McCracken School band honored — yet again

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

“It never gets old,” said McCracken Middle School Band Director Chip De Stefano about the recognition he and his students have received over the years.

McCracken has one of the most awarded student bands in the state — in no small part because of De Stefano’s considerable skills as director.

Mayor George Van Dusen proclaimed June 6 “McCracken Middle School Band Day” in the village in honor of De Stefano’s band being selected as “Honor Band” at the 2011 University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival.

This is the fourth time the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band has been given such an honor under De Stefano’s guidance. It also won in 2000, 2003 and 2006.

“The McCracken Middle School Band has brought great credit on its school and village through numerous honors it has received over the years,” a June 6 village resolution stated.

The McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band was awarded as the Honor Band after being among 11 middle school bands invited to participate in the 2011 University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival held in May. The invitation was made based on a taped audition. And then by being selected Honor Band among the 11 bands that performed there, one of the highest honors in the state, the McCracken musicians automatically get to perform at the 2012 festival.

De Stefano is no stranger to receiving this kind of recognition either by the state or by the village.

“We jokingly told Chip that now the real pressure is on to see if he can repeat himself,” Van Dusen said about his last appearance at Village Hall to receive such an honor. “Lo and behold, he has repeated himself once again.”

Van Dusen called De Stefano “one of the best band directors in the state of Illinois if not in the country.”

His resume would back that up.

The numerous awards he and his bands have received include a 2006 appearance at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago, a renowned international band and orchestra conference.

Few middle school bands have ever performed at the conference.

The application process was far more stringent than any school music event, requiring a CD, video, key recommendations, photos of the band, and recordings from past year’s performances as well as music from the given year. Hundreds of bands from across the world apply every year.

De Stefano was hired to replace Donald Stahlberg, the former McCracken band director who held the job for 33 years before retiring in 1996. The department flourished under both directors and has racked up multiple honors — especially since De Stefano came on board.

Many students and parents were on hand at Village Hall June 6 when De Stefano and the band were recognized by the village.

“We’ve received a lot of support not only from our school district but from the village of Skokie,” he said. “This is our fourth McCracken Middle School Band Day and we’re very appreciative.”