Glenbard North to perform own version of 'Mr. Holland's Opus'

Bill Schraft told people he loved his job, loved his students and loved the music program at Glenbard North High School.

For 28 years, he helped shape the musical interests of his students.

Now they'll get the chance to honor his memory in a concert that invites alumni of the school to return and perform.

"I'm hoping a lot of kids or adults will do it," choir director Laura Johnson said.

Glenbard North is holding a musical tribute to the department chairman who died Oct. 31.

The concert at 4 p.m. Dec. 1 will feature performances by the school's concert bands and choir at the 990 Kuhn Road School, Carol Stream. Symphonic band members will perform one of Schraft's favorite pieces "The Hounds of Spring" by Alfred Reed.

Alumni who return for the performance will play "Amazing Grace" and "Stars and Stripes Forever," said Mark Hengesh, the school's acting music department chairman. Hengesh retired last year from Glenbard West High School and moved to North Carolina.

The day after Schraft died, Hengesh was back on a plane to Illinois to help out his former district and honor his former friend. He'll remain on the job through the end of the year.

He said they'd hoped to have the alumni also play "The Hounds of Spring," but they'll only get to practice once, at 3 p.m., with the symphonic band before the performance. The piece was just too complicated for a single run-through, he said.

They'll still team up, though, for the other two pieces.

"Any alumni who are still playing can handle it," he said.

The concert is free. But anyone attending will be asked to make a donation to the memorial scholarship fund set up for Schraft through the Glenbard North Music Boosters.

For more information call Johnson at the school, (630) 653-7000, ext. 3780.