Wheeling High's retiring band director helped build top program

Brian Logan's students learn the lingo of the Wheeling High School band room in their freshman year.

They know “custodian” applies to their role as caretakers of the program's storied reputation. They know the band doesn't rebuild when seniors graduate — it “reloads.” They know the “bar is high” for Wheeling musicians. And they know — no matter where life takes them after high school — they've been part of something special.

Logan, now in his 25th and final year as Wheeling's band director, has built one of the most successful high school band programs in Illinois by keeping expectations high while encouraging kids to savor the journey.

“We take our work very seriously, but we don't take ourselves too seriously,” Logan said. “So, consequently, most days pretty good things are happening here.”

Some might say that's an understatement.

In the high school band world, Wheeling is a triple threat. While most high school bands make their mark in just one or two categories — concert, jazz, or marching — Wheeling is known for all three.

Ten days ago, Wheeling's concert band won top honors at the Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival, the equivalent of a state championship title. Earlier this spring, the band was among 18 schools in the nation selected to perform at the Music for All National Band Festival in Indianapolis. On the jazz front, Wheeling was recently named “Grand Champion” of Rolling Meadows High School's “Jazz in the Meadows” competition for the third straight year. During Logan's tenure, his bands have performed everywhere from Disney World to Italy.

Sustaining that level of success “takes a lot of energy and focus,” according to former student and current Wheeling assistant band director J.T. Teichert.

“We always joke, Mr. Logan never sleeps. He's thinking about everything months before it happens. He's just clicking on all cylinders,” he said.

But some of the most important lessons Logan teaches have nothing to do with music — things like dependability, attitude and preparation.

“We're teaching life skills, and music happens to be the way we try to do that,” he said.

Logan stresses accountability and punctuality — and leads by example. If he is even a minute late to early morning jazz band rehearsals, he buys the band breakfast. “As soon as you start acting like your time is more valuable than someone else's, it's time to start a solo career,” he said.

He also creates an environment where students are motivated to succeed.

Senior Patrick Ryan, a trumpet player, said he joined Logan's band as a freshman and was inspired not only by the success of the band, but also by the work ethic and skill level of older students.

“Seeing that, wow, I can be part of this and I can get to this level if only I practice. I can do something that's really special that a lot of kids don't get to do.”

Teichert said Logan also brings out the best in his students. “He just makes you realize your capabilities. You come into the band room and you want to be the best you, whether that means the best flute player you can be or just the best person you can be.”

Amid the hard work and dedication, Logan still manages to make band fun. “He blends his personality into his teaching, which is just fun and joking all the time,” Ryan said. “It's a healthy balance between having fun and a commitment to work hard.”

Still, Logan believes “it takes a village” to build a program like Wheeling's.

“This isn't my band program, this is our band program,” he said. “The kids are hungry to do well, and the parents support it. Our kids are willing to pay the price. They practice and they work hard.”

Staff like Teichert, private instrumental teachers, a supportive administration, and the community are all part of the “village” behind Wheeling's success, Logan said.

He calls the band's parent group and their active fundraising a “game changer” in the program's upward trajectory. In a school where nearly 50 percent of students come from low-income families, every member of Logan's top bands takes private instrumental lessons and nearly 30 kids will attend summer music camps. If students can't afford private lessons, the parent group covers 50 percent of the cost and funds a large portion of summer camp tuition as well.

There's no sense of entitlement at Wheeling, according to Logan, and that just makes the program stronger. “What we have is, if you're willing to do the work, good things will happen in music and in every aspect of your life.”

Those life lessons stay with kids long after they leave Wheeling High School, said Linda Dammeier, a parent of two former band students and now Wheeling's fine arts assistant.

“My kids still live by some of his sayings,” she said. “And because of Mr. Logan, they know it takes hard work to get a good end result.”

Dammeier said kids also leave Wheeling with an appreciation for music that she believes they'll pass on to their own kids someday. “He may not know it, but Brian Logan is really inspiring the next generation of musicians.”

And if his students were changed by their work together, so was Logan.

“I think kids realize they were part of something really special. And I feel the same. Together, we got to do some pretty wonderful things.”