Previous Guest Conductors

2004 Dr. Pete Griffin, University of Illinois

2005 Matt Luttrell, Illinois State University

2006 Robert Sheldon, Composer

2007 Dr. David Vroman, Bradley University

2008 James Swearingen, Ohio State University & Composer

2009 Dr. Daniel Belongia, Illinois State University

2010 Mrs. Margene Pappas, retired Oswego CUSD

2011 Robert Sheldon, Composer

2012 Tom Philbrick, teacher New Berlin PSD

2013 Dr. John Korak, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville

2014 Timothy Loest, composer

2015 Dr. Jennifer Moder, McKendree University and Founder of ILLHB

2016 Dr. Richard Fischer, Concordia University - Chicago

2017 Mr. Eric Hipple, Concordia Lutheran - Peoria; Mrs. Judy Vasel, Trinity Lutheran - Bloomington; Ms. Kim Taube, St. Andrews Lutheran - Park Ridge; Mr. Sal Percoco, St. John Lutheran - Champaign

2018 Todd Stalter, Eureka HS & Composer, ILLHB commissions and performs "Reflections on a Lenten Hymn...All Fires Unholy" by Todd Stalter

2019 Dr. Darryl A. Coan, Professor of Music, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 

2021 Cancelled due to COVID-19 

2022 Dr. Neal Smith, Professor of Music, Millikin University

2023 Mr. Christopher Render, Richwoods HS, ILMEA Jazz Division President

2024 Mr. Eric Hipple [Concordia-Peoria]; Mrs. Julie Higgins [Trinity-Bloomington]; Mr. Zach Stegman [Good Shepherd - Collinsville]; Ms. Haley Borchers [Unity Christian - Decatur]

2025 Dr. Jen Moder, former band director at Concordia-Peoria and founder of the ILLHB; Associate Profession of Music Education at McKendry University

Previous Festival Locations

2004-2008     Concordia Lutheran School - Peoria 

Founder and Coordinator: Dr. Jennifer Moder

2009-2010     Trinity Lutheran School - Bloomington

Coordinator: Mrs. Judy Vasel

2011-2012     Trinity Lutheran School - Springfield

Coordinator: Laura Fliege

2013-2014     Zion Lutheran School - Bethalto

Coordinator: Mr. Eric Hipple

2015               McKendree University

Coordinator: Mr. Eric Hipple

2016               Concordia University - Chicago

Coordinator: Mr. Eric Hipple

2017-2018     Concordia Lutheran School - Peoria

Coordinator: Mr. Eric Hipple

2019               Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Coordinator: Mr. Zachary Stegman

2020 - 2021 Cancelled due to COVID-19

2022      Millikin University

                Coordinator: Mr. Zachary Stegman

2023 Concordia Lutheran School - Peoria

Coordinators: Mr. Eric Hipple and Mr. Zachary Stegman

2024 Trinity Lutheran School - Bloomington

Coordinator: Mr. Eric Hipple

2025 Concordia Lutheran School - Peoria

Coordinator: Mr. Eric Hipple