Waukegan Junior Orchestra looking for new members

Our Junior Performing Group

The Juniors perform traditional Croatian dances, music and songs which are choreographed for them each year. Croatian music and songs on the entire family of tambura instruments are taught by Julie Hughes, Music Director and Alumni of the Junior Group, also CFU’s Guest Conductor in 2008. Croatian Dance and choreography is taught by Jason Ottmann, Choreographer, instructor of Carthage Colleges International Dance Program and performer in various groups across Illinois and Wisconsin. Each year, the group performs at the Annual Croatian Fraternal Union (CFU) Festival held at different venues throughout the United States, Canada or Croatia.

By participating in the group, performers acquire important life skills—confidence, teamwork and leadership in addition to listening skills, rhythm, coordination, and music concepts. Group participants also have the opportunity to meet other U.S., Canadian and Croatian performers at social events where they can enjoy music and dancing in a fun and family-friendly environment. In past years, the Juniors have performed at many venues including Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, and in Zagreb, Croatia.

This year the juniors will be performing in Toronto, ON, which will be held the weekend of July 4th, 2010. The trip will end with the famous fireworks and light show at Niagara Falls. 2011 CFU Festival will be held at Disney World in Florida.
We currently have 18 performing members between the ages of 7-21. In 2009 we performed at the CFU Festival in July and were guest performers of the Milwaukee CFU Tamburitzans for their annual concert in April.

Getting started as a Junior Tamburitzan

• Attending rehearsals on Sundays from 4 pm to 7 pm at our new location, 3420 Kehm Blvd, Park City, IL
• Age range between 6 to 21 yrs old
• Become a member of the American Croatian Waukegan Tamburitzans Organization
Lessons are currently included with the Annual Family Membership to the American Croatian Waukegan Tamburitzans Organization of $25.00 annually
• Become a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union
To perform for the festival all students are required to also be a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union of America – Policies starting around $100 annually. Being a member of the CFU opens the doors to scholarship opportunities for college if both the child and parent are members and also provides that child with a life insurance policy
• The organization has instruments they can provide beginning students all they need to bring with them is the following:
- Binder for Music
- Gym clothes and shoes for dance
- Positive attitude and willingness to practice at home in addition to weekly group lessons

All members of the junior orchestra get their trips to the festival paid for each year by our organization, minus absences at $10 a lesson and first year students

Thank you for your interest in the Junior Tamburitzans in advance! Please share this news with anyone you think might be interested in joining our organization.
If you have any questions, I can be reached at wkgndirector@comcast.net or at 847-445-8870. Rehearsals are held every Sunday thru July, except for holidays. You can always check our current schedule and events at http://wkgntammies.blogspot.com/

Sincerely,

Julie Hughes
Waukegan Tamburitzans Director