Our Board...
Meeting Minutes are here.
2016-2018
| Maureen Durack |
President |
BS in Accountancy, '83. Maureen was a member of the MI in flag corps for 4 years.
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| Beth (Cima) Nuss |
VP
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B.S. Music Education-1982; .S. Music Education-1987
Years in Bands: 1978-1982
Marching Illini, Symphonic Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band, University Saxophone Quartet, Kams Hockey Band, University Spring Musical Pit Orchestra, Bong Show Band
Section(s): Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Soprano Sax.
Gary Smith, Dr. Harris, Dr. Harry Begian, James Curnow
I am currently completing my 32nd year of teaching instrumental music education in the Illinois public schools, including 30 years in my present position in the Paxton-Buckley-Loda schools. I give instrumental music instruction to students grades 5-12 including concert band, marching band, jazz band, solo/ensemble instruction and individual instrument instruction. I’ve been married for 26 years to my husband Mitch. I have two grown step children, Corey (daughter-in-law Erin) and Albrey; one grandson, Camden age 1; and one son Erik, who played trombone in the Marching Illini, concert band, and pep band during his undergraduate studies at the University. Erik is currently a 2nd year student in the U of I college of Veterinary Medicine. Our family resides at Lake Iroquois in Loda, Illinois and also includes two horses.
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| Rick Johnson |
Treasurer |
BS Mechanical Engineering, 1981
Marching Illini 1977-1980, 4 seasons basketball band (77/78-80/81), various concert bands
Trumpet
35-year career with a manufacturing company (Panduit Corporation) in engineering, engineering management, and operations management positions (retired in 2016)
Continue to operate a grain farm and agricultural seed business in Will County
Married to Andrea (UK alum)
Two children, both MI alums
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| Kim (Witek) Tallungan |
Secretary |
Bachelor of Music Education (BME) 2002, Masters of Music Education (MME) 2009
Years in Bands: 1998-2002
Marching Illini (1998-2001), Basketball Band (1998-2001), Symphonic Bands (1998-2001), Summer Band (2000, 2001, 2002)
Tuba and Sousaphone
Dr. Tom Caneva and Dr. Pete Griffin (Jim Keene was director of bands)
5th & 6th grade Band Director at Millennium School in Homewood, Illinois
Assistant Marching Band Director at Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Married to Mark Tallungan (University of Illinois, BS in Finance, 2001) since July 2006
Daughter, Mallory, was born in February 2014
Awesome 4 year old dog, a St. Bernard, named Moolah
Participated in Alumni Band every year since 2002
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| Jeff Pahlke |
Board Member |
BS Atmospheric Sciences, 2011
Professional Pilot Certificate, Institute of Aviation, 2009
Marching Illini 2006 - 2011 (sousaphone)
Section leader last 3 years
Attended Rose Bowl and Texas Bowl
I work as a pilot for a regional airline based out of Washington, DC.
Currently living in Chicago with my fiance, an HR consultant for KPMG and die-hard Illini fan
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| Adam Rusek |
Board Member |
Bachelor of Music Education - 2007 from UIUC
Master of Education Leadership - 2013 from Olivet Nazarene University
2003-2006 Percussion
Concert Band, Symph 1, Symph 2, and Wind Symphony when additional percussion was needed.
Ken Steinsultz, Pete Griffin, Gary Smith, Tom Caneva, James Keene
I am married with one little girl, living in the South Suburbs of Chicago and I teach music and band at Peotone High School. |
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| Devon (Gravely) Embery |
Board Member |
BS Math/Computer Science '02
Marching Illini 98-02, first Illinette to dance all 4 years
Alumnettes board member and Homecoming organizer ~10 years
Married to Andrew Embery (KU alum).
One daughter (future Illinette!) named Emily.
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| Sarah Buerger |
Board Member |
BS Accountancy, 1987
MBA Kellogg (Northwestern)
Marching Illini 1983-1987, concert bands 1983-1985, basketball band 1987
Piccolo
I am VP of IT Security (and would be happy to talk to any Business or Computer Science major interested in IT Compliance or Security careers)
Married to Chip Buerger (MI trumpet 1981-1985). We have 15-year old twin daughters and live in Oak Park, Illinois
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| Dale Hallerberg |
Board Member as Past President |
BS Electrical Engineering '82
Marching Illini 78-82, 5 seasons in the drumline, 3 as co-section leader
10+ years playing drums (and some cowbell) in the Alumni Band for Homecoming.
Married to Brenda Brak (MI piccolo) We have two Illini daughters, one graduated with a BS in Aerospace Engineering and one with a BS in Psychology.
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| Steve Peterson |
Board Member as Director of Bands |
Professor of Music and director of Bands at Ithaca (N.Y.) College since 1998. He led the Ithaca College Wind Ensemble in widely respected recordings and in acclaimed concerts at prestigious venues such as Lincoln Center and on tour in Ireland. He has been a key national figure in cultivating new musical work through commissions and premieres.
