McKendree University Department of Music

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McKendree University Department of Music

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Welcome to the Official Department of Music page for McKendree University! Check back often Become a Part of the McKendree Music Experience!

The Department of Music reinstated its full music curriculum in 1996. In 2003 a degree in Music Education was added and in 2006 Music Business was included. Now the music department is larger and stronger than ever with increasing numbers every year. Many students who choose not to major or minor in music are nevertheless active participants in one of the performing ensembles, or take lessons in voice, piano, organ, woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments. With the addition of the degree in Music Education, students now have the opportunity to qualify for an Illinois Special Teaching Certificate in both instrumental and vocal music. Please visit our website for more information on how you can become a part of the McKendree University Music Department.

10/12/2026

Tonight - 7:00 p.m.! Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and Concert Band! Can't attend in person? Thanks to Doug and the Hett team, you can watch on our live stream: https://youtube.com/live/JjTEELYwKdw?feature=share

10/09/2026

Meet the McKendree Music Faculty Fridays!

Now in her fourth year as an Adjunct Professor of Music at McKendree University, Lynda Marshall brings more than three decades of experience as a music educator, choral director, vocal teacher, conductor, and performer to the McKendree Music Department.

A native of Highland, Illinois, Professor Marshall holds a Master of Music from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a Bachelor of Music Education from Illinois State University. She began her teaching career at Edwardsville High School, where she served as choral director from 1998–2015 and developed a highly successful choral program. Her extensive collegiate teaching experience includes serving as Associate Professor of Music at Kaskaskia College and teaching at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Greenville College, and the Illinois State University Music Academy.

In 2010, Professor Marshall became a National Board Certified Teacher in Music, a rigorous professional credential reflecting a commitment to advanced teaching practice, ongoing professional reflection, and student-centered instruction. She is also an Association for Body Mapping Education (ABME) Licensure Trainee, pursuing specialized training focused on helping musicians develop greater awareness of their bodies and movement patterns. This training complements her emphasis on healthy, efficient, and sustainable vocal technique and performance practices.

An accomplished choral educator and conductor, Professor Marshall has served as a guest conductor for numerous ILMEA Junior, Senior, and Elementary Chorus festivals and conducted the choir for the 2023 Illinois Ambassadors of Music European Tour. She continues to share her expertise with students and communities throughout the region as choral director at Trimpe Middle School and Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto, Illinois, where she directs multiple choirs, serves as vocal director for the spring musical, and teaches dual-credit Music Appreciation and an EC Music course. She also serves as conductor of the Centralia Choral Society, a volunteer ensemble with a rich 65-year history of connecting the arts with the community.

As a performer, Professor Marshall is an active mezzo-soprano soloist with local orchestras, and has extensive experience as a collaborative pianist for soloists, groups, and musical theatre productions in the St. Louis/Metro-East area. She has also presented at state and regional professional music education conferences on vocal production, somatic education, musicianship, and healthy approaches to teaching and performance.

Study Applied Voice at McKendree University and learn from a teacher who understands the singer as both an artist and a musician, while helping every student develop a healthy, authentic, and sustainable voice!

10/05/2026

Chamber choir showing their silly side as we prepare for Tuesday's concert! (7pm - Hett - Oct 6)

10/03/2026

We're very proud of our growing vocal studio at McKendree! These students are working hard to become talented choral performers and educators. 🙂 If you know any blossoming musicians who are looking to grow their skills, send them our way! We are always looking for bright new singers and players to mentor in their journey toward a successful music career.

10/02/2026

Meet the McKendree Music Faculty! We are excited and honor to introduce our new saxophone professor - Mr. Alfredo DeLeon.

Mr. DeLeon is a Fairmont City native and graduate of Collinsville High School (IL). Following graduation, Mr. DeLeon attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education.

While at SIUE, he played alto saxophone for the SIUE Wind Symphony, serving as principal saxophone for three years and was a winner of the SIUE Wind Symphony Concerto Competition in 2019. After completing his degree, Mr. DeLeon was an Assistant Band Director at Washington High School and Washington Middle School in Washington, Missouri.

From 2021-2025, Mr. DeLeon was the Director of Bands at Collinsville High School where he directed the Collinsville High School Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, and Jazz Band, and co-taught the CHS Symphonic Band and Pep Bands. Under his leadership, the CHS marching band achieved finalist status at the Illinois State Marching Band Championships for the first time in school history in 2022 and again in 2024. Additionally, the CHS Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the University of Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival in 2022, 2024, and 2025. The Wind Ensemble was also selected to perform at the Illinois Music Education Conference in 2025.

Currently, Mr. DeLeon is the Youth Orchestra Manager for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and also a co-director of the Saint Louis Wind Symphony Youth Ensemble.

10/01/2026

The Band and Choir Organization class at McKendree was blessed to learn from Mr. Bobby Wright, principal (and former band director) at Collinsville High School. Excellent insight into first jobs, working with administration and parents, and being the best educator we can be for our students. Thanks, Mr. Wright!

09/29/2026

November 17 - Junior High and High School Honor Band Festival with guest composer conductor, JaRod Hall.
Nominations are due today - Tuesday, September 29, at Noon.
Join us for this excellent event!

09/26/2026

As we prepare to turn our calendars to October, you will want to add these wonderful concerts to your calendars:

* Tuesday, October 6 - Concert Choir and Chamber Choir - 7:00 p.m. - Hettenhausen Center for the Arts

* Monday, October 12 - Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and Concert Band - 7:00 p.m. - Hettenhausen Center for the Arts

09/22/2026

Band Director Colleagues: Friendly reminder that next Tuesday (September 29 at noon) is the deadline for submitting nominations for the High School Honor Band and Junior High Honor Band on November 17 festival with guest composer conductor, JaRod Hall. We hope your students will join us for this fantastic music making experience.

09/21/2026

Our music education majors were blessed to spend Sunday evening learning from Ms. Kara Grafton (McKendree alumna, Bachelor of Music Education - Class of 2020). Ms. Grafton is currently the music educator at Germantown Elementary. We enjoyed learning a plethora of items such as lesson plan organization, accommodations for students with IEP's, and things she wished she had known while in college. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and passion for music and education with us, Ms. Grafton!

Address

Lebanon, IL

Telephone

+16185376554

Website

http://www.mckendree.edu/music

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