School of Music at Illinois State University

06/02/2026

As the academic year comes to a close, we take a moment to celebrate three members of our School of Music community as they prepare for retirement.

🎶Today we celebrate Dr. Glenn Block, whose remarkable career at Illinois State University has shaped our School of Music for more than three decades.🎉💛
Dr. Block joined the School of Music faculty in 1990. Over the last 35 years, he has collaborated with countless faculty, students, and distinguished guest artists. His work has included leading the Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Philharmonia Orchestra; choral masterwork collaborations; large-scale joint productions with the School of Theatre and Dance; performances with faculty and student concerto soloists; projects featuring faculty and student composers; and outreach through spring orchestra tours and the annual High School Orchestra Festival. Dr. Block has also led numerous world premieres, contributing to a vibrant and evolving orchestral repertoire for Illinois State students and beyond.
Dr. Block has mentored many undergraduate and graduate student conductors who carry his influence forward into their own careers. His former students now hold university and professional conducting positions and serve as leaders in string education across the country.
Dr. Block's legacy reflects a sustained commitment to artistry, collaboration, and teaching at Illinois State. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Block on a long and impactful career and in wishing him the very best in retirement!! 🤩🎵

06/02/2026

As the academic year comes to a close, we take a moment to celebrate three members of our School of Music community as they prepare for retirement.

We are proud to celebrate the retirement of Professor Kevin Hart.🎉🎵
An accomplished jazz performer and educator, Kevin has inspired countless students through his musicianship, creativity, and passion for the art form. A member of the School of Music faculty since 2007, Kevin has taught many courses in the jazz area, including various improv classes, jazz piano lessons, and jazz combos. Hundreds of music students took the Jazz Rock Theory & Aural Skills courses with Kevin. He has also contributed to ISU’s gen ed program as a regular instructor for our History of Jazz course.
Across the last nineteen years, Kevin's work has helped shape our jazz program and elevate opportunities for student performers in meaningful ways. His dedication to musical excellence and student growth has left a lasting mark on the School of Music.
🎶 Join us in celebrating Professor Hart's remarkable career and wishing him continued joy and creativity in retirement!🧡

06/02/2026

As the academic year comes to a close, we take a moment to celebrate three members of our School of Music community as they prepare for retirement.

First, we are proud to celebrate Mona Hubbard, a beloved member of our office staff. ❤️❤️
For 28 years, Mona has been at the heart of our school community. Her warmth and dedication have helped shape the daily experience of our School in ways large and small. Her legacy is one of care, connection, and unwavering dedication to the School of Music. Mona, thank you for everything you have given to this community—you will be deeply missed.
💛 Please join us in congratulating Mona on her retirement and wishing her all the best in this next chapter!
https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2026/05/mona-hubbard-the-heart-of-the-school-of-music/

06/01/2026

Congrats to all who participated in this weekend's Alumni Band concert!

05/09/2026

🤩😍Congratulations to our SPRING 2026 GRADUATES!!!! We are so proud of all that you have accomplished and can't wait to see what the future holds for each of you. Enjoy this special day!! 🥳🎶
(Thanks as always to Dr. Marinello and our Commencement Band for making it a festive ceremony, and thanks to Kennedy Carico for beautifully leading the University Hymn and National Anthem!)

04/21/2026

We're thrilled to have alum Useon Choi back on campus this week!! Come see him and everyone in the ISU Wind Symphony tomorrow night!🤩

Dr. Useon Choi, M.M. ’25, will return to campus to guest conduct the Illinois State Wind Symphony on Wednesday, April 22, for a piece he reimagined as a School of Music graduate student.

04/20/2026

It was great to connect with some alumni at yesterday's FANTASTIC orchestra concert! Our next "Catching up with cookies" event is Wednesday evening's Wind Symphony concert (April 22 @ 7:00 pm), followed by choral concerts on Sunday April 26 (3pm and 6pm). The cookies from Grove Street Bakery are delicious!

Illinois State University School of Music alumni are warmly invited back to campus for Catching Up with Cookies, a casual pre-concert gathering held before select final spring ensemble concerts.

04/20/2026

🤩Congrats to piano student Mo Abdelrahman who is featured in this news story as a "Graduating Redbird!" Mo is completing his master's degree in Piano Performance this semester. 🎹🎵He has been a fantastic Group Piano instructor and has collaborated with many students and ensembles. Thank you, Mo, for everything you have contributed to the School of Music - we wish you the best in your next endeavors!

When Mohammad “Mo” Abdelrahman first sat down at a piano at age 18, he had no idea his life was about to change. Now he's preparing to graduate with a master's degree in music performance.

04/16/2026

13 of our School of Music students have their Senior Recitals coming up over the next few weeks! Show them some support in the comments!

03/04/2026

🎺🎵In case you missed it: here is a great feature story on music major Judah Crowder that was published by ISU News in February! We're very proud of all that Judah has accomplished!

Judah Crowder made history at Illinois Sate University in 2025 when she was named the first Black, female drum major to conduct the Big Red Marching Machine.