Music Composer Visits with Dirksen Junior High Students

Thank you to composer Randall Standridge for visiting the Dirksen Band students to discuss your music career. It was a great opportunity for the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students to hear firsthand how you began writing and playing instruments at a young age. The Dirksen band has been working on Fanfare for the 16th Empire which Mr. Standridge wrote for his junior high band when he was teaching. The students also had an opportunity to ask him questions during the class period. The assembly was made possible through the Joliet Public Schools District 86 Music Parents Association (MPA). The Dirksen band is directed by Joliet Public Schools District 86 teacher Laura Armstrong. More than 1,000 students throughout District 86 participate in a music ensemble.