Beloit High School Students – AP Exams

Thanks to the Beloit Daily News for reporting on our High School students successes with the expanding AP (advanced placement) courses.

While educators believe AP students will be better prepared for college whatever score they get, they are proud the Purple Knights have tested higher then average.

In a few of our AP classes we just killed the national average,” Barder said.

In previous years, 25% of Beloit students taking the U.S. government exam received a four (1-5 scale); the (national) average was 13.1%. Nearly 30% of Beloit students taking the U.S.  history test scored a four while the national average was about 18%. The Purple Knights also outscored the average in psychology on scores three and above.

Beloit Daily News

and…

BMHS boosted its AP offerings to 11 this school year by adding music theory, statistics, chemistry, and drawing.

Beloit Daily News

Thanks Daily News for reporting.

Thanks to BMHS administration, the school board and teachers for their hard work in providing excellent and competitive educational opportunities for those students and families willing to take advantage of them.

photo credit: Old Onliner

Come out and support the BMHS Jazz Band

They’re in the final stretch and working hard to raise the money for their Essentially Ellington competition won trip to New York. Come on out and let’s support their effort.

Tomorrow Friday, Concert & Swing Dance!
BMHS cafetieria: 7-9 p.m. Dance, $5 for students, $7 for adults. Dance lessons will be held from 6-7 p.m.

Saturday April 25th, Concert at La Casa Grande: 8-10 p.m. (618 4th Street) Free admission but donations appreciated.

Sunday May 3rd., Send-off concert with the Beloit College Concert Band: 7:00 p.m. Eaton Chapel

You can track their fundraising progress here.

Here they are… Your Beloit Memorial Jazz Band

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We’ve known about this for a few weeks now but it needs more noise…

The BMHS Jazz Band was selected as a finalist for the 14th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival held at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

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Ok, ok, ok… let me be the first to say there should be a freakin’ parade about this. What this band has accomplished under the direction of Chris Behrens is amazing. They’re a great bunch of talented and hard working student musicians who have gained NATIONAL recognition. This isn’t like making regionals. It’s not like making state. This is a Lincoln Center national competition and they made the cut of only fifteen schools from across the friggin’ country. This is fantastic. Can I get an Amen!

…the rich 14-year history of this unique music education program, which has reached more than 275,000 students in more than 4,500 high schools across all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Australia and American schools abroad. ~Wynton Marsalis blog

Each year Jazz at Lincoln Center transcribes, publishes, and distributes Duke Ellington Orchestra charts along with additional educational materials to high school bands in the U.S. and Canada and American schools abroad. These charts are original transcriptions of recordings by the Duke Ellington Orchestra, not simplified arrangements. ~Jazz at Lincoln Center Website

Italics mine.

They’re going to have an amazing, life-time opportunity to get to work with some of the elite professionals in the industry. They’ll be introduced to a peer group of likewise highly motivated student musicians which will only serve to inspire them further. Success breeds success and I wish them all the best. If you’ve school age children I encourage you to plug them into the Beloit music program.

The video above is of their New Orleans concert just completed. A second one here.

Thanks Chris for all your hard work with these students. Thanks for capturing the video so we could all enjoy.

• Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington Program Description
• Wynton Marsalis – Artistic Director, Jazz at Lincoln Center
• BMHS Band’s YouTube Channel – subscribe, rate them, favorite them…
• A couple more videos from their New Orleans trip.

Beloit Memorial High School Jazz I – Roster

1. Jessica Gile – Alto Saxophone I
2. Christian Garcia – Alto Saxophone II
3. Lizzie Anderson – Tenor Saxophone I / Clarinet
4. Josh Shope – Tenor Saxophone II
5. Chris Day – Baritone Saxophone
6. Dan Schiessl – Trumpet
7. Rob Goodwin – Trumpet
8. Kevin LeBaron – Trumpet
9. Melissa Gile – Trumpet
10. Matt Schiessl – Trumpet
11. Jeff Patterson – Trombone
12. Cody Schober – Trombone
13. Aaron Mendelsohn – Trombone
14. Connor Hunt – Trombone
15. Pierre Charles – Piano
16. Crystal Rebone – Bass
17. Jake Boutelle – Drums
18. Kolton Hatch – Guitar

And, get this. Average GPA: 3.7 They’re exceptional students as well.

These kids are going to need our support to get them to New York. There will certainly be benefits and fundraisers to allow us to enjoy their wonderful music and of course help them finance their trip. I look forward to the fundraiser concerts. Hope to see you there.

BTW, share this with your friends.