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Don Caneva

Don "Evil" Caneva

JHHS Director of Bands 1968 - 1978

Donald Caneva was dedicated to music as both a director and an educator. He taught music at every school level from elementary through college. With a musical background of being a third generation band director, Don received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from DePaul University and Master of Arts degree from the University of Hawaii. He also took advanced studies at the University of Illinois, Western Illinois University, and Northern Illinois University.

After teaching in Lockport, Illinois for twelve years, Don organized the band program at the new John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. During his 10-year tenure as the Director of Bands, the Hersey Bands were privileged to perform with some of the "giants" in the music field, including the following:

Under Don's direction, the band also performed at numerous prestigious events which included "The Tournament of Roses Parade" - Pasadena California, "The Cotton Bowl Parade" - Dallas, Texas, "The Orange Bowl Parade" - Miami, Florida, and "The College All-Star Game"- Chicago, Illinois. The Hersey Symphonic Winds' concert performances included: "The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic" - Chicago, Illinois, "The Mideast Instrumental Music Conference" - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, "The Northwest Band Clinic" - Moorhead, Minnesota (3 times), and "The American Bandmasters Association Convention" - Evanston, Illinois.

In 1976, at the age of 39, Don was one of the youngest band directors to be elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. He also served as a chairman of the ABA Foundation which funds worthy causes in the field of music education, and served on the International Relations Committee and the Enrichment Committee.

In 1978, Don left teaching to become band music editor for the Kjos Music Publishing Co. of San Diego, California.

In 1979 he founded and was president of "World of Music" Festivals, which for many years held music festivals for junior and senior high school bands, orchestras, and choirs throughout the United States.

Don Caneva directing the CCC Band, March 2008

In 1988, Don was appointed conductor of the Coastal Communities Concert Band. For almost 20 years, he was the driving force behind the success and growth of the band. Highlights included:

In 1999, Don was appointed to the Board of Directors of the John Philip Sousa Foundation and named chairman of the Sudler Silver Scroll Committee. He also served as Artistic Director for the newly formed World Music Showcase in Switzerland.

Don was a guest conductor and clinician for many of the leading military and university bands across the country, including the U.S. Army Field Band, the Marine Corps Band, the Air Force Band, and the Navy Band in Washington DC on several occasions.

The Hersey Symphonic Band was invited to perform at the 61st Annual Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in December, 2007 where Don was a guest conductor at this performance. This was the first time since 1971 he conducted the Hersey Band at this clinic.

Don's articles have been published in The School Musician, The Instrumentalist, Accent, Music Teacher's Workshop, The Getzen Gazette, and Bandworld Magazine.

Don Caneva is one of the few band directors to have received the Sudler recognition for both his high school band and the community band. The Hersey Band program was placed on the list of the Sousa Foundation's "Roll of Honor of Historic High School Concert Bands." And the CCCBand received the Sudler Silver Scroll Award of the John Philip Sousa Foundation.

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Bob Rogers

Bob "Buck" Rogers

JHHS Assistant Director 1970 - 1973

Bob Rogers always knew as a kid that he wanted to be a teacher. He always liked helping others to accomplish more and improve whatever they were doing. It was not until he was a junior in high school that he decided on music education for his career.

Bob attended a small state school in Illinois where he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees. He certainly had no idea at the time what his first school was going to be like as a band director.

In looking back to the first summer band camp at John Hersey H.S. and getting to know the infamous Don Caneva, Bob felt his whole life suddenly changed overnight.

Bob's first concert as a newly minted H.S. band director was to prepare his concert band to perform for Mr. Pops, Mr. Arthur Fiedler. This was followed by having the Hersey Jazz Band perform at the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic where the band played the "late show" which started at 11:30 p.m. and ended around 1:00 a.m. with a full house of fellow band directors still in attendance.

After learning many of the successful work habits from Mr. Caneva, or 'Evil,' Mr. Rogers or 'Buck' became the Director of Bands at the 8th high school in District 214, Buffalo Grove H.S. There he established almost a blueprint program from his 3 years at Hersey. The band had the honor of playing for President Gerald Ford and two sold out Pops Concerts with Mr. Peter Nero, the fine pianist and conductor. Mr. Nero stated that the band was one of the top 10 "orchestras" he had ever had the pleasure of working with during his career.

After 4 years at Buffalo Grove H.S., Bob went on to complete his teaching career at Wheaton Warrenville H.S. Being the 4th band director in 5 years, he was finally able to turn the program around and make it a very respectable band. It was time to move on because he had taught for 10 years and always thought that's what "tenure" meant. All kidding aside, it was a fabulous career.

Then came another opportunity to work with Don Caneva in the travel business environment at ABC' a venture called, "Wide World of Music." As Don would kiddingly say, "I will take California and you will be responsible for everything east of California." He wasn't kidding.

Again Bob learned a lot under Don's tutelage working on this venture during this short-lived year. Don would then start his own music festival company, "World of Music Festivals." The following year Bob began Bob Rogers Travel (BRT).

Today BRT is celebrating its 25th successful year of providing "personal service, second to none," setting up all of the travel and performance arrangements for music groups. BRT has been voted as one of the "top travel companies" in the country several times.

Bob is very PROUD to say that both his daughter, Tami, and son, Todd, work side by side in continuing the excellent tradition of providing outstanding service and building relationships with all of their clients. Tami and Todd deserve a lot of the credit today for all of their dedication to growing the business.

