Category: Archive

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OMEA District 1 Honor Band This Weekend

We wish you the best as you work with an amazing director – Pat Vandehey from Portland State University, and some of your best musical peers in Portland Public Schools. Anyone wanting to hear their performance can attend the Franklin HS Auditorium on Saturday, February 1st at 7:00 pm.

All City Honor Band 2020
Dana Frederick – Oboe
Lena Thomas – Bassoon
Lilly Belisle – Clarinet
Ellie Lane – Clarinet
Susan McHarris – Alto Saxophone
Calder Muller – Alto Saxophone
Tucker Ramsey – Tenor Saxophone
Maia Connelly – Trumpet
Elliot Hutfilz – Trumpet
Sal Wallin – Trumpet
Ray Randol – Horn
Ian Simpson – Horn
Miles Wheeler – Horn
Aaron Asay – Trombone (Tuba in our band)
Liem Friel – Trombone
Nick Frantz – Tuba
Radley Baker – Percussion

OMEA All-State Recap

Cleveland HS had 14 students perform in All-State Honor Groups the weekend of January 17-19.  All of the groups were fantastic with incredible directors brought in from Massachusetts, Kansas, Texas and California. This opportunity not only will help these students grow musically, but will also bring a sense of focus and pride back to our own ensembles.  Congratulations to all of our All-State musicians!!

From the Director: OMEA Wind Symphony Performance @ Soreng Theater

The Cleveland Wind Symphony sent a wave around the conference after their performance on Saturday afternoon. People who attended stopped me to congratulate me and the students. People who missed our performance, stopped me to tell me that they had heard that the band had performed really well. We as the musicians on the stage focus on the things we miss, or don’t quite attain, but the audience was truly moved by our performance giving us a standing ovation at the conclusion of our last piece.
I received the following Facebook post from Michael Burch-Pesses. He is the band director at Pacific University and the director of an Auditioned adult Wind Band called the Oregon Symphonic Band. He is also a former Director of Bands in the Navy.
“Dear Gary and the Cleveland HS Wind Symphony: What a stunning performance in every respect. So crisp and clean with everyone articulating together. So beautifully in tune and such lovely tone from every section. So emotional with attention to the rise and fall of the musical line. And very important, a wonderfully balanced program overall. I’m sure you know how blessed you are to have a conductor and teacher of Mr. Riler’s caliber. Gary, I’m so proud of the work you’ve done at Cleveland and so happy to be your colleague. Warmest congratulations to all!”
Paul Nickolas, who had worked with our group the Monday evening prior to our performance was also in attendance. He came up to me afterward grinning ear to ear to congratulate me and the band.
Although the students and parents of this program did not completely understand what this performance represented, I believe it became much clearer when we were on that stage. This was an amazing honor that only two HS bands received this year, and the Cleveland HS Wind Symphony absolutely proved that they deserved to be there.

Musically Yours,
Gary Riler

Finals Week for Band Classes: What to Expect

Final exams for band students are as follows:
  • Jazz Band and Jazz Lab Finals have already taken place at the Jazz Night concert on Friday, January 10. (Congratulations, jazz students!)
  • The Percussion final will take the form of individualized assessments on note names, rhythm reading, and rudiments. Grades will reflect growth.
  • Concert and Symphonic classes will perform chamber music for their final exams.
  • Wind Symphony will complete a listening exercise (using OMEA performance) and begin setting goals for 2nd semester.

PIL Solo and Ensemble Registration Now Open

This year’s contest will be held at Wilson High School on February 29, 2020, with schedules to be announced on or around February 19. Participating students should plan on blocking out an hour of their day around the time that they are scheduled.

Students are highly encouraged to participate in this event, at no cost to families. (Registration fees are covered by the Friends of Cleveland Bands.) Registration forms went home with students last week. Deadline for info to be turned in to Mr. Riler is February 5th.

Future Warriors Concert Tomorrow

We hope you will join us Tuesday, January 14 (tomorrow) evening at 7:00 pm to welcome the wonderful musicians from Hosford and Sellwood middle schools who will perform in the CHS auditorium. Their former colleagues, now freshmen in the CHS Concert Band, and the Wind Symphony will also perform. It promises to be a fantastic show. (Please see Calendar for call time and other details.)

During the reception that follows the concert, Cleveland parents and students will be available to answer any questions middle school parents and students may have about the Cleveland Band program. Refreshments will be served.

Why it matters – Here’s what the middle school music teachers had to say about last year’s Future Warriors concert:

“The Future Warriors Concert is a great way to build camaraderie in our cluster and provide a vision for our young musicians as they move on to Cleveland. It also provides a sample of the great things that are happening musically in our district. The students love the chance to listen to the Sellwood and Cleveland bands and look forward to continuing their music education into high school.” –Scott Johnston, Director of Bands, Hosford Middle School

“Sellwood loved being part of the ‘Future Warriors’ concert once again this year! It was great to hear Hosford’s band; kudos to Mr. Johnston and his students. It was a thrill to see and hear all of the ex-Sellwood kids up there in Cleveland’s phenomenal bands. Thanks, Mr. Riler, for another wonderful evening for the Cleveland Cluster Band Programs!” –Dan Arrayan, Director of Bands, Sellwood Middle School

Wind Symphony at OMEA

Wind Symphony will be performing at the OREGON MUSIC EDUCATOR’S CONFERENCE at the Hult Center Soreng Auditorium in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday, January 18th. Our band is scheduled to perform at 2:00 pm, please arrive at Cleveland High School IN CONCERT ATTIRE at 8:45 am to load the bus and depart by 9:15 am. See attached letter for details (can also be found on the band’s website’ Docs & Forms). Dinner will be provided by Friends of Cleveland Bands.

Oh, What a (Jazz) Night!

We had a fantastic time and a truly impressive turnout on Friday at our annual Jazz Night. Thank you to all the musicians, and to all the families who came out to support them. A special thank you to Perry Thoorsell, who has been our jazz coach. His work is definitely improving our Jazz Ensemble’s improvisational skills.