Band students at Proviso East have been investing their time and talent into perfecting their performances and after seeing recruitment nearly double, some pressed the Board of Education for what they need to be successful: instruments.
In this case, the board took action
“Hearing from a few of them, they just felt like it was a good time for them to speak,” said Cletis Seals, who has been the band director at East for the past nine years. “They were there and they had heard that board meetings were the place to address any concerns they had within the district…they wanted to make sure that someone heard them out.”
The East band program has seen tremendous growth over the last few years.
Just last year, Seals said the marching band ended their season with 35 students. This year that number has almost doubled, getting close to finishing up the season with 60 students.
Other band programs have also seen this type of growth.
Last year, the high school’s beginning band class had 35 students, but due to the high demand, this year the school added an additional beginning band class, making a total of two classes with 50 students each.
Seals credits the growth to a combination of general recruitment, increased number of performances, and changes in student schedules that have allowed time to participate in band. The band program has also been doing collaborations with Proviso Math and Science Academy as well as the Lindop School District, one of the feeder districts of D209.
“I think all of that came together to help add to the notoriety, wonder, and visibility of the program,” Seals said.
While excited to see more students participating in the program, the increasing numbers have brought on some “growing pains” as the school did not have enough instruments, uniforms, and equipment to meet the needs of all the students participating.
Amanda Grant, board president, said they were not aware that the program was lacking instrumentals and other essentials needed to have them succeed.
“We jumped on it as quickly as we did because we had the money for it,” Grant said.” It was not like they were ever denied anything, we just didn’t realize there was a need.”
Almost immediately, Seals said he spoke with Deborah Watson-Hill, chief financial officer for D209, and Bessie Karvelas, acting superintendent, who both assured Seals they would be working together to address those needs.
Over the next week, Seals said they delivered on their word.
Budgets were double-checked and conversations began around how to allocate the money that was available for the band program.
“Whenever any program, if there is money in the budget for the supplies that teachers and students say we need, obviously we want to spend that,” Grant said. “It was a no-brainer to get those supplies. We are glad to be able to give them what they need and we are just going to be looking in the future to get ahead of these things.”
That money is already being put to good use.
According to Seals, the board of education approved the purchase of about $40,000 of new instruments and the rental of about another $10,000 worth of instruments.
Uniforms are next on the list as they have already begun working with vendors to get quotes for fill in sizes so all students can have uniforms that fit.
“We are not going to purchase an entire new seat of marching band uniforms,” Seals said. “When we purchase those, they cost about $63,000 for an entire band, and that was before the pandemic.”
While the idea of new uniforms might not seem like a big deal to some, they are a big confidence booster for students.
“Number one is that we want to look good when we sound good,” Seals said. “It makes the students feel better about their performance, knowing that we look together.”
First time band students also find security in the uniforms, said Seals, adding it helps them take off the pressure of having all eyes on them.
“I let them know all the time that once you put on the uniform, the goal is that not even your parents should not be able to tell you apart from everybody else,” he said. “That takes away from the anxiety of ‘oh everybody is looking at me,’ realizing everyone looks the same.”
Hoping to continue to be a positive influence in his students lives, Seals said he uses music as an avenue to reach students and help them succeed academically.
Grades are checked weekly and Seals said he has even arranged for tutoring.
“One thing I tell them is that a big goal is to have them be able to get a college scholarship,” Seals said. “Even if they don’t decide to go to college or decide to take the scholarship and perform on a collegiate level, they will have the skills and ability to say that is an option. I tell them all the time, “I can’t get you to a scholarship if you don’t have the grades.”
The Proviso East band will perform their winter concert at East on Thursday Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.