Welcome to The Music Connection, LLC.

We are located at 515 DeKalb Avenue in Sycamore, IL.

Registration is open year-round.

Join our percussion staff for the next Snare Drum Bootcamp — December 7th from 3pm to 4pm at the Music Connection, LLC (515 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore). Reserve your spot by emailing us, by calling # 815-217-5648, or by going through the Google Form: https://forms.gle/HdCHntEWBpWtsY5Z6

Cost is $ 20 per student and beginners are welcome to sign up. Attendees should bring their sticks and snare drum. Music and instruction will be provided by the studio staff instructors.

Topics include the following:

Top 10 techniques required for professional performance on the snare drum

How to perform with more musicality and meaning

Tuning and maintenance

Audition preparation

Email Ben for more information: info@themusicconnection.com

——> Fall Recital — December 14th — 6pm — First Baptist Church of Sycamore (530 W. State Street, Sycamore, IL 60178) — doors open 5:45pm –– open to the public — reception afterwards

—— > Winter/Spring 2025 semesters now enrolling — register online here or give us a call

——> Lessons for all instruments are available. Call for details! All ages and backgrounds are welcome!

—— > Rentals, repairs, and production services available here — call for details!

———-> Ready to register? Click the “Register Online” button at the top of the Home Page!

Announcement

New Sycamore Drum Club — starts Oct. 5th

Join us as we kick off the new Sycamore Drum Club tomorrow (Oct. 5th) from 5:30pm to 7pm in the SHS band room.

This music education club will be open to all students, in grades 5th through 12th. Percussionists and non-percussionists are welcome to attend and learn from our reputable teaching staff.

Parents, family, and area teachers are welcome to attend tomorrow (Oct. 5th) to show support for the students. All drum club sessions are open rehearsals. Here are the upcoming drum club sessions:

October 5, 12, 19, 26

November 2, 9, 16, 23 (no session on Nov. 30th)

December 7, 14

January 4, 11, 18, 25

February 1, 8, 15, 22

March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

April 5, 12, 19, 26

May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

** no cost for any drum club session

All instruments and music will be provided. Students will need to bring their own sticks if possible. Extra sticks are available.

This is a free club for students, supported by SHS and The Music Music Connection, LLC.

Students will have the opportunity to get additional training and feedback, from professional percussion educators, on various drum line and keyboard mallet instruments each week. This club is open to all percussionists.

** RSVP is not required but appreciated. RSVP to info@themusicconnection.com.

Students will have the opportunity to also learn new technical percussion exercises and cadences and perform at local showcases and community events.

For more information, please email drum club director Ben Weaver at info@themusicconnection.com or call # 815-217-5648.

Additional percussion teaching staff includes SHS alum Jordan Smith and NIU graduate music student Jared Hurn.

Please contact Ben with any questions. See below for staff bios.

Thank you!

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Ben Weaver — director/instructor/arranger

Ben earned a Bachelors degree in Percussion Performance from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL, a Masters degree in Management from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN, and a Professional Educators License in K-12 Instrumental Music from Northern Illinois University.

He teaches and freelances around Chicagoland and has instructed/arranged/marched for Music City Legend Drum and Bugle Corps, Racine Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, the NIU Huskie Drum Line, and for various high school and middle school programs, including Sycamore High School.

He strives to help all students be active learners on their instrument, have a good work ethic, and be team players. He currently teaches music in the Sycamore CUSD 427 school district.

Call with any questions: 815-217-5648.

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Jordan Smith — Percussion staff

Jordan is an SHS alum and received his Bachelor’s in Music Performance from NIU. In addition to writing and instructing for the high school, Jordan has works published for chamber percussion and concert band and has also performed in the DeKalb Municipal Band, Jazz in Progress, Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Brass Band, and Rockford Wind Ensemble.

