By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews
Sometimes we cross paths only briefly with memorable people.
Other times, certain individuals remain in our small circle of acquaintances indefinitely.
Andrea (Miller) Bennett met Michael Stevens shortly after her family and Stevens relocated to Mahomet.
That was the summer of 1993. They arrived from separate parts of the state.
Sometimes, those special people remain in our association for decades. In this case, music brought them together, and has kept them together.
Stevens is retiring at the end of the school year after 33 years with Mahomet-Seymour’s award-winning high school band and Marching Band. Bennett is also still a part of the M-S music scene, but will be stepping aside soon as well.
They could just as easily have never been linked together.
While living in the St. Louis area, Bennett said, “I played clarinet at my previous junior high school, but I did not love band at that school.”
She didn’t see any reason to continue at her new school, when she enrolled at M-S as an eighth-grader.
“I just dropped band when I moved to Mahomet,” Bennett said.
As Stevens was getting acquainted with all of the students he’d be working with from fifth-grade through the high school seniors in 1993-94, he had a chance meeting with Bennett.
“I actually first met him at church (Mahomet Christian), and I remember having a conversation with him,” Bennett said, “and he encouraged me to rejoin (band).”
Her previous experience kept her from accepting the offer.
“I ignored that advice for my eighth-grade year,” she said.
A year later, Bennett was in high school. Stevens was about 15 months away from accompanying the M-S band on his first major out-of-state trip, to the Rose Bowl Parade, in Pasadena, Cal.
“At that time, the band needed to be a certain percentage of brass instruments to be in the Rose Bowl parade, so they were recruiting students from choir who were willing to play a brass instrument,” Bennett recalled.
“I already knew how to read music, so I joined band halfway through my freshman year and learned to play the baritone.”
That was an “aha” moment that she looks back on as one of her best-ever decisions.
“It was life-changing for me,” Bennett said. “It gave me a group to belong to, friendships that have lasted a lifetime, and so many wonderful memories.
“Marching Band was a highlight of my high school years.”
As a high school sophomore, she got to march in the 107th Rose Bowl parade on Jan. 1, 1996.
Stevens was the role model who helped influence Bennett’s career path. She is now the seventh-grade language arts instructor at Mahomet-Seymour Junior High.
“As a fellow educator, I can see how a teacher can play a pivotal role in the lives of the students we are in contact with,” Bennett said. “A teacher can really change lives for the better and there is no doubt that Mr. Stevens has changed countless lives.
“He was an excellent teacher and mentor for all of us.”
Seven years ago, Bennett renewed her association with the Marching Band, as well as with Stevens. Her children were involved.
The upclose and behind-the-scenes view she has had as COVID-19 came and left only served to confirm the impressions she first made as a teen-ager.
“For the past seven years, I have had the privilege of working closely with him as my three sons have gone through the program,” Bennett said. “I had the task of being the uniform mom.
“Therefore, I have been to many rehearsals, competitions, retreats and band trips with him. His dedication to the students never waivers.
“He has a passion for teaching students not only music, but also other important life skills such as discipline, leadership, being dependable and how to work together to accomplish greatness.
“His impact as a teacher, musician, colleague, and friend is unmatched. I have been able to see the program continue to flourish under his leadership.”
Bennett’s twins, Titus and Levi Avery, will graduate next May. Titus plays the tuba and Levi plays percussion in the front ensemble. Her oldest son, Josiah Avery, played percussion in the front ensemble before graduating in 2023.
The departure of her twins will end Andrea Bennett’s second tour of duty with the M-S Marching Band and provide the perfect bookend to what started when Stevens arrived 33 years ago.
Bennett was not only part of the first group of students that Stevens took to a Bowl game, but also part of the entourage for his last major trip. She was a parental chaperone for the December, 2023 Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
“It has been truly special to have been among Mr. Stevens’s first set of students, and then to have my own children be among his final group of students,” Bennett said. “I have heard the famous ‘journey’ speech more times than I can count over the years, but the message of treating each moment with purpose and determination to do your best will be one I can look back on with fondness.”
Stevens’ emphasis for decades has been on preparing to be the best.
“We try to play musically with passion and heart whether it’s a beautiful ballad or an aggressive piece,” Stevens said. “We talk about the journey.
