Maine South High School band director honored as 'CMA Teacher of Excellence' winner

PARK RIDGE, Ill. (WLS) -- Maine South High School's band director is now a "CMA Teacher of Excellence" winner.

His work to make music education more inclusive for students of all abilities is making Chicago Proud.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Main South High School band director David Hutter is definitely striking the right cord when it comes to inspiring his students and making music accessible to everyone. It's why he was given a special award by the CMA Foundation.

The Maine South Wind Ensemble has been fine tuning the selection it will play Saturday at the University of Illinois. Members were invited to perform as part of the Superstate Festival in Champaign.

The musicians are finding their focus, especially after watching their teacher, Mr. Hutter, get surprised during class with the announcement that he won the CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence award.

Hutter was selected as one of 30 educators across the nation who are being celebrated for their extraordinary contributions to music education. Each honoree receives a stipend of $5,000.

SEE | Oswego High School band instructor wins CMA Music Teachers of Excellence award

Hutter says there's so much for his students to learn from music.

"They can learn so much about life and growing up and being part of a team. learning how to express themselves without words -6:31

Christian Hassman is a senior and says he plans to take a page out of Hutter's book and study music education in college.

"He's really good at working with teenagers, in the way that we're not professionals, but he knows what we can do," Hassman said.

Teralyn Keith is the chair of the fine arts department at Maine South and says she couldn't think of a better recipient.

"Dave is somebody who is always thinking of others," Keith said. "He is always using his band platform to support anything and everything that goes on in the building."

Hutter helped launch the Maine South Unified Drumline, which brings together band members and students with special needs to create an inclusive band, which performs at football games.

"They get to play in front of the whole crowd with the band accompanying them and they wear the same band shirt that we have with Unified Drumline on the back," Hutter said.

Hutter says he already has plans to use part of his stipend to buy more equipment for the band room.