Bandmaster of the Year

     Randy Sundell has received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. He has been the Director of Bands at Vernon Hills High School since its opening in 1999. Prior to that, Sundell held positions as the Associate Director of Bands at Libertyville High School, Libertyville, IL and Director of Bands at Oak Grove School District #68 in Green Oaks, IL. Mr. Sundell directs the Freshman Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Pep Band, and is the assistant director of the Symphonic Band. He also teaches AP Music Theory. Under his direction at Vernon Hills High School, the Wind Ensemble has been recognized for numerous awards and honors. The ensemble has been selected to perform at the Illinois Superstate Festival hosted by the University of Illinois every year since 2003. They were named the Honor Band for the 2007, 2010, 2012, and 2014 festivals. The Wind Ensemble was featured on WFMT’s Innovations in 2009. The group was chosen as a National Winner for the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors competition 2011-2013. The Wind Ensemble has also performed at the Illinois Music Education Association All-State Festival in 2004 and 2013. Mr. Sundell received the Chicagoland Music Educators Award from Quinlan and Fabish Music in 2004. He is active as a judge and clinician in the Chicago area. As a performer, Mr. Sundell plays bassoon in a woodwind quintet, Winds Off The Lake and the North Suburban Wind Symphony. His professional affiliations include NAfME, the International Double Reed Society, the National Band Association, and Phi Beta Mu.