As construction and the dawn of a new school dwells on Galena High School, there’s one department that’s also looking to rebuild their environment: the Band. This school year, Ms. Alyssa Smith, a former director at Shullsburg, has taken the podium as Galena’s new band director, leading the high school ensemble through turbulent construction, endless transportation, and a new backdrop for rehearsals.
For Ms. Smith, her passion for music wasn’t immediate: “I did not care about music whatsoever until my junior year of high school.” Then, as an upperclassman, she decided to give ILMEA a try.
Within a couple of weeks, the prospect of making it to its All-State Festival enveloped her completely. “It’s like I dropped everything else completely and focused only on music,” she explained, describing her journey to strive for perfection through multiple arduous practice sessions and even more meticulous auditions. The image of music still carries her on nowadays, long after she performed in Peoria for thousands at the festival. “Band was such an important part of my life that I couldn’t imagine my life without it.”
As a Clarinetist in the Sterling Municipal Band and Loras College instrumental ensembles, it was hard for her not to know about Galena. When describing how she came here to teach, she explained, “I grew up in Savannah, so I always knew it existed. In fact, I actually had about ten people email me or call or text me the day this job opened.” Therefore, the idea of teaching at a completely new school with a different set of students didn’t feel that intimidating for her, who has spent her entire life residing in the Midwest.
Both new and returning Band students, who have been rehearsing in the Middle School Gyms, have shown amiability to Ms. Smith. “She respects the old music that we used to play with Mr. Suau,” Andy Issleb ‘28 explains regarding the old director, “while introducing new stuff.”
One of Ms. Smith’s overwhelming goals once she became accustomed to her new band setting was to optimize rehearsals and assemble the storage rooms. Many students appreciated this; in the words of Luna Pham ‘27, “She’s so organized. She listens to a lot of recommendations and she’s very welcoming to new ideas.”
Quickly into her tenure, Ms. Smith has already set big and small goals for the band coming into the new school year, where she will champion a tight-knit group of students with only two graduating seniors.
“I look forward to getting to know you guys,” she commented. “I want to be able to joke around and know your personalities.” However, having fun only comes after the work is done and success is achieved. The GHS Band has been hard at work, ready to perform at future pep rallies, parades, and football games under her control and directing style.
As they continue to grow under her guidance, it’s clear that her extensive presence in and out of school grounds will help prepare the band for a successful debut season with a new director in a time of adaptation. Her early marks have already been made clear: “Ms. Smith makes us lock in,” Liliana Asta ‘26 said. “She makes sure to teach everyone efficiently.”
