Board of Education Resolution

At this evenings school board meeting, the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band was recognized by the Board of Education.

WHEREAS, Skokie School District 73.5 enjoys a long tradition of musical excellence that extends beyond 40 years, and

WHEREAS, the members of McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band diligently practice and accept the challenge to learn piece of music of ever-increasing complexity, and

WHEREAS, the members of McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band rehearse with their director, Mr. Chip De Stefano the entire school year, four mornings a week, at 7:20 a.m. sharp and every Tuesday afternoon at 2:10 p.m., with their instruments, music, and pencils in hand, and

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2006, McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band received a Division One (Superior) at the Illinois Grade School Music Association District 7 Organizational contest which marks the 44th consecutive year the Symphonic Band has received a first division at District Contest – the first time in the history of our program that each of the three judges gave McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band a perfect score, and

WHEREAS, McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band was one of only eight middle school bands in the State of Illinois selected to participate in the Superstate Band Festival held at the University of Illinois in Champaign on May 5, 2006, the seventh invitation in the last eight years, and

WHEREAS, McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band was once again selected as the honor band, the third time in eight years, and that the band automatically receives an invitation to participate the year after their honor band selection without having to submit an audition tape.

WHEREAS, McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band has been invited to present a concert at the 2006 Midwest Clinic which will be held in Chicago from December 19 – 23, 2006 – an international band and orchestra conference attended by more than 15,000 music professionals and students. This is the first time in nearly 20 years that a local middle school band has been invited to play.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Skokie School District 73.5 Board of Education does hereby congratulate the members of McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band, their director, Mr. Chip De Stefano, as well as the parents and family members who have helped make McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band the best school band in the State of Illinois!

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this resolution be given to the members of McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band and their director, Mr. Chip De Stefano, as testimony to the hard work and dedication everyone put forth to make this band the best in the State of Illinois.

Approved and adopted this 9th day of May, 2006.

Board of Education – Skokie School District 73.5

James McGowan, President
Beth Allen, Vice President
Andrea Rosen, Secretary
Karen Barr
James McNelis
Jennifer Polakoff
Robert Quane