The recent barrage of political commercials espousing how much support this state or that federally elected official has invested in children and education got me thinking of the investment we have made in our Naperville schools over the past few years.
Granted, it took some political guidance, but the residents of Naperville School District 203 voted with an overwhelmingly “thumbs up” to authorize our district to complete major capital reinvestment into the buildings a few short years ago.
One of the most inspiring renovations was to Naperville Central High School’s music facilities. When you walk the band hallways, it is hard to believe that a few short years ago the students were in a space with falling ceiling tile, heaving floors, and cramped rooms and little storage.
Today, according to Naperville Central High School Band Director, David Alstedt, it’s a whole new environment.
“Thanks to the very generous investment of our families, businesses, and community,” Alstedt noted, “we have a music program that has fi fteen practice rooms, a full functioning MIDI Lab for courses like Music Theory, AP Music Theory, and Music Appreciation, as well as three large ensemble spaces for the choir, orchestra, and band.”
Along with this significant upgrade came adequate locker storage for students to safely secure their items all in an environment that is acoustically well balanced room for ear safety.
Alstadt continued sharing his enthusiasm and gratitude for the new facilities to teach appreciation of the performing arts.
“…On behalf of our kids, thank you, Naperville, for giving our children an amazing place to learn, grow and experience music,” he said.
And while everyone may not have gotten everything they wanted with the renovations, we all benefit from this investment with the wonderful sound of music coming from every inch of this new space.
