Dr. Johnnie Thomas- Superintendent of Rich Township High School District School District 227- is proud to announce the dedication of the musical arts center at the Fine Arts & Communication (FAC) campus of Rich Township High School in honor of longtime Band Director Phillip Crews. The ceremony took place on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM at 5000 Sauk Trail, Richton Park, IL.
Dr. Thomas was joined by School Board members, students, faculty and staff in this very historical moment in RTHS 227 history.
This special event marks the retirement of Mr. Crews, whose impact on the students and culture of Rich Township and the greater South Suburban Chicago area cannot be overstated. With over 30 years of dedicated service as a high school band director, including nine years at Thornton High School and twenty-two years at Rich Township, Mr. Crews has been a transformative figure in arts education. His leadership has propelled student musicians to earn recognition at district, state, and national levels. Reflecting on his career and the upcoming dedication, Mr. Crews shared what has kept him inspired throughout his career.
“Director Crews is simply a best-in-class band director, but an even better human being. He is credited with the upward mobility of our music department as well as the culture of music throughout all high schools. His contributions to RTHS students and beyond will never be forgotten.” says Dr. Thomas.
“Director Crews adds, “It’s important for students to be part of something bigger than themselves. That sense of community builds strength and purpose. Throughout my career, it’s been discipline, dedication, and desire that have fueled my passion for teaching and guided the success of my students.”
Under Mr. Crews' guidance, countless students have discovered their musical voices and achieved great success. Many of his former students have pursued distinguished careers as professional musicians, college professors, band directors, and leaders in various fields. His famed ensemble, the Mighty Marching Machine (M3), has become a regional icon—revered for its excellence in performance, musicality, and precision. The M3 is now widely recognized as a gold standard among high school marching bands throughout the South Suburbs.
Mr. Crews' dedication to music education has extended well beyond the high school level. He has brought his expertise and passion to young musicians at Birch Creek Music Camp, a premier summer music festival, as well as to classrooms at Prairie State College and Chicago State University. Even in retirement, he plans to continue nurturing talent and sharing his love for music by teaching at the collegiate level and performing on the drums.
The dedication ceremony will be a community celebration of Mr. Crews' legacy, featuring remarks from school leaders, alumni, and colleagues, along with live musical performances that pay tribute to the decades of influence he has had on students and the arts community.
As Rich Township High School proudly renames its musical arts center in his honor, School District 227 reaffirms its commitment to arts education and to recognizing the educators who have helped shape generations of students. The legacy of Phillip Crews will continue to resonate through the halls of Rich Township and far beyond, inspiring students for years to come.