“What did you do to get here? How did you grow? Respect each other, the person you’re performing with and against.
“I’m big into motivating the kids. Half of the job is to keep them working hard and hope that life lessons will carry on the rest of their life.
“Don’t take the easy way out.”
‘I am their Mr. Stevens’
The success of the band and Marching Band is undeniable and easily quantified by the results of competitions throughout the decades.
Those metrics tell only a portion of the story about the person in charge. For Stevens, ‘wins’ are not just what the score sheets show late on a fall Saturday afternoon.
Stevens elaborated: “I’ll be somewhere, at a restaurant maybe, and a former student or parent will talk about the impact I made on them,” he said. “That means more than anything else.
“You hope you have shaped lives to make them better adults.”
Ian Marcusiu said his former band teacher was responsible for how his life transpired after high school.
“I am where I am today because of the impact that Michael Stevens had on me (from fifth grade through senior year),” Marcusiu said. “Mr. Stevens had a significant role in shaping me as a musician and a human. He helped me grow from a 10-year-old beginning trumpet player into an 18-year-old Marching Band section leader aspiring to be just like my band director.
“Mr. Stevens was a constant in my life for eight years of my childhood, and I, like many others, looked up to him tremendously.
“He was a kind and soft-spoken man. He had a knack for finding the perfect mix of pushing us to be our best in the band room and knowing when we needed a break with a Classic ‘Stevens life story.’ He made us feel like we were more than just a student in a classroom. He made us feel like we mattered and that he truly cared about us. He made us feel safe. He loved us and we loved him.”
Marcusiu also loved the music aspect.
The 2015 M-S graduate studied music education at the University of Illinois, earning his degree in 2019. He is now in his seventh year teaching high school band in Tucson, Ariz.
“I am grateful for the thousands of hours of instruction I received from Mr. Stephens. I am grateful for the laughs we shared together, the awards we won together, the places we traveled together and the music we made together,” Marcusiu said.
“Most of all, I am grateful for the career in music education he inspired me to pursue and for the life he has given me.”
He is now experiencing full-circle moments.
“I went into college hoping I might someday be the “Mr. Stevens inspiration’ for someone else as he was for me,” Marcusiu said.
“Now, seven years into this amazing career, I am proud to say that I have had multiple students tell me I am the reason they have chosen to pursue music education. I am their Mr. Stevens.”
The motivating man
Elizabeth Hanson graduated from Mahomet-Seymour in 2023. Like the vast majority of those in Marching Band, she started working with Stevens while in grade school.
“In sixth-grade, I played oboe in one of his bands,” Hanson said. “For months, I worked to earn first chair, but time after time, I fell just a point or two short.
“For an 11-year-old, that was discouraging, but every defeat inspired me to work even harder.”
She ultimately learned that was the point; at least one of the points.
“Years later, I realized what he was doing,” Hanson said. “He knew I had a natural knack for music and that things might come easily to me, so he let me experience those setbacks early on to teach me the kind of drive it takes to truly become a good, well-rounded musician.
“Eventually, I reached my goal and learned an even greater lesson: natural talent can only take you so far, but hard work takes you much further.
“That lesson has shaped more than just my music. It has influenced everything I do.”
Music, however, remains a prominent part of Hanson’s life. She now teaches private piano and voice to more than 40 students, and is the collaborative pianist for the middle and high school.
She credits Stevens for helping her to flourish in an endeavor she loves.
“Mr. Stevens gave me so many opportunities to grow as a musician,” Hanson said. “In the various ensembles, he let me move between instruments from saxophone in Marching Band, to oboe, and piano in wind ensemble.
“Even though I was a piano player in the jazz band, he always gave me an opportunity to sing with them, too. Those chances to explore different sides of music helped me develop both versatility and confidence.”
Stevens did more than offer verbal encouragement.
“He also wrote me a heartfelt letter of recommendation when I was applying to music school, something I might not have even attempted without the incredible support and encouragement of the music teachers in our district,” Hanson added. “The music programs here are truly outstanding, and I feel so blessed to have been a part of them.”
Stevens, in particular, she said was delightful and helped make the music room the place to be.
“It was genuinely so much fun having Mr. Stevens as a teacher,” Hanson said. “I looked forward to band every single day, especially Marching Band.