Bob's true joy in life now is watching his two beautiful grandchildren, Isabella and Gabriella, grow up. They are still both at that young age as toddlers where they are a lot of fun to be around. He considers himself more their "playmate" than their Papa.

Bob has the freedom to seek his favorite pastime, flying his Beechcraft Bonanza airplane. A few years back he flew to California and surprised Mr. Caneva. Both Don and Bob also share a mutual interest in LGB trains. Bob is in the midst of creating a truly "one of a kind" train layout.

Mr. Rogers has certainly enjoyed both of his careers. He would be remiss if he didn't take a moment to thank Don Caneva for a lot of the success be has enjoyed. There is only one Don Caneva in the "World of music" and Bob is very appreciative of all of the ideas, especially "dedication to a job well done," that Don taught him. Don is a remarkable person who never lets anything stand in his way. Don might have slowed down a little since their Hersey days together, but he has more determination, drive and persistence than anyone out there.

Bob has been fortunate to have been able to call Don Caneva both "friend" and "mentor" and to this degree he is thankful that fate brought the two of them together in June of 1970.

Finally, Bob certainly has praise for all of the students he was fortunate to work with in the Hersey Band between the years 1970-1973. Many fond memories linger today of students who never knew when to quit. Thanks, too, for providing his first victory as a new band director at the University of Illinois Marching Band Contest. Bob will always be grateful for the opportunity he enjoyed with so many wonderful people during those early years. "GEEVUM!!!"

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Jim Rich

Jim Rich

JHHS Assistant Director 1974 - 1977

JHHS Director of Bands 1978 - 1981

Jim was born into a musical family. His mother and father were Vaudeville entertainers performing throughout the world with their marimba and tap dancing act. Jim joined the act at the age of 7 by accompanying his parents on a snare drum and dancing with his dad.

Jim was home schooled and earned a high school diploma while on the road. Applying to both Julliard School of Music in New York and Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, Jim chose Northwestern to earn his bachelor's and master's degree in Music Education, graduating in 1972.

Before graduation, his student teaching requirements brought him to John Hersey High School that had recently opened in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The band was being directed by another percussionist, Donald Caneva, who quickly became a friend and mentor to Jim after Don recommended him for a part-time teaching position with the band program in 1973. Jim also was married that same year to a 1972 graduate of the band program, Jan Poe. A full time position opened up the following year for Jim to become the assistant band director and after Don retired in 1977, Jim assumed the responsibilities of Director of Bands.

After retiring from the band program and teaching in 1981, Jim and his wife, Jan, started their own business importing and roasting coffee. Today, Jim is retired, having sold the business in 2001 and spends his spare time boating and playing piano. Music will always be a part of his life.

For more information on Jim's life, his mother has written a book titled "No Hells or Damns Allowed" ISBN #1-4010-3648-1.

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Ray Zubler

Ray Zubler

JHHS Assistant Director 1978 - 1980

JHHS Director of Bands 1981 - 1982

After graduating from Hersey in the summer of 1972, Ray went directly to Arizona State University, where he received his degree in Music. In 1976, he attended the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana IL to complete his M.S. in Music Education. The coursework provided Ray with a specialty in computer education which would come in very handy later in his career.

In 1978, Ray joined Hersey as Assistant Director of Bands. He also was part of the District 214 staff as a Computer Education Specialist. One memorable moment from those years was the performance of Doc Severinsen when the Concert Band took quite an "aggressive" tempo for La Macarena in the Pops Concert (listen to the record if you have it!). After two years as assistant, the assistant director position was assigned to a drastically reduced class load, so Ray left for the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO to spend a year focusing on applied music for saxophone and bassoon as well as a conducting specialty.

Upon the departure of Jim Rich, Ray returned to Hersey as Director of Bands during the summer of 1981. One memorable moment was the performance of some "contemporary" band music by the Hersey Band at the District Festival. After all the years of hearing Sousa and the usual band standards, the audience was not quite sure of what to make of that music! The other memorable moment was competing at Don Caneva's "World of Music" Festival in Nashville, Tennessee (one of two "major" trips that year!) To come away with the overall award there was a real thrill.

After two years as Director of Bands, the merging of the District 214 schools was about to become a reality and the Hersey Band would be no more. Being the band director with the lowest in seniority in the district, the merger was also a career issue. It was also clear from the merger that this would mean the end of the high-stepping Hersey traditions and a shift to a dreaded Drum and Bugle Corps emphasis. The opportunity to shift into computer technology became very appealing, so Ray left Hersey to return to the University of Illinois to pursue a PhD in computer applications in education through the School of Music.

After completing his coursework at the University of Illinois, publishing a few dozen software programs and continuing to play semi-professionally in regional orchestras and jazz bands, Ray married his wife, Barbara (Barbara was a U of I student teacher at Wheeling H.S.), Ray returned to Arizona to work for a leading publisher of computer training materials. Ray currently works as a Sr. Analyst for Avnet, Inc. (AVT) in Global Information Services. A real bonus is that Avnet has its own Jazz Band, the Avtones, where Ray is now the director and lead alto.

Ray lives in Gilbert, Arizona with his wife, Barbara and his two twin daughters. Ray can always be reached at rez@bigfoot.com.

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