Break your band geek stereotypes

Just some food for thought, the following people were high school band kids:

Trent Reznor, lead singer for Nine Inch Nails, played saxophone and tuba in high school marching band and jazz band. He was also Professor Harold Hill in his high school's production of "The Music Man" as well as Judas in his high school's production of "Jesus Christ Superstar." (Where have I heard of that EXTREMELY POPULAR show before, known worldwide?)

Pamela Anderson, star of Baywatch and lots of other... things. She was also a high school sax player.

Jennifer Garner, star of TV's Alias, wife of Ben Affleck, and amazing actress in such movies as "Juno," "Elektra," and "13 Going on 30." Sax player.

Bill Clinton, 42nd president of the United States, was not only a sax player but also drum major in his high school band. He credits marching band as one of his first opportunities to learn how to lead.

Neil Armstrong (you know, the guy who walked on the moon) played baritone in school.

Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots linebacker, was a sax player.

Drew Carey, from "Whose Line Is It Anyway" and "The Drew Carey Show" was a trumpet player in high school.

Richard Gere played saxophone and piano.

Julia Roberts played both oboe and clarinet in high school.

John Smoltz, future Hall of Fame pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, plays ACCORDION!

Gwen Stefani, from the band "No Doubt", is a flute player.

Dan Akroyd, movie star from "The Blues Brothers" and "Ghostbusters", plays tuba.

Steven Spielberg plays clarinet.

Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) played trumpet.

Nelly Furtado, NASCAR's Tony Stewart, and Bill Engvall (Blue Collar Comedy Tour) all shared the same interest in high school: trombone.

Aretha Franklin played... you guessed it, tuba!

Ewan McGregor ("Moulin Rouge"), Vanessa Williams ("Ugly Betty") and Samuel L. Jackson were all French horn players.

NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham was also a French horn player.

And lastly, for anyone who still has the Mukwonago stereotype that athletes and musicians are two incompatible breeds, watch this Superbowl commercial if you haven't seen it already: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPLX_ckw0G4

Have a great summer, and practice your instruments!
-TG

Photo Album Updates

New Website

The Mukwonago Bands website has received a face lift. Please visit us at www.mukwonagobands.com and let us know what you think. Their is a feedback form located at the bottom of the site for comments. Or if you have an ideas for us to consider you can do that too.

Enjoy!

Musicians Use Both Sides Of Their Brains More Frequently Than Average People

Supporting what many of us who are not musically talented have often felt, new research reveals that trained musicians really do think differently than the rest of us. Vanderbilt University psychologists have found that professionally trained musicians more effectively use a creative technique called divergent thinking, and also use both the left and the right sides of their frontal cortex more heavily than the average person.

read more at PhysOrg.com

Science Daily also has the article with links to related studies

Marching Band Registration

Dear Parents/Students,

We have released the 2009-10 marching band registration form. If your child is interested in joining this ensemble, offered to grades 9-12, please fill out the registration form and return it by May 1st.

Please note on the form that there are two fees for marching band. One fee should be payable to Mukwonago Area School District for $45, while the other fee goes to the Mukwonago Band Boosters for equipment/transportation/uniform fees.

Our first rehearsal is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15th from 6-9pm in the MHS Band room.