Palatine Concert Band - About The Conductor

Next Performance: Summer Concert
Thursday July 3rd, 2008 7 P.M.
Wilmette, IL

About the Conductor: Mr. Ronald H. Polancich

Ronald H. Polancich is the Director of Bands and Music Department Chair at York Community High School, Elmhurst, Illinois. He conducts the Cadet Band, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Pep Band and instructs the Advanced Study in Music Conducting. Under Mr. Polancich, the York Symphonic Band enjoys a long tradition of excellence and continues to hold a superior reputation as a model high school band program. This band has toured and performed at high school and college campuses throughout the United States and Canada, and performed at state festivals and national conferences. The band has premiered works by renowned composers including Andrew Boysen, Donald Erb, William Himes, Don Owens, and regularly performs for distinguished guest clinicians and conductors throughout the country. York Band graduates have entered the ranks of the nation's finest music schools and many have gone on to become leading successful professional musicians and teachers.

Prior to York, Mr. Polancich served in similar capacities in Joliet, Streamwood and Highland Park, Illinois. He received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Augustana College and his Master of Music Degree in Conducting from Northwestern University. His teachers have included John P. Paynter, Don Owens, Donald E. Casey, Charles Peters, Bruce Houseknecht, Arthur Katterjohn, George Opheim, Dean Sayles and Donald Jackson.

Mr. Polancich is active as conductor or clinician at festivals throughout the Midwest, and has taught courses at Elmhurst College, Harper College and Northwestern University. He holds active membership in American School Band Directors Association, College Music Society, Illinois Music Educators' Association, Music Educators' National Conference, National Band Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity. Mr. Polancich has authored articles for The Instrumentalist national music publication, and recently coauthored the Music Resource Manual For Curriculum Planning for the Illinois State Board of Education. He is the recipient of the Outstanding Music Educator of the Year by the Elmhurst College MENC Collegiate Chapter, and the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award sponsored by the Quinlan and Fabish Music Company.

If you're interested in ordering an Audio CD from our 2005-06 Concert Season, please download and fill out the Palatine Concert Band CD Order Form.

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