Bolingbrook High School Unveils Sound Shell

Bolingbrook High School celebrated “a new standard of excellence” for the community and students when the much-anticipated acoustic sound shell was unveiled in the BHS auditorium Wednesday night.

“With your support, the ‘outlandish’ dream we had for our students has become a reality,” said BHS Music Boosters President Diane Parro who lead the six-month drive to raise $120,000 to purchase and install the shell. “Our students are going places. These students deserve the best, and thanks to the generous donations by those of you in our audience, and the support of our school board, senior leadership and administration, we are able to give them the best.”

“This sound shell represents the renewed commitment to our music and theatre programs and the very talented students who, over the years, have graced this auditorium with their performances,” said VVSD Superintendent Dr. James Mitchem. “I am sure this sound shell will support many memorable performances for years to come.”

A year ago, the large wooden structure which will significantly improve the sound experience in the auditorium for both the audience and the performers, was merely a dream in the minds of BHS Director of Bands Aimee Rupsis and her husband, Carl, who serves as auditorium manager.

“When I found out the price, I thought that was a lot of money. I knew other schools have raised this kind of money before and I believed we could do it too. I just thought it might take a while,” she said. “Well not OUR school and not OUR community. We did it in less than one year!”

Parro and Rupsis headed up a committee consisting of community members, parents, alumni, and VVSD staff and administrators.

“Thankfully, they believed this project could be accomplished,” said VVSD Board of Education President Steve Quigley. “It is a testament to the efforts of Diane Parro and Aimee Rupsis as well as the community.”

“Everything we do as teachers should be about education for our students. This sound shell project is no different. Not only will our students’ music education improve as a result, but they will also learn from this project because there were many, like me, who thought it was possible but would take a long time,” Rupsis said. “Students will take pride in this success and this auditorium for generations to come.”

As part of the unveiling, the BHS Wind Symphony performed “A Copeland Portrait” and the Sunrise Singers performed “Ave Verum.” Then both groups combined to present the debut of the Bolingbrook High School Alma Mater, which was composed by BHS Director of Choirs Lawrence Fisher and written by BHS Class of 2011 graduate Kevin Nepomuceno. BHS Class of 2013 graduate Shane Cook assisted with orchestrations.

"An Alma Mater differs from a fight song in that it is generally a slower tempo and uses a text that speaks fondly about the school and affirms devotion towards the school,” Fisher said. “I hope this Alma Mater becomes a new Bolingbrook High School tradition and something that will speak to generations to come.”

Included in the ceremonies was the unveiling of a new patron board in the auditorium lobby indicating the donors who played a significant role in the fundraising efforts.