CHIP DE STEFANO
Chip
De Stefano received both his Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance
and Master of Music Education Degrees from Northwestern University. While
at Northwestern, he studied conducting with John P. Paynter, Steve Peterson,
and Don Owens, trombone with Frank Crisafulli and Art Linsner, and music
education with Bennett Reimer, Donald Casey, Jim Kjelland, and Peter
Webster. Mr. De Stefano was director of the Northwestern University Basketball
Band (1994-1996) and the University Jazz Lab Band (1995-1996). In addition
to these responsibilities, he assisted with all the office of band’s
performing organizations and had conducting appearances with the wind
ensemble, symphonic band, trombone ensemble, and marching band.
Mr. De Stefano is currently in his 12th year as Director of Bands at McCracken Middle School in Skokie, Illinois. Under his direction, the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band has received first division ratings at all district and state organization contests of the Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) and has made multiple appearances at the Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA) All-State Conference and the University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival. In 2005, the Symphonic Band performed at the Michigan Music Education In-Service Conference/MENC North-Central Conference and was most recently presented a concert at the 2006 "60th Anniversary" Midwest Clinic: An International Band and Orchestra Conference.
As a published arranger and composer, Mr. De Stefano has received commissions from the marching bands of Northwestern University, Samford University, the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, the University of Idaho and dozens of high schools from across the United States. His works have been performed on ABC’s 1996 Rose Bowl Halftime Show, Live! with Regis and Kathy Lee, and WBBM News Radio 780. Mr. De Stefano’s works are available from Grand Mesa Music, Kagarice Brass Editions and DeStefanoMusic.com.
Mr. De Stefano’s professional affiliations include the Music Educators National Conference, the Illinois Music Educators Association, the National Band Association, the International Trombone Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Mr. De Stefano is a recipient of eight National Band Association Citations of Excellence. He was awarded the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award in 2001 and the IGSMA Barbara Buehlmann Young Conductor Award in 2004.
DAVID MORRISON
David
Morrison received his formal training in music at the University of Illinois, where he
earned his Music Education B.S. in 1973 and his Masters in 1977. From 1973 to 1977 he
was Director of Bands at East Richland High School in Olney, Illinois. From 1977 until
2006, he was the Director of Bands at Prospect High School, in Mt. Prospect, Illinois,
where he developed and maintained a nationally recognized band program for 29 years.
Honors that he has received include the Citation of Excellence from the National Band
Association, election to the Phi Beta Mu National Band Director's Honorary Fraternity,
winner of Outstanding Contributions to Education Award at Prospect High School on two
occasions, Outstanding Chicagoland Music Educator Award in 1992, the Shining Star Award
1995, nomination for the Golden Apple Award in 2001. In 2003, Mr. Morrison was honored
as the Illinois State Teacher of the Year, and in 2005, he was inducted into the Phi Beta
Mu Bandmaster's Hall of Fame at Northwestern University. In June of 2007, Mr. Morrison
received the John Paynter Lifetime Achievement Award. Although recently retired, Mr. Morrison
continues to guest conduct, clinic, and adjudicate music groups throughout the U.S. and the
world. Most recently, Mr. Morrison served as guest conductor at the Singapore American School
in the Far East. Mr. Morrison will conduct the Illinois All State Band in January of 2009.
Under the direction of David Morrison, the Prospect bands have been exceptionally successful. The Symphonic band has won numerous honors, including consistent first division awards from the Illinois High School Association State Band Contest, first division awards at the Chicagoland Symphonic Band Festival, and the Honor Band Award at the prestigious Superstate Band Festival. Auditioning among outstanding bands throughout the State of Illinois, the Prospect Symphonic Band was honored as a 15 time selectee to the University of Illinois Superstate Band Festival. In 2005, the Band was chosen for the second time to perform as the Superstate Honor Band, at the Foehlinger Great Hall in the Krannert Center in Champaign, IL on May 6, 2006.
The Prospect Marching Knights have gained national recognition for their outstanding performances at state and national competitions, winning numerous championships at the Chicagoland Marching Festival, receiving the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association, being selected for the finals five times at the Bands of America Grand National Championships, winning the Grand Championship at the University of Illinois Marching Competition 24 times, including 23 years consecutively, winning the Grand Master Championship at the National Pageant of Bands in Phoenix, Arizona in 1995, and winning the Bands of America Toledo Regional Championship in 2001. The Prospect Bands have traveled extensively. Some of their destinations include , Hawaii (King Kameamea Parade), London (Lordmayor of Westminster's Parade), Pasadena (Tournament of Roses Parade), the Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the Fiesta Bowl Parade in Phoenix, Arizona, the Citrus Bowl and Magic Kingdom Parades in Orlando, Florida, the Bank One Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, Texas, and the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles, CA. On January 2, 2006, the band made their second appearance in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.