Director Biographies
Band
Lance Meadows
Lance Meadows is Director of Bands at Normal Community High School, and conducts the Wind Ensemble, Marching Ironmen, Concert Band, and directs the Musical Orchestra. Mr. Meadows also teaches sixth grade band at Chiddix Junior High School and fifth grade band at several elementary schools in Unit 5. Prior to becoming Director of Bands, Mr. Meadows was an Assistant Director at NCHS (1989 – 2004), and Instrumental Music Director (1987 – 1989), grades 5 through 12, in Polo, Illinois.
Mr. Meadows received a Bachelor of Music Education (1987) as well as a Master of Music Education (2007) from Illinois State University and is a member of the Illinois Music Education Association and the Music Educators National Conference.
In his free time Mr. Meadows enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid baseball and Cardinals fan. His wife, Becky, and their children, Hayley, Hunter, and Parker, have embarked on a mission to visit every Major League ballpark and have incorporated trips to the ballparks into their family vacations. He also enjoys reading - Science Fiction in particular.
Joshua Masterman
Joshua Masterman is Assistant Director of Bands at NCHS. Mr. Masterman conducts the Symphonic Band and Concert Band, assists the Marching Ironmen, and directs Jazz Ensemble I. Mr. Masterman also conducts the Eighth Grade Concert Band at Chiddix Junior High School, directs the Chiddix Jazz Band, and teaches fifth grade lessons at several schools in Unit 5. Prior to coming to Unit 5, Mr. Masterman was Director of Bands at El Paso-Gridley Unit 11 (2003-07), where he was responsible for all aspects of the band program in grades 5-12.
A graduate of Illinois State University (2002), Mr. Masterman was principle saxophone in the Wind Symphony and a featured soloist on the ensemble’s critically acclaimed recording of the 2002 CBDNA conference performance (TROY 500), which included Minton’s Playhouse by James Syler and the premiere of David Maslanka’s Symphony No. 5. Mr. Masterman is an active freelance jazz musician in Central Illinois, performing with a variety of big bands, small groups, and touring shows. He is also a member of the orchestra at Eastview Christian Church.
Mr. Masterman is a member of the National Band Association, the Illinois Music Educators Association, and the Music Educators National Conference.
Choir
Ben Luginbuhl
Mr. Luginbuhl is currently in his tenth year of teaching vocal music at Normal Community High School. In addition to directing four curricular choirs, Ben is also director of the NCHS Madrigal Singers/Jazz Choir, the NCHS Court Singers, the KJHS Guys Ensemble, and the KJHS Girls Ensemble. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree, with highest honors, from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in 1998, and received a master's degree Education Administration from Illinois State University, Normal, in May 2004.
Ben has been guest conductor of several junior high conference choir festivals throughout Illinois. He is an active adjudicator and is currently serving as IMEA District III President.
A native of Roanoke, Illinois, Ben, his wife Kristy, and sons Cade and Cole currently reside in Bloomington.
Jo Lynn Robinson
Mrs. Robinson received her Bachelor's degree in Music Education and Master's of Music in Piano at Eastern Illinois University. This is her 23rd year of teaching in the Unit 5 school system at Normal Community High School and Chiddix Junior High School. Prior to that, she taught general music in the Miami, Florida, Dade County Public Schools and 2 years for Bloomington District 87. In addition to directing two curricular choirs at NCHS, she is also director of the musical, Table for Twelve--an acapella girls group at NCHS, and a girls ensemble--the Treble Makers at Chiddix. She also currently serves as IMEA District III Senior Chorus Co-Chair.
Mrs. Robinson and her husband Mark, an elementary principal at Fox Creek, have two sons--Jason, a junior at West, and Jared, a freshman at West--and a dog, Bentley. They reside in Bloomington.
Orchestra
Melissa Siebenthal
Mrs. Siebenthal is in her 8th year as a member of the Unit Five string staff and her third year as director of the NCHS orchestras. A graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, Melissa received her Bachelor's degree in Music Education and began her teaching career in the Joliet Public School District, where she directed the Joliet All-City Orchestra. She then taught at Parkside Junior High School for three years before moving to NCHS. Melissa is currently serving as Music Director for the Central Illinois Concert Orchestra and is a member of the Peoria Symphony. She is an active clinician and adjudicator around central Illinois.
A native of Peoria, Melissa moved back to the area after marrying her husband Eric. Computer consultant by trade, Eric also plays the viola. They currently reside in Marquette Heights. In her free time, Melissa plays for a couple of softball teams and enjoys spending time as an artist.
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Date last updated 03/05/2008