Opinion

Let's hear it for the Grayslake bands

Posted December 19, 2007 10:00 pm

A "Standing O" for the Grayslake Central bands.

I was recently honored to be inducted into the GCHS Music Wall of Fame, quite an honor for a stubby little tenor sax player from the Class of '60.

My thanks to the boosters and Margot Krause. And, hats off to the directors, Dominic Bertino and Jennifer White, plus all the players in Concert and Honors bands.

The audience gave a standing ovation for the combined bands as the powerful yet dynamic music of "A Christmas Festival" filled the theater. It was the winter of 1957, when under the direction of my musical hero, Newell Kessinger, "Festival" became a tradition exactly 50 years ago. The music literally brought tears to my eyes.

It made me proud to be a part of the present-day, tremendous musical heritage and band program.

I e-mailed "Kess" at his home in Florida that night to share the news. All in all, it was a great tribute to him and his love of music and his students.

Larry Leafblad

Grayslake High,

Class of '60

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