NEW CONDUCTOR NAMED FOR MUNICIPAL BAND

for more information:
Ernie Slottag 789-2235

Beginning with the 2012 season, the Springfield Municipal Band will have a new conductor. Thomas Philbrick has been selected to lead the band. He becomes only the fourth person to serve as a conductor of the Springfield Municipal Band in the band’s 75-Year history.

Philbrick currently serves as the band director at New Berlin Community Schools. He has conducted and rehearsed with all levels of students at New Berlin, and has conducted the concert, jazz and pep bands there. He has taught music in public schools for the past twelve years.

Philbrick has also performed with over a dozen bands in central Illinois including the Decatur Municipal Band, the Capitol Area Band, Heartland Brass Band and the Springfield Municipal Band. He has conducted a number of performances for the Springfield Muni Opera orchestra.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Millikin University in Decatur, and was awarded a master’s degree in music education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Philbrick replaces Gene Haas, who will retire after the current season is completed. Haas’ final concert will be a special 911 salute, to be held on September 11, 2011 in Douglas Park.

The band was created in 1936 by referendum, absorbing the Illinois Watch Company Band, then combining with Unit 2 consisting of African American musicians in 1954. The band provides entertainment for civic functions and music at the parks for audiences, as well as patriotic music for Veterans and Memorial Day observances, Lincoln commemorative events and Independence Day celebrations. It has provided opportunities for the best collegiate and high school musicians to practice their craft sitting along with adult professional musicians and educators.