In the halls of Galesburg High School, the sound of music isn’t just background noise—it’s a signal that something enduring, inclusive, and deeply valued is alive and well.

And at the heart of that sound are Dena Baity and Kyle Barshinger, two of four directors shaping what has become one of the most respected public school music programs in the region. Their passion, teamwork, and strategic vision continue to write the next chapter of a story that began more than a century ago.

“The Galesburg band program traces back to 1906,” says Dena. “It’s more than tradition at this point. It’s identity.”

Dena, the Director of Bands, and Kyle, the Associate Director of Bands, work primarily at the high school level but collaborate closely with two other assistant directors who lead fifth through eighth-grade ensembles. This unique, team-based approach allows the program to maintain personalized support even with large class sizes.

“Our kids benefit from a low adult-to-student ratio,” Kyle says. “There’s always someone available to give attention, even when we’re working with 80 students at once.”

But for all its scale, the Galesburg band program is, at its heart, about connection.

“Music is everywhere,” Dena says. “It’s in our stores, our homes, our movies. But when kids actually make music—when they’re part of it—they understand it differently. It becomes personal.”

And the Galesburg community understands that.

“The support is incredible,” Kyle says. “People here donate, volunteer, show up. They were once in these bands, or they remember watching them. The legacy matters.”

For Dena, stepping into the head role came with its own kind of pressure. “There’s a strong lineage of band directors here,” she says. “I was fortunate to spend two years in the assistant role first, which helped ease the transition. And I still reach out to my predecessors for guidance. They’re in my corner.”

That mix of legacy and progress is what makes the program work so well. “We’re not trying to recreate the past,” she says. “We’re building on it.”

Kyle’s story offers its own kind of full-circle arc. A 2008 Galesburg graduate, he joined the program in 2014 before being laid off due to budget cuts. He spent five years at Monmouth-Roseville, where he deepened his craft, then returned to Galesburg to focus more narrowly on his passions: percussion, musical theatre, and the kind of individualized mentorship that transforms students’ lives.

“It’s not just about music,” he says. “It’s about time management, collaboration, perseverance. Music demands that you listen—to yourself and to others.”

And it builds confidence in unique ways. “Every kid is bad at music at first,” Dena says. “That’s what makes it special. There’s no instant gratification. It teaches grit.”

That grit shows up in unexpected places.

“Our kids are multitaskers,” Kyle says. “They’re in band, choir, theater, sports, student council. They’re everywhere. And they manage it all. If you want something done—ask a band kid.”

Their parents, too, play a pivotal role. From sorting letterman patches to managing uniform fittings, from fundraising to van rides between swim meets and band competitions, the families behind these students go all in.

“This year,” Kyle says, “we had a student perform in St. Louis at 7:45 AM, then race back to Galesburg to win two swim events. That doesn’t happen without family buy-in.”

Ultimately, Dena and Kyle believe that music makes better humans. Whether students pursue careers in performance or never pick up an instrument again, the lessons remain.

“It’s about showing up. Playing your part. Listening. Caring,” Dena says. “There’s magic in that.”

And in Galesburg, that magic is more than tradition.

It’s a promise kept—note by note, year after year.