“The high school internship program was started many years ago when Ron Keller was the director of the NMB,” said Emily Binder, Conductor and Music Director of the Naperville Municipal Band.
“The vision was to show students that music is truly for life,” Binder continued. “Playing an instrument does not need to stop after school ends — it can continue forever, regardless of other careers, interests or responsibilities.”
Binder explained that after a pause in 2020 because of COVID, the program is back in full force and has become a highlight for many area high school musicians.
Each of the five high schools serving Naperville in School District 203 and School District 204 is invited to nominate a student or two to participate in one of the Naperville Municipal Band indoor concerts.
This summer, the Naperville Municipal Band had openings in certain sections and was delighted to extend the stay of some of the interns for the outdoor season in Central Park.
“The band loves having younger folks in the section,” added Binder. “It’s such a joy to watch the students connect with elders of very diverse backgrounds while having a terrific musical experience. We are very grateful to provide this experience in partnership with the wonderful directors at Naperville Central, Naperville North, Waubonsie Valley, Neuqua Valley and Metea Valley High Schools.”
Musical Memories
Here are the reflections from some of the NMB’s interns this past year, representing students that have been present recently in Central Park.
Name: Max Beris
School: Metea Valley High School, Senior
Instrument: Clarinet
Area of study in college: Aerospace Engineering
Why is music such an important part of your life? Music is such an important part of my life because of the people you meet and the relationships you form. Music has allowed me to meet so many incredible people who have grown so close to me. Music also allows me to do something that nothing else can do, convey emotion without saying a thing. Music can bring back memories and make people feel things they have never felt before. It can give you chills and even make you cry when you truly listen deeply to the music. Music is an incredibly unique part of our lives and I love being able to bring that to people.
What have you enjoyed about being an intern with the NMB? The thing I have most enjoyed while working with the NMB has been getting to create music with a group of highly skilled musicians who have taught me so much throughout my time with the band. I have learned so much and have had so much fun playing over the summer.
Name: Emma Steinbauer
School: Senior at Waubonsie Valley High School.
Instrument: Clarinet
Future career/area of study: I hope to study zoology in college to become a zookeeper.
Why is music such an important part of your life? Music is an important part of my life because it allows me to connect with people and relax while playing. I have made so many friendships from my experiences in marching band and other bands that I would not have made anywhere else.
What have you enjoyed about being an intern with the NMB? Something I have enjoyed about being an intern with the municipal band is playing a large amount of music at each concert. Playing so many different styles of music is not something we do very often in curricular bands, but with the Naperville Municipal Band, we have been able to do it every week.
Name: Nick Ranson
School: Metea Valley High School graduate, going into college at UIUC this fall
Instrument: Double Bass
Future career/area of study: Chemistry (with a minor in music)
Why is music such an important part of your life? Music has allowed me to experience being with a community of people, a lot of whom I would not otherwise meet, that have shaped who I am as a person as well as giving me experiences that I never would have had otherwise. I’ve often thought of the orchestra room in my school as a second home, one that I can go to and express myself through music in ways that I feel that I otherwise could not. Music was an integral part of my high school experience, and it allowed me to do as well as I could, giving me a range of helpful skills that not only applied to the music programs but to every other subject in ways I didn’t expect when I first entered high school.
What have you enjoyed about being an intern with the NMB? I’ve really enjoyed getting the opportunity to play music I don’t normally get to play (band music) as well as with people I don’t normally get to play with. Most of my experience in music has been with ensembles that are with people in my school and of the same or similar age, so it has been really cool to play with people that have vastly different backgrounds compared to me. It’s also really inspiring seeing so many people who still play in the band despite not choosing music as a career, but who still do it because they enjoy playing, which is what I hope to do in the future as well.
Name: Nick Cristao
Year / School: Soon to be freshman at College of DuPage
Instrument: Saxophone
Area of study in College: Undecided
Why is music such an important part of your life? Music has been an amazing outlet for me; not only does it let me create and perform, but the people I’ve met, and the escapism of making music has always been a sort of safety net for me. One thing I love about music is how each person’s style is unique. Even people who have never picked up an instrument listen to a bunch of different artists that forms their own musical taste. The cool thing about being a musician is taking aspects of those influences and having a sound that becomes your sound.
What have you enjoyed about being an intern with the NMB? My favorite thing about Naperville Municipal Band is the community. To be able to interact with a bunch of awesome people who haven’t totally dedicated their lives to music, yet still have the time and passion to perform is inspiring. Everyone is always very welcoming and it’s nice to be in a group that deeply cares about each other and the music they create.
Name: Theo Christopherson
Year/School: Rising Freshman at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Instrument: Clarinet
Area of Study: Music Education
Why has music such an important part of your life? Music has been a large part of my family for a very long time, being something we could all connect to and enjoy. After getting involved with music at the curricular level, I’ve developed a much deeper love for the craft, and have grown not only as a musician, but as a leader and person along the way.
What have you enjoyed about being an Intern with the NMB? I’ve really enjoyed interning with the Naperville Municipal Band because we get to put on a lot of cool shows for our Naperville Community. Whether it’s playing the 1812 Overture with live cannon fire or being a part of the costume parade at the Kids Concert, it’s a really fun and valuable opportunity to learn from more experienced members and take part in some of the traditions that make the Naperville Community so special!
