Schools

Hille School Director Brings Out the Big Band

Band program has doubled in size under new director's leadership.

The band program at hasn't always been this big. Though well respected and successful in competitions, in the past it lacked the "oomph" of a larger program.

But Band Director Steve Nendza changed everything. 

Since his start just over one year ago, the band has more than doubled in size, from 71 members to 198.

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"The numbers speak for themselves. The enthusiasm and appreciation of fine arts in this building is astronomical," Hille Principal Courtney Orzel said. "It's outstanding, because of his leadership."

As the holiday season kicks off, Nendza prepares 's Hille, Foster and Kerkstra school bands for their holiday show, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15. Each band will perform several songs in the free show, with a combined Christmas number to close out the show.

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"The music that's picked, we include some holiday songs, but also something that pushes them," Nendza said.

Through their involvement in the music program, Nendza challenges the students. He promotes hard work, dedication, focus, responsibility and respect. He attributes the program's popularity to its pace, ever-changing material and his personalized approach.

"I really try to approach it so it's very positive," he said. "I get at their level, find a way to connect the music to their lives.

"If they're laughing, they're listening."

And it's working.

For the 2009-2010 school year, the seventh- and eighth-grade bands finished first in their division within the Illinois Grade School Music Association. The judging was based on overall sound of the band, tune and musicality.

Nendza was proud of the group's first-place finish, but also of the program's growth.

"It's been my dream to see this program double in size," he said.

Orzel said Nendza is the key that's unlocked the program's potential. The fifth-grade band, for instance, has outgrown the band room. Its practice sessions moved to the larger cafeteria.

"He's very good about bringing music into their lives," Orzel said, referring to Nendza's saxophone performance in the middle of a history class that coincided with that day's lesson plan.

"The students are emotionally, socially and academically involved," she said. "And they're disciplined, because they have concerts they're preparing for."

If a student is struggling, Nendza guides them with the sound of his own instrument, plopping down next to them to play along.

"Every day, I keep trying to get through to them, through demonstrating, breaking it down, then putting it all back together," he said. "They know I care about them."

Students have taken to Nendza's approach, and Orzel said she would not be surprised to see the numbers double next year, too.

With this year's concert, the school also will hold a toy drive, for the charity "Light Up the Holidays."

The program also is accepting donations of used instruments for student use. Please contact the director if you would you like to contribute.


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