For the past 30 years, ALESMA -- The Music Association -- has provided outstanding instrumental music instruction to upper grade students at Lincoln. ALESMA provides funding for the band program.
For the past 30 years, ALESMA -- The Music Association -- has provided outstanding instrumental music instruction to upper grade students at Lincoln. ALESMA provides funding for the band program.
We are extremely proud of our bands, taught by Mr. Marty Kalas. Over two thirds of Lincoln students in grades 5 though 8 participate in band: the Cadet Band (primarily 5th graders), the Varsity Band (generally 6th graders), or the Concert Band (7th and 8th graders). Some Concert Band students also perform in the Jazz Ensemble. The bands perform in 3 seasonal concerts, in school assemblies, and on special occasions. Advanced students also perform solos and in small ensembles.
ALESMA is a not-for-profit corporation; all parents and guardians of band students are members. We help pay the band director's salary and benefits by providing a grant to the Board of Education funding the position. We also directly employ a part-time percussion instructor, and we provide all the music, larger instruments, equipment and supplies.
ALESMA is funded through student tuition and fees. Thanks to financial donations from the Friends of Lincoln, ALESMA awards tuition scholarships based on financial need, so that no child is denied an opportunity to participate due to financial hardship.
As ALESMA parents, we support our students' music education by providing their instrument, paying their tuition, reminding and insisting they practice, encouraging their progress and attending their performances. We believe music education is very important for our kids -- it's good for their minds, their hearts and their souls. Participating in band gives them skills, experiences and values that will serve them for a lifetime. Through music, they learn to better appreciate the beauty around them, to better understand the emotion within themselves and others, and to adopt a commitment to quality. We believe the investment we are making in our students’ musical education will pay lifelong dividends. We hope you do too!
We also encourage ALESMA parents to help at our concerts, with our Hot Dog Sales, and to serve on our Board of Directors. The Board meets at Lincoln School at 6:30 pm on the second Tuesday in September, November, January, March, May and June. Board meetings are open to all parents!
We invite you to visit with Mr. Kalas in the Band Room (Room 100) at registration on Sept. 17 or Sept. 22, to discuss our program and answer any questions you may have. Or call me at 312-397-0523.