Joliet Township Orchestra History
The records show evidence of a student orchestra at J.T. as early as 1905. Mr. H.A. Converse first organized the Joliet Township Orchestra in 1913. There were twelve players in the orchestra: eight violins, two cornets, drums and piano. However, if you check the photo in the March 25 1962 program, there is a photo of the first orchestra, and there are fifteen players. In addition to the above listed, there was also a flute, clarinet, and string bass player. In this photo, you can see Mr. Converse as a young man. One rehearsal per week was held in the old auditorium (now the present band/orchestra room), the greenhouse or other available space. The St. Johns Lutheran Church (now known as the Little Theater) was later acquired by the school district, and three rehearsals per week were held in that building. In 1925 Mr. Converse was placed on a full-time basis and an orchestra room was equipped with an acoustically treated ceiling and lockers, which are still in use. This is the present ROTC room.
                In 1927 the orchestra entered its first State Contest at the Illinois State Normal University at Normal and won first place; however there was little competition. In 1931, at Springfield, the orchestra won for the third consecutive time the State Championship and was awarded permanently a silver and bronze trophy which is thirty-one inches high. This trophy may be seen in the trophy case outside the main office. The four orchestras competing were Joliet, Quincy, Springfield, and Rockford. This is the order in which they were placed. Other contests in which the orchestra competed have been held at DeKalb High School, The University of Illinois, twice at the Cicero High School, Chicago Heights, Ottawa, Kansas, Madison, Wisconsin, Glen Ellyn, and LaSalle Illinois. In 1931 the State Contest was held in Joliet.
                During his tenure in Joliet, Mr. Converse was elected several times in Illinois School Orchestra Association (ISOA) as president, vice-president, and secretary-treasurer. In 1934 he was elected vice-president of the National School Association (NSOA) at Ottawa, Kansas. After thirty five years of service to the Joliet Township High School Orchestra, Hiram Converse retired. His last public appearance with the High School Orchestra was held on March 19, 1948. Mt. Converse passed away on October 30, 1959.
                Following Mr. Converse retirement, Mr. Peter Labella took over the orchestra, in the fall of 1948.  He was a graduate of the Eastman School of Music. Under Mr. Labella’s leadership, the orchestra received Superior ratings in all contests entered during the years 1949, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1961. In 1957, this orchestra was the only group to receive the Superior or Division I award at the State Contest. In 1965 both West and East Campuses opened, and Peter Labella then serviced all three High Schools. Until 1969 the Central Campus students were bussed to East High School for Orchestra class. Mr. Labella retired in the early 1980’s.
                In 1969, with the hiring of Mr. Ted Lega, (band Director), the East campus students were bussed to Central. From 1969-1972, Mr. Lega directed the East-Central Orchestras. In 1972, with the decline in enrollment, Mr. Labella directed the West Campus Orchestra, as well as the combined East and Central Orchestras.
                After Mr. Peter Labella’s retirement the orchestra’s History is very vague. Mr. Ivy Foster directed the orchestra for two years at West. Julie Ashcraft and another woman whose name cannot be found directed the District Orchestra during the 80’s and early 90’s. Julie directed the orchestra from 1992-1995. Kevin Carroll, West band director (1993-present) directed the district orchestra from 1995-2000.
                In the fall of 2000, Mrs. Pamela (Burd) Breuning was hired as full time Orchestra director. Pamela grew up in Joliet, and attended Farragut Grade School, Hufford Jr. High, and is a Joliet West alumnus. Her grandfather, Mr. Fred Hann taught Electrical Shop at Joliet Central Form the 20’s to the 40’s. Her mother Roberta Mae Hann (Burd) also attended Joliet Central and is a 1946 graduate. Pamela is in her fifth year of teaching in the Joliet Township School district, and is proud to be carrying on the rich tradition of music in Joliet.