Board of Education Resolution

WHEREAS, Skokie School District 73½ enjoys a long tradition of musical excellence that extends beyond 50 years, and

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

WHEREAS, the members of the 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 2:00 p.m., with their instruments, music, and pencils in hand, and

WHEREAS, on January 25, 2019, the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band was one of two middle school bands invited to present a concert at the Illinois Music Education Conference in Peoria, Illinois, and

WHEREAS, On March 9, 2019, the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band received a Division One (Superior) at the Illinois Grade School Music Association District 7 Organizational Contest which marks the 59th consecutive year the Symphonic Band has received a first division at District Contest – receiving a perfect score from all three judges, and

WHEREAS, On April 27, 2019, the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band performed at the Illinois Grade School Music Association State Festival, receiving a perfect score from all three judges earning Superior with High Honors recognition from the IGSMA, and

WHEREAS, the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band is one of only eight middle school bands in the State of Illinois invited to participate in the SuperState Concert Band Festival held at the University of Illinois in Champaign on May 3, 2019, and

WHEREAS, the Symphonic Band’s performance was held at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and was the 20th time in the last 21 years the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band has been invited to perform, and

WHEREAS, the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band was once again selected as the honor band, and the band automatically received an invitation to participate the year after their selection as honor band without having to submit an audition tape, and

WHEREAS, this was the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band’s eighth selection, and fifth consecutive selection, as SuperState Honor Band, being selected in 2000, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019, the most for a middle school band in the history of the state of Illinois.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Skokie School District 73½ Board of Education does hereby congratulate the members of the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band, their director, Mr. Chip De Stefano, as well as the parents and family members who have helped make the 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 the 2018-2019 McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band and their director, Mr. Chip De Stefano, as a testimony to the hard work and dedication everjone has put forth to make this band the best band in the state of Illinois.

Approved and adopted this 13th day of August, 2019.

Skokie School District 73.5 Board of Education

Nicholas Werth, President
Emily Twarog Miller, Vice President
Kelli Nelson, Secretary
Bushra Amiwala, Secretary Pro-Tem
Carla Arias
Scott Bramley
Gary Dolinko