Interview with Chip De Stefano
This interview, by Julie DeRoche, appeared in the Conn-Selmer publication Keynotes Magazine (Winter 2005).
Teaching young musicians is not an easy job. The complex subject matter, the varied personalities and many additional factors present a daunting challenge. However, one thing is certain: Good students come from good teachers. One of the best in middle school band education is Chip De Stefano from School District 73.5 in Skokie, Illinois. In the last five years his McCracken Middle School band has, among other honors, twice been named Honor Band at the University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival. Keynotes spoke with Mr. De Stefano about what goes into making a successful band program.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROGRAM AT MCCRACKEN.
Our school population is diverse, with over 40 languages spoken. Music students students begin in fourth grade and stay with me through eighth grade.
About 170 students participate in one of four ability-based bands: Symphonic, Concert, 5th Grade, and Beginner. We have a percussion ensemble and chamber groups as well. Large group rehearsals take place outside the school day: Students receive lessons or sectionals through class-pullout program. Its an unusual schedule, but it works well for us.
TELL US HOW YOU RECRUIT.
1 am constantly recruiting. We’re a smaller school, so it takes effort to get the numbers. We have a brief recruitment period early in the fall, but we try to stay visible in the school and in the community throughout the year. I like to spend time talking to younger students, telling them what great horn players they re going to be.
HOW DO YOU KEEP STUDENTS IN YOUR PROGRAM?
My biggest goal for the beginners is to get them into fifth grade. Once they start that second year, I’m usually able to keep them through eighth grade.
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS CHILDREN LEARN FROM BEING IN BAND?
We instill in our students a lifelong love of music. Band is a perfect avenue for students to learn how to create and appreciate beauty. This is particularly important when other means for student self-expression are disappearing. Music students also develop the discipline and work ethic necessary to be successful in any field.
FROM A TECHNICAL POINT OF VIEW, WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU TEACH MUSICALLY?
Tone quality and pitch are easily numbers one and two on my list of priorities. It’s also important that students use the proper fundamentals and that my pedagogy is correct that the proper foundation is laid.
HOW DO YOU USE CONTESTS AND PERFORMANCES TO IMPACT YOUR STUDENTS?
Performances are important because they motivate students. We perform every six to eight weeks. Every student in sixth through eighth grades participates in our solo and ensemble contest. Solo playing requires the type of confidence that we want in the large ensemble. We prefer performing at festivals and don’t typically participate in actual contests. We’ve also been applying to various music education conferences. Just preparing the audition tape makes me a better teacher.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR TEACHERS WHO WANT TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN A HEALTHY PROGRAM?
When I stopped trying to do it all, students were given ownership of the program and they really started to grow. It took me a while to learn that. Discipline improved, and the performance level increased markedly. I’m also a huge advocate of bringing in known musicians to work with students. The impact on your growth is immeasurable, not to mention what your students will gain.
IS THERE A SINGLE POINT OF WISDOM YOU CAN SHARE THAT HAS HELPED YOU WITH YOUR JOB, YOUR TEACHING OR YOUR LIFE IN GENERAL?
Students are a reflection of their teacher. This can be a bitter pill to swallow when things aren’t going well. But once you can get past the blame game and start to address your program’s weaknesses, you’re in a far better position to move forward.
Julie DeRoche, associate professor of clarinet and coordinator of winds at DePaul University, Chicago, also serves as director of performance education for the Leblanc division of Conn-Selmer, Inc.