Storm Bands
High School Band
The pride of Sangamon Valley High School, our high school band is made up of woodwind, brass and percussion students that comprise our Concert Band and Marching Storm. Along with our Color Guard, these students spend each fall preparing and performing a marching field show. The remainder of the year is spent honing their skills and performing a Winter concert, Prism concert, and Spring concert.
In addition, band students perform as the Pep Band during girls’ basketball games, and may have additional opportunities to learn and perform in jazz band, Millikin band festivals, and the Macon County band festival.
Band families should familiarize themselves with the Band Handbook which contains expectations and rules that govern our program.
2024-2025 Calendar
August 5-9 — Marching Band Camp
August 9 — Preview Show, 7pm
FB Games — 8/23, 8/30, 9/20, 9/27, 10/11
October 5 — Effingham Competition
October 9 — Fall Concert, 7pm
December 11 — Winter Concert, 7pm
March 7 — Prism Concert, 7pm
May 7 — Spring Concert, 7pm
Middle School Band
6th Grade Band
The 6th grade band is our second-year ensemble after students spend a year in beginning band. They continue to learn the fundamentals of their instrument, and perform four concerts each year.
7th/8th Grade Band
In 7th and 8th grade, students learn intermediate concert band music and perform in four concerts each year. They also have extra performances such as the Homecoming halftime show with the high school marching band.
2024-2025 Calendar
October 2 — Fall Concert, 7pm
December 4 — Winter Concert, 7pm
February 26 — Midyear Concert, 7pm
May 14 — Spring Concert, 7pm
Beginning Band
This is where it all starts! At SV, students have the opportunity to join band in fifth grade. Each fall, Mr. Gorecki will talk to students, after which they will get to try the different instruments to decide what to play.
In fifth grade, students get 4 classes of full band a week, plus 1 group lesson with others that play the same instrument. This gives them a great head start and prepares them well for middle school, when there will be more advanced skills and more concerts.
When students are starting band, my best advice is to be supportive at home - help your child by providing them a place to practice and, when asked, an audience so they can show you what they have learned. They will be making beautiful music in no time!
2023-2024 Calendar
December 12 - SVI Winter Concert, 6pm
May 8 - SVMS Spring Concert, 7pm
About the Director
Mr. John Gorecki has taught at Sangamon Valley schools since 2011. Prior to that he earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Millikin University. He currently teaches band in grades 5-12 as well as high school choir. He is thrilled to work in a district where parents, administration, and the community support the important cause of music education!
Mr. Gorecki is also an active musician in the Decatur area. He sings tenor with Opus 24, the area’s premiere community choir, during the school year. He also plays in the clarinet section and is a frequent soloist with the Decatur Municipal Band in the summertime. He currently serves on the boards of the Decatur Municipal Band and the Decatur Choral Society.
Contact Mr. Gorecki: jgorecki@sangamonvalley.org