2026 ILLINOIS SUPERSTATE CONCERT BAND FESTIVAL
Land Acknowledgement
The University of Illinois System carries out its mission in its namesake state, which includes the traditional territory of the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Piankashaw, Wea, Miami, Mascoutin, Odawa, Sauk, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Ojibwe, Menominee, Ho-Chunk, and Chickasaw Nations. These lands continue to carry the stories of these Nations and their struggles for survival and identity.
As a land-grant institution, the University of Illinois has a particular responsibility to acknowledge the peoples of these lands, as well as the histories of dispossession that have allowed for the growth of this institution for the past 150 years. We are also obligated to reflect on and actively address these histories and the role that this university has played in shaping them. This acknowledgement and the centering of Native peoples is a start as we move forward for the next 150 years.
Illinois Bands affirms the commitment by the university to move beyond these statements, toward building deeper relationships and taking actions that uphold and preserve Indigenous rights and cultural equity.
As we gather to experience this performance, we have an opportunity to reflect on the ways that systems of oppression have shaped our society. We can work together to create systems that support human dignity, establish equity, strengthen cross-cultural relationships, and draw upon the creative capacity of all people that make up this community, state, nation, and world.
Welcome to the SuperState Concert Band Festival, hosted by the University of Illinois Bands in the world-renowned Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. We look forward to hearing two days of incredible performances presented by some of the very finest middle and high school bands in Illinois. This incredible event brings thousands of students, teachers, parents, and other supporters to our campus, and we are very glad you’re here!
University of illinois Bands
Although the history of the University of Illinois Bands can be traced to 1868 with the founding of a military band, it was the appointment of Albert Austin Harding in 1905 that formally launched the first and foremost college band program in the world. In the 1920s, John Philip Sousa referred to the Illinois Band as the “World’s Greatest College Band.”
Throughout history, the innovations made at Illinois literally transformed bands around the world. Directors Mark Hindsley, Harry Begian, James F. Keene, and Stephen Peterson continued the Illinois tradition of leadership, commissioning new works, presenting inventive performances, and mentoring many of the nation’s top college and high school band directors through the conducting program at Illinois.
Today, the University of Illinois Bands are proud to be among the most influential and historic college band programs in the United States, offering all students the highest quality ensemble experiences. These ensembles include five concert bands, the 400-member Marching Illini, Basketball Bands, Volleyball Bands, and Summer Band. Nearly 700 students participate each semester in these outstanding ensembles, all of which are open to any University student, regardless of major. Visit bands.illinois.edu for more information.
the University of illinois Bands facUlty and staff
Kevin M. Geraldi, director of bands
Barry L. Houser, associate director of bands | director of athletic bands
Kimberly Fleming, assistant director of bands
Hannah Rudy, assistant director of athletic bands
Aaron Kavelman, percussion instructor | properties manager
Joy McClaugherty, business administrative associate Welcome to the 2026 sUperstate concert Band festival!
Beau Bujol, graduate assistant
Pablo Elias-Rodriguez, graduate assistant
Karen Kopecki, graduate assistant
Sheridan Mackey, graduate assistant
Alex Mondragon, graduate assistant
Jackson Parker, graduate assistant
Limo Schissler, graduate assistant
JaQuan Wiley, graduate assistant
friday, may 8, 2026
MIDDLE SCHOOL/JUNIOR HIGH
8:30 AM 9:00 AM 9:30 AM 10:00 AM 10:30 AM 10:45 AM 11:15 AM 11:45 AM 12:15 PM 12:45 PM 1:00 PM CLASS 3A
2:00 PM 2:30 PM 3:00 PM 3:30 PM 4:00 PM 4:15 PM 4:45 PM 5:15 PM 5:45 PM 6:15 PM TIME SCHOOL
Monticello Middle School Symphonic Band
Central Middle School Symphonic Band
Bednarcik Junior High School Symphonic Band
McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band
DIRECTOR(S)
Amanda Allen
Jason Freeland, Sara Barnes
