News and Events Archive - 2013

2012-13 Centennial Scholarships

We are pleased to announce the 2012-13 recipients of the Centennial Scholarships. They are: 1) JT Central band senior Anna Beamsley and 2) JT West band senior Emily Pearson. Congratulations to Emily and Anna!!!

Bruce Houseknecht

Unified JT band triumphed at ’64 World’s Fair

The Joliet Township High School Band played the “1812 Overture,” a masterpiece with its desperate plea, its heralding bells, its lightning-flash fanfare, its volcanic breakthrough cannonade, its banner of final vindication.

This was it: the 1964 New York World’s Fair, the last major event in the history of the unified band.

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The JTHS band marches in Washington, D.C., in the 1953 inaugural parade of President Eisenhower. | COURTESY OF JOLIET AREA HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Presidential Salute in 1953
Joliet was named the best band at
Eisenhower's inaugural parade 

President Dwight D. Eisenhower returned a salute from Bruce Houseknecht as the young director led the Joliet Township High School Band in the 1953 inaugural parade in Washington 60 years ago this week.

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Bruce Hilbert Houseknecht

Houseknecht continued Joliet Township's  winning tradition 

Bruce Houseknecht led the Joliet Township High School Band to a state title in 1949, winning the Illinois Music Sweepstakes, with 26 of 31 soloists and ensembles achieving superior first ratings.

The band was named state champion in the Class A and AA groups, in the April contest at downstate Pekin...

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