Behind the Scenes of Alton School District's Music Program

ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 has a prestigious music program. Band Director Matt Chesner and Orchestra Director Laura Plummer share more about the work behind the scenes.

Students begin playing instruments in fourth grade and can continue throughout high school. Chesner and Plummer agree that while the students and the administrators have been a major help, it’s the community’s support that keeps the program running.

“This is my first year in the area, and one of the really wonderful things to be a part of is the supportive community in Alton,” Chesner said. “Alton really cares about the success of students who are participating in music ensembles and in drama and in arts and other ways to perform.”

Plummer echoed this, adding that Alton is “just a really great community for the arts and music” with several opportunities beyond the school district, including the Alton Muny Band, the Alton Symphony and others. But a lot of this starts in the elementary schools, with teachers who encourage students to love music and learn how to make their own.

“Our district has always been very supportive,” Plummer explained. “Elaine Kane, the current superintendent, and the previous superintendent Kristie Baumgartner, they're adamant about the students having a quality music education. And it starts with our elementary teachers. They are fabulous. Our general music teachers set that foundation for us to build upon. We're really blessed.”

Students begin playing instruments through the district’s music program. Plummer and Abigail Knoche oversee the elementary orchestra program. Ken King teaches elementary band and assists with Alton Middle School band. Chris Jarden teaches elementary band and teaches Alton Middle School band. Chuck Willard is the high school assistant band director and percussion instructor and assists with middle school band. Sally Pierce teaches elementary orchestra and directs AMS 7th and 8th grade orchestras.

Plummer noted that this year’s freshmen were in fourth grade during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and she commended the team for helping these students learn and develop a passion for music under challenging circumstances.

As the students learn more, they eventually graduate into the middle and high school programs, which are much more intensive. At Alton High School, students can participate in jazz band, Marching 100, symphonic band, wind symphony and more, while the orchestra program offers chamber, concert, pit orchestra and symphonic opportunities.

Plummer and Chesner noted that the students are engaged and committed. They put in hours of practice every week, and their performances are top-notch. The music program gets busier with performances and end-of-year contests during the springtime, but this is where the students and directors thrive.

“It's busy and it's fun, and the kids are incredibly dedicated,” Plummer said. “They're just wonderful kids in band and orchestra. When they get to the high school, they're dedicated. They make the time.”

Additionally, the students often find opportunities outside of school to flex their skills. Chesner shared that there are “a lot of really capable players” who are accepted into different community or collegiate honor bands, which is encouraging for them and also inspires the students to do more with their music.

“It’s really exciting to see kids who are not only involved in music at the school, but taking their skills off campus and putting them into practice in other ways,” he said. “Hopefully, they’re going to take those experiences and those inspirations back here to Alton and get other kids excited about performing at a high level and hopefully inspire some of them to also participate in these things outside of school.”

With several upcoming performances, Plummer and Chesner can’t wait to share their students’ work with the community. The “Stringsation! District Orchestra Festival” is planned for 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Alton High School, followed by the “Jazz on a Spring Evening” concert at 7 p.m. on April 2 at Alton Middle School and several other performances before the end of the school year.

For a full calendar of events at Alton School District, click here. To learn more about the music program and how to support it, visit the official Alton Band and Orchestra Builders website at ABOB.net.

Chesner and Plummer added that any student in the Alton School District can join the music program, and they hope more kids consider taking up an instrument.

“It’s never too late,” Chesner said. “If you’re in high school and you’ve never played an instrument, we would still love to have you and we would like to figure out a way for you to get involved.”

This Featured Article is sponsored by Alton Community Unit School District #11. To get your business or organization featured on www.Riverbender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.

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