Lisa Heemstra
Chip De Stefano
Wood Oaks Junior High School Wind Ensemble
O’Fallon District 90 Symphonic Winds
Carl Sandburg 8th Grade Symphonic Band— HONOR BAND
Illinois Wind Orchestra Break
aWards ms/Jh
William Fremd High School Wind Symphony
Lyons Township High School Wind Ensemble
Waubonsie Valley High School Wind Ensemble
Lockport Township High School Wind Symphony
Wayne Gordon
Kate DeMonica
Moulee Gupta
Oswego East High School Wind Symphony
West Aurora High School Wind Symphony
Zion–Benton Township High School Symphonic Band
O’Fallon Township High School Wind Ensemble—
HONOR BAND
lUnch Break aWards class 3a Break
Matthew Moore
Mark Dahl, Paul Meiste
Mark Duker
Brian Covey
Stevan Rexroat, Jeremy Sison
Victor Anderson, Greg Hensel
Shan Kazmi
Melissa Gustafson-Hinds
MIDDLE SCHOOL/JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
MONTICELLO SYMPHONIC BAND, Monticello
Johnnie Vinson
Frank Ticheli
Jacob de Haan
Alfred Reed
arr. Robert Longfield
CENTRAL SYMPHONIC BAND, Tinley Park
Karl L. King
Ralph Vaughan Williams
BEDNARCIK SYMPHONIC BAND, Aurora
Brian Balmages
William Owens
Alfred Reed
arr. Robert Longfield
McCRACKEN SYMPHONIC BAND, Skokie
John Philip Sousa
Calvin Custer
Grace Baugher Dunlap
Ryan George
WOOD OAKS WIND ENSEMBLE, Northbrook
Ryan George
Carl Strommen
Brian Balmages
Henry Fillmore
ed. Robert E. Foster
Grand Gallop
Abracadabra
Ammerland
El Camino Real
Amanda Allen
Circus Days March
Jason Freeland, Sara Barnes
English Folk Song Suite
Lisa Heemstra
Marche Diabolique
Gratitude
El Camino Real
Chip De Stefano
Sound Off
Variations on Scarborough Fair
Phoenix Rekindled
Café 512
Wayne Gordon
Autobahn
Gigue Francais
Kyiv, 2022
His Honor
O’FALLON DISTRICT 90 SYMPHONIC WINDS, O’Fallon
Calvin Custer
Jorge Vargas
Randall D. Standridge
Variations on Scarborough Fair
Mil Estrellas
Imaginarium
Kate DeMonica
MIDDLE SCHOOL/JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, continued
CARL SANDBURG SYMPHONIC BAND—HONOR BAND,
Mundelein Moulee Gupta
Randall Standridge
Carol Brittin Chambers
Brian Balmages
JaRod Hall
Choose Joy
Kalos Eidos
Homage to Bharat
The Country Club Stomp
HIGH SCHOOL—CLASS 3A
WILLIAM FREMD WIND SYMPHONY, Palatine
Scott McAllister
Carol Britten Chambers
Alfred Reed
Zing!
All That We Are
El Camino Real
LYONS TOWNSHIP WIND ENSEMBLE, LaGrange
Ron Nelson
Carl Orff
Matthew Moore
Mark Dahl, Paul Meiste
Savannah River Holiday
Carmina Burana
viii. Ego sum abbas
ix. In taberna quando sumus
xii. Ave formosissima
xiii. Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi
WAUBONSIE VALLEY WIND ENSEMBLE, Aurora
James M. David
David Gillingham
Timothy Mahr
Urban Light
Be Thou My Vision Fantasia in G
LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP WIND SYMPHONY, Lockport
Joaquin Turina
John Zdechlik
Mark Duker
Brian Covey
La Procession du Rocio—Turina
Celebrations
OSWEGO EAST WIND SYMPHONY, Oswego Stevan Rexroat, Jeremy Sison, Jonathon Kurecki
Katahj Copley
Frank Ticheli
WEST AURORA WIND SYMPHONY, Aurora
Paul Basler
Frank Ticheli
ZION–BENTON SYMPHONIC BAND, Zion
Kenneth Hesketh
Vincent Persichetti
Nova
Acadiana Carnival
Victor Anderson, Greg Hensel
Angels In The Architecture
Shan Kazmi
Masque
Symphony #6 for Band
ii. Adagio sostenuto
iii. Allegretto
iv. Vivace
HIGH SCHOOL—CLASS 3A, continued
O’FALLON TWP. WIND ENSEMBLE—HONOR BAND, O’Fallon
tafson-Hinds Benjamin Horne Spiritual Symphony
i. Drinkin’ Gourd/Wade in the Water
ii. Motherless Child
iii. Deep River
iv. What a Morning/Go Tell It
Melissa Gus-
University of illinois Wind orchestra
Wind orchestra, Urbana-Champaign
NOURI Afrospire
ARNOLD Four Scottish Dances Mvmt. III
FIELDSTEEL Fantasy for Wind Symphony
Prof. Barry L. Houser
The Wind Orchestra consists of ~fifty-five undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate a high level of musical artistry and technical proficiency. As one of five concert bands within the University of Illinois Bands program, the Wind Orchestra serves as the second advanced artistic ensemble, providing students with meaningful and challenging performance experiences. With a thoughtfully designed curriculum, the Wind Orchestra explores a wide variety of musical styles and composers throughout the academic year, fostering both musical versatility and artistic growth. Rehearsing four hours each week, the ensemble presents two concerts per semester. Membership is open to both music majors and non-majors through an audition process held each fall and spring semester, reflecting the inclusive and high-achieving culture of the Illinois Bands program.