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Jared Hurn — Percussion staff

Jared is a versatile percussionist and drummer and is pursuing his Masters degree in music at NIU School of Music. He recently moved to DeKalb, IL from Wichita, KS, where he received his Bachelor’s degrees in Percussion Performance and Jazz Studies (Drum Set) at Wichita State University in May 2023. Within WSU, he was in the New Music Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Impulse Percussion Group, Jazz Arts Ensemble I and II, Jazz Combos, and Latin Jazz Ensemble. Jared taught privately at Damm Music and was the Percussion GTA at WSU for the 2023-2024 school year. Outside of WSU, he was involved with bands such as Trick Worm (Indie), Happy No Lucky (cover band), and Daydream (jazz fusion/funk), along with various combos. Jared has also taught at Camp Allegro Wichita and recently played in the pit for the production of “Guys and Dolls” with Newton Community Theater. He has also played drums for various churches, the main church being Wichita Bible Church. Jared hopes to build a fun and inspiring experience while teaching percussion.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E7Uk7ErMy

Cadence Percussion Indoor Drumline 2025 — now registering

Click on the link below to learn more:

https://cadencepercussion.org/indoor-drumline

Music performance both enriches and educates! https://www.facebook.com/CPI

Register for Cadence Percussion Indoor Drumline by clicking here

————–> Spring Recital <————-

May 4th, 2024 — 5pm to 6pm —

******* students should arrive between 4:15pm and 4:30pm to warm up *******

First Baptist Church of Sycamore

(530 W State St, Sycamore, IL 60178)

Open to the public — reception to follow — call for details — # 815-217-5648

Call for a free sample lesson.

New studio jazz combo class,"Jazz Vanguard", starts January 7th, 2024! Register today! We have open enrollment year-round.

The class instructor is Jack Watson, along with other staff instructors. Learn more about Jack here or down below.

Click here to register for Jazz Vanguard — https://themusicconnection.com/lesson-registration/

****** Play the video below for a sample of the Jazz Vanguard combo:

Jazz Vanguard show — Wheaton, IL — Nov. 8th, 2024

Jazz Vanguard show — Wheaton, IL — November 9th, 2024 — Bethany Chapel

Jazz Vanguard show (video # 2) — Wheaton, IL — November 9th, 2024 — Bethany Chapel

Jack Watson

Woodwind Instructor (saxophone/flute/clarinet)

Learn about our Jazz Vanguard instructor, Jack Watson:

Jack Watson is currently a Jazz Studies major at Northern Illinois University and has been playing saxophone for eight years, clarinet for six years, and flute for five years. As a performer, he have been a leader of a jazz quartet based in the Quad Cities and a sideman for groups like The Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra, singer/songwriter CJ Parker, and Quad Cities rock band The Mamiltons, as well as experience as a pit musician for musicals like The Little Mermaid and Footloose. Along with performing, he has experience in composing and arranging music for classical, jazz, and popular music ensembles. Recently, he was featured on CJ Parker’s debut album “I” on Saxophone and Flute, and he recorded and independently released an original composition, “Slowly”, with his jazz quartet. Both are available for listening on all streaming platforms. As a teacher, he believes that students learn best when they are in an environment where they feel comfortable to make mistakes. In his opinion, mistakes are essential to the learning process and he strives to create that space in private and group lessons. He also believes that a good teacher sets an example for their students, which is why he tries to keep an active schedule of local live performances. He wants his students to feel inspired and see music not only as a hobby, but a potential career. Above all, he believes that the goal of music educators should not be creating the next Mozart or Charlie Parker, but instilling a great appreciation and understanding of music in their students. He hopes to make music with you soon!

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Jazz Vanguard is now accepting student musicians for the combo class starting January 7th, 2024! Register today using the lesson and ensemble link below:

Lesson/Ensemble Registration

Contact us for more details: # 815-217-5648 or info@themusicconnection.com

New studio choir,"Vox Sanare", starts January 7th, 2024! Register today! We have open enrollment year-round.

