Music+Department


 * Summary**

The Belleville West Music Department is one of the best in the state of Illinois. It has very diverse classes, with many to chose from. Belleville west has, and always will, strive to be at the top of its game when it comes to music. Dr. Thomas Birkner is the current director, and teaches for countless hours about music. Belleville west will always be known for its music.


 * History**

The Belleville West Music Department was functioning as early as 1918. The Music Department was under the supervision of Mr. L.L. Carl, and was originally divided into theoretical and applied music. In 1918 the Music Department stated, “The Music Department is growing fast and as soon as the Auditorium is erected, we will have more room and time, and our Music Department will become very noteworthy.” It is almost like they knew what was going to come. By 1924 the BTHS Music Department was one of the most popular departments in the school. The courses were still scientific and practical, and was still directed by Mr. Carl. In these years a school band was added, that was organized to play at school games. The progress of the department in now shown at recitals that are held at the end of each semester. By 1927, Belleville West offered one of the most complete music courses of any high school in the state of Illinois. The Department was directed by Alonzo Staples and R.E. Rapp, and operated under the slogan, “Music for every child-every child for music.” In 1927, nearly one half of the students in the school participated in band, orchestra, or chorus.

In 1930 the Music Department was continuously growing under the direction of Sylvia Snyder and Alonzo Staples. The band had a membership over 70 and the orchestra had a membership of over 60. The band made performances before the Southwestern Division of the Teachers’ Institute, as well as the may festival and end-of-semester band concerts. In 1935 Edwin H. Peters directed the Music Department at Belleville West, and aimed to give the students and understanding of the basic elements that made up good music. He did quite well because at the Southwestern Illinois Solo Contest held in Edwardsville, BW had 13 first places, 15 second places, and 4 third places. The big band tied Centralia for the overall win in a crowd of 34 schools. In the 1945 school year, the band and orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Peters, maintained its reputation as a good band. The Snappy Twirlers were a part of the band now, and strutted their stuff and helped pep up the assembly programs at west.

In 1952 the band was still growing under Mr. Edwin Peters, and kept the school spirit by playing at pep rallies, assemblies, home football, and basketball games. The Snappy Twirlers became known as the Majorettes and led the band with fine twirling techniques. In 1956 the Belleville west band continued to practice hours a day. Mr. Peters was still the director and was working very hard to make the bands sound and look perfect. There was a lot of time spent on the football fields working on formations. In 1960 the Belleville West band had 92 members led by Mr. Kirsch. The drum major and color guard was added this year. In 1964 the Belleville west music department was still expanding. A band for freshmen was added to prepare them for the more demanding bands. Mr. Kirsch used the classes to construct a well-rounded music program. In 1970 Belleville west performed at Busch Stadium under Mr. Ralph Schlesinger. Also during that year, the band had 2 concerts and 4 parades. In 1975 there were 95 band members, 16 pom pon girls, 8 majorettes, and 1 drum major. The band played sports events, public concerts, parades, as well as state and local music events.

In 1980 the entire Belleville west music department attended a camp at Southwest Missouri State University, and received two 1st places. During the same year west competed at several contests, including the Greater St.Louis band contest. In 1985 the director of the band was still Mr. Ralph Schlesinger. He led the band at the Greater St.Louis Band contest at Busch Stadium, where they received a 1st place. After 27 years of leading the Belleville west band, Mr. Ralph Schlesinger retired in 1995. Dr. Thomas Birkner became the new director. Dr. Birkner taught at U of I for 9 years and was looking forward to make big changes to the band department. In 2001, the Belleville west music program continues to be the best in the area, and in 2005 the band was playing pieces that most school bands couldn’t play. In 2010, Dr. Birkner still leads the band. The students that participate in the program love what they do. They still practice for countless hours in all weather to get the music right.


 * Directors**
 * Mr. L.L. Carl
 * R. Rapp
 * Alonzo Staples
 * Sylvia Snyder
 * Edwin Peters
 * Mr. Kirsch
 * Ralph Schlesinger
 * Dr. Thomas Birkner
 * [[image:BW_1950.jpg width="350" height="316"]] || [[image:BW_1960.jpg width="328" height="329" align="left"]] || [[image:bW_1970.jpg width="377" height="307"]] ||
 * Belleville West Band and Orchestra in 1950 || Belleville west marching band practicing in the stadium in 1960 || The Belleville West Majorettes in 1970 ||
 * [[image:bw_1981.jpg width="329" height="266"]] || [[image:BW_1990.jpg width="331" height="270"]] || [[image:BW_2000.jpg width="358" height="273"]] ||


 * Belleville West Maroons performing at a football game in 1981

This Page is Edited By: Tyler Hettick and Tim Fuller || Belleville West Marching Maroons in a Parade in Belleville in 1990 || Belleville West Jazz band in 2000 ||