In 1999, DeKalb Music Boosters was founded to serve, fundraise and promote music in the school district.

After more than 20 years of serving in its mission supporting the DeKalb School District 428 middle school and high school music programs, the DeKalb Music Boosters has expanded its mission to also support the elementary school music programs of the school district.

As of October 2021, the DeKalb Music Boosters’ formally changed its bylaws to reflect this new mission.

“We look forward to an exciting future supporting all of our music programs across the school district,” says Tamara Farrell, DeKalb Music Boosters President. “All of our student musicians and their teachers deserve equal opportunities to be supported in their goals.”

UPDATE: Pick-up days are now set for Friday, December 10 and Monday, December 13, 2:30 – 6 pm. Please check our Facebook page for further updates.

Did you know DeKalb Music Boosters now supports all the music programs of DeKalb School District #428, including at the elementary schools?

DeKalb Music Boosters invites the community to participate in its largest annual fundraiser – the Fruit, Cheese and Sausage Sale – going on now through November 16.

“We are proud of our school district’s music programs and felt it was time after over two decades in existence to expand our support to all grade levels in the district,” says Tamara Farrell, DeKalb Music Boosters president. “The success of this sale helps determine how much assistance we can provide our music students and teachers during the year, and we need your help to reach our goal more than ever, especially as events resume that were cancelled last year due to the pandemic.”

How you can help:
Place an order for fruit, cheese and sausage for yourself, family, friends and coworkers. Share this fundraiser with everyone you know on social media and in your email address book. These are the same delicious products offered in past years – all available online – with a wide variety to appeal to everyone.

Order pick-up dates:
DeKalb High School, 501 W. Dresser Road
December 7, 2:45 – 6:15 pm
December 8, 2:45 – 7:00 pm
No shipping available.

Funds from this sale help provide:
Spring scholarships for seniors pursuing music at college and students participating in summer music camps.

Grants to music teachers throughout the year to offset costs and assist them in bringing amazing opportunities to student musicians across DeKalb School District #428.

The DeKalb Music Boosters’ mission, as the primary advocate for the music performance programs at the elementary school, middle school and high school levels of the DeKalb Community Unit School District 428, is to serve and assist the music performance programs and their directors. DeKalb Music Boosters’ overall purpose is to bring students an appreciation and enjoyment of listening to and making music as a lifelong activity.

For more information, find the DeKalb Music Boosters on Facebook or email Tamara Farrell at dekalbmusicboosters428@gmail.com.

After 20 years of serving in its mission supporting the DeKalb School District 428 middle school and high school music programs, the DeKalb Music Boosters proposes to expand its mission to also support the elementary school music programs of the school district. This change is included among other proposed revisions to the bylaws below.

A discussion and a reading of the proposed revisions to the bylaws took place at the general meeting on September 2, 2021. These revised bylaws will be read a second time and a vote to adopt them will take place at the meeting on Thursday, October 7, 2021.

The proposed revisions are highlighted below. To view the current bylaws, visit https://dekalbmusicboosters.com/about.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

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Bylaws for the DeKalb Music Boosters

A not-for-profit organization supporting

DeKalb Community Unit School District 428

DeKalb, Illinois

Adopted October 2001

Amended November 2017

Proposed for Revision: October 2021

Current:

Article I: Mission Statement: The DeKalb Music Boosters’ mission, as the primary advocate for the music performance programs at the middle school and high school levels of the DeKalb Community Unit School District 428, is to serve and assist the music performance programs and their directors. As Music Boosters our overall purpose is to bring students an appreciation and enjoyment of listening to and making music as a lifelong activity.



Proposed revision:

Article I: Mission Statement: The DeKalb Music Boosters’ mission, as the primary advocate for the music performance programs at the elementary school, middle school and high school levels of the DeKalb Community Unit School District 428, is to serve and assist the music performance programs and their directors. As Music Boosters our overall purpose is to bring students an appreciation and enjoyment of listening to and making music as a lifelong activity.

