About The Central Illinois Home School Band Program
The Central Illinois Home School Band Program provides musical opportunities for home school music students to learn and perform in a concert band setting. Currently an average of 30 home school students, ages 8 – 18, meet once a week in a class setting in this learning and performing ensemble. Music is custom arranged for the ensemble, including arrangements of various level concert band, marching and orchestral music. Families travel as far as Martinsville, Champaign, Mt. Zion, Terra Haute IN, Effingham, Decatur and more. Beginner Wood Wind and Brass Classes are available to encourage concert band instruments.
The Central Illinois Home School Band Program currently meets and Broadway Christian Church in Mattoon, IL on most Friday’s during the school year (September through May). This includes 2 concerts in December and May. The Wood Wind and Brass Class meets from 12:00 – 1:00pm and Regular Band meets from 1:00 – 2:30.
Contact Program Director Chris Keniley (217-232-3786, info@ChrisKMusic.com) with more questions. The Central Illinois Home School Band Program is a music program of Chris K Music of Mattoon, IL.
Details about the Central Illinois Home School Band Program
Ages 8 – 18 (or mature 7) may participate.
Home School musicians must audition and show basic skills to join the Band Program (Concert Bb Major Scale for example). The Wood Wind and Brass Class accepts beginners or musicians that need a boost in a new instrument.
Both programs are FREE. Donations are appreciated to offset printing and music purchase costs.
All instruments are welcome to participate. Strings, Wood Winds, and Brass instruments are strongly encouraged due to the nature of this ensemble. Guitar (acoustic) and Piano (digital/portable) are also welcome and double other instrumental parts. Percussionists are usually home school students in private drum set lessons or piano players interested in learning a mallet instrument. Percussion includes snare drum, bass drum, crash cymbals, mallets, triangle, tambourine and more (and occasionally drum set if called upon).
The Beginner Wood Wind and Brass Class are available for students interested learning a wood wind or brass instrument. This is to encourage students to learn a concert band instrument similar to a public school band program. Students interested in learning strings, guitar, piano, drums and the like will need to study with a private music instructor in their respective areas. Music lessons are available in person at the Chris K Music Studio in Mattoon, IL and also available online via google meet, facetime or similar apps.
Wood Wind and Brass Instruments include: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto/Tenor/Bari Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone , Tuba or similar (including recorder and electric wind instruments).
Instruments are required to participate. These may be rented at music stores or purchased. Chris K Music offers used or refurbished wood wind and brass instruments at an affordable price! Percussion instruments like snare drums, xylophones, bells or accessories are also encouraged to purchase.
Instrument testing/trying is available upon request.
Attendance at all classes is encouraged but not mandatory. If a student falls behind from missing they will need to seek help, enroll in music lessons, or rejoin at a later date. The students involved with the Home School Band Program enjoy learning and performing music together and appreciate students that are committed and practice.
Interested in more information or would like to sign a home school/young musician up for Band? Fill out the form below.