Longtime Band Director Honored at Lemont Mega Band Concert

Hundreds of students, teachers and parents paid tribute to longtime band director Ken Marx during the annual Lemont Mega Band Concert on Sunday.

Each year, the Mega Band Concert brings together ensembles from and  for a celebration of the town's exemplary music programs.

On Sunday, however, the schools also celebrated Marx, who is retiring next month after leading the middle school band program for the past 33 years.

The Lemont Band Boosters presented Marx with a lifetime achievement award during the concert. They also announced the new Kenneth R. Marx Award, which will be presented annually to an outstanding eighth-grade band student who shares his same love and passion for music and band.

"Over the years, you have given your whole heart to teaching the gift of music to so many eager children," said Cathy Heatherington, secretary of the Lemont Band Boosters. "... You are an exceptional mentor, and have had such an impact on the lives of so many students ... You are truly a legacy to this band program."

Addressing the crowd Sunday, Marx said he is grateful for the three decades he spent teaching in Lemont, and hopes the program will continue producing new generations of talented musicians.

"My hope for our present and future band students is that they continue believing that excellence really is contagious," he said. "Always be the best you can be. Remember, you are not just anyone. You are Lemont."

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