Keith Schmink

     Keith Schmink has been the director of bands at Pontiac Township High School since 1993. His bands have consistently received Superior ratings at IHSA organizational contest and he has had numerous students participate each year in the IMEA District and All-State festivals. The Symphonic Band has performed three times at Western Illinois University Showcase of Bands, has been selected for performance at the University of Illinois Band Contest, and was awarded with “Best in Class” awards at the Illinois State University Concert Band Contest in 2006 and 2007, and for their Festival Disney performance in 2007.

     Mr. Schmink has been very active in IMEA. In the past he has hosted district auditions, judged district auditions and was Band Division Vice President of District 3. He has also served as the All-state wind and percussion audition chairperson. In 2007, Keith’s Symphonic Band was selected to perform at the IMEA All-State Convention.

     Mr. Schmink has mentored over a dozen student teachers in his career and faithfully visits, assists, and mentors the directors from his feeder schools. Keith founded the Pontiac Indian Showdown Marching Band Competition which continues to improve and draw in excellent bands from all over the state of Illinois.

Keith has hosted a wide variety of performing groups and clinicians at his school for his students to hear and to have a chance to visit with. Among the 23 most recent are Bradley University Band, ISU Wind Ensemble, ISU Marching Band, WIU Symphonic Band, The Chicago Youth Symphony, IWU Percussion Ensemble, Air Force Band of Mid America, United States Marine Band Albany, GA, Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser and Mark Camphouse. Most recently, Keith held his annual January concert band camp and brought in Frank Payton and Joe Manfredo to work with his bands.

     Keith supports the Pontiac Municipal band as principal euphonium and occasional guest conductor. He also plays trumpet with the Vermillion Players pit orchestra and has recently started a tuba quartet that plays at various functions in the Pontiac area.

     Before Pontiac, Keith taught in Lexington and Hamilton school districts. Mr. Schmink is a graduate of Illinois State University and the American Band College at Southern Oregon University. His professional affiliations include MENC, Phi Beta Mu, IAJE, MBA and ASBDA. Keith and his wife Diane have two daughters as well as two grandchildren.