Spring 2026 Personnel
flute
Abigail Cunico,* piccolo
Kiet Lu
Adam Malinowski,* piccolo
Marykate Mosher
Allison Renehan
oboe
Josh Cardenas
Gracie McMahon*
J Thompson
bassoon
Kevin Toma
Gavin Wuchter*
clarinet
Josh Agrest
Theo Christopherson, bass
Anly Flores
Victoria Gatto
Spencer Koerner
Karen Kopecki
Piper Murray
(clarinet, continued)
Andrew Olvera
Ananya Reddy
Piper Rieger
Shiyang Wang*
Nathan Zhu
saxophone
Jasmine Doyle, alto
Alejandro Gutierrez, baritone
Caitlyn Head, alto
Aria Hoffee, tenor
Ian King,* alto
Sophie Kraujalis, alto
horn
Dylan Andrade
Austin Eldridge
Matthew Herbst
Sarah Page
trumpet
Matthew Fouts
Genna Mack
(trumpet, continued)
Miles Mosher
Colin Ovando
Aundrea Salazar
Audrey Schissler
Limo Schissler
Olivia Suerth
trombone
Hunter Gibson
Derrick Neal*
Caden Nommensen
Miranda Santucci
Alex Tartakovsky, bass
euphonium
Bryce Henderson
Dylan Montilla
Addison Putz*
tuba
Bobby Borgstede*
Isaac Vahling
Nicholas Weir
(tuba, continued)
Aaron Wendell
piano
Dylan Covert
percussion
Marissa Carrell
Chris Koester
Maxine Mikkelson
Mekhi Moses
Gabrielle Salazar*
Faith Teets
Octavio Torres
Bojanowski
All sections listed alphabetically
*Denotes section leader
satUrday, may 9, 2026
DIRECTOR(S)
CLASS 1A
8:30 AM 9:00 AM 9:30 AM 10:00 AM 10:30 AM 10:45 AM 11:15 AM 11:45 AM 12:15 PM
Marian Catholic High School Symphonic Band
Lemont High School Symphonic Band
Triad High School Wind Ensemble
Wheeling High School Wind Symphony
Vernon Hills High School Wind Ensemble
Grayslake Central High School Wind Ensemble
Morton High School Wind Ensemble—HONOR BAND
Steven Pyter
Benjamin Clemons
Kevin Devany
Michael A. Malek
Kelley Gossler
Kamal Talukder
Andrew Empey, Katrina Fitzpatrick
1:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:30 PM 3:00 PM 3:30 PM 4:00 PM 4:15 PM 4:45 PM 5:15 PM 5:45 PM 6:15 PM 6:45 PM
CLASS 2A
Niles North High School Wind Ensemble
John Hersey High School Symphonic Band
Rolling Meadows High School Symphonic Band
Maine South High School Wind Ensemble
Break
Michael Moehlmann
Spencer Hile, Andrew Burkemper
Elliott Hile
David Hutter, Christopher Buti
Libertyville High School Wind Ensemble
John Hersey High School Wind Ensemble
Glenbard East High School Symphonic Band
Victor J. Andrew Wind Symphony—HONOR BAND
Illinois Wind Symphony
Adam Gohr
Spencer Hile, Andrew Burkemper
Tara Cappelletti, Andrew Packer
Randy Sundell
aWards class 1a & 2a
HIGH SCHOOL—CLASS 1A
MARIAN CATHOLIC SYMPHONIC BAND, Chicago Heights
Dmitri Shostakovich
trans. Donald Hunsberger
Viet Cuong
James Curnow Galop
LEMONT SYMPHONIC BAND, Lemont
