Music program thrives in District 202 schools

Lisle Unit District 202 is alive and prospering with sounds of music.

It's a harmonious blend of a supportive administration, encouraging directors and cooperative teachers who help willing students participate in band and choir.

"We all work together," band director Lisa Kiener-Barnett said. "The school really works with each student who wants to participate in band, choir, or both."

It's a combined effort that results in roughly 25 percent of district students participating in band and 20 percent in voice.

"We work together to make sure there is consistency from fifth through 12th grade," Kiener-Barnett said.

The prominent players in this scenario are high school band director Steve Green, who leads most of the high school bands and half the fifth-grade students, and Kiener-Barnett, who directs the junior high Symphonic Band, does the bulk of the small group weekly lessons and leads two junior high jazz bands that rehearse before school four days a week.

Scott Gumina teaches the other half of fifth-grade band students, the sixth-grade Concert Band, an electronic music class and two jazz groups at the high school.

Choir director and Fine Arts Department head Pat Curbach teaches most of the choral groups in grade and high school.

The stars of this program, of course, are more than 500 students who elect to be in music. All their concerts are open to the public.

At a recent District 202 Band Festival, the packed bleachers also gave testimony to widespread collaboration families give their youthful musicians.

Seventy-two fifth-graders performed three songs, followed by 47 Lisle Junior High Concert Band members who also played three numbers.

A brief break allowed musicians to switch places as 77 members of the Lisle Junior High Symphonic Band in black blazers and white shirts took their place behind the metal music stands on the gym floor.

The group nailed "Chorale and Shaker Dance II," considered an advanced piece of music.

Earlier in March, the Concert and Symphonic bands participated in the Illinois Grade School Music Association Solo/Ensemble competition and took home 126 first-place medals and 23 second-place metals, according to Kiener-Barnett.

"We are always the largest group participating, and this year the judges commented on the quality of music our group performed," she said.

At the Band Festival, 44 members of the Lisle Senior High School Concert Band performed "The River of the Ancients" and "The Big Cage," and the school's 47-member Symphonic Band played "Jupiter from the Planets" and Sousa's "Invincible Eagle."

As a general rule, the high school musicians also perform at Disney World every two years.

"Any student who has ever been to Disney will tell you what an awesome experience it is to parade down Main Street," Kiener-Barnett said.

Every year in November, the junior high Symphonic Band invites area VFW posts and retirement homes for its Salute to Veterans program, which includes a medley of service tunes and poetry readings. This year, choral groups also entertained.

In December, the junior high band played Christmas carols on the Santa float in the Lisle parade. The district groups rotate the opportunity to play in the Christmas parade and in the village's Memorial Day ceremonies.

All students in the district, which includes Tate Woods and Schiesher elementary schools have general music twice a week. Starting in fourth grade, a student may join choir. In high school, the Concert Choir is offered to all students.

The Varsity Choir, made up of sophomores, juniors and seniors, is by audition for a spot in the 25-member group. The varsity singers perform at many functions and are highly regarded, Kerback said.

Kiener-Barnett and Kerback believe the music in the district flourishes because of it small stature.

"Our District Choral Festival in February each year has all the district choirs perform," Kerback said. "At the end of the evening, the 300-plus students perform two pieces together. It is fun for the little kids to sing with the older students, and the high school students really enjoy singing and encouraging the little kids. We are lucky as a small district that we can still do this."

All the choirs begin the year with a unified concert picnic in September.

"I let the students select any pieces from the year before that they would like to perform," Kerback said. "It gets our year rolling."

In the spring, the high school puts on a yearly musical that is open to all high school students, regardless if they are in formal music classes.

Another plus are the scholarships offered to students for music camps or private lessons during the summer. The music department coordinates a few fundraisers to make roughly 40 to 50 scholarships available each year ranging from $75 to $150. There is also a scholarship given to a graduating senior who plans to continue in music or music education.

"In addition to the fine arts, music teaches kids an intense amount of discipline, teamwork and responsibility," Kerback said.

"I like the involvement of the students' parents who encourage their children to participate in so many of our fine-art programs," Kiener-Barnett said.

"For a small district of approximately 1,500 students, it is impressive to have the quality of the programming we offer. We are a little gem, where kids do great here in Lisle."