SXU Band Director Named to Yamaha Educator Suite's "40 Under 40"
Saint Xavier University (SXU) music alum and band director Justin Antos '08, Ph.D., has been named to the Yamaha Educator Suite’s "40 Under 40" – Celebrating Excellence in Music Education list. Launched last year, the music advocacy program celebrates and recognizes outstanding music educators who are making a difference by growing and strengthening their music programs. This year, Yamaha is celebrating the 2022 group of remarkable educators who triumphed before and during the pandemic to keep their programs thriving.
To be named to the list, educators must showcase action, courage, creativity and growth. Hundreds of nominations were received from students, parents, other teachers and administrators, local instrument dealers, and more. Those named to the list have gone above and beyond to elevate music and music-making in their students' lives.
"This designation means so much to me. I've consulted the Yamaha Educator Suite countless times over the course of my career, and to be recognized by this group is incredibly humbling. The music education division at Yamaha is comprised of so many gifted music educators; I am just thrilled to be in their company!" said Antos.
Antos currently serves band director at Dwight D. Eisenhower High School and at Saint Xavier. He is also an adjunct professor of music at Trinity Christian College. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Antos was able to grow his music program by building morale and establishing a culture of respect and encouragement. He is committed to engaging with his students and providing them a safe and familial environment in his music classes.
"The biggest challenge I faced at SXU in the wake of the pandemic was rebuilding the band program. I aim to create a sense of family and belonging and focus on the joys of collaborative music-making in rehearsal. I am trying to rebrand the band's image as the 'Pride of the South Side,' where each of our members is viewed as an asset and their differences celebrated," said Antos.
"I have also booked our group to perform at various events around the community to showcase their talents to larger groups of individuals. So far, the work has seemed to pay off; my first wind ensemble rehearsal in August had 23 members in attendance. Our last concert at the end of February had close to 60 members with over 200 guests packed in our Music Performance Space. For those who need to hear it, SXU Music is where it's at, and we are just getting started!" added Antos.
Antos advocates for music even outside of the classroom, donating the honorarium he received as a top 10 finalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award in 2021 to the music therapy department at Advocate Children’s Hospital of Oak Lawn.