Michael Hanes

     Michael Hanes, former Director of Bands and professor of music at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, retired 2005 after thirty-eight years as a member of the SIUC music faculty. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Millikin University in Decatur, IL and a Master of Music Education from SIUC.

     Mr. Hanes’ first teaching position was in Sandoval, IL where he was the sole instrumental and vocal music teacher for the system. He served in U.S. Army bands from 1967 to 1970 as percussionist and associate conductor of the 5th Division and 179th Army Bands in Fr. Carson, Colorado, and the 3rd Infantry Division Band in Wurzberg, Germany. He received the Army Commendation Medal for his work in Germany.

     Over the course his career at SIUC he has served as director of the Marching Salukis, SIUC’s unique marching band, and the University Wind Ensemble, the School of Music’s select concert band, , as well as the Symphonic Band and University Percussion Ensemble. He was also professor of percussion , and professor of music education, as well as being very active in the School of Music’s music theater program. He served for many years as musical director and co-producer of the SIU Summer Playhouse, the university’s semi-professional summer musical theater program. For twelve years he conducted the major opera productions of the Marjorie Lawrence Opera Theater. His campus honors include the Amoco Foundation Outstanding Teacher Award, the Office of Student Affairs Service Award and the College of Communications and Fine Arts Alumni Achievement Award.

     He retired as director of the Marching Salukis in 1997. Under his direction the Marching Salukis gained a national reputation as one of the more unique and popular college marching bands in the Midwest. The band has appeared many times on national television as well as performing throughout the Midwest at professional football games and other sporting events.

     The Wind Ensemble, under Hanes’ leadership, maintained an active performance schedule that included campus performances as well as annual concert tours in the region. In 2004 the Wind Ensemble traveled to England for a nine-day concert, sharing concerts with Russian and British bands. The group has performed for the Illinois Music Educators Association as well as the College Band Directors National Association.

     Mr. Hanes is very active as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator, leading junior high and high school festival and honors bands throughout the Midwest. In 2000 he conducted the Southeast Asia Honor Band in Hong Kong, China. He also conducted the Illinois All-State Honors Band in Peoria, IL in 2006.

     Mr. Hanes is a native of southern Illinois (his hometown is Salem), still lives in Carbondale, and he has one daughter and twin grandsons who occupy much of his retirement time. He has served as conductor of the John A. Logan College Community Band from 2008 to the present.

     He has held memberships in the College Band Director’s National Association, Illinois Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda, and the Golden Key national scholastic honor societies.