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Stevenson band leaders describe student-centered curriculum changes and rising participation
Summary
Band directors told the board they are shifting pedagogy toward student agency (rotating parts, chamber units, PPR learning cycle) and reported that roughly 7.2% of the student body is enrolled in elective band with high cohort retention; directors said the changes aim to build resilience and inclusivity.
Band program leaders presented an overview of curricular and instructional changes to the Adlai E. Stevenson HSD 125 Board of Education, describing shifts designed to increase student agency, resilience and retention.
"Am I preparing kids for my past or for their future?" asked Caitlin McGovern, Stevenson’s director of bands, summarizing the team’s move away from teacher-centered performance models toward student-centered learning cycles. McGovern and her colleagues described four band levels, expanded co-curricular ensembles, and a PPR (prepare–perform–reflect) project meant to guide students through goal-setting, targeted practice and reflection.
Associate director Mark Hebert and assistant director Ben Boyd described classroom changes such as rotating parts rather than fixed chair placements, scaffolding small-group ('chamber') rehearsals, and leadership roles focused on supporting peers. Hebert said the program seeks to build "student leadership roles ... based around helping other students and modeling for other students," not rank ordering.
Staff provided data showing 7.2% of the student body enrolled in elective band this spring, with continuing participation estimates of roughly 63% retention from the freshman cohort and 58% among current seniors — figures presenters said indicate steady engagement despite COVID-era disruptions.
Board members asked about selection processes for rotating leadership and whether the approach disadvantaged advanced students for some repertoire; directors said placements are driven by frequent formal and informal assessments and by musical needs of a given piece, with rotations applied over a concert cycle.
Why it matters: The presentation outlines a program-level instructional shift that affects hundreds of students, influences course placement, and factors into future instrument procurement and staffing decisions. Administrators said relevant procurement and staffing items will appear in the May board packet.
Next steps: Directors will provide additional program data and instruments/bid information in upcoming materials to the board.
