'Band for Today' Band Directors, Gayle Yanong and Paul Barton led band members in song at the St. Joseph School Winter Concert on Wednesday, December 9th.  In her fourth year as a band teacher for St. Joseph School, Gayle Yanong enjoys her time with her students. Along with Paul Barton, these two teachers work with over 50 St. Joseph students from grades 4-8.

The band, broken down into beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, performed 13 songs. The Beginner band performed songs including the well-known Hot Cross Buns and Jingle Bells and advanced to Up on a Housetop performed by the Beginner Band Honor Ensemble. The Intermediate Bands performance included the First Christmas March, while the Advanced Band performance included Joy to the World and Carol of the Drum.

When introducing the song Joy to the World, Yanong explained to the audience that 7th grader Marija Cyvas thought it would sound cool if certain notes were added to this composition. With her teachers blessing, Marija came back with a new arrangement for a portion of the song, which was then performed by the advanced band.  Cyvas looked forward to hear her group's performance.  "When we were practicing, I thought it would sound good to add a few musical notes going through my head.  It was nice that Ms. Yanong let me add to the sound." 

Upcoming events for St. Josephs band will include a Solo Contest in March 2010 and coming together with more than 100 students across the area to perform the pre-game Star Spangled Banner for a Kane County Cougars game.

For more information on St. Joseph School or its Band program, call the school office at 630-969-4306 or go to www.stjosephdg.org.