EIU Band Directors
Dr. Milton Allen
Director of Bands
Instrumental Division Director
Dr. Milton Allen serves as both Director of Bands and Instrumental Division Director at Eastern Illinois University, where he conducts the Wind Symphony, Collegiate Band, University Band, teaches undergraduate conducting, guides the graduate wind conducting program and oversees all aspects of Eastern's band program.
Prior to his appointment at EIU, Allen served on the music faculty at Wittenberg University, conducting the symphonic band, chamber orchestra and teaching various courses in music education. In addition to his duties at Wittenberg he was the Doctoral Conducting Associate for The Ohio State University Bands.
A 17-year veteran of the public school rehearsal room, Dr. Allen's refreshing and practical approach to both music education and conducting has taken him throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom as a clinician and guest conductor. From British Columbia to Glasgow, Scotland and at conferences including the Midwest Clinic, MENC regional and national conventions and BASBWE International Wind Festivals, Dr. Allen's humor, passion and experience combine to illuminate the possibilities of both music education and the live art of performance.
Ensembles under Allen's direction have received numerous awards at local, state and national levels including recognition by the United States Congress for Musical Excellence. He is a two-time school Teacher of the Year, a Kansas Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist, and is listed in various Who's Who publications. Other honors and distinctions include 5 awards from the Ohio State University School of Music recognizing his teaching and service and selection as a Conducting Fellow for the Eastman Wind Ensemble's 40th Anniversary.
Allen earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree with honors from the University of North Texas, the Masters degree in conducting from the University of Missouri-Columbia, the Diploma of Fine Arts in Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band from the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada and the Doctor of Musical Arts from The Ohio State University. He holds memberships in CBDNA, MENC, NBA, ISME, Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha.
Dr. Allen is a Jupiter Instruments Artist Conductor/Clinician.
email: mdallen@eiu.edu
phone: 581-2622
Barry L. Houser
Associate Director of Bands
Director of Athletic Bands
Barry Houser is the new EIU Associate Director of Bands, where his duties include Conductor of the Concert and University Bands, Director of Athletic Bands and instructor of music education classes.
Mr. Houser's experience encompasses both extensive public school and university experience. Prior to his appointment at Eastern Illinois University, he served as Director of Bands and Performing Arts at NorthWood High School in Nappanee, Indiana, where the band program tripled in size during his tenure. Ensembles under his direction consistently received superior ratings, including the NorthWood High School Wind Ensemble receiving "With Distinction" and ISSMA All Music Awards from 2002-2006. The NWHS Wind Ensemble was the only high school selected to perform at the 2004 Indiana Music Educator's Association State Convention in Indianapolis with a special performance with the Dallas Brass. NorthWood band performances included the Festival 500 Parade, the Target Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago, the Outback Bowl Parade and Half-Time Show in Tampa, Florida, the 74th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Washington DC National Memorial Parade representing the state of Indiana, and Maynard Ferguson.
Prior to his position at NorthWood High School, Mr. Houser served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida. His concert bands, jazz bands, and the Golden Regiment Marching Band received consistent superior ratings. In addition, the BHS Golden Regiment was invited to perform at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and to be the featured band on the NBC Today Show with Matt Lauer and Katie Couric.
Houser earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he also served as the Head Drum Major of the University of Florida Fightin' Gator Marching Band. In that role, he appeared in numerous college bowl games, professional football games and various performance venues, including Walt Disney World, Epcot Center, MGM Studios and Universal Studios.
Mr. Houser has pursued further study at the University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana, where he was actively involved with conducting responsibilities in addition to working with both the Marching Illini and the Basketball Bands. He is also the Co-Director and Head Clinician for the world renowned Smith Walbridge Drum Major Clinics that host over 1200 students from 26 states nationwide.
Houser holds professional memberships in the Golden Key National Honor Society, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi International Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Professional Music Fraternity, National Band Association, International Association of Jazz Educators, and has been listed in various "Who's Who" publications since 2004.
email: blhouser@eiu.edu
phone: 581-6087
EIU Graduate Band Assistants
Christopher N. Jones
Chris Jones is a native of Chatham, IL and a graduate from Glenwood High School. He earned his Bachelor of Music with teacher certification at Eastern Illinois University. While at Eastern, Chris was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, EIU student brass quintet, and the Panther Marching Band. He was an active member of the Illinois Collegiate Music Educators Association (ICMEA) and was twice elected as the vice president to the EIU local chapter. Chris also served as the vice president to the Eastern Illinois Symphonic Orchestra. In 2004 he was the recipient of Wescott Award for Musical Talent.
After completing a bachelor's degree, Mr. Jones taught music at Iroquois West CUSD #10 from the fall of 2007 to the spring of 2008. His principle duties included directing the elementary school band, both middle school bands, and high school band, as well as directing the high school chorus.
Throughout his college and teaching carrier Mr.
Jones was also serving in the Illinois Army National Guard. He had
enlisted as a trumpet player in the 144th Army Band in the summer after
his high school graduation. In the summer of 2007, Mr. Jones attended
Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) at Ft. Rucker, AL followed by
the Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC) at the U.S. Army School of
Music at Norfolk, VA. Soon after he completed his training Mr. Jones
took command of the 144th Army Band as its director. Mr. Jones
continues to conduct the 144th Army Band, and more recently was
selected as an EIU Graduate Band Assistant beginning Fall 2008.
email: cnjones@eiu.edu
phone: 581-2799
Chris Mroczek
Chris Mroczek is very excited to be in his first year as a graduate assistant at Eastern Illinois University. Chris is originally from Aurora, Illinois, where he graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School. From 2002-2006 he attended EIU, and graduated ³Summa Cum Laude² with a Bachelor of Music degree with teacher certification. During his time at Eastern, Chris was a member and principal chair clarinetist of the Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra. He was also a member of the Panther Marching Band, where he held the leadership position of saxophone section leader in 2004, Drum Major in 2005, and was a member of the EIU Drumline in 2006. Along with his ensemble commitments, Chris was an active member of Kappa Kappa Psi and the EIU Chapter of ICMEA, serving the office of President for two years. Chris was awarded the EIU Talented Student Award, the George Wescott Band Award, the Erret & Mazie Warner Presidential Music Award, and the Leo J. Dvorak Scholarship.
After graduating from EIU, Chris moved to Rushville, Illinois where he was the Junior High Band Director/Assistant High School Band Director in the Schuyler-Industry C.U.S.D. #5 school district from Fall 2007 to Spring 2009. Mr. Mroczek directed the junior high bands to several community acclaimed creative and fun band performances, one of which included an African djembe drum circle. Mr. Mroczek also directed the Schuyler-Industry Middle School jazz band, which doubled in size during his tenure. As the Assistant High School Band Director Mr. Mroczek¹s main responsibility was to the RIHS percussion students, teaching percussion lessons and serving as the RIHS Drumline instructor. Mr. Mroczek¹s work in Rushville earned him an invitation to the 2008 IMEA Emerging Educators Leadership Conference in Peoria, IL.
Chris is excited to be a part of the great EIU University Band Staff, and is looking forward to growing as a conductor and music educator.