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Current:

Article II: Membership: The membership of DeKalb Music Boosters consists of parents and legal guardians of students currently participating in a District 428 high school or middle school band, choir, or orchestra ensemble. Other persons interested in supporting music performance programs in District 428 (including directors and teachers, alumni, and alumni parents) may join Music Boosters as voting members with a minimum annual donation of $25. It is not necessary to be a member to participate in meetings, discuss issues, and serve as a volunteer, but only members may vote on issues and policies. At no time may more than 50% of the Executive Board consist of non-parent members. (Amended November 2017)



Proposed revision:

Article II: Membership: The membership of DeKalb Music Boosters consists of parents and legal guardians of students currently participating in a District 428 high school or middle school, elementary school general music, band, choir, or orchestra ensemble. Other persons interested in supporting music performance programs in District 428 (including directors and teachers, extended family of current students, alumni and alumni parents) may join Music Boosters as voting members with a minimum annual donation of $25 or a commitment of a minimum of three volunteer hours. It is not necessary to be a member to participate in meetings, discuss issues, and serve as a volunteer, but only members may vote on issues and policies. At no time may more than 50% of the Executive Board consist of non-parent members. (Amended November 2017)



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Current:

Article III: Officers: A President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer are elected for two-year terms, with a maximum tenure of four consecutive years. Elections are held in May, with the slate of officers being presented at the April meeting.



Proposed revision:

Article III: Officers: A President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer are elected for two-year terms, with a maximum tenure of four consecutive years. Elections are held in May, with the slate of officers being presented at the April meeting. Two officers are replaced each year to avoid 100% turnover and to maintain continuity.


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On behalf of the DeKalb Music Boosters Executive Board, thank you, for your consideration,

Tamara Farrell, President
dekalbmusicboosters428@gmail.com

Did you know DeKalb Music Boosters is participating in Give DeKalb County this year for the first time ever?

Donations to DeKalb Music Boosters go directly to the support of music programs in DeKalb School District #428. Money may be used to purchase instruments, music, or equipment, fund student scholarships for music camps and college, or to offset travel expenses for music groups to participate in competitions and festivals.

If you’ve not participated before, the event is online, goes all day on Thursday, May 6, from midnight to midnight, and the minimum donation is $5, however our students’ potential is limitless with your support. 

I am confident the generous spirit of our community will ensure that the proud tradition of amazing music will play on in our schools for generations to come.
To learn more and to donate on Thursday, visit our giving profile at https://www.givedekalbcounty.org/organizations/dekalb-music-boosters.

I encourage you to share this message with family, friends and business associates.

Thank you!

Tamara Farrell, President
DeKalb Music Boosters
P.O. Box 249
DeKalb, Illinois 
dekalbmusicboosters428@gmail.com

Mrs. Sheila Felder, orchestra director at DeKalb High School and Clinton Rosette Middle School, was offered a very special opportunity to bring a piece of DeKalb’s music history back to its birthplace.

“Thanks to the generous financial help once again of the DeKalb Music Boosters, we were able to complete the purchase of the Starke Model Wurlitzer Harp #688, that was made in DeKalb in 1910,” says Felder. “We are very pleased to bring this harp back to DeKalb 111 years later, now to benefit the student musicians of DeKalb School District #428.”

For this instrument acquisition, Felder received grant funding through the DeKalb County Community Foundation, among other funding sources, before approaching the DeKalb Music Boosters for the rest of the funds needed.

“We were thrilled to help Mrs. Felder bring this gorgeous instrument back home to DeKalb, to the fortunate students who will benefit from playing it,” says Tamara Farrell, DeKalb Music Boosters president. “How exciting for our community to see and hear this harp being played by our young musicians. Mrs. Felder has such a resourceful spirit and is always seeking out new opportunities for her students and ways to make them a reality.”

The DeKalb Music Boosters will be participating in the upcoming Give DeKalb County community giving event on Thursday, May 6.  Visit GiveDeKalbCounty.org to view the DeKalb Music Boosters’ giving profile to learn how your donations can help our school district’s music programs.

For more information about how you can support local music students through the DeKalb Music Boosters, email dekalbmusicboosters428@gmail.com.

If you know any DeKalb High School seniors who participate in music, encourage them to apply for a DeKalb Music Boosters senior scholarship! 
We are offering $500 scholarships for students going on to major in music at college, and $250 scholarships for students who have participated in music in high school, but are majoring in something else in college.
We also have scholarships for 6th–11th graders wanting to attend a music camp this summer (we know it’s all up in the air, but think hopefully!).

