FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2022
Community High School District 99 has announced the appointment of Mr. Aaron Kennedy to the faculty of the Downers Grove South High School Fine Arts Department. Mr. Kennedy will begin in the 2022-23 academic year, teaching five courses: Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band and Wind Symphony. He will also assume a lead role with the Marching Mustangs.
Mr. Kennedy is a graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was first hired as the Assistant Band Director in O’Fallon CCSD 90, where he taught with the nationally recognized Marching Panthers at O’Fallon Township High School. After great success there, he was awarded the position of Associate Director of Bands at Lockport Township High School. At Lockport, he ran the award-winning concert bands, jazz bands, and prestigious marching band. During his time, his students experienced superb musical growth and were given amazing experiences including performances at the Illinois Music Educators Conference, University of Illinois SuperState, and the 75th Annual Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.
Mr. Kennedy’s appointment is the culmination of a search that drew an applicant pool of over 120 highly qualified music educators. Finalists for the position were observed teaching District 99 music students and demonstrated personal musical aptitude through a performance on their major instrument. “Mr. Kennedy was a slam dunk. He showed excellence throughout every step of the process. Most importantly, he demonstrated a strong ability to motivate and to connect with our students while displaying excellent levels of musicianship,” said DGS Fine Arts Chairperson Jerry Lowrey. “We are all excited about the future of South High Bands under his leadership.”
When asked to give feedback after watching Mr. Kennedy during the search process, DGS Band member and current freshmen Gavin Schnall stated, “He was outgoing, and very nice and cool to the students. Additionally, his previous experience in other schools is also great, and could benefit ours.” Current junior Steven Krauter added, “He was very helpful, giving small tips on things we could improve on and do differently. He was also quick on feedback, getting straight to the point with focus.”
Brian Covey, Lockport HS Director of Bands and ILMEA Band Division President said, "Mr. Kennedy is one of the most approachable educators that I have ever had the pleasure to work with. He is always open to having students and parents visit, always working on ways to provide for the program. The Downers Grove community should be excited to have such a wonderful character in their midst. We will sorely miss him at Lockport but I am so happy for the opportunity that he has in front of him.'
“After briefly working with the students at Downers Grove South during the interview process, I saw the massive potential that lay in each musician.” remarked Mr. Kennedy. “I am very excited to help each student use that potential to make Downers Grove South an example for music education throughout the state of Illinois.”