“There’s nothing quite like it: 175 people all working together, each with a critical role in bringing the show to life.
“And it’s not just about the music. You work hard. Very hard. There’s the physical challenge, the mental challenge of pushing through when you’re exhausted, and the soreness in your feet from keeping up those famously high Mahomet toes, a tradition that’s been around since Mr. (Dick) Watkins directed the band.
“Then, of course, there’s the focus it takes to use all 10 fingers, your lungs, your brain, everything, to create a beautiful sound. There truly is nothing like Marching Band.”
She cited Stevens’ special knack for creating a welcoming environment in the activity that annually attracts dozens of students.
“One of Mr. Stevens’ greatest strengths is the respect he earns from his students,” Hanson said. “He has an incredible ability to balance work and fun, knowing when to be strict and when to relax.
“He’s no stranger to cracking jokes or making everyone laugh, and that sense of humor made rehearsals something to look forward to. Some teachers struggle to capture their students’ attention, but Mr. Stevens has always done an amazing job of keeping us engaged and motivated.”
He repeatedly demonstrated he wasn’t just doing a job, but was pursuing a keen interest.
“Mr. Stevens has such an obvious passion for music,” Hanson said. “I loved watching him conduct and be completely in the moment during concerts.
“His instruction was always clear and solid. With Mr. Stevens, there was never any guessing. His expectations were always clear, and his musical direction was excellent.
“Musically, he set high standards and gave us the tools and encouragement to meet them.”
It was a formula for success and a key factor in keeping the retention level within the music program at a high level. It’s not the winning, but the experience – known, of course, as the journey – that is so appealing.
“Close to 18 percent of the high school population is in Marching Band,” Hanson said. “That’s not typical for most public schools. Kids here don’t just join band; they genuinely want to be in band.
“It’s an entire community of musicians working together toward something bigger than themselves. Even elementary-aged kids look forward to seeing the band in parades and deciding which cool, shiny instrument they’ll play someday.”
They get hooked early.
“I think the seed is planted in fifth grade,” Hanson added. “From there, you make so many friends in band … why would you ever want to quit?
“Then comes Marching Band, the (yearly) retreat at Allerton Park, the adrenaline rush of winning a Grand Champion trophy after months of hard work in the summer heat and long fall rehearsals with not nearly enough water breaks.
“It’s all worth it: the hours, the focus, the effort.”
Each group develops strong bonds as it becomes a cohesive unit.
“One of Mr. Stevens’ famous speeches at the end of almost every end-of-the-year Marching Band concert is about how much time we all spend together,” Hanson said. “He always says he sees us more than our own families, and honestly, he’s not wrong.
“As cheesy as it sounds, you really do form little families in Marching Band and create such special memories and bonds; ones that I will never forget and that would have never happened had I not joined band.”
Elizabeth Hanson’s experience was paralleled by those of her brother, Isaac Hanson.
Isaac Hanson is a 2024 M-S graduate who is studying jazz performance at the University of Miami. Like others, he credits Stevens with nurturing his interest in music.
“He definitely played an instrumental role in my musical journey,” Isaac Hanson said, “as he was my first band director. It was while I worked with him that I discovered that I wanted to pursue music as a career. He was one of the musical teachers in my life who sparked my excitement and desire to pursue a career in music, which I am incredibly thankful for.”
Besides being an exemplary instructor, Isaac Hanson said another strength of Stevens is how he related with people.
“He is incredibly gifted at connecting with students and developing relationships with them.” Isaac Hanson said. “He was always able to make things fun for the class, despite music being a serious art form.
“He would push all of his students to do their very best, as ‘practice how you perform’ was his motto.”
Part of what impressed Isaac Hanson was Stevens’ demeanor.
“He would never lose his patience with people and always treated everyone with gentleness and respect, which is something I deeply admire,” Isaac Hanson said. “He always wanted to showcase everyone’s unique gift and wanted all of his students to work hard and succeed.
“I am so blessed to have played a small part in his teaching career,”
The rewards
The trophies are tangible proof of the dozens of Mahomet-Seymour victories.
The pictures with the smiling faces are evidence of the many students who contributed to the prolonged success.
The record books confirm the long-term strength of the M-S Marching Band program.
