Donald Shupe

2010 Bandmasters Hall of Fame Inductee

     Mr. Shupe received his bachelor's degree from Northwestern University in 1973 and his master's degree from Northwestern in 1974. He has been the band director at Libertyville High School since 1974. As director of bands, Mr. Shupe conducts the Freshman Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Marching Band and Jazz Ensemble I. He also teaches Jazz Improvisation.

     Mr. Shupe is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the American School Band Directors Association, the National Association of Jazz Educators, Phi Beta Mu, and the American Bandmasters Association. In March of 1995, Mr. Shupe was honored as "Educator of the Month" and in June of 1995, he received the Chicagoland Music Educator Award sponsored by Quinlan and Fabish Music Company. In 1998 he was voted the "Mr. Holland's Opus Award" sponsored by Bob Rogers Travel. The Libertyville High School Student Council honored him as the “Educator of the Year” for the 2001-2002 school years.

     Mr. Shupe is active as a guest conductor for both concert band and jazz band. In 1994, he was the guest conductor of the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Jazz Ensemble. In 1995, Mr. Shupe was the guest conductor of the Birch Creek Summer Jazz Camp. In 1998 and 2002 he conducted the Senior Concert Band at the University of Illinois Summer Youth Music Program.

     The L.H.S. Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Shupe, performed at the Illinois Music Educators All-State Conference in 1994 and 1998. In May of 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2007 the Wind Ensemble was named the Honor Band at the University of Illinois' Superstate Band Competition. The Wind Ensemble performed as the Honor Band at the 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2005 Superstate Contests. The Wind Ensemble earned its highest honor with its performance at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic in 1998 and 2004. He has also guest conducted All District Bands in Connecticut and North Carolina.

     Under his direction, the L.H.S. Jazz Ensemble has won at least one jazz festival in 29 of the last 33 years. Jazz Ensemble I was selected to perform at the National Band Association Convention in June of 1992 and had the honor of performing at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic in 1982 and again in 1993.