When Christine Smith was young, her dreams were not like others. Instead of dreaming of becoming a ballet dancer or movie star or the president, she dreamt of inspiring others, of continuing on a tradition that has been going on for hundreds of years. She dreamt of teaching music.
Christine Smith grew up loving music. “Church was where I fell in love with organ. I didn’t really want to play piano. I wanted to play organ. But I started with piano and eventually organ.”
Her love for the organ began a lifetime infatuation with the melodic art, which was acquired at a young age. “When I was a sophomore in high school, they cut the vocal and general music program at my school. [By becoming a teacher] I wanted to make sure music was not cut and make my passion to teach music deeper.”
Earning her Bachelor’s degree of arts from MacMurray College and later receiving her Masters’ of Science from University of Illinois, she is no stranger to the district or area. “I moved to Jacksonville when I went to MacMurray,” Smith says. “My first two years of teaching were in Virginia/Chandlerville, then I taught at Triopia for 10 years. I think I started elementary band in Jacksonville in 2003. Then I came to Jacksonville High School in 2009.”
Since then, her dream of keeping musical education in tact has been granted. Her knowledge of the many forms of music helps contribute in sharing her love of music with students. “My favorite teachers were passionate about making music. They would spend countless hours making me better, and now that is what I want to do for others.”
Her goals were not easy to achieve and took a lot of work to achieve. How? “Practice, practice, practice. Hard work and practice. Also, watching other people and how they got students to be engaged and take ownership [is how I got to where I am today],” says Smith. “Did I mention that I practice a lot?”
As for the future of the music program, Smith will not stop in her efforts to keep music alive in District 117. “[I will] continue to love life and music.”
Even after her teaching career is over, Smith wishes to continue participating in the world of music. “I play many instruments, but the pipe organ will always be my favorite instrument. I would love to build pipe organs [when I retire].”
Currently Smith plays the organ at First Presbyterian Church during services. JHS Idol is coming up in January, as well as the Madrigal Dinner on February 7 and 8.