Retiring LSHS Band Director Honored In Song

from Lisle District 202, with information from Scott Gumina

Last week retiring LSHS band students honored director Steve Green with a song composed especially in his honor. Green, who has served as the school’s band director for 30 years, is also the founder of the

Deliberation on how best to honor green began in 2009. Fine art instructor Scott Gumina conferred with Lisa Kiener-Barnett, the Junior High Symphonic and Jazz Band director, and Green’s wife, Robin, who decided on a musical tribute.

They hired composer Reber Clark, whose two daughters once belonged to the LSHS band. The Lisle Band Parent Organization and the Lisle Community Band commissioned the song, “Band Trip,” in 2010.

Clark writes in his blog, “’Band Trip’ attempts to encompass the many events attendant in a typical band trip –the excitement of performances, the travel, the new experiences, some drama, and a little craziness. The band trip is one of the most iconic of all high school experiences. It is remembered and talked about for years and sometimes decades afterwards.”

On May 16, after numerous weeks of preparation, the Lisle High School Symphonic Band, under the direction of Green, performed the world-premiere of “Band Trip” at the spring concert.

Green is already looking forward to having his Lisle Community Band perform Band Trip in the future. In addition, the music publishing company, C. Alan Publishers, has agreed to publish “Band Trip,” allowing the opportunity for musicians across the country to learn and perform the song.

Hear “Band Trip” here.