The person in charge, Michael Stevens, is retiring at the end of the school year following a 33-year tenure that was spent entirely in the M-S district.
The highlights –and the memories – are numerous. One thing stands above all else.
“Working with the kids is No. 1,” Stevens said. “I start the kids in fifth grade and see them all the way through (high school).
“They keep me young and that’s what I will miss the most. I love seeing them find success, whether it’s for them personally or as a group.”
The recently completed 2025 Marching Band season continued the tradition.
M-S participated in three competitions (a fourth one was rained out) and earned Grand Champion honors at both Effingham and Naperville Central as well as runner-up laurels in the finale, the Oct. 25 UI Marching Band competition in Champaign. in Champaign.
Of the approximately 60 other high schools the Marching Bulldogs competed against this season, they outscored all but one school. Morton was the Grand Champion at the UI in the annual competition that M-S has won 13 times since 1988.
“They are amazing,” Stevens said.
The same could be said –and has been said—about the veteran M-S band director.
Phil Meyer did his student teaching at M-S in the spring of 2015. Then, he stayed the next six years as the assistant director of bands.
He recognized early what made Stevens—and the M-S band program—stand out.
“As director of bands in Mahomet-Seymour, Michael has had a truly unique position in that he has had a hand in the development of all of the musicians in the program since they began in fifth grade,” Meyer said. “To my knowledge, there is no large marching band program in the state where the director is teaching 10-year-olds how to put on a clarinet reed in the morning, and leading a 150-plus member marching band in the afternoon.
“This is one of the biggest keys to the success of the Marching Bulldogs. He is there at the beginning, he is there through their middle school years teaching sectionals, and of course through the high school years.”
Stevens will tell anyone who will listen, “it’s not a one-man show. The team for years kept it afloat.”
Team is a general term that includes not only his many capable assistants and the eager student performers, but also volunteers and community members.
“In his many years serving as director of bands, Michael has built wonderful relationships with the community and has seen literal generations of students come through his program,” continued Meyer, who now works as the Director of Bands and Music at St. Charles Preparatory School and St. Catharine School, in Columbus, Ohio.
“He holds high standards, and the rapport he has established makes the students want to meet those standards, and makes the community want to be a part of the continued success of the program.
“Michael will be the first to tell you that putting together a marching band show truly takes a village: students, parents, coaches, sponsors, private-lesson teachers, and many more; but that community support stems from the relationships he has built over the last 33 years.”
A Hoosier native
Stevens was raised in Bedford, Ind., a community about 20 miles south of Bloomington.
He started piano lessons as a third-grader and, two years later, picked up the saxophone.
“It was very natural to me,” Stevens said. “As I got into high school (at North Lawrence), I found that to be my passion.”
He accepted a scholarship to Western Illinois University, in Macomb.
“They called it a talent grant,” Stevens said.
As a music major, he occasionally thought about other professions, including pharmacy.
He never seriously considered anything else though.
“I had decent skills, but I knew I wasn’t good enough to play professionally,” Stevens said. “I wanted to teach and thought I could lead and direct a band.”
As a teacher, Stevens learned quickly that not every student starts at the same place nor do they end at the same place. But, there is another universal truth.
They are in band and dedicate hours of their time to the pursuit, because they want to be there and be involved.
For some, it becomes so captivating they choose to continue in music education after high school. For others, there is a desire to pursue other professional fields while still playing their instruments in college.
Stevens works well with members in every group.
Ella Tietz is a 2021 M-S graduate who attends Purdue University, where she is finishing her master’s degree this semester in Civil Engineering, with an emphasis in Hydraulics and Hydrology.
During her first four years on the West Lafayette, Ind. campus, Tietz was in various campus bands, including the Purdue men’s basketball pep band.
“I think the positive experience that Mahomet bands had on me in the eight years I was a part of it definitely made me want to continue playing in college,” Tietz said. “I think that the culture around the band program at Mahomet showed me that band can be a positive addition to your life no matter what direction you are walking in and so I wanted to continue playing.
“I played every semester up until this one and it continued to have a positive impact on my life.”
Though the Marching Bulldog band has developed a reputation as an elite band, Tietz found it welcoming to students of all abilities.
“I think the legacy of the Mahomet band program is that anyone can do band, no matter what type of person you are, or how good or bad you are,” she said. “Everyone is a part of the same unit.
