Welcome to the Winnebago CUSD 323 band site. We created this site for parents and students to keep informed about our bands.

We begin instruction in the fifth grade. The students are introduced and have the opportunity to try all of the instruments before making their final decision. Fifth graders have band three day every week and have recess band one day per week. They give two concerts a year.

In sixth, seventh and eighth grade, students have band every day and have the opportunity to perform solos at contest and try out for the IMEA District Band. They perform three concerts a year and participate in the Route 72 Organizational Contest.

The high school has three bands. Freshman Band is for incoming freshman and the Concert Band is for sophomores, juniors and seniors that do not want the added responsibility of Symphonic Band. The Symphonic Band is an audition only band. While IHSA Solo and Ensemble contest is open to all high school students, it is required for members of the Symphonic Band. IHSA Organizational Contest is a requirement for Symphonic Band.

The high school bands perform three concerts every year and play at home basketball and football games. The Symphonic Band also performs an extra concert during the year.

About the Staff...

Jan Mitchell
Jan Mitchell is a 1974 graduate of Rockford Jefferson High School and earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Western Illinois University in 1978. She has taught elementary and middle school band in Rock Falls and Belvidere, Illinois in addition to working with the Winnebago Bands since 1993. She is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Illinois Music Educators Association, and a French Horn player in the Rockford Wind Ensemble and the Rockford Concert Band. Mrs. Mitchell is married to a Winnebago High School graduate, lives on a dairy farm, and has three sons. mitchelj@winnebagoschools.org

Phyllis Hogberg
Phyllis Hogberg is a 1970 graduate of Wauconda High School and earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Eastern Illinois University in 1974. She is a member of the Music Educators National Conference and the Illinois Educators Association. She was nominated and accepted into The American Bandmasters Association in 2000.

Mrs. Hogberg is the director of the Kishwaukee Valley Community Band and has played in area bands and groups. Prior to teaching at Winnebago she worked extensively with the Phantom Regiment Cadets and was a horn instructor for the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. She is the proud mom of two adult children. hogbergp@winnebagoschools.org

Jeremy Davis
Jeremy Davis graduated from Hope College with a degree in Music Education in 2003. As a native of the Rockford area, Jeremy has performed with the Rockford Concert Band, Kishwaukee Valley Community Band, Rock Valley Community Band, and the Mount Morris Kable Band. He currently teaches Band, music appreciation, and Jazz at Winnebago school district. davisj@winnebagoschools.org

The Ellen Show

All 550+ band members spell Thanks to Ellen DeGeneres for the gifts she gave our program after we were featured on her show.