  The decline of instrumental music instruction in Springfield schools In Springfield’s rich band music history, instruction began in elementary school. By middle school, concert bands performed intermediate literature and pep bands played at sporting events. By high school, committed players were winning top honors in state music contests. But the past seven years have seen district budget cuts, federal mandates and an overall lack of coordination. Together these have cut deeply into Springfield’s public schools’ instrumental music program.
That’s the bad news. The good news is, when band happens, it is great. Amazingly, music
The first day of band in District 186’s five middle schools last fall was all squeaks and squawks as nearly 400 students of all abilities started the new year. By this spring those students were reading music, preparing for concerts, performing at the district’s solo and ensemble contest and eagerly anticipating the All-City Music Festival in April. It’s an amazing transformation.
“Oh my gosh, I got it! Did you hear that?” says a young flute player struggling to master a new section from the movie The Incredibles music in band director Hewitt Gage’s eighthgrade band at Jefferson Middle School. “I didn’t even know I played that right until I heard it!” “It just takes work,” says Gage, perennial encourager. “And that’s a good thing. Only challenging music makes you better. Once we learn it, it will sound wonderful. That’s what I want for you. The best.” “‘Can’t’ is a curse word,” Gage continues, as the students open their music to a new section.
“‘Hard’ is a good thing. You guys are on the verge. You’ve got the potential to do it, to be among the best in the district. Here’s what has to happen. I give you the tools here in class.
You take that music home and work at it. And we’ll come back and do it together. No excuses. That’s the strategy. Keep trying. This is well within your reach. Just slow it down, one note at a time.” Faith Middleton plays clarinet at Jefferson.
“I just love music. It’s a big part of my life. It calms me down.” Megan Childers also plays clarinet in Gage’s band. Her mother, Mary, hopes she’ll continue playing in high school.
“I told Megan, ‘the more things you can put on a college application, the more it will help you out.’ Who knows, it may help her get a scholarship. She wants to be a veterinarian.
With the cost of college these days, it’s going to be expensive.” Gage shuttles between Jefferson and Feitshans, one of the only two elementary schools to still offer beginning band instruction in the district. Iles is the other one. There’s a lot of enthusiasm for music at Feitshans. One of Gage’s ensembles is a bell choir that played at last year’s Illinois Symphony Orchestra holiday pops matinee. A row of bright, happy children lined up at the edge of the stage, Gage kneeling in front flashing colored cue cards for direction. Among the best guest performances of the day, it was a proud moment for the students.
Lasaja Crawford plays bells for the choir, and clarinet in Gage’s beginning band. Like several of the students in the groups, Crawford has high hopes. “I like that I get to play my own music,” says fifth-grader Crawford. “One day I hope to be on the stage and have my own crowd cheering me on.”
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