Percy Grainger
Julie Giroux
John Zdechlik
John and Jim
To Bind The Nation’s Wounds
Steven Pyter
Benjamin Clemons
TRIAD WIND ENSEMBLE, Troy
Jess Langston Turner
Alfred Reed
WHEELING WIND SYMPHONY, Wheeling
Steven Bryant
Aturo Marquez
arr. Oliver Nickel
Shepherd’s Hey
Shadow Falls
Chorale and Shaker Dance
Kevin Devany
Through the Looking Glass
El Camino Real—A Latin Fantasy
Michael A. Malek
Dusk
Danzon No. 2
VERNON HILLS WIND ENSEMBLE, Vernon Hills
Percy Grainger
ed. Rogers
Frank Ticheli
Kelley Gossler
Sheperd’s Hey
Blue Shades
GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL WIND ENSEMBLE, Grayslake Kamal Talukder
Randall Standridge
Michele Fernández
Gustav Holst
Fracas
Unidad en Rítmo
Movement IV: “Fantasia on the Dargason” from Second Suite in F for Military Band
MORTON WIND ENSEMBLE—HONOR BAND, Morton Andrew Empey, Katrina Fitzpatrick, Luke Shaffer
H. Owen Reed
Craig Andrew Fitzpatrick
James M. David
I. Prelude and Aztec Dance, from La Fiesta
Mexicana
Where the Reeds Grow
Urban Light
HIGH SCHOOL—CLASS 2A
NILES NORTH WIND ENSEMBLE, Skokie
Andrew Boysen, Jr.
Donald Grantham
Michael Moehlmann
Song for Lyndsay
Starry Crown
JOHN HERSEY SYMPHONIC BAND, Arlington Heights Spencer Hile, Andrew Burkemper
Frank Ticheli
Percy Grainger
Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 2
III. Apollo Unleashed X
Molly On The Shore
Finale from Symphony No. 3
ROLLING MEADOWS SYMPHONIC BAND, Rolling Meadows Elliott Hile
Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Arturo Marquez
MAINE SOUTH WIND ENSEMBLE, Park Ridge
Percy Grainger
arr. Mark Rogers
Benjamin Barker
Fire in the Blood
Danzon No. 2
David Hutter, Christopher Buti
Country Gardens
A Hokusai Triptych
I. Whaling off the Coast of the Goto Islands
II. Requiem: Tiger in the Snow
III. Cuckoo and Azaleas
LIBERTYVILLE WIND ENSEMBLE, Libertyville Adam Gohr
Henry Fillmore
ed. Frederick Fennell
James M. David
Denis Llinás
Rolling Thunder
Sky Above Clouds
Un Cafecito
JOHN HERSEY WIND ENSEMBLE, Arlington Heights Spencer Hile, Andrew Burkemper
David Maslanka
Alfred Reed
Illumination
Hounds of Spring
HIGH SCHOOL—CLASS 2A, continued
GLENBARD EAST SYMPHONIC BAND, Lombard
Erika Svanoe
Alfred Reed
Tara Cappelletti, Andrew Packer
First Suite Fanfare
VICTOR J. ANDREW WIND SYMPHONY—HONOR BAND, Tinley Park Mark Iwinski
Leonard Bernstein
trans. Clare Grundman
James David
El Camino Real (A Latin Fantasy) Slava!
Pulsing Onward
University of illinois Wind symphony
illinois Wind symphony, Urbana-Champaign
GOULD American Salute SCHUBRING ...the leaves scatter like foam...
