St. Rita of Cascia High School Announces New Band Director
CHICAGO – Josh Blaszak ‘02, Principal, announced that Christopher Habrelewicz has been named our new band director.
Christopher grew up on the Southside of Chicago, attending grammar school at Nathan Hale in Crestwood. From there, he went on to attend Dwight D. Eisenhower High School in Blue Island. He continued his education at Saint Xavier University, graduating with his bachelor’s degree in music education in the spring of 2024. Christopher also attended the Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish School for 10 years, receiving his high school diploma in Polish studies. He currently is a singer for the polish choir “Gaudete.”
“I’m excited to bring a level of excellence and enthusiasm to my first year at St. Rita of Cascia High School,” Habrelewicz said. “I understand the importance of this music program and what it means to the school, and I will do my absolute best to bring my organization, decision-making, levels of discipline, and respect to this program to nurture the future of music appreciation and education.”
With him, Christopher brings many prestigious achievements in music to the St. Rita band program including:
Unanimously awarded the Outstanding Music Student Award for K-12 Music Education by Saint Xavier University in 2024
Awarded the Saint Xavier University Martha M. Morris Award for Excellence in Instrumental Musicianship in 2022
A member of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Cardinal Regiment from fall 2015 to fall 2017, winning multiple awards in Best General Effect, Best Visuals, Best Percussion, Grand Champion at Grayslake North High School in 2016, and the first undefeated (8-0) season in Cardinal Regiment history in 2017
Multiple Division I honors as a member of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Symphonic Band (percussion), Concert Band (tenor saxophone), Jazz Ensemble (drumset and tenor saxophone), and Solo & Ensemble (percussion)
Recognized by the United States Achievement Academy 2013 National Awards
“St. Rita’s mission and core values of ‘Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas’ spoke to me as I was beginning my job search, and I feel as though I can have a positive impact on the young men of St. Rita of Cascia High School, aiming to form them as a whole person: spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially, so they may acquire the necessary skills to succeed in college and in life,” Habrelewicz said.
