We strive to maintain a tradition of excellence and a dedication to the betterment of ourselves and our community through music- JCHS Bands

Directors

Lacy Wray is a 2007 graduate of Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL, where she studied piano, percussion, saxophone and steel drums.  Ms. Wray studied conducting with Dr. Michael Fansler, piano with Ms. Hyung Ja Kim, and percussion studies with Dr. Rick Kurasz.  While at WIU, she was the Assistant Director for the Intermediate Steel Band, held the section leader position of the saxophones for the Marching Leathernecks, was an executive officer for Mu Phi Epsilon, and was selected as a student conductor recipient for both the concert band and the concert choir.  During her tenure at WIU, she was also chosen as a counselor for the summer music camps programs where she created and taught multicultural music units.

After receiving her Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education, she worked for two years in the Belleville Township School District 201 at Belleville East High School, in Belleville, IL.  She was the primary director for Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Woodwind Choir, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band and Associate Director of the Marching Lancers.  Under her associate direction the Marching Lancers traveled to the the Liberty Bowl Festival in Memphis, TN and the Outback Bowl in Tampa, FL.  Also under her direction the Symphonic Wind Ensemble performed and had clinics with conductors such as Dr. John Bell, Dr. John Korak, and Paul Hinman.

Ms. Wray is currently earning her Masters of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting, studying with Dr. John Bell at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.  At SIUE she plays with the percussion ensemble and is assisting in the establishment of a steel band program, under the direction of Mr. Daniel Smithiger.  Under the direction of Dr. John Bell, she is playing in the Wind Symphony that has been selected as one of two United States groups to perform for the 15th International World Association of Symphonic Bands Conference to be held in Taiwan in July 2011.

Ms. Wray is currently a member of Mu Phi Epsilon, Music Educators National Conference, and Illinois Music Education Association.  She currently resides in Wood River, IL.

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Waylon Schroeder directs the 6th through 8th grade bands at Illini Middle School as well as assists with the jazz program at the high school. He is a 1997 graduate of JCHS.  He holds degrees in Music Education and Jazz Performance from Eastern Illinois University and is completing graduate work at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in Jazz Performance.  Mr. Schroeder is an active musician and performs in the St. Louis area.

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Cliff Kaminsky is JCHS’s current athletic director and directed the JCHS Bands from 1989-2009.  Mr. Kaminsky has a degree in music education from Illinois State University and has received numerous awards during his tenure at JCHS, including the Mary Hoffman award from the Illinois Music Educator’s Association.