Applications are available on the DeKalb Music Boosters website dekalbmusicboosters.com, under “Forms.” 

All applications are due by mail or email by 11:59 p.m. Friday, April 30.

The DeKalb Music Boosters is grateful for the support of new residents to the area Brandon and Allison Geber.

Originally from Central Illinois, Brandon Geber, coordinator for the DeKalb-Sycamore Area Transportation Study for the DeKalb County Highway Department, reached out to the DeKalb Music Boosters about a trumpet he had in storage from his schooldays.

“We were interested in donating the trumpet in hopes it will reduce a student’s barrier to pursuing music education and to support our local music programs,” says Geber. “Even though I had not pursued a life-long passion of playing this instrument, the opportunity to learn and grow within the arts has had an immeasurable impact on my life. I feel at peace knowing the instrument is now available to bring that joy to others.”

“On behalf of the DeKalb Music Boosters and the DeKalb School District 428 music programs, thank you Mr. and Mrs. Geber for your donation of this beautiful instrument,” says Tamara Farrell, DeKalb Music Boosters president. “Young musicians will benefit from your kindness and generosity for many years to come.”

The DeKalb Music Boosters will be participating in the upcoming Give DeKalb County community giving event on May 6. Visit GiveDeKalbCounty.org to view the DeKalb Music Boosters’ giving profile to learn how your donations can help our school district’s music programs.

For more information about how you can support local music students through the DeKalb Music Boosters, email dekalbmusicboosters428@gmail.com.

2019-2020

Muse Award
Nancy and Larry Apperson

Maestro Award
Arthur D. Montzka

Virtuoso Award
Melissa Dye

2018-2019

Muse Award
Ann Montzka Smelser

Maestro Award
Judy O’Connor

2017-2018

Muse Award
Dee Palmer

The DeKalb High School chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society inducted 20 new members on October 1, 2020, for a total of 37 members in 2020-21. 

The DHS Tri-M Music Honor Society has at least two major service projects each year, in addition to their community performance outreach. They did a paper drive for the Barb Food Mart on November 18, 2020. A pick-up full of supplies was delivered in December.

Currently, the DHS Tri-M Chapter is working on a new mentorship program with music students at Clinton Rosette Middle School and Huntley Middle School. They are also putting together a compilation video of holiday music to send out to the area nursing homes that they usually visit in person yearly.

The following students have been selected for the Illinois Music Education Association’s Band, Chorus, Jazz and Orchestra divisions, based on their virtual auditions. Congratulations to all!

Huntley Middle School

Junior Band

Christina Blanchard, 8^th grade – Flute

Lillian Hetland, 7^th grade – Bb Clarinet

Carly Kammes, 8^th grade – Tenor Sax

Alissa Kocjan, 8^th grade – Alto Sax

Mariana Lundin, 7^th grade – French Horn

Benjamin Madere, 7^th grade – Tenor Sax

Elora Slater, 7^th grade – Bb Clarinet

Jaden Teague-Nunez, 7^th grade – Percussion

Jenna Zimmerman, 8^th grade – Percussion

Junior Choir

Heidi Gratschmayr, 7^th grade – Chorus – Soprano II

Miranda Perez, 7^th grade – Chorus – Alto I

Junior Jazz Band

Carly Kammes, 8^th grade – Jazz Band I – Jazz Tenor Sax

Jaden Teague-Nunez, 7^th grade – Jazz Band I – Jazz Piano

Junior Orchestra

Giuliana Alvarez, 8^th grade – Cello

Lindsey Nichols, 8^th grade – Violin

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Clinton Rosette Middle School

