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CHAPTER V - Illinois In 1937, Clarence Sawhill became the director of the Urbana, Illinois High School Band and Orchestra. In addition, he was in charge of teaching and supervising the elementary and junior school music classes in the Urbana Schools. The position also traditionally carried part-time responsibilities at the University of Illinois where Sawhill would be the Assistant Director under A. A. Harding. His duties at the University included helping Harding with the marching band, assisting and playing in the concert band, and directing the two sections of the Second Regimental Band. Harding had originally offered the position to Russell Howland, but poor health forced him to decline the offer for the position. Howland recommended Sawhill. Howland had been a woodwind instructor at the University of Kansas in Lawrence and had observed Sawhill's work in 1936. A. A. Harding was well aware of Sawhill's skills through their association at the Mid-Western Band Camp at the University of Kansas during the summer of 1936. He also judged the Liberty Memorial Band the following spring of 1937. The University of Illinois Band Program, recognized in the late thirties to be one of the outstanding programs in the country. The top group, the Concert Band, was a large symphonic band of 110 members, was directed by A. A. Harding. The First Regimental Band, which was in nature a second band, was directed by Mark Hindsley, and the Second Regimental Band was comprised of students unable to make the other two units. The Football Band, also headed up by Harding, was basically comprised of students from the concert band. Sawhill was well aware also of the scope of the Illinois program and realized the potential of being in such a position. The opportunity to work with Harding would give him an opportunity to direct and play a wealth of band literature. The program was noted not only for the band, but Illinois also hosted the annual National Band Clinic, which was the focal point for school directors in the Mid-west. Sawhill stated "this was the greatest opportunity of my life." In his first year (1937-1938), the Urbana High School Band attended the National Band Contest in Elkhart, Indiana. The band was awarded a first division. Their program included “Les Prelude" by Liszt, "Beatrice and Benedict" by Berlioz, the required number for the 1938 contest in Class A, and the "Dunedin March" by Kenneth Alford. In addition, Sawhill and the Urbana High School Band performed for the National Band Clinic held at the University of Illinois in January 1938. Sawhill's second year (1938-1939), saw his duties expanded to include low brass instruction, at Illinois, along with his work at Urbana High School. His popularity as a teacher increased with the students along with his additional responsibilities. These additional duties along with the expanding program at Urbana led Sawhill to a full-time position at the University. He received this designation at the beginning of the school year, 1939-1940. His added teaching responsibilities included instrumental method courses, conducting and directing the men's glee club. Sawhill became very popular also with the students at the University of Illinois. Ralph Fioretine, a student
in music education during this time stated, “We all soon learned that we
could go to Mr. Sawhill and receive the most sympathetic and personal
interest in our problems. We all began to notice a higher morale among the
band members than I ever noticed before he (Sawhill) arrived.” Starr adds,
"He was so adept at making you feel comfortable...we all were amazed at how
he could bring out the best in us.” Photo:
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