The Northern Suburban Special Education District’s Best Practice Award this year goes to Northbrook/Glenview District 30 music teacher Kurt Barker, recognizing his Willowbrook School music program’s understanding and inclusion of students with special needs. “Everybody has a voice,” he said. “Everybody has a sound that they bring.”
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Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Des Plaines.
Q: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I always wanted to be a musician, and that’s how it turned out. Other than teaching, I also play in a jazz group (percussion, in the Dave Ness Trio).
Q: Do you play any musical instruments? We ask everybody.
A: My main instrument is the marimba; that’s what my master’s degree is in. As far as percussion goes, it’s easier to say what I don’t play: the harp. It’s a cool instrument. I should learn it at some point.
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant?
A: Pete Miller’s (in Wheeling and Evanston). Great steak and great jazz. A twofer.
Q: If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
A: I would probably go to Provence. Weather and food and wine. If I wanted to present myself as the consummate musician, I would say Trinidad, for the steel pan music.
Q: What’s the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen?
A: Our family has a cabin up in the north woods, and on a nice night, the sky up there really is amazing. It makes you feel significant and insignificant at the same time.
Q: What’s your favorite charity?
A: One is JPUSA (Jesus People USA). It’s one of the few homeless shelters that accepts families. And we have a show coming up (May 11), for first and second grade – bring a food donation for the Northfield (Township) Food Pantry.
Q: Words of wisdom?
A: All sound can be music, and everybody is an artist.
Shout Out is a weekly feature in which we get to know and introduce our readers to their fellow community members and local visitors throughout suburban Chicago.