The community of Downers Grove, Illinois has a
long and proud tradition of quality school music programs.
Clarence John Shoemaker (Band Director 1929-1963)
In 1929, having graduating from Drake University, Clarence John Shoemaker became the first Director of Bands for what was then known as Downers Grove Community High School. He held that position until his retirement in 1963, having also completed graduate study at the Columbia School of Music and the University of Michigan. In addition to his responsibilities at the high school, "Shoey" (a nick-name used by many colleagues and friends who knew him well) was also the primary teacher of all elementary instrumental music in the community. In 1931, the Downers Grove Grade School Band earned the title of North Central District Champions.
1940 was a special year for the Downers Grove Community High School Band as they won first place in the National Band Competition held in Battle Creek, Michigan. A picture of the 1940 band still hangs proudly today in the band room.
Mr. Shoemaker continued his never ending quest for musical perfection through the 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s. In 1954 the DGHS Band performed as the guest honor band at the American School Band Directors Associaion Convention in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. First place ratings at contests and festivals were the rule rather than the exception, and letters of commendations were frequent.
Click here for a 1952 letter from Superintendent Jack Elzay.
Clarence and Catherine Shoemaker were pillars of the Downers Grove community. Residing at their home, 4812 Linscott, Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker were involved in many local and civic organizations. Shoey had several hobbies; one of his favorite was to fly planes on the weekend.
After his passing in 1988, Mr. Shoemaker's son, John R. Shoemaker, established the "Clarence J. Shoemaker Band Scholarship Trust." Each year, the Shoemaker family presents both Downers Grove North and South High School Band students with a total of six schollarships for summer music camps.
When the trust was initially established, hundreds of DGHS band alumns sent financial contributions, as well as letters to the Shoemaker family. Two of these are reprinted below:
Click here for a letter from Phil Rives--Class of 1940.
Lance Schultz (Band Director 1963-1993)
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Lance Schultz became the second Director of Bands for Downers Grove Community High School in 1963. When the community built a second high school (South High School), Lance Schultz continued his position in the original building, which was named "North High School." He held that position until his retirement in 1993. Working with colleague Mr. Pat Anello, Mr. Schultz also taught instrumental music classes at various community elementary and junior high schools.
Lance Schultz continued the fine tradition of bands at Downers Grove Community High School, leading the band to division one ratings at numerous music contests and festivals. He was an active member of the Illinois Music Educators Association, chairing many committees.
As an instrumentalist, Mr. Schultz was a top rated woodwind specialist, and played many professional engagements on clarinet and saxophone. His love for jazz music carried into his teaching in Downers Grove, and he added a Jazz Ensemble (big band) into the daily course curriculum. Today, the Downers Grove North High School music library contains hundreds of jazz standards, as well as hard-to-find arrangements of jazz classics.
Under his direction the DGNHS bands made several out-of-state performance tours, including trips to Florida and Toronto, Canada.
In January of 1993, five months before his retirement, the Music Department of Community High School District 99 (Downers Grove North and South High Schools) was awarded the "Outstanding Total Music Program Award" by the Illinois Music Educators Association. The award is presented to the top music curriculum in the State of Illinois, and at the time, Downers Grove was only the second community to receive the honor. In addition to Lance Schultz, other music faculty recognized by the award were:
Brayer Teague (Band Director 1993- )
In 1993, Brayer Teague became only the third Director of Bands in the history of Downers Grove North High School. A graduate of Northwestern University (B.MusEd) and the University of Michigan (M.MusEd), Mr. Teague taught for three years in Highland Park, Illinois before joining the music faculty of Downers Grove North High School. He directs the North High Wind Ensemble, co-directs the Symphonic Band, and teaches the North High Jazz Ensemble.
In addition to his responsibilities at North High School, Mr. Teague has served as a staff arranger for the Northwestern University "Wildcat" Marching Band. He has also published educational resource materials for Microsoft Inc., as well as co-authored a reference document for the Illinois State Board of Education, Music Resource Manual for Curriculum Planning. Mr. Teague has presented clinics on the use of music technology in the public schools at several national conferences including the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Michigan Music Technology Conference and the Illinois Music Educators Association. Additionally Mr. Teague has served on the faculty of the University of Illinois"Summer Youth Music" camp.
In the first five years under the direction of Mr. Teague, the bands at Downers Grove North High School enjoyed considerable growth. Increased enrollment in community grade school music programs, as well as increased activity by the North High bands, fostered a larger population of instrumentalists continuing through their senior year of high school. By 1999, there were over 250 students enrolled in six curricular band courses (three concert bands and two jazz ensembles), up from approximately 65 students in 1992. The program now averages an enrollment of approximately 240 instrumentalists each year.
In May of 1996, Mr. Teague was appointed to the position of Fine Arts Department Chairperson.
Mr. Teague is a graduate of David H. Hickman High School in
Columbia, Missouri.
William S. Miller (Band Director 1995- )
In August of 1995, William Miller joined the Community High School District 99 music faculty. He currently teaches a variety of courses at North High School, including: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Electronic MIDI Music, and Poular Music Styles (history). He is also the director of the DGN Jazz Lab Band and co-director of the Trojan Marching Band.
Mr. Miller received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education from the University of Illinois. There he was involved in many musical organizations and student activities. He was a four year member of the Marching Illini, and Flugelhorn section leader for two years. He also conducted the Pit Orchestra for Illini Union Board theater productions. Mr. Miller has served on the staff of the Illinois Summer Youth Music Camp. Mr. Miller has presented clinics on the use of music technology in the public schools at several national conferences including the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Michigan Music Technology Conference and the Illinois Music Educators Association. He has also taught courses on this subject at the VanderCook College of Music.
Before joining the faculty in District 99, Mr. Miller worked in Northbrook District 27, as well as Northbrook/Glenview District 30.
Mr. Miller is a graduate of Downers Grove South High
School.
Carolyn Hitz (Band Director 1999-2000 )
Ms. Hitz joined the Community High School District 99 music faculty in the fall of 1999 for a one year appointment. She co-directed both Concert Band I and Concert Band II, and taught class Guitar. Ms. Hitz also co-directed the Trojan Marching Band as it performed in Ireland, and assisted with the Pep Band.
Ms. Hitz received her B.M. in Music Education from Millikin University in Decatur, IL. While at Millikin she studied clarinet, bass clarinet, and performed in the Millikin Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Ms. Hitz completed her student teaching in the Decatur public schools, and served as a conductor of the Decatur Summer Youth Band for two years. She is active as a camp counselor and clinician for both Bands of America and the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy.
Ms. Hitz is currently teaching in Texas.
Ms. Hitz is a graduate of Downers Grove North High School.
Highlights from Recent Years:
2001
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© Community High School District 99, Downers Grove,
Illinois
Last Revision
Monday, August 20, 2007 03:44 PM