Click here to register for the choir — https://themusicconnection.com/lesson-registration/

** Learn more from our Facebook page below:

Learn more about choir instructor Matt Alfrey below:

Evangelina “Evie” Combs

Voice & Piano Instructor/Co-director of the Vox Sanare choir

Evangelina Combs is a current undergraduate student at the NIU School of Music studying Vocal/Choral Music Education. She has studied with many faculty including Professor AJ Wester, Dr. Orna Arania, Dr. Eric Johnson, & Dr. Mary-Lynn Doherty. Evangelina has various teaching experiences ranging from Children’s Church Choir & Elementary School General Music to serving as the Music Director of her collegiate a cappella group, The Harmelodics. At NIU, she’s performed with the NIU Concert Choir, NIU Chamber Choir, NIU Opera Theatre, and Harmelodics A Cappella. Through NIU Opera Theater, she has sung in and led multiple productions under the direction of AJ Wester.

Evangelina received the 2020 National Choral Award as well as multiple Division 1 Superior Titles at IHSA Solo/Ensemble Contest. While her studies primarily focus in classical singing, she also brings a heavy theatrical and vocal jazz background.

Her philosophy of teaching is that practice is key. She brings a fun but professional environment into her lessons and strives to bring out the best in each student. She wants each student to leave her studio with a new love for music and a growing confidence within their musicianship.

More instrument rentals now available! Contact us for more information and pricing: # 815-217-5648.

Great job students at the Fall recital! Thank you parents and teachers for supporting the student performers!

Winter/Spring 2024 Registration is now open

Winter/Spring 2024 semester: January 7th – May 4th, 2024

Contact us today to schedule your music lessons

Fall semester: August 13th-December 9th, 2023

Instrument rentals and repairs are available…call for details!

Tune in on our Facebook page to watch our monthly recitals:

Next recital — Fall 2023 — December 10th — 6pm — First Baptist Church of Sycamore

November 19th — 1pm (studio) — https://www.facebook.com/TheMusicConnection/videos/814548510444701

October 22nd — 1pm (studio) — https://www.facebook.com/TheMusicConnection

September 24th — 1pm (studio) — https://www.facebook.com/TheMusicConnection

August 27th — 1pm (studio) https://www.facebook.com/TheMusicConnection/videos/274124755418215

July 23rd — 1pm (studio) https://www.facebook.com/TheMusicConnection

June 25th — 1pm (studio) https://www.facebook.com/TheMusicConnection

May 15th — 6pm (details TBA) https://www.facebook.com/TheMusicConnection

April 24th — 1pm (studio) https://www.facebook.com/TheMusicConnection

March 20th — 1pm (studio) https://www.facebook.com/TheMusicConnection

February 27th — 1pm (studio) https://www.facebook.com/TheMusicConnection

January 30th — 1pm (studio) https://www.facebook.com/TheMusicConnection

Let the Music Connection, LLC in Sycamore help you

reach new musical heights, one note at a time, and

become a confident life-long learner!

We support math, reading, and other school subjects through lessons!

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News Announcement: Voice teacher travels to England for performances!

Congratulations to our very own Matt Alfrey! He traveled with Cor Cantiamo over the summer of 2023 and performed around London, giving several concerts in beautiful cathedrals. Way to go Matt!

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Sycamore Community School District 427 — “Back2School Bash” — 2023 — downtown Sycamore — Thank you to all of the students and parents that stopped by our booth on August 8th! It was so wonderful to see everyone! We hope all students and staff have a wonderful school year. We are here to support you reach new heights in your educational journey! Thank you also to our studio instructors and booth assistants for working so hard to share the joy of music with all students and families that day!

All teachers are background checked through the

State of Illinois. Parents are welcomed to observe

all lessons and child engagement. Nothing is a

higher priority than your child’s safety and well-

being.

Call us to schedule a free sample lesson! 

View our Teachers now!

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