The life and legacy of Illinois Army National Guard Capt. Walter H. Dyett was celebrated at the school which bears his name, the Walter H. Dyett High School for the Fine Arts in Chicago, with the presentation of the 2025 Captain Walter H. Dyett award, March 19.
The award was created to honor a fine arts student from Walter H. Dyett High School for the Fine Arts who exhibits the same creativity, discipline, and hard work which Capt. Walter Dyett brought to his military career leading the Illinois National Guard’s 8th Infantry Band and as a music educator.
For more than three decades Captain Dyett taught music in Chicago Public Schools in this neighborhood, first at my alma mater, Wendell Phillips High School and then DuSable High School,” said Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard. “Now we stand in a high school that bears his name and carries on his legacy. It is a legacy of teaching fine arts and inspiring young men and women. The students in this room will lift this world and help make our nation a ‘more perfect union’. You are our future leaders.”
Capt. Walter Dyett directed the Illinois National Guard 8th Infantry Regiment Band and served as music director and educator within the Chicago Public Schools from 1935-1962 on the South Side of Chicago.
He fostered the growth of jazz and Black musicians in Chicago. He led the Pickford Orchestra, Washington Park summer concerts, the DuSable-ites, the “Hi-Jinks,” and many others.
From 1931 to 1962, Dyett taught classical, military, and jazz music to more than 20,000 students at Wendell Phillips and DuSable High Schools. Jazz greats including Nat “King” Cole, Dorothy Donegan, Joseph Jarman, Dinah Washington, Johnny Griffin, and Mwata Bowden credit Dyett for their early musical training.
“We all know Captain Dyett taught some of the music greats,” Boyd said. “But I’d say the 20,000 other students he taught and mentored are more important. The life skills he taught – the mental toughness, the self-respect, the discipline, have inspired thousands to make this nation – our nation – better. His work is not done, but you will carry his mission forward.”
Boyd said Dyett was part of a long line of National Guard leaders who made a positive difference in the community.
“Captain Dyett got his start as the band leader for the 8th Infantry Regiment Band,” he said. “Today the Illinois National Guard’s 178th Infantry is stationed right at the General Jones Armory, less than a football toss from where Captain Dyett and his students would put on summer concerts in Washington Park.”
Illinois National Guard Veterans formed the Illinois National Guard 8th Infantry Association and are keeping the memory of the Fighting 8th alive today.
“Today they are keeping the memory of one of our own alive and celebrating the legacy of Captain Walter Dyett in a way we think he would appreciate – by honoring a student who exhibits the values that he lived by,” Boyd said. “These are values that the Army National Guard instills in our Soldiers.”
Boyd told the school’s band students, “with your talents you should never be stopped at doing what you’re doing.”
He encouraged the students to look at the Illinois National Guard for resources to attend college. “We have the resources for you,” he said. “Don’t let money stop you from achieving your dreams.”
William Brandan McClellan, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who knew Dyett, called Dyett a very strong man.
“His strength and love of music and more so his students made him great,” McClellan said. “When I was in college, he was at a function we had. We were able to talk for a good long time. Up until the time of his death, I would often seek advice from him.”
McClellan shared some of his memories of Dyett, fondly referred to as “Cap”.
“He was known as a band director, but he was a violist as well,” he said. “When he attended VanderCook College of Music in the 1930s, he was one of the only black students. However, his presence and accomplishments while at VanderCook have elevated him to the point he has a room there named after him.”
McClellan told students his own musical philosophies he holds still today are attributed to Dyett.
“As a former band director, and someone who is still learning how to play a trumpet after 65 years, I want to make sure his legacy continues,” McClellan said.
McClellan offered advice to the students.
“Do what you need to do because there is a future for you,” he said. “Some people are afraid to go into the military, but I was a ceremonial bugler at Washington Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. I played in Arlington for generals and every Friday night, I sounded the last Taps. That’s a job. If it’s something you want to do, you have to put that practice in. For example, if you don’t know your scales, start with one, then two, three and four.
“I was where you are sitting now,” he said. “I remember it well. If you love music, continue with music, don’t let it stop you. You all have a great thing going for you. There’s only two ways to play music – right and perfect. Perfect is an absolute and we can’t achieve it, but we can work at it. Take that attitude and apply it to whatever you do.”
Zaveola Coleman, chairperson of the Illinois National Guard 8th Infantry Association’s Scholarship committee shared Dyett’s motto with the students prior to presenting the award.
“Captain Dyett’s motto was if you think you can, you can. You can be the best. If you want to be the best, you have to more than want to do it. You have to will yourself to do it,” said Coleman in announcing Aaliyah Johnson as the 2025 award recipient. “It is an honor to present you this award honoring this giant of an educator and man.”
Johnson thanked the 8th Infantry Association for the award and for McClellan’s advice.
“Thank you for this honor,” she said. “Thank you for your comments of keep dreaming and stay motivated. There is more after high school. I’m blessed to be in this school. It could have been anyone else, but God put me in this school for a reason.”
Boyd said the National Guard is an integral part of the community and will remain an important part of the south side of Chicago.
“As we turn to the voices and impacts of leaders, I’m proud to stand with you all and raise up Captain Walter Dyett for making his mark and contributing to this chapter of our community’s history, our state’s history, and our nation’s,” he said.