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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.