First director built Hersey band into powerhouse

In the late 1960s and 1970s, a familiar battle cry formed in the band room at Hersey High School in Arlington Heights:

"GEEVUM," which meant "give 'em hell" in Hawaiian.

Hersey band alumni still use the affectionate term, but last week they used it to reminisce about the school's first band director who gave them their rallying cry.

Don Caneva, who started the band program in 1968 and held the position for 10 years, died Aug. 29 in San Diego, Calif., after a long illness. He was 72.

"What Don accomplished in high school music remains unsurpassed even today," says Peter Titre, Hersey's former principal who hired Mr. Caneva. "In his 10 years at Hersey, his band brought home over 100 first place awards."

Mr. Caneva organized the band program at Hersey after teaching in Lockport for 12 years. He earned his bachelor's degree in music education at De Paul University and master of arts degree at the University of Hawaii.

Under Mr. Caneva's direction, the Hersey band was the first Illinois band in 50 years to march in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif. They also marched in the Cotton Bowl parade in Dallas, in the Orange Bowl parade in Miami and the for the College All-Star game in Chicago.

Mr. Caneva also invited celebrity guest conductors and performance artists to work with Hersey students. Over the years, they ranged from Arthur Fiedler, of the Boston Pops Orchestra, to "Doc" Severinsen, trumpet player from NBC's "Tonight Show."

"Don established excellence in the Hersey band program from the day the school opened," says Scott Casagrande, current Hersey band director. "I feel a responsibility to build upon Don's legacy and to continue those expectations he established." Joe DeFano, who was band president in 1971, still cherishes a photo of him presenting a Mount Prospect fire chief hat to Fiedler when he conducted the band, and he vividly remembers all of the practicing that went into that performance.

"What a great lesson in life it was at a young age to be pushed to your limits," DeFano says. "I have used some of his motivating skills through my sales career and prominently displayed the words we learned from Don: 'Results, Not Excuses.'"

Mr. Caneva left Hersey in 1978 to accept a job as a band music editor for a publishing company in San Diego. One year later he formed the "World of Music" festivals, which took him to bands, orchestras and choirs throughout the country.

Last December, Hersey symphonic band members played under Mr. Caneva when he served as a guest conductor at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic held in Chicago. It was the first time Hersey's band had played at the clinic, which draws thousands of music educators from around world, since 1971 during Mr. Caneva's term as director.

"He used music as a tool to create leaders, and three decades later we are still sharing stories of his impact," says Bob Kaspar, who graduated from Hersey in 1976. "Amazing."

Mr. Caneva's former students will gather at 7 p.m. Saturday at Bobby Q's restaurant, 1279 N. Rand Road in Arlington Heights.