Charles Menghini

2008 Bandmasters Hall of Fame Inductee

     CHARLES T. MENGHINI is President, Professor of Music and Director of Bands at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to his appointment as President in August of 2004, Charlie served as Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Director of Bands. He began his teaching at VanderCook College in 1994 and his teaching has included conducting, organization and administration, curriculum and supervision, brass methods and rehearsal techniques classes.

     Charlie brought with his appointment to VanderCook 18 years of successful high school band experience in Missouri and Kansas. Bands under his direction received consistent Division I ratings in regional, state and national music festivals, performed at various state music educator conventions and performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade, Orange Bowl Parade, Bands of America International Festival and the XV Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

     Originally from Iron Mountain, Michigan, Menghini attended Northern Michigan University and the University of Missouri – Columbia where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. He also holds a Master degree in Education from the University of Missouri – Kansas City and a Doctorate of Arts in Wind Conducting from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music where he studied with Gary Hill. In addition to Hill, Menghini recognizes Tim Lautzenheiser and Gary Green as being most-influential teachers in his growth and development.

     Charles Menghini has written for professional journals and magazines including the “Instrumentalist” where he serves as a contributing editor. He is also co-author of the Essential Elements 2000 Band Method, published by the Hal Leonard Corporation.

     Charlie frequently serves as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and has actively worked with over 350 school and community ensembles from 20 states as well as Canada, Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia. He has conducted all –state ensembles in Wisconsin, North Dakota, Georgia, South Carolina, Nebraska, New York and Virginia, and has presented numerous clinics at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago and state music educators in-services throughout the world.

     In March of 2006, the Music Educators National Conference honored Dr. Menghini by naming him a Lowell Mason Fellow. Menghini was elected to membership in the American Bandmasters Association in 2001. He is also active in the College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, Music Educators National Conference and Phi Beta Mu. He was inducted into the Alpha Psi Chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda National Honor Society for Music - the highest honor a conservatory faculty can bestow on a student in recognition of outstanding musicianship and scholarly achievement, and in 2000 was inducted as an honorary member of the Xi Kappa (VanderCook College) Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

     Charlie is an educational consultant for the Hal Leonard Corporation of Milwaukee, WI and serves on the Midwest Clinic convention committee. An active performer, Charlie played lead trumpet in the Kansas City Chiefs Professional Football Band for fifteen seasons.

     Menghini is a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, is Past President of the Rotary Club of Chicago Near South and is a member of the Board of Directors of both the First Friday Club of Chicago and the Chinese American Service League.