Song of praise: The Cavaliers, a multicultural choir of 40 boys and girls from Crete-Monee High School, and the school’s all-girl show choir, Faces, have garnered award after award. Now their director is enjoying accolades too.
John Neubauer is the recipient of the 1998 Service Recognition Award from the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education, selected for his contributions to the field of arts education in the state.
But the modest honoree says the award really belongs to the kids and to the school music program.
“This has been a great honor for me, but it belongs to the kids who worked so hard all year to be the best they can be,” he said. “I feel flattered by being in this spotlight, but I need to thank the kids and the community for giving me the infrastructure to build this type of music program. It’s a great honor to have the music program recognized in a school district that is facing such tough financial times.”
The school district, with a deficit of several million dollars for the 1998-99 year, was forced to cut many programs, including music. However, the community rallied in support of Neubauer and raised about $30,000 to date to pay his salary for the upcoming year. Neubauer, in his fifth year as director, said he was grateful for the community support.
“That’s a vote of confidence when the parents and the community go to bat for you,” he said. “It’s really great to see the community realize that music programs are important.”
The Crete-Monee Choral Music Association, a parent group, has vowed to continue covering expenses but only if Neubauer is retained. They held a “Save the Music” concert and raised nearly $10,000.
According to parent organizer Betsy Williams of Crete, Neubauer took a mediocre program filled with students who lacked cooperation, teamwork, commitment and motivation and taught them life skills in addition to music.
Sita Bhatnagar of Crete, a member of Faces and a recent graduate, said the choral group gave her self-confidence.
“Mr. Neubauer is awesome! He’s probably the best teacher I have ever had,” she said. “He spends so much time with us that he makes us want to excel not only in music but in everything we do.”