“I think this is a great mindset when it comes to band and probably why folks like me felt confident enough to keep playing in college even if we weren’t a music major. Music can be something in your life no matter what, and I think that’s a great lesson to learn at such a young age.”
Tietz marveled at the tenacity Stevens displayed in working with the numerous musical groups at the high school.
“For those who participated in a lot of ensembles, you could tell how dedicated Mr. Stevens was with how much time he spent travelling with us to competitions,” Tietz said. “When I was in school, I always thought about how much of a time commitment it was for me, but at the end of the day, he had to be there with all of us through all of those late night practices, games and competitions.
“He even came in the mornings to prepare us for our long parade in Arizona. By just being able to show that commitment, you knew he cared about the students.
Next year will start a major adjustment period for Stevens, who will suddenly find more time on his personal calendar.
For part of it, he is ready.
“I won’t miss the weekends and nights, the 11-hour days, the bus rides all over Illinois and Indiana,” he said, “but I will miss spending time with the kids and the rehearsals.”
Thankfully, both he and his former students will have memories to sustain themselves.
Filling a vacancy
At Mahomet-Seymour, Dick Watkins was wrapping up his 20th year as the district’s band director in 1993.
When there was a staff position open, administrators allowed him to sit in on interviews to “ask musical questions,” Watkins said.
The search wasn’t to look for his ultimate replacement – though it worked out that way – but to fill a faculty void.
“While I was director, there were maybe three or four other assistants who came and left,” Watkins said. “It was just an opening.”
“Other people applied and we had two strong candidates. Janet (Watkins, Dick’s wife and then the M-S choir director) and Dick both recommended Stevens.
“We had said if all else was equal, we wanted a woodwind player.”
Watkins was a brass player. Stevens was a woodwind player and the other leading candidate, Jim Tallman (who is retiring at the end of the school year after 33 years at Washington, Ill., High School), was a percussionist.
The M-S administrators didn’t waste time in settling on their top choice. The day before he interviewed at Mahomet, Stevens had interviewed at Watseka.
“They (Watseka officials) offered (a job) before I left,” Stevens said.
It wasn’t surprising. He heard from M-S the day after his interview.
Stevens quickly accepted.
“At Watseka, I would have been the only person (in the department),” he said. “I would have to learn on the fly.
“At Mahomet, I had a mentor teacher to learn from, and that was a big advantage. I would get my experience doing it with someone who had been doing it for a long time.
Stevens’ resume was so impressive that Watkins added to his responsibilities immediately when the 1993-94 school year began.
“He’s a very good jazz player and from Day 1, he took over the jazz band,” Watkins said. “I’d done it for a while, but he came with a boatload of experience. He took it over and did great.”
Watkins and Stevens co-taught for seven years, though Watkins held the title of director.
Looking to the future as one century ended and another one began, Watkins said it was time for Stevens to receive a promotion.
“He was ready to take over and make decisions for the high school band,” Watkins said. “We switched titles (in 2000) so that when I retired (in 2006), there would be zero getting used to a new director.”
Watkins had no qualms about relinquishing control.
“In the classroom, he is a very good technician and very good at teaching,” Watkins said. “Even from Day 1, he had the ability to teach large groups and keep them focused, and the ability for kids to believe in him to the point they know when he is teaching something, it’s something they need to know.
“If you’re at a two-hour rehearsal, there’s very little talking on the field. They respect him and know that he can take them from not knowing a piece of music to a championship group.
“He’s done it year after year.”
It’s not by chance that the Marching Bulldogs annually claim a position of prominence in the competitions they attend.
“If I had a motto, it would have been, ‘we work as hard as it takes to be good,’” Watkins said, “and Michael has done the same thing.”
Maintaining the tradition
As he gradually put his stamp on the Marching Band program, Stevens also recognized there were areas that didn’t need any tweaking.
Stevens had plenty of time to observe not only what was working, but also why it was effective.
“For me, the advantage I had was seven years to learn his system,” Stevens said. “It was seamless when we changed.
“From the kids’ standpoint, very little changed. “I’m doing some things now that Dick did in 1993.
“It’s some of the same basic philosophy, how to march and the emphasis on foot placement.”
There are other factors why the M-S program is perennially among the state’s premier bands.