MARQUEZ Danzon No. 2
Dr. Kevin M. Geraldi
The Illinois Wind Symphony is the premiere concert ensemble of the Illinois Bands program. Members of the Wind Symphony perform a wide range of repertoire through experiences in both large and small ensembles. The international reputation of the Wind Symphony has long defined performance excellence. The ensemble has given acclaimed performances at national conventions of the College Band Directors National Association and American Bandmasters Association, and in prestigious concert venues including Carnegie Hall in New York and Orchestra Hall in Chicago. Graduates of the Wind Symphony are members of leading orchestras and premiere US military bands, and distinguished teachers at every level of music education.
Spring 2026 Personnel
flute
Delia Black, piccolo
Sam Nixon*
Sofia Villanueva, piccolo
Sam Waspe
Yuyuan Yang
oboe
Ezequiel Navarro, English horn*
Julia Olson
Meghan Pierce
bassoon
Mason Cox
Christina French*
Brad Sarmiento
clarinet
Sheng Bi
Finn Chellino
Chandler Cleric, bass
Christina Dodds, e-flat*
Sarah Morris
Analise Mulvihill
Lia Pappas, bass, contrabass
(clarinet, continued)
Thomas Smith
Justina Wojahn
saxophone
Andrew Gaffey, soprano/alto*
Jack Govern,
Lily Knaack, alto
Sheridan Mackey, tenor
Christopher Victor, baritone
trumpet
Nathanael Boston
Steven Clawson
Grayden Fields*
Simon Heck*
Jacob Jones
Kevin Wang
horn
Emily Fiorito
Joseph Goldstein*
Michael Goss*
Jess Mingee
Owen Robinson
trombone
Jonathan Kirchem
Jackson Parker, bass
Audrey Ringle
Matt Williamson*
euphonium
Willow Neerimer*
Alex Richards
tuba
Alek Dilan
Pablo Elias-Rodriguez
Holly McFarlen
Preston Smith*
percussion
Xander Buckhalter
Aiden Endres
Tess Lorraine
Miles Niehaus*
Nick Splitt
Quinn Wubbena
double bass
Mingzi Han
piano
Ana Huerta Fernandez
harp
Molly Grace Gerk
All sections listed alphabetically
*Denotes section leader
2026 SUPERSTATE EVALUATORS
Caroline Beatty is director of bands and professor of music at Texas State University where she conducts the Texas State Wind Symphony, leads the graduate wind band conducting program, teaches conducting and band literature courses, and provides primary administration and oversight for the comprehensive band program. She holds the doctor of musical arts degree in conducting from the University of Michigan and both a master of music degree in instrumental conducting and a bachelor of music degree in music education from The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Beatty serves the profession as president-elect of the Southwestern Division of the College Band Directors National Association.
Andrea E. Brown is the associate director of bands at the University of Maryland where she conducts the University of Maryland Wind Ensemble, serves as the director of athletic bands, teaches conducting, and is the coordinator of the conducting division. Originally from Milan, Tennessee, she is a graduate of Austin Peay State University and earned a master of music degree in horn performance and a master of music education degree with a cognate in instrumental conducting from UNCG.
Thomas Caneva, following a forty-five year teaching career, was named professor of music emeritus at Ball State University upon his retirement in 2025. Caneva served as the director of bands and coordinator of the graduate wind conducting program at Ball State University for nineteen years. Dr. Caneva holds degrees from the University of Illinois, University of Texas, and University of Colorado. He holds the unique distinction of also having served on the faculties of each of these universities. He is the Indiana State Chair of CBDNA and is an elected member of Phi Beta Mu.
William L. Lake, Jr. is the director of concert bands at the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music at George Mason University. In this role, he conducts the George Mason University Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band. He also teaches conducting and wind literature classes. Dr. Lake is the recipient of two master’s degrees, the first from Boston University in music education and the second from the University of Maryland, College Park in wind conducting, under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Votta, Jr. Dr. Lake received the bachelor of music liberal arts jazz studies piano performance degree from the University of Maryland, College Park as a student of Jon Ozment and Christopher Vadala.
John R. Locke is the director of bands emitrius at UNC Greensboro School, where he served for thirty-six years on the music faculty as director of bands, professor of music and conductor of the University Wind Ensemble. He holds the bachelor and master of music degrees from West Virginia University and the doctor of education degree from the University of Illinois. Prior to his arrival in North Carolina, Dr. Locke held teaching positions in music at West Virginia University, Southeast Missouri State University, and the University of Illinois.