JD Katrenak was a giving person, both in his music and with his time.  

His father, John Katrenak, will honor his son’s giving nature with the Joy of Music Instrument Drive, benefiting the band program of School District 68. JD Katrenak died last March at the age of 20.  

The drive will take place on Saturday at Jefferson Junior. High Schoolfrom 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Instruments and donations to repair and purchase instruments for the district are welcome. (You can also send a check to the Woodridge Organization of Music Parents, c/o Keith Carlson, at Jefferson Jr. High School. Just write "Joy of Music" on the check note line.)

The date happens to be the first anniversary of JD Katrenak's death. His father didn't plan it that way; that's just the date that seemed to work.

JD Katrenak started playing trumpet as a fifth-grader at Goodrich Elementary School. He played in Jefferson’s band program and in Downers Grove North’s marching band and concert and symphonic bands.  

The trumpet player was known for arriving early and staying late to Jefferson concerts to help set up or take down equipment – even after he graduated.  

“He was one of the most giving people when it came to time and helping out,” said Keith Carlson, band director at Jefferson. “It’s something that’s a rarity at the junior high level. He would stay after until the last thing was done and then he’d head out. That continued through his high school years.”

Carlson said that from the time Katrenak started junior high to when he died, he only missed two or three concerts at Jefferson. He also helped move band equipment to a performance at Six Flags Great America and Chicago’s Orchestra Hall. The help was very welcome, Carlson said.

“I’ve always said, as a teacher, if I had a choice between a child that’s Mozart or a child that’s downright nice, I’d rather have the child that’s nice,” Carlson said.  “I’d rather have nice kid willing to help out.”

Katrenak was that kid. District 68 band director Bradley Payne would often see him at concerts offering to help.

"Very often he'd show up to a concert and walk up and say, 'Hey, what can I do,'" Payne said. "I'd give him a video camera or some other chore that could be done. He had a very cool and calm demeanor. He was very friendly, helpful and always willing to jump in."

Katrenak didn’t just give his time to the Jefferson band program. His father said he was always helping people with their cars, particularly Cadillacs, one of his passions. Katrenak also often reached out to others as a Boy Scout.

John Katrenak turned to The Landmark Forum for help in his grieving for his son. As part of a class, he must organize an event that gives back to the community. He said he chose to organize an instrument drive because of his son’s love for music.

“I was at all of his concerts,” Katrenak said. “I saw all the work he put into everything. Him playing his instrument was a giving of himself.”

JD Katrenak would bring his trumpet to camp just so he could play taps, and it “perturbed” him when other students didn’t take rehearsals as seriously as he did, his father said.

Katrenak said an instrument drive will help children from families in need have that experience too.

“I thought, wouldn’t it be great if there were more opportunities for students to have the same opportunity JD did ,” Katrenak said. “That’s kind of the driving message to the whole event. The tagline is 'Remembering JD’s gift of music.'” 

Carlson said the District 68 band program checked out 70 instruments to families this school year and had to turn more students away.  About 330 students take part in the district band program overall.

“This is going to fill a huge gap,” Carlson said. “There’s such a huge need in this economy for kids that can’t afford (instruments).”

John Katrenak said he’s still planning the day’s events, but the day will possibly include performances from the jazz ensembles at the District 99 high schools and performances from the Jefferson band program and American Wind Band, a community concert band. There might also be an opportunity to play Rockband, the video game.

Katrenak said he isn’t sure how many instruments will be donated or how much money will be collected. He plans to use the drive’s donations to reburnish some of the donated instruments.

But the response so far has been supporting. Katrenak has already spoken to parents at Jefferson’s winter concert and will speak to the parents of the District 68 elementary school and Downers Grove North and South High Schools.

He said besides helping other students have the opportunity to play and enjoy music. He wanted to provide a legacy for his son.

“JD was the fourth John,” he said. “Me, my father and my grandfather were all named John. It’s been difficult just thinking that there won’t be another John."