The d92 Bands...
The District 92 Band Program traditionally begins in 5th grade with an extra-curricular beginning band. Ludwig Beginning Band students receive one 20 minute small group lesson once a week during school and have two rehearsals after school. At Oak Prairie Junior High School, there are grade level band classes and a beginning band class for any students who would like to join the Band Program.
We offer three extra-curricular opportunities at Oak Prairie. Jazz Ensemble meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:35-3:30pm. A Jazz Combo is formed out of soloists and Rhythm Section from Jazz Ensemble. Percussion Ensemble meets on Monday afternoons from 2:35-3:30pm.
The Oak Prairie Jazz Ensemble participates in many festivals throughout the year, including the Naperville Big Band Festival, Evanston Jazz Festival, the Prairie State Jazz Festival and the Lockport Area Jazz Festival. In addition to Festivals, the Jazz Ensemble has performed with the Brass Tracks Jazz Orchestra, Shout Section Big Band and the Pete Ellman Big Band.
The Oak Prairie Concert Bands consistently earns top honors at IGSMA District and State Organizational Contest and have participated in festivals at VanderCook College of Music and Illinois State University.
We offer three extra-curricular opportunities at Oak Prairie. Jazz Ensemble meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:35-3:30pm. A Jazz Combo is formed out of soloists and Rhythm Section from Jazz Ensemble. Percussion Ensemble meets on Monday afternoons from 2:35-3:30pm.
The Oak Prairie Jazz Ensemble participates in many festivals throughout the year, including the Naperville Big Band Festival, Evanston Jazz Festival, the Prairie State Jazz Festival and the Lockport Area Jazz Festival. In addition to Festivals, the Jazz Ensemble has performed with the Brass Tracks Jazz Orchestra, Shout Section Big Band and the Pete Ellman Big Band.
The Oak Prairie Concert Bands consistently earns top honors at IGSMA District and State Organizational Contest and have participated in festivals at VanderCook College of Music and Illinois State University.
About the Directors...
Danielle Nommensen has been a music educator in District 92 for the past 10 years. She co-directs the Ludwig Beginning Band and Oak Prairie Bands.
From 1999-2003, Mrs. Nommensen was the Ludwig and Oak Prairie Band Director. She was the first band director for Oak Prairie Junior High School when it opened in 2002. For the next nine years Mrs. Nommensen was a stay-at-home mom for her three sons. Upon her return to teaching at Ludwig School in 2012, she was able to be their first band teacher. Mrs. Nommensen received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois State University. |
William Rank has been a Music Educator at Oak Prairie JHS since 2005.
Mr. Rank co-directs the Oak Prairie Concert Bands, the Oak Prairie Jazz Ensemble and several extra-curricular ensembles. He also teaches semester general music classes in Music Production. Prior to teaching at Oak Prairie, Mr. Rank taught four years at Scullen Middle School in Naperville. Mr. Rank’s ensembles have consistently received excellent ratings at local and state festivals. In 2011, the Oak Prairie Jazz Ensemble performed at the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference and was a rehearsal lab ensemble for the Midwest Clinic. In January 2023, the Oak Prairie Jazz Ensemble was invited to perform for a second time at the Illinois Music Education Conference! Mr. Rank received the Bachelors and Masters degrees in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was awarded the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award, was a quarterfinalist for the Grammy Music Teacher of the Year, and served for twelve years on the leadership committee for the Illinois Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance Project. In 2022, he was elected to the position of Junior/Senior General Music Division President-Elect in the Illinois Music Education Association. As a freelance saxophonist, Mr. Rank has performed at the World Saxophone Congress and received an Outstanding Soloist Award at the North Texas Jazz Festival. Mr. Rank is an active member in the Illinois Music Educators Association, Illinois Grade School Music Association, National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, and the University of Illinois Alumni Association. He currently performs with the Shout Section Big Band and many other ensembles throughout the Chicagoland area. |