OH’s band program is advanced to say the least. thanks to Directors Kevin Schoenbach and Stephanie San Roman, with around 300 students in all of the band programs combined, the performing arts are a significant part of Oswego High School’s culture.
This winter, Schoenbach was, for the second time in his career, recognized as a top 10 finalist for the Music Educator of the Year award from the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum.
This nomination is a reflection of his legacy in conducting, which has helped many students develop a deeper connection to a wider range of music.
“Mr. Schoenbach motivates students to strive for excellence through his teaching style. The way he teaches is very entertaining and informative at the same time,” said OH senior Lucas Arroyo.
With this second GRAMMY nomination under his belt, ABC7Chicago came into the school on Jan. 20 to interview Schoenbach. True to his humble nature, even when the ABC camera’s spotlights were on him, Schoenbach turned the light back on his students.
“We want these students to graduate and go off into whatever field they’re doing,” Schoenbach said. “[I want my students to] and enjoy [music] in a different way than just putting headphones on,” he added.
To others, music may just be music, but to Schoenbach, it is his passion. As an esteemed trombone player, he helps improve students’ talents with their instruments, and when they leave high school, they have a more complex understanding of music.
OH senior and bass trombone player Braden Pawlisz has shared a love for the instrument that he and Schoenbach both play.
According to 94.7 WLS, Pawlisz said, “There’s many days I’ve gone through a whole day at school, and thought, ‘I’m tired, I don’t want to be here.’ But because of Shoenbach, he makes it fun and feels like you’re having a good time …It’s made me want to pursue music for the rest of my life, and hopefully become an educator.”
When Schoenbach was asked about what advice he would give to a student who wants to become a music director, he provided insight into how the education/music industry isn’t as easy as it may seem.
“You have to be prepared for students; for them, music is something they enjoy, and [it’s] totally fine if that’s as far as it goes, [but] when you start to think about music education or being a band director or a fresh musician, any of those lengths, you have to really love it to want to work that hard at it.”
As a second-time finalist, the OH community is proud of this professional accomplishment for Schoenbach, ever the humble conductor, who continues to put his students and their goals first.
“We’re all just people working towards a goal together,” Schoenbach smiled.
I love to read and write poetry, I'm a first year reporter in 11th grade. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
My name is Brandyn Hudson, I am a senior at Oswego High School. I am the Co-Editior-In-Chief of 42fifty, this also my second year, and I love it! I am involved with Lacrosse, HIKE, Bionic, TALK, Student council and numerous honor societies here at Oswego. Looking forward to do great work this year! To reach me you can contact me by emailing 42fifity@sd308.org and putting my name on the subject line.
