This rehearsal clinic will provide practical information to band directors regarding: building ensemble sound, the establishment of daily fundamentals, developing a variety of articulation, appropriate use of dynamics, establishing melodic and vertical intonation and interpretative ideas.
Chip De Stefano
- Biographical Information
Chip De Stefano received both his Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance and Master of Music Education Degrees from Northwestern University. While at Northwestern, he studied conducting with John P. Paynter, Steve Peterson, and Don Owens, trombone with Frank Crisafulli and Art Linsner, and music education with Bennett Reimer, Donald Casey, Jim Kjelland, and Peter Webster. Mr. De Stefano is currently in his 30th year as Director of Bands at McCracken Middle School in Skokie, Illinois. Under his direction, the McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band has received first division ratings at all district and state organization contests of the Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) and has made multiple appearances at the Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) All-State Conference, University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival, CBDNA-NBA North Central Division Conference, and NAfME North Central Division Conference. In 2006 and 2013, the Symphonic Band received an invitation to present a concert at the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference. In December of 2006, the John Philip Sousa Foundation awarded the McCracken Symphonic Band the prestigious Sudler Silver Cup. As a published arranger and composer, Mr. De Stefano has received commissions from the marching bands of Northwestern University, Samford University, the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, the University of Idaho, and dozens of high schools from across the United States. His works have been performed on ABC’s 1996 Rose Bowl Halftime Show, Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee, and WBBM News Radio 780. Mr. De Stefano’s works are available from FJH Music, LudwigMasters Publications, Grand Mesa Music, Kagarice Brass Editions and DeStefanoMusic.com. Mr. De Stefano has had chapters published in Foundations: The Fundamental Elements for Building a Successful Middle School Band Program, Teaching Music Through Performance in Middle School Band, and Whatsoever Things...The Life and Teachings of John P. Paynter, all published by GIA Publications. Chorales and Beyond, co-authored with Timothy Loest and Kevin Lepper, is published by FJH Music. His professional affiliations include the Illinois Music Educators Association, Illinois Grade School Music Association, the National Band Association (Board of Directors, Middle School Representative), All-Illinois Junior Band (Board of Directors), American School Band Directors Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and he was recently honored with membership in the American Bandmasters Association. Mr. De Stefano is active nationally as a clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator. He’s conducted honor bands, festivals, and camps in Singapore, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, and throughout Illinois. In addition, he has presented conference sessions at the Midwest Clinic (2008, 2021, 2022, 2025), ILMEA Music Education Conference (2003, 2005, 2008, 2016), Iowa Bandmasters Conference (2010, 2024), Nebraska Music Educators Association State Conference (2011), New England Band Director Institute (2016), Arkansas Tech University Band Director Workshop (2013), NBA/IGSMA Band Director Workshop (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2024), Illinois State University Band Director Workshop (2012, 2019), DuPage County Music Clinic (2009, 2014, 2021), and multiple webinars and online panels. Mr. De Stefano is a recipient of over twenty National Band Association Citations of Excellence. He was awarded the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award in 2001, the IGSMA Barbara Buehlmann Young Conductor Award in 2004, the IGSMA Cloyd Meyers Memorial Award in 2011, and the Skokie Award for Artistic Excellence in 2016.
Kate DeMonica currently serves as the Director of Bands for O’Fallon Community Consolidated School District 90 in O’Fallon, Illinois. Now in her sixth year with the district, Ms. DeMonica oversees a comprehensive and thriving instrumental music program that serves over 500 student musicians across multiple campuses. In her position, Ms. DeMonica directs the 5th grade beginning band program, leads both the 6th and 8th grade bands, co-teaches the 7th grade bands, and serves as the conductor for the Symphonic Winds, an auditioned, extra-curricular ensemble that rehearses twice weekly and represents the highest level of performance in the district’s band program. Her work involves curriculum development, large ensemble direction, small group instruction, and collaboration with fellow music educators to provide a well-rounded and rigorous musical experience for all students. Under Ms. DeMonica’s leadership, the O’Fallon D90 Band Program has earned regional and national acclaim. The ensembles have been invited to perform at prestigious events, including the Music for All National Concert Band Festival and the University of Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival. Most recently, the program was recognized as a “Program of Excellence” by the National Band Association. A native of the Chicagoland area, Ms. DeMonica holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Bachelor of Music in Euphonium Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She later earned her Master of Music in Music Education from the University of North Texas. Beyond her work in the classroom and on the podium, Ms. DeMonica enjoys studying the French language, exploring new culinary recipes, and traveling, often planning her next adventure to experience different cultures and broaden her worldview.