about the opportunity to participate.
The 2025 Lutheran Schools Fine Arts Festival is set for Friday, April 11, 2025 at Grace Lutheran School in River Forest. What a wonderful opportunity this has been over the years for our students to grow in their musical abilities and experiences! The music-filled day typically begins after lunch and culminates in a grand evening concert featuring performances by the mass bells, mass band, mass choir, and selected student entries from participating school. In addition to musical entries, ILS also send some art projects to be judged. Mrs. Becker sends information to students and families in mid January.