Downers Grove South Head of Fine Arts Named as All-State Jazz Band Conductor

South High Department Chair of Fine Arts Glenn Williams has been selected to serve as the Illinois All-State Jazz Band Conductor at the 2014 Illinois Music Education Conference. He will also be recognized for 25 years of service as a music educator during the conference, which will be held this week in Peoria, Illinois.

Students are selected by competitive audition to participate in the all-state jazz band. Over 2,000 student musicians and music educators from across the state participate in the conference each year.

“Glenn’s selection to serve as an all-state conductor is an incredible honor, one that is typically bestowed upon collegiate professors or well-established professional recording artists,” said colleague and North High Department Chair of Fine Arts Brayer Teague. “Glenn has made incredible contributions to the field of music education, and this appointment highlights the high degree to which educators from across the state recognize and admire Glenn as one of the premiere jazz educators in our nation.”

“We are so proud of Glenn for not only all that he does to spotlight our students and to nurture and grow their musical talents, but also for his own enormous talent and the recognition he receives from his peers,” said South High Principal Stephan Bild. “This honor is akin to a ‘Hall of Fame’ type of achievement, and it is definitely well deserved.” 

Williams has worked at District 99 since 2005. He was one of the first teachers to achieve National Board Certification at the district.

—Story submitted by District 99