The Prairie Wind Ensemble, in residence at Illinois Central College, will present their third concert of the season on Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. This concert will be presented in the Illinois Central College Performing Arts Center in East Peoria, Illinois.
Joining the Prairie Wind Ensemble for the concert will be soloist, Kylie Hankosky, English horn. The Prairie Wind Ensemble is under the direction of their new conductor, Mr. David Maccabee. The concert, “Celebrate American Composers”, will feature music written by American composers. It will include music composed by Steven Reinecke, Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber and John Williams.
David W. Maccabee has been Director of Bands at United Township High School, in East Moline, Illinois, since 1986. He previously taught in the Geneseo and Nokomis, Illinois school systems. At United Township High School, he is director of all instrumental music ensembles, including Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, and Pep Band. During Mr. Maccabee’s tenure, enrollment in the UTHS Band program has grown from 100 to nearly 200 members.
Mr. Maccabee was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and raised in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. He moved to Illinois at the age of 16, and graduated from J.D. Darnall High School in Geneseo, Illinois. In 1982, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Augustana College (IL). He received his Master’s Degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music Education in 1989.
Under Mr. Maccabee’s direction, the UTHS Band program has achieved a national reputation for excellence that has earned them numerous honors and awards. The United Township High School Symphonic Band has performed on 3 occasions for the Illinois Music Educator’s Association All-State Convention, 5 times at the prestigious Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, numerous occasions at the University of Illinois Super-State Band Festival, the Western Illinois University Band Showcase, twice at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, and at the “French Reed’s Music Festival” in La Croix Valmer, France – the first high school band ever to perform at this highly acclaimed event. In 1998, the UTHS Symphonic Band performed at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, performing in front of a worldwide audience. The band has received superior ratings in every festival they have participated in for the past 28 years.
David Maccabee is also a frequent guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the country. He has conducted numerous summer band camps, including Western Illinois University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Illinois. Mr. Maccabee has also served the Illinois Music Educator’s Association as Division Chair, All-State Auditioner, and the IMEA Mentoring Council. His professional affiliations include the United Township Education Association, the National Education Association, the Illinois Music Educator’s Association, the Music Educator’s National Conference, the National Band Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Phi Beta Mu. In 2014, the Illinois chapter of Phi Beta Mu named him “Illinois Bandmaster of the Year”. Mr. Maccabee has received citations of excellence from the city of East Moline, the East Moline Rotary Club, John Deere and Co., United Township High School, Western Illinois University, and Vander Cook College of Music. Mr. Maccabee has received the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence on 11 different occasions. In 1998, Mr. Maccabee became the first recipient of the “Dr. Victor Zajec Award”, given to him in recognition of the UTHS Symphonic Band’s performance at the 1998 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. In 2000, Mr. Maccabee was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmaster’s Association. In 2015, the United Township High School Symphonic Band was named “Honor Band” in recognition of giving the most outstanding performance at the University of Illinois Super-state Band Festival.
Kylie Hankosky, English horn soloist will perform Stanislas Verroust’s “Fantaisie” which was arranged for the ensemble by Dan Dietrich. Kylie is a graduate of Western Illinois University, where she earned her Bachelor of Music Education. While studying at WIU, she performed with Wind Ensemble, Steel Drum Band and served on the leadership team for the Marching Leathernecks. Kylie is the Director of Bands for grades 5-12 in Brimfield, IL. She is also an instructor for the Metamora Township High School Marching Band. Kylie maintains a studio of private oboe students from around the Peoria area. Current playing positions include oboe/English horn with the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra, Western Illinois Wind Band and Prairie Wind Ensemble. In the summer, Kylie enjoys teaching camps and playing in local community bands around Central Illinois.
The PWE has a rich history owed to its founder, Conductor Emeritus Dr. Donald Lewellen, who created the ensemble in 1977. Mr. Maccabee was named conductor of the ensemble in December 2015. The ensemble membership represents many professional backgrounds. Approximately 70% of members are current or retired professional music educators. The remaining 30% represent a diverse set of occupations including recording technician, nurse, educator, anesthesiologist, information technologist, electronics technician, engineer, attorney, homemaker, electrician, retail manager, and project manager. Members are from Knoxville, Canton, Macomb, Bloomington, Normal, Peoria Heights, Washington, North Pekin, Marquette Heights, Avon, Morton, Cuba, Galesburg, Chillicothe, Dunlap, Glasford, Mapleton, Bartonville, Metamora, Germantown Hills, Marseilles, Farmington, Elmwood as well as Peoria, East Peoria and Morton.
Tickets are $8 for adults/$6 for senior and students. Group rates are available. Tickets can be purchased by telephone at 309-694-5136 or in person at the Performing Arts Center Box Office at Illinois Central College Main Campus: $8 for general public, $6 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available for purchase online www.artsaticc.com . Further information, pictures, contacts and updates for the ensemble can be found on the website: www.prairiewindensemble.com , Chairman of the PWE Board: Dan Dietrich, Ddietrich55@gmail.com or phone 309-691-8711 or Elizabeth Lehnhausen Driscoll, PWE Publicity edriscol@Dishmail.net or by phone
309-635-6389.