Junior Choir

Hope Johnson, 8^th grade – Chorus – Alto I

Paige Lewis, 8^th grade – Mixed Chorus – Alto

Piper Schiola-Williams, 8^th grade – Mixed Chorus – Soprano

Junior Orchestra

Aja Aspinwall, 8^th grade – Cello

Berenice Carmona, 8^th grade – Violin

Maia Clapp-Duhau, 8^th grade – Cello

Rachael Feldacker, 8^th grade – Harp

Edmund Jaeger-Solares, 6^th grade – Violin

Sydney Myles, 7^th grade – Double Bass

Jairo Roman Ortiz, 7^th grade – Violin

Emma Reid, 8^th grade – Violin

Christopher Thunder, 8^th grade – Cello

Cooper Warren, 8^th grade – Cello

Ian Wickens-Walther, 8^th grade – Cello

Kassidy Zinkel, 8^th grade – Viola

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DeKalb High School

Junior Chorus 

Julia Glover, 9^th grade – Mixed Chorus – Soprano

Grace Leopardo, 9^th grade – Mixed Chorus – Alto

Malaysia Stensrud-Holden, 9^th grade – Mixed Chorus – Alto

Junior Orchestra

Grace Basnet, 9^th grade – Violin

Anna Davies, 9^th grade – Cello

Melanie Hernandez, 9^th grade – Cello

Evie Heuschel, 9^th grade – Cello

Yahaira Marquez, 9^th grade – Cello

Senior Band

Madeline Barnes, 12^th grade – Percussion

Zaire Burks, 12^th grade – Trombone

Briana Castillo, 11^th grade – Percussion

Zachary Gennardo, 10^th grade – Trumpet

Benjamin Grych, 11^th grade – Bb Clarinet

Taylor Hennessee, 10^th grade – Trombone

Nya Jencks, 12^th grade – Flute

Nya Jencks, 12^th grade – Piccolo

Ryan Mays, 9^th grade – Trumpet

Megan Medina, 9^th grade – Bb Clarinet

Karl Olsen, 12^th grade – Percussion

Noah Prince, 11^th grade – Trumpet

Julia Rasmussen, 10^th grade – Bassoon

Reagan Vander Bleek, 10^th grade – Oboe

Senior Chorus

Nevaeh Castañeda, 10^th grade – Soprano II

Gabriel Galindo, 10^th grade – Tenor II

Jane Leopardo, 12^th grade – Alto II

Jisela Marquez, 10^th grade – Soprano I

Jaclyn McGraw, 12^th grade – Soprano I

Claudie Miller, 12^th grade – Alto II

Keegan Moore, 12^th grade – Bass I

Joel Pandes, 12^th grade – Bass II

liana Rigaud, 10^th grade – Soprano II

Lily Slater, 11^th grade – Soprano II

Senior Jazz

Matteo Bennardo, 11^th grade – Jazz Band I – Jazz Tenor Sax

Nolan Bunger, 12^th grade – Jazz Band I – Jazz Guitar

Zaire Burks, 12^th grade – Jazz Band II – Jazz Trombone

Erik Castro, 10^th grade – Jazz Band I – Jazz Trumpet

Venus Dorantes, 10^th grade – Jazz Band II – Jazz Alto Sax

Reilly Farrell, 11^th grade – Jazz Band I – Jazz String Bass and Electric Bass

Benjamin Grych, 11^th grade – Jazz Band II – Jazz Alto Sax

Taylor Hennessee, 10^th grade – Jazz Band II – Jazz Trombone

Ryan Mays, 9^th grade – Jazz Band I – Jazz Trumpet

Keegan Moore, 12^th grade – Jazz Band II – Jazz Piano

Khadija Nagi, 12^th grade – Jazz Band I – Jazz Trombone

Jason Pedraza, 12^th grade – Jazz Band II – Jazz Trumpet

Karl Olsen, 12^th grade – Jazz Band I – Jazz Drum Set

Audrey Palmer, 12^th grade – Jazz Band I – Jazz Piano

Jared Schultz, 12^th grade – Jazz Band I – Jazz Alto Sax

Senior Orchestra

John Adams, 12^th grade – Bb Clarinet

Betsy Benisek, 12^th grade – Viola

Bethany Blanchard, 12^th grade – Violin

Lillian Duerkes, 11^th grade – Double Bass

Reilly Farrell, 11^th grade – Violin

Lauren Gates, 10^th grade – Violin

Megan Gates, 10^th grade – Violin

Chloe McKendry, 10^th grade – Viola

Jessica Ni, 10^th grade – Harp

Kelsey Nichols, 11^th grade – Violin

Devin Snow, 11^th grade – Cello

Keira Specht, 9^th grade – Violin

Grace Thurman, 9^th grade – Violin

Leah Valentiner, 11^th grade – Flute

Sarah Valentiner, 12^th grade – Violin

Vanessa Villa, 11^th grade – Violin

Jordan Weiss, 12^th grade – Violin

Ellison Xu, 9^th grade – Harp