Ronald H. Polancich is conductor

for the Palatine Concert Band, Palatine, Illinois; and is a faculty member at Roosevelt University Chicago College of Performing Arts, Chicago, Illinois. A native of Joliet, 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 recently retired as Director of Bands and Music Department Chair at York Community High School, Elmhurst, Illinois. As Director of Bands, he conducted concert bands, marching band, pep band, jazz band and introduced the Advanced Study in Music Conducting Program. Under Mr. Polancich, the York Symphonic Band enjoyed a long tradition of excellence and consistent high representation in the IMEA

All-District and All-State festivals, university music symposiums, local youth bands and orchestras, and extensive summer camp participation. This band toured and performed at high school and college campuses throughout the United States and Canada, and at state festivals, national festivals and conferences. The band commissioned and premiered works by renowned composers including Andrew Boysen, Donald Erb, William Himes, Don Owens, and regularly performed 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.

Mr. Polancich chaired a comprehensive music department at York that included five conductors and over 700 students. Under his administration, the music department provided a quality musical experience for students at every level of musical understanding and interest through the maintenance of diverse performance ensembles that included eight bands, three orchestras, five choirs, an extensive chamber music ensemble program, and private instruction. In addition, non-performance courses were offered in beginning piano, beginning acoustic guitar, advanced guitar, AP music theory, and advanced study in conducting. The York Music Program held a superior reputation as a model high school music department.

Prior to York, Mr. Polancich taught in Joliet, Streamwood and Highland Park, Illinois. He is active as clinician/adjudicator at festivals, and has guest-conducted honor bands throughout the Midwest. Last year, Mr. Polancich was appointed guest conductor for the Augustana College Symphonic Band, Rock Island, Illinois. He has lectured with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and has served on the faculty at Roosevelt University, DePaul University, Augustana College, Elmhurst College, Harper College, and Northwestern University.

Mr. Polancich holds 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 national music publications "The Instrumentalist" and "School Band and Orchestra", and 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, Most Influential Teacher Award by Western Illinois University, and the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award sponsored by the Quinlan and Fabish Music Company.

His wife Nancy teaches music at Lake Zurich, Illinois, and they have twin sons: Benjamin and Jacob.