I was a high school band director for 37 years, the last 31 at Buffalo Grove High School. In that time my concert bands performed 11 times in Europe. We also performed at Orchestra Hall twice. I retired in 2016 and have since been filling in as a longterm substitute band director and clinician in schools that have a need. For 7 years I was the MC and House Trumpet player at Hofbräuhaus Chicago in Rosemont. Today I continue to perform in different bands in Chicago and am 2nd Vice-President of the Rheinischer Verein of Chicago and perform in the organization's Fanfaren Corps where we performed in Las Vegas in 2020 and 2024. Our clubhouse is located on Elston near Montrose and Pulaski. My wife and I have two adult sons and we have a grandson (born in 2022) and a granddaughter coming in 2024. The grands live in South Carolina where we have a 2nd home.
My favorite Lane memories evolved around the fun we had in the Music Department. From going to Hero's for dinner with friends between the end of school and the start of Monday Night Band to making amazing musical memories on the stage in the auditorium with the people I knew and loved so much, there was no single memory. Truth be told, getting excused from classes for band performances became a fun challenge. If Mr. Golden excused us Periods: 3-4, I would manipulate the pass to read Periods: 1-2-3-4-5 (or similar) and NEVER got caught! My life was in the band room (orchestra room too, but mostly band). No regrets.
Among my interests today include continuing to play basketball, downhill ski, travel to Europe and the Florida Keys, and connecting with may grandson and future granddaughter. I'm also a big Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, and Illini fan and follow them all closely. I'm also not ashamed to admit I love good German Bier.
Been married for 40+ years
BS and MS Degrees from University of Illinois
2 sons who also have BS and MS degrees (3 of those degreed are from Illinois)
Featured Soloist with the University of Illinois Marching Illini (1978)
Led 11 European Concert Tours with the Buffalo Grove High School Band (1985-2016)
Directed the ILMEA All-State Jazz Band (2007)
Directed the Buffalo Grove High School Symphonic Band at Orchestra Hall twice (2012 and 2015)
Performed twice in Las Vegas with the RV Fanfaren Corps (2020 and 2024)
Without Lane Tech, I would not be where I am today. The great music teachers in my life there (Mr. Golden, Mr. Cina, Mr. Rico, Mr. Klassen, and Mr. Keys) shaped me into the musician I am today and the amazing musicians and people I was surrounded by (you know who you are) shaped me into the person I am today. Attending Lane also helped me to become street/city smart. That cannot be underestimated either.
