ERPELDING’S LEGACY

Judy Erpelding resigns after 11 years as Director of Orchestras

After serving as the Director of Orchestras program for 11 years at the school, Judy Erpelding has announced her resignation, effective May 26.

With this position being her first teaching job, she has grown the program from two ensembles to seven and has led ensembles to earn I ratings for a total of 15 performances at the KSHSAA State Large Group Festival.

“The students who are in my classroom are extremely high achieving, and we have won so many awards together. We have this tradition of excellence that we want to continue,” Erpelding said.

Not only has Erpelding’s work been recognized by ratings and achievements, but by many students who say she has made significant contributions in their lives.

For Annah Steele, who is the only freshman to take part in Symphonic Orchestra, Erpelding is a bright light in her life; she has been a support system throughout her first year in high school.

Story by Lilly Wall

While Erpelding initially informed students of her resignation during class, she additionally released the letter of resignation addressed to Free State Orchestra students and families.

In the letter, Erpelding addresses the financial difficulties USD 497 is facing. Through the letter, she calls out to parents in distress about the difficulties that are affecting the Performing Arts program district-wide.

One of Erpelding’s main concerns lies with the loss of numerous teachers, and the economic struggles USD 497 is facing. Erpelding expressed that teachers may begin to teach part-time at multiple schools across the district to fill empty roles–all these implementations she believes will eventually land back on students.

Furthermore in the letter, she gave gratitude and respect to the program. Despite the worries the teacher holds, she gives credit to the support she has felt in class, in the hallways, on social media and from school administration after this consequential decision.

After expressing her feelings in the letter of resignation, she hopes to gain one thing out of this: to educate the public and help convince the leadership in the district to change how they are approaching the staffing changes in the Fine Arts department.

Next year, Erpelding will take a new teaching job at a different school but has chosen to not disclose further information yet. She said she hopes to keep the attention of her resignation off of her and continue to focus on the seniors and the program that she loves and holds dearly to her heart.

Taking the podium, orchestra director Judy Erpelding conducts the class. After rising district issues due to cuts, Erpelding announced her resignation on May 8, 2023. Alongside her is retiring band director Randall Filmore. “I know it’s not a realistic expectation that we aren’t going to have cuts, cuts have to happen,” Erpelding said. “They’re going to have to happen somewhere, but I hope that they will look at the arts and think because we’ve been hit hard after COVID.”

After receiving advice from her students, orchestra director Judy Erpelding marks her music. Although the director normally makes the artistic decisions, Erpelding will often consult her students and hear their opinions on what sounds good and what they should try out. “[The students] are the heart of the program, not me,” Erpelding said. “I know they will carry that on and I will miss them. Making great music with them, being able to challenge them, taking their inspiration.” by Eleanor Roust