Plainfield teacher honored for promoting local music scene

Drauden Point Middle School music teacher Tim Placher received the Rev. James E. Allen Award for Service to the Community on February 12, 2021 for his passionate efforts to promote local music.

The award is given by Project Acclaim, a Joliet organization that honors individuals and organizations "who show selfless devotion of community by direct action, perform actions that have a community-wide impact, and perform actions that have enhanced the best interests of the community."

Project Acclaim's mission is to honor those who show civic and community pride.

The organization chose Placher for his commitment to and passion for promoting the Joliet-area music scene, said Project Acclaim President Jayne Bernhard. She and Project Acclaim member Quinn Adamowski presented the award to Placher.

"Simply put, Tim brings people together and makes it happen," Bernhard said. "Music happens. Joy happens. Through his pursuits, he bolsters community spirit," she said.

Placher was surprised by the visit and honored to receive the award.

"While it's always nice to have others validate your work, the true credit for our projects' success goes to the whole team of musicians, venues, and support people who keep saying "yes" to whatever music idea I concoct," Placher said.

Thank you especially to my Drauden Point Middle School choir families for their amazing support of our two Rialto Square Theater shows," he said. "I am sincerely appreciative of everyone's continuing support."

In 2019 and 2020, Placher directed the "Rock 'n' Roll Songbook, Plus!" held at the Rialto Square Theater. The event featured a symphonic gathering of local musicians.

The 2020 concert took place February 8th, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It included more than 30 local performers and drew 1,000 people to watch Joliet's best musicians on stage.

Placher also gathered many of these same local artists just before Christmas last year and released the "YuleTube Christmas Songbook" on YouTube.

"Tim is 100 percent deserving of the Project Acclaim Award," said Drauden Point Middle School Principal Kai Freeman.

"His passion to educate students, invest hours upon hours into his craft and be so influential in the music community has been so impactful. Drauden Point is extremely proud of Mr. Placher," he said.

Placher started teaching choir and music at Drauden Pointe Middle School in 2004. Before becoming an educator, he served as an attorney for the City of Joliet and reporter for several northern Illinois newspapers.