Barry McNamara  |  Published April 21, 2022

A Musical Start to May

Monmouth College’s Symphonic Concert Band to team with guests for annual spring concert on May 1.

MONMOUTH, Ill. – For his first spring performance in charge of the Monmouth College Symphonic Concert Band, director John Eckstine is bringing in two guest conductors and another College musical group.

JOHN ECKSTINE: In first few months on the job, new director has grown Symphonic Concert Band from... JOHN ECKSTINE: In first few months on the job, new director has grown Symphonic Concert Band from 14 to 35 members.The Symphonic Concert Band will present a half-dozen selections at 2 p.m. May 1 in the Kasch Performance Hall of the College’s Dahl Chapel and Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public.

“The Monmouth College Symphonic Concert Band has improved greatly since our first meeting in January,” said Eckstine. “Beginning with 14 students, we have been able to grow the ensemble to 35 members by incorporating current college students with local high school and community band musicians.”

After Eckstine directs the opening piece, “Flourish for Wind Band” by Ralph Vaughn Williams, the first of two guest conductors will take the stage. Andrew Empey, director of bands at Galesburg High School, will lead the band in a performance of “Kentucky 1800” by Claire Grundman.

One of the band’s members, French horn player Lisa Hallen, is also the assistant director of bands at Monmouth-Roseville High School. She will take the conductor’s baton to lead a performance of “The Great Locomotive Chase” by Robert W. Smith.

After Eckstine leads a rendition of “Amparito Roca” by Jamie Texidor, the Symphonic Concert Band will team with the Monmouth College Wind Ensemble, directed by Morgan Miller.

The two groups will perform “Sleep” by Eric Whitacre and “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa.

Related Stories

  • 2025 Admiral's and Goldsborough Scholars

    Episode 23: March 12, 2021

    Meet Class of 2025 Admiral’s and Goldsborough scholars: Emily Canterbury of Orion, Illinois (1:43) and Ilese Rodeffer of Bushnell, Illinois (6:59); and Godlsborough Scholars Michelle Gutierrez of Chicago (14:11) and Emma Romano of Wilmington, Illinois (19:10).
    Read More

  • Nov. 20 Concert

    Monmouth College Symphonic Concert Band, which features students and community members, to perform under the direction of John Eckstine.
    Read More
Back to News & Events

Did you know?

  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College is proudly test optional. Applicants may choose whether or to submit SAT or ACT scores for admission and scholarship consideration. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/admission/apply/test-optional/" target="_blank">Test Optional</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College has an educational garden and 6.7 acre farm. Students grow and harvest fruits and vegetables to sell at the local farmer’s market. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_urls"><a href="https://monmouthcollege.edu/academics/only-at-monmouth/educational-garden-farm/" target="_blank">Garden & Farm</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College covers the cost for all current students to get a U.S. passport. Unlock access to over 198 different countries! We’ll even help with the paperwork :)</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/study-abroad/" target="_blank">Study Abroad</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College offers several international trips each year during 2-week Scots Terms in January and May. Recently students have traveled to Botswana, Greece, Scotland, Japan, and more. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_urls"><a href="https://monmouthcollege.edu/offices/global-engagement/" target="_blank">Scots Term</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> We’re no stranger to winning. Last year the Fighting Scots won Midwest Conference championships in Football, Women’s Soccer, Women’s Basketball and Men’s Track and Field. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_urls"><a href="https://monmouthscots.com/" target="_blank">Fighting Scots</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College has an active Pipe & Drum Band. Each year on Scholar’s Day in April the bagpipers wake students up at 6:00 a.m. by playing in the residence halls!</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/music/pipe-band/" target="_blank">Pipe Band</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p><strong>Monmouth College is the birthplace of the women’s fraternity movement. Pi Beta Phi, the first such collegiate women’s organization, was founded at Monmouth in 1867. It was followed three years later by Kappa Kappa Gamma. The two pioneering organizations today boast a total of 275 active chapters nationwide.</strong></p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/student-life/sororities-fraternities/" target="_blank">Sororities & Fraternities</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College offers unique academic minors in Global Public Health and Global Food Security for students who want to use their education to address global challenges. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/global-public-health/" target="_blank">Global Public Health</a></li><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/global-food-security/" target="_blank">Global Food Security</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> 98% of Monmouth graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/wackerle-center/career-services/" target="_blank">Career Preparation</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> 99% of Monmouth students received some type of scholarship or financial assistance.</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/offices/student-financial-planning/types-of-aid/scholarships/" target="_blank">Scholarships</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> We offer a certified Peace Corps Preparation program that gives Peace Corps bound graduates a leg up in the application process.</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/peace-corps-prep/" target="_blank">Peace Corps Prep</a></li></ul></div></aside>