The Illinois School for the Deaf Band: A Historical Perspective

From 1923 until 1942, the Illinois School for the Deaf included in its offerings for its resident boys the opportunity to participate in a brass band. The band was supported by state and private funds throughout its nearly twenty-year existence. It gave students a musical outlet, provided functional music and entertainment for the other resident students as well as community members, and became a symbol of strength and ability among members of the deaf community. Historical reports recount the outstanding quality of the music performed by the boys. While the band received a fair amount of criticism along with a vast amount of praise, it has been lauded as a most successful and meaningful endeavor. Even though the band has been defunct for more than fifty years, some music classes and activities at the Illinois School for the Deaf are still offered to students.