Watkins said most schools separate their band and chorus programs, “and kids have to choose,” he said.
“We did not want to split the talent, so we put them in the same period, with band on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and with Tuesdays and Thursdays for the full chorus. It allowed kids to be in both.”
Allowing those who are musically inclined to participate in both endeavors elevates the quality of each program.
“We are one of the few schools where the choirs are as good as the Marching Band,” Watkins said. “At almost every school, one program is dominant over the other.”
Stevens embraces another key concept that was put in place during Watkins’ tenure. The entire band program, which starts in fifth grade, is under the same umbrella with the same people in charge.
“I like the current setup,” Stevens said. “If you’re just (the director) in high school, you have no control over the feeder program.
“You have to hope the students are developed by a good director. Here, if the kids are not in good shape coming into high school, it’s my fault.
“You’ve developed a good basis of fundamentals so you can take off from there in high school.”
Watkins said not everyone agrees with that school of thought.
“Most band directors want to quickly get out of teaching beginners,” he said. “I liked to start our kids out, and Michael is a very strong teacher at the fifth-grade level.
“That’s one of the reasons the program continues to grow.”
A special closeness and camaraderie are created as the students and teachers are together for nearly a decade.
“When you’re with kids from age 10 on, the advantage is you develop a respect and don’t have discipline problems,” Stevens said. “They know what is expected and work hard.”
Tietz said the enrollment at M-S, which often hovered under the 1,000 during her time, wasn’t a detriment when competing against high schools with two or three times the number of students.
“He always showed us videos of good marching bands to show us what there is to live up to,” Tietz said. “I think this helped us get out of the small-school mindset knowing what was possible to achieve.”
Music was not just a short-term pursuit for former Bulldog Matt Cowsert either. He is the band director at Tolono Unity and is in charge of the entire program from fifth grade through high school.
Stevens is responsible for Cowsert’s career choice.
“One of the many reasons I chose this path was because of the influence Michael had on me and my life,” Cowsert said. “Band was a place where we could all be ourselves and have a good time.
“But band was also something we were proud of. I remember one time Michael said to us in class something to the effect of, ‘Always be proud of what you do in the band room. What we’re doing here takes persistence, dedication and passion. Don’t let anyone talk negatively about what we do.’”
He finds himself repeating that mantra.
“To this day I believe in that message and pass that message down to my students as well,” Cowsert said. “That is what sets Michael and his program apart from the rest. He never gives up, he always gives his best effort, and he teaches his kids to do the same.
“Now that I’m a band director, I see that music education isn’t JUST about teaching music. It’s about teaching kids how to learn new skills, how to have integrity and accountability and how to dedicate yourself to being better at something.
“He teaches lifelong skills that inspire us to be our best, whether or not we continued with music after high school. These are a few reasons I think Michael has had as successful a career as he’s had.”
Getting started
There are 12 basic instruments that youngsters can pick between as they enter their musical performance journey.
Stevens, who has been assisted the past two years by Dylan Gray, isn’t one who tries to steer students in a certain direction.
“If I tell them what to play, it doesn’t work out well,” Stevens said. “I want them to choose what they’ll practice and be excited about getting out of the case every day.
“I leave it to the kids, and their parents, to pick the path.”
On occasion, Stevens has needed to intercede.
“Probably two or three times a year (he makes suggested changes) and it’s mostly physical,” he said, “their hands are too small or it’s the shape of their lips.
“All instruments are about the same level of difficulty, and if you practice, nine times out of 10, they’ll be fine.”
Mahomet-Seymour’s tradition doesn’t stop when students graduate.
This year, 10 former Bulldogs are members of the Marching Illini. Stevens estimates that there have “probably been 30 over the years.”
Among the M-S alums who have stayed connected by becoming music educators are Cowsert, the band director at Tolono Unity, Marcusiu, the band director at Tucson, Ariz, and Amanda (Sylvester) Allen, the middle school band director at Monticello.
At one time, all of them were beginners, learning to play their instruments and handle the frustration of getting started.
Stevens has learned not to predict future success based on what he witnesses from the fifth-graders.
“Sometimes, they are in band because Mom or Dad wants them to be, and they may not practice enough,” Stevens said. “I think they may never make it to sixth-grade.
