| 
Jeff Neavor is the Fine Arts Chair and Director
of Bands at Morton High School in Morton, Illinois. He received
his Bachelor of Music Education from Millikin University in
1997 and went on to receive his Master of Music Education from
Illinois State University in 2006.
At Morton High School, Mr. Neavor teaches music theory and
directs the Symphonic Winds, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble,
Pep Band, and the award-winning MHS Marching Band. He also
assists with the 7th and 8th grade bands at Morton Junior
High School.
Under his direction, the program has more than doubled in
size, growing from 60 to 140. Thanks to the mentoring program
of Katrina Fitzpatrick at Morton Junior High School, enrollment
has consistently risen for the last ten years. The marching
band has been extremely successful, with 8 consecutive State
of Illinois Class 2A Championships, 2 University of Illinois
Grand Champion Awards, a 2009 Presidential Inaugural Parade
selection, and a 2012 Bands of America St. Louis Super Regional
Class AA Championship. The band also performed at the halftime
of the St. Louis Rams-Greenbay Packers game in 2012. In 2010,
the marching band advanced to the Bands of America Grand Nationals
Semifinals and placed 3rd in Class AA.
The Jazz Ensemble and Concert Bands have performed and competed
at festivals throughout Illinois, and performed along with
the marching band at the Fiesta Festival in San Antonio, Texas.
The Symphonic Winds recently made their second straight appearance
at the prestigious Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival
at the University of Illinois. The group was also to selected
to perform at IMEA's 2012 Illinois Music Education Conference.
In 2012, the Morton High School Music Department was also
recognized as a GRAMMY Signature School Semifinalist. Mr.
Neavor was featured in the SBO Magazine 2009 article “50
Directors Who Make Difference.”
|
