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Report: Chris Izzo

A Half-Century Later, Band Director Still Inspiring Students

In the 1960s, La Salle (Illinios) Peru Township High School touted a powerhouse marching band under director Christopher Izzo, who ran the school's music department from 1960-1970. On October 15-16, 2010, a number of alumni from those groups came together for a reunion to honor Mr. Izzo and celebrate the band's 50th anniversary.In the 1960s, La Salle (Illinios) Peru Township High School touted a powerhouse marching band under director Christopher Izzo, who ran the school's music department from 1960-1970. On October 15-16, 2010, a number of alumni from those groups came together for a reunion to honor Mr. Izzo and celebrate the band's 50th anniversary.

At the festivities, 45 former band members, now mostly in their 60s, marched and played with the current LP High School band during the halftime of that week's Friday evening football game, and 65 people attended the formal dinner Saturday evening with guest of honor, Chris Izzo. Former colleagues of Izzo's, including assistant band director Melvin Pontious and middle school director Ruth Moyle, were also in attendance. Alumni had an opportunity to share memories of their involvement in the band program through scrapbooks and a DVD of select performances from that decade, which, the alumni agreed, had a major impact on their development and future life choices. Respect for self and others, self discipline, promptness, and appreciation for many kinds of music were a few of the qualities mentioned.