“As they get into it, and take on leadership roles, they improve.”
Stevens has had years – about a decade ago – where the Marching band featured nearly 260 students. Since COVID-19 hit in 2020, the numbers have declined. This year’s roster included close to 170 members.
He emphasizes a family approach to the group and relies on students to help.
“I push ownership and have section leaders who oversee small groups of kids,” Stevens said. “They hold each other accountable and want to see the other succeed.
“Then the next group wants to maintain the respect we get, and they keep it sustained.”
Helping to keep Stevens sustained and able to cope with the daily ups and downs, he said, is his wife.
“Nancy has been my rock and helped keep me going,” he said. “She has a good ear for music, is a sounding board and gives input and advice.”
What’s next?
Incredibly, Mahomet-Seymour has had just two band directors in the past 53 years, Watkins and Stevens.
Though he doesn’t know who will be in charge at M-S by the fall of 2026, Stevens is certain about one detail.
“With just two people having run the program since 1973, there will be change,” Stevens predicted.
Along those lines, he has shared his feelings with some of the underclassmen.
“I’ve talked to the kids about being patient with whomever takes the position,” he said, “change with the times, change with the person, encourage each other to succeed.
“I hope I’ve left it in a good way.”
He never considered moving elsewhere.
“I didn’t feel I could find a place better than here,” Stevens said.
He is not done yet and doesn’t plan to slow down soon.
“I hear some people say they’ll coast through their last year,” Stevens said, “but I promised the kids I will push them and get the best out of them until the last day when I walk out the door.”
Stevens doesn’t plan to be involved in the interview process to seek his replacement.
“I’ll stay out of it,” he said. “That would be very awkward. It needs to be people who are not so close to the situation.”
Watkins said, if needed, he is available.
“Mahomet is well-respected and I’d think there would be good applicants,” Watkins said. “If administrators ask, I’d be happy to sit in and ask the right questions.”
It won’t be long before Stevens is around the band competitions in a different capacity.
“I have a granddaughter (who is a percussionist) who is in seventh grade,” he said. “When she is in high school, I will be at everything.”
Teaching the teachers
An overlooked aspect, perhaps, was Stevens’ ability to interact and teach not just those sitting in their chairs with an instrument, but also those who would eventually have a classroom of students themselves.
Justin Barnish was on the faculty at M-S from 2009-12, assisting Stevens.
Now in his 20th year as an educator, Barnish serves as the Fine Arts Department Chair at Downers Grove South High School in suburban Chicago.
“His example showed me what it means to be not just a great band director, but a great teacher and a good person,” Barnish said. “He’s steady, thoughtful and incredibly supportive.
“He brings professionalism to everything he does, but he also knows how to keep things light and positive. He had high expectations for himself and his colleagues which trickled down to the students.
“His mentorship shaped my path and I wouldn’t be the educator I am today without him.”
Barnish said that Stevens excels as a leader adept at guiding the teen-agers.
“Michael has a unique gift for motivating students in the right way,” Barnish said. “He challenges them, but always makes them feel supported.
“He helps kids believe that excellence is something they can achieve through hard work. His students do well because they respect him and don’t want to let him or themselves down.”
For Barnish, one trait about Stevens is evident.
“What stands out most to me is his musicianship and his consistency,” Barnish continued. “He has a unique ability to bring the best out of both students and ensembles.
“He’s also one of those rare educators who can balance high expectations with warmth and encouragement. His ability to build relationships and foster a positive culture has been the foundation of his success.”
Barnish found Stevens as someone who constantly keeps the big picture in mind.
“The key has been his long-term vision,” Barnish said. “Michael invested in students from the very first day of fifth-grade band, making sure they built a strong foundation in fundamentals and musicianship.
“His consistent presence through every phase of the program, from beginning band to high school, created strong relationships and clear expectations at every level. Over time, that consistency built a culture of pride, excellence, and tradition that continues to define the program.
“Being a great high school director is hard. So is being a great junior high director and an effective beginning band teacher. To be exceptional in all three areas is almost unheard of, and that’s what makes Michael, and the Mahomet-Seymour band program, truly special.”
The good news: through his influence and contributions, Stevens’ impact will continue to reach high school students for years after his retirement starts thanks to the many teachers he has instructed who are carrying on his legacy.
