Introduction
        Instrumental music offerings at St. Monica School include band and orchestra ensembles and chamber music groups.  Students in grades 4-8 are eligible for these music offerings.

Rehearsals
        Students will be grouped by grade level.  Beginner students will have large group rehearsals during their recess time on Wednesdays.  Advanced players will play in chamber music groups consisting of 3-8 players; rehearsal times for the chamber ensembles will be scheduled separately.
        SMS students who wish to play in the school ensembles but already study privately are welcome to join, too!  Please contact Ms. Van Treeck for more information.
 

Lessons
        Each student in the instrumental music program will also take private lessons.  Each lesson is approximately 30 minutes of one-on-one instruction.  Most lessons will take place during the school day on Thursdays; some after-school lessons may also be available.  All lessons during the school day will be rotated to ensure students rarely miss the same class.

Meet the Director
        Instrumental music at St. Monica School is taught by Ms. Jenny Van Treeck.  A recent Cardinal Stritch University graduate, Ms. Van Treeck was very involved with the instrumental music program during her time as a music education major.  She has also taught private lessons to woodwind students in the Milwaukee area for over 10 years.
        Ms. Van Treeck comes to St. Monica School with experience as a traveling teacher in Racine and Kenosha with the CYO band and Guard, and she hopes to include bands from other Catholic schools for fun events during the course of the school year.  She is also the band director at two schools in West Bend: Holy Angels School and St. Franicis Cabrini School.

 How Do I Register?
        Students are encouraged to stop by and check out the band room any time!  The band room is located on the lower level of the school building, directly across from the cafeteria.  Instruments are available for students to view and, yes, even to try!
        Students in grades 4-8 will also have the opportunity to try instruments during the second week of school.  Additionally, any time Ms. Van Treeck is in the school building, she will be accessible to students should they have questions.
        Stay tuned for more information about instrumental trial nights and the registration meeting.

How Can I Contact Ms. Van Treeck?
        Ms. Van Treeck is available to answer questions and would be happy to provide interested parents or students with more information about the instrumental music program.  Please contact her by phone at (414) 745-8980 or e-mail at: jvantreeck@st-monica.org or cabrinihasband@yahoo.com.

Band Updates