Fred Hubbell

     Fred M. Hubbell was born March 9, 1924 in Rockford, Illinois. He graduated from Rockford East High School in 1942 and then attended the University of Illinois where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music. He was a music instructor at Mount Carroll Public School and Park Ridge elementary School for nearly 30 years. His wife, Corinne, was concerned about music opportunities for performance when they were married and moved to the Rockford area. However, it all turned out quite well as Fred played with the Rockford Concert Band and Pop’s Orchestra performing at the Sinnissippi Park Band Shell. In fact, when he first moved to Rockford he joined the Kishwaukee Valley Community Band as a clarinetist and then became its conductor, a position he held for nearly ten years.

     Fred was a member of the First Evangelical Covenant Church, where he was a member of the chancel choir, the male chorus and, where he founded the Christian Fellowship Band. This band played at many retirement homes and churches throughout the area and Fred composed and arranged many numbers for those performances.

     Fred passed away at 6:09 a.m. Saturday, April 28, 2007, in his home. His wife, Corinne of Rockford, survives him.