Director’s Feature #2 of the year is Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, IL. The high school is on the corner of Lincoln Highway and Gougar Road, about 2 miles north of Lincoln-Way West, and 4 miles west of Lincoln-Way Central. Today, we talk with Robert Sanchez, director of bands at Providence Catholic.
Illinois Marching Online: What is your prior directing experience?
Robert Sanchez: I taught for 3 years at Tucson High School, Tucson Performing Arts Magnet School. Under my direction and supervision were; 3 Concert Bands, 3 Jazz Bands, 2 Percussion Ensembles, Winter Guard and Pep Band. I also taught for two years as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I assisted with Athletic Bands, the Symphonic Winds, Wind Orchestra and Directed the Pep Band and New Horizons Band. I also assisted with Bands of America regional champion Sierra Vista HS in Las Vegas.
IMO: What is your 2011 show, and what are the musical selections?
RS: The 2011 program is called, “This is a Marching Band!” which is based loosely on Stan Kenton’s This is an Orchestra. Selections include; F-tuning(seriously), Channel One Suite, Esprit de Corps.
IMO: How do you arrive at your shows and musical selections?
RS: I write a number of shows each year for various bands out west. Sometimes I get ideas from colleagues and other times I arrive at them from listening to the Radio or Pandora.
IMO: What are some things visually/musically to look for in your show?
RS: Look for some solid marching, strong color guard and a stunning saxophone solo. We’ve added some electronics to our frontline. Also, my young Mellophone section is impressive.
IMO: What is the instrumentation/guard breakdown for 2011? Is marching band volunteer or mandatory?
RS: I have 35 winds, 10 guard and 17 Percussion. Everyone in band at Providence does marching band.
IMO: What is your rehearsal schedule like for the season? Is band camp on campus, or do you go away?
RS: I stay at home for band camp. We do a June camp for basics and to get the freshman introduced. We do a full week with just percussion introducing the winds during a second week. We rehearse in class with 1 Wednesday night rehearsal per week.
IMO: What does your 2011 competition schedule look like?
RS: September 24 – CMBF, October 2 – St. Rita, October 8-Prospect, October 22 – Lincoln-Way East, October 29 – ISU.
IMO: Who is on your staff?
RS: Kelly Lyons and Rob Anderson were on the drumline together at Lincoln-Way back in the early 2000s. They head up my percussion. Brian Kelly Assists them. He is the Band Director at St. Mary the Immaculate in Plainfield and an ISU alum.
David Wiles splits time with us and the Plainfields. He is a Cavaliers alum and comes from a DCI family. His daughters are in the guard. Lauren Gogolew from Bollingbrook helps us learn to dance.
Providence Alum and Currect Military Specialist Mark Grigoletti works with Woodwinds. Madison Scouts Alum and former Lincoln-Way Music Teacher Jeff Redman works the Brass.
IMO: How big is the preferred size for your band? Why?
RS: I like my current band size but would enjoy doubling the Colorguard. Around 120 would be a good number in the future for Providence.
IMO: What are some of your favorite memories from the bands you have directed?
RS: Tough one! At Tucson it was watching the Band perform during my first year at Arizona State Marching Festival. At UNLV, directing the UNLV Pep Band at the NCAA Tourny. With Sierra Vista, helping them win the Marching Band Open Series in California beating great bands like Upland, Hart, and Thousand Oaks. Last year, performing at State of the Art Catholic Band Competition with the Providence Band.
IMO: What are you most excited for this year?
RS: It is my expectation that the Band at Providence with continue to improve and impress.
Illinois Marching Online thanks Mr. Sanchez for his time in answering the questions, and wishes the Providence Catholic band the best of luck in 2011!
(full article)