Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The O'Fallon Township High School Wind Ensemble is a combined course with marching band first semester and is an Honors course, second semester. All the Wind Ensemble students are in the marching band, enrolled in private lessons and hold a majority of the marching band leadership positions. All members of the OTHS Wind Ensemble participate in the IHSA Solo Ensemble Contest, and audition for the Illinois Music Educators Association District and State Festivals. The OTHS Wind Ensemble has performed at the University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival, the National Concert Band Festival, Carnegie Hall, and various festivals throughout our Midwest region.
The OTHS Band Program has a long tradition of musical excellence dating back over 80 years. The O’Fallon Township Band Program is known for the comprehensive music education it provides for our 250 + students. In 2020, the curriculum changed into a year-round concert band approach with 4 concert band offerings, including a separate Percussion and Colorguard class. First semester, Guitar/Music Appreciation and AP Music Theory are offered. During the second semester, the percussion are combined into the concert band classes that divide into four curricular ensembles. Also, second semester, there is an early bird jazz band class and an after-school jazz band, along with several additional ensembles that include, a variety of chamber music ensembles, pep band, musical pit, and winterguard.
O'Fallon Township High School Wind Ensemble
Conductor's Bio
Melissa Gustafson-Hinds is in her fourteenth year as Director of Bands O’Fallon Township High School in O’Fallon, Illinois. In addition to her teaching duties at O’Fallon Township High School, Dr. Gustafson-Hinds serves as Performing Arts Department Chair at OTHS and is the Illinois Music Educators Association, Band Division President - Elect. In her time at OTHS, she has brought the band program to new heights in music excellence. Under her direction, the OTHS Marching Panthers have been consistent Bands of America (BOA) Regional and Super Regional finalists, Grand National Semi-Finalists, and a Grand National Finalist in 2018. In 2015, and 2022, the band marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California and in 2018 the band marched in the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Hollywood, California. The Marching Panthers have been recently selected to perform in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The concert ensembles performed at Carnegie Hall in May 2014, and the Wind Ensemble has performed at the Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival, Music For All National Festival and the ILMEA State Convention. For a week in February 2015, they hosted David Maslanka at OTHS and received intensive clinics from him, ending the week with a concert held in his honor. In 2019, O’Fallon Township was honored with the NBA Program of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award and two Music For All Advocacy Awards. In 2021 and 2022 the OTHS Music Program was awarded top Music Excellence in Ensemble and Chamber Performance for Class AA in the Illinois High School Association.
Dr. Gustafson-Hinds is originally from Monmouth, Illinois. She attended Illinois State University, earning a Bachelor's in music education and graduated with University Honors. Dr. Gustafson-Hinds earned her Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 2000, an educational leadership endorsement from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and her Doctorate Degree in Teaching and Learning, with an Emphasis in