David Morrison

     David Morrison recently served as conductor of the University of Illinois at Chicago Concert Band. He received his formal training in music at the University of Illinois, where he earned his Music Education Bachelor of Science degree in 1973 and his Masters degree in 1977. From 1977 until 2006, he was the Director of Bands at Prospect High School in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, where he developed and maintained a nationally recognized band program for 29 years. Honors that he has received include the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association, election to the Phi Beta Mu National Band Director’s Honorary Fraternity, winner of Outstanding Contributions to Education Award at Prospect High School on two occasions, Outstanding Chicagoland Music Educator Award in 1992, the Shining Star Award in 1995, and nomination for the Golden Apple Award in 2001. In 2003, Mr.

     Morrison was honored as the State of Illinois Teacher of the Year. In 2005, he was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Bandmaster's Hall of Fame at Northwestern University, and in 2006 he received the John Paynter Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Morrison also received the John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion of Honor Award. Mr. Morrison continues to guest conduct, clinic, and adjudicate music groups throughout the U.S. and the world. Mr. Morrison has served as adjunct music faculty for Northern Illinois University, VanderCook College of Music, and DePaul University. He has served as guest conductor at the Singapore American School in the Far East, he conducted the Illinois All State Band in January of 2009, he conducted the Moriah College Music Camp in Sydney, Australia, and he served as interim conductor of the Illinois Wesleyan University Wind Ensemble the fall semester of 2008.

     Under the direction of David Morrison, the Prospect bands have been exceptionally successful. The Symphonic band has won numerous honors, including consistent first division awards from the Illinois High School Association State Band Contest, first division awards at the Chicagoland Symphonic Band Festival, and the Honor Band Award at the prestigious Superstate Band Competition. Auditioning among outstanding bands throughout the State of Illinois, the Prospect Symphonic Band was honored as a 15 time selectee to the University of Illinois Superstate Band Festival. In 2005, the Band was chosen again to perform as the Superstate Honor Band, at the Foehlinger Great Hall in the Krannert Center in Champaign, IL on May 6, 2006.

Under Mr. Morrison's direction, the Prospect Marching Knights have gained national recognition for their outstanding performances at state and national competitions, winning numerous championships at the Chicagoland Marching Festival, receiving the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association, being selected for the finals five times at the Bands of America Grand National Championships, winning the Grand Championship at the University of Illinois Marching Competition 24 times, including 23 years consecutively, winning the Grand Master Championship at the National Pageant of Bands in Phoenix, Arizona in 1995, and winning the Bands of America Toledo Regional Championship in 2001. The Prospect Bands have traveled extensively. Some of their destinations include , Hawaii (King Kamehameha Parade), London (Lordmayor of Westminster's Parade), Pasadena (Tournament of Roses Parade), the Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the Fiesta Bowl Parade in Phoenix, Arizona, the Citrus Bowl and Magic Kingdom Parades in Orlando, Florida, the Bank One Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, Texas, and the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles, CA. On January 2, 2006, the band made their second appearance in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.