Fans turn out to thank beloved band guru
Don Devany led Glenbard East High School's band to three Superstate performances during his eight years as band director.
He also is the man who helped bring Glenbard East High School "Thriller" at halftime.
When Glenbard East lost its longtime band director, Ross Kellam to retirement in 2005, Devany slid over into the big seat, assuming command of the department.
The students continued their tradition of performing well, still pulling in awards as a National Grammy Signature School.
Parents put the credit for that squarely on Devany's shoulders.
"What the kids had in him was not only an incredible musician and teacher... but a personal connection they had with him. My son said 'we work so hard but we have fun in the process'," said Mary Jo Iannelli, of the Glenbard East Music Boosters.
"To get what Don got out of the kids musically and technically you wouldn't have fun. But somehow he got that. They all did what he said because there was fun involved," she said.
Devany will greet a whole new batch of students next fall at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, where he's taken a job. He'll know at least one familiar face there: Glenbard East Principal Bob McBride is taking the top job at the school there, as well.
The music boosters invited current students and their families to attend a farewell event last week.