He served as associate professor of conducting and associate director of bands for Northwestern University from 1988 to 1998 and led the Northshore Concert Band from 1996 to 1998. Peterson previously was associate director of Bands for Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, 1984-1988, and served at Tempe Union High School, Tempe, Ariz., and Central High School, Phoenix, in roles involving conducting, teaching, and administrative responsibilities.
Peterson has led more than 100 honor bands and has served as a clinician or guest conductor for universities, high schools, communities, and civic and organizations around the United States and the world. He is immediate past-president of the College Band Directors National Association and a member of the elite American Bandmaster’s Association and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles.
Peterson earned his Doctor of Music degree from Northwestern University, and Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Arizona State University.
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| David Allen |
Board Member as School of Music Contact |
David Allen guides the development and alumni relations initiatives for the School of Music. http://www.music.illinois.edu/faculty/david-allen |
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| Jordan Fansler |
Student Board Member
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Jordan is Junior undergraduate student studying Music Education, and plans to graduate in Spring, 2019. Jordan is the Section Leader for the MI Trombone section. He is also involved in the Hindsley Symphonic Band, UI Wind Orchestra, Volleyball Band, Women's Basketball Band, and the Men's Basketball Band.
Jordan's hometown is Macomb, Illinois
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Committees:
| Event Manager for Homecoming |
Peg Huson
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I spent the seasons of 1975, 1976, and 1977 in the Marching Illini and basketball band. During that time, I had the privilege to have both Dr. Kisinger (EDK) and Gary Smith as my directors. It was an exciting time for the Marching Illini. I received my BS in finance in 1982 after a brief detour in life. I remained active as a trumpet player until four years ago when I decided to put it in the case in favor of enjoying traveling. Prior to this season, I was active on the governing board of the Alumni Band in a few of its previous forms. Among other things, I was homecoming chair for several years and president for one year. I'm excited to be back working on homecoming again.
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| Endowment Funds |
Dave Trotter |
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration 1981
MI 77-80, First Concert Band 79-81 Summer Band '80
Sousaphone
Directors played under: Gary Smith and Dr. Begian was Director of Bands
Retired Firefighter. Married to Debbie. I have 4 kids, 2 of them are graduates of U of I. One son, Steve, played Trumpet in Concert Band. Three daughters, Joanne, oldest girl, played Baritone in MI, Nikki Junior at ISU, & Rachel, Senior at Wheaton North HS. . 3 grandsons, Ryan, 5, Kevin, 3 and Camden, 2. Avid bike rider and bicycle racer.
In 2004, started the David A. Trotter Endowment. This Endowment Fund is used for the purchase and repair of instruments for the MI and Bands. |
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| Nominating Committee |
Mark Clark |
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| History |
Joe Rank |
BS '69, MS '73 Advertising
MI 1965-66-67 UI Summer Band 1972-73
Saxophone
Other ensembles: Mark Foutch Band, Parkland College Concert Band, UI Summer Band
Alumni Band President 2004-06
Retired U.S. Navy Commander
Retired UI Alumni Association Vice President
Member, UI Alumni Association History & Traditions Committee
Four kids – all UI grads; Eldest son is Director of Bands, Oak Prairie JHS, Homer Glen, IL
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Director of the Marching Illini
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Barry Houser |
Barry Houser is the Director of the Marching Illini & Athletic Bands, Assistant Director of Bands and Assistant Professor in the School of Music at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His duties include directing the Wind Orchestra, the 350-member Marching Illini-The Nation’s Premier College Marching Band, the 200-member Illini Basketball Bands, the Illini Volleyball Bands, and teaching courses in undergraduate instrumental conducting and marching band procedures.
Professor Houser’s teaching experience encompasses both extensive public school and university experiences. Prior to his current position at Illinois, his bands have performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the NBC Today Show, the ISSMA State Marching Finals, and the IMEA State Convention. Other performances include the Indianapolis 500 Parade, the Target Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Outback Bowl Parade and Half-Time Show, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Washington DC National Memorial Parade, Chicago Bears Game, and performances with Maynard Ferguson and the Dallas Brass. Professor Houser serves as President and Director of the Smith-Walbridge Clinics, Chair for the North Central Division and Board of Directors for the National Band Association, and as one of the Directors of the Macy's Great American Marching Band!
Professor Houser received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Florida, and a Master of Music in Wind Conducting degree from the University of Illinois, where he was a student of James Keene.
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Meeting Minutes are here.
Past Presidents
Mike Fox
Mark Clark
Joe Rank
Peggy Huson
Karen Ranney
Rich Schroeder
Ray Garton
Dale Hallerberg
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