Despite Cuts, Band Boosters Keep Tradition Alive

Some say history repeats itself, and for the Lemont Band Boosters it really is true.

In 1976, budget shortfalls forced the Lemont District 113 Board of Education to eliminate staff members, administrators and all extra-curricular activities from the schools. The band boosters, determined to keep the program running, stepped in and offered to pay a portion of the band director's salary.

In March of this year, the Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A school board found itself in an eerily similar situation. Facing a multi-million dollar budget deficit, the board voted to cut 70 staff members and to eliminate all extra-curricular activities, including the band program.

Once again, the Lemont Band Boosters stepped in to prevent the program from being lost altogether. Since band could no longer be part of student's daily curriculum, the boosters implemented a plan to run the program as a fee-based after-school activity.

"It was an obvious decision for us to keep the program going in whatever way we could," said Band Booster president Deb Smollen. "It was important that our kids still have the opportunity to learn music."

Students registering for after-school band are required to pay a non-refundable fee of $40, as well as $35 each month. Old Quarry agreed to let the band rent its facilities for the entire school year.

Though the booster club was happy to keep the program alive in any capacity, it was also important to them that they preserve the band's longstanding legacy.

For more than 30 years, music teacher Ken Marx served as the band's director (working at Central School before Old Quarry was built in 1997). Under his leadership, the school became a musical powerhouse, winning state titles and first-place rankings year after year.

This year, however, Marx was forced to step down from the position when the program was cut from the curriculum.

"Ken Marx has always been the backbone behind this program," Smollen said. "It was really sad to see things go the way they did."

Talking to Marx, his love of music and the Lemont band is very plain to see.

"You look back, and it's basically your whole life," Marx said. "I spent 31 years building the program, and it remains very special to me."

Though Marx is still teaching music classes full-time at Old Quarry, he also serves as one of the booster club's most valuable resources.

"I've seen this band grow from 25 students to well over 100, so I understand better than anyone how the program works," he said.

The first contribution Marx made to the new program was referring its new director, Jim Rallis. Having met Rallis many years ago when they attended the same music school, Marx knew he would be a good fit for Old Quarry.

"Ken put so much work into the band, to let it die would have been a travesty," Rallis said. "I was more than happy to step in."

Directing the Old Quarry Band is particularly special for Rallis, a Lemont resident whose children went through the program several years ago. Rallis' son, Tony, is also serving as an instructor, along with Glen Pawlak and Frank Alongi.

Currently the program runs five days each week, with five sessions each day. The sessions are between 30 and 45 minutes long, and are designated by grade level and instrument type.

Thus far, the biggest challenge facing the band is competing with other extra-curricular activities that also run after school, Rallis said. Additionally, students are spending less overall time playing since they are no longer in band class every day.

"Like any new thing, it's difficult, but we're doing the best we can," he said. "We'll keep practicing and putting on concerts, and I'm confident we'll be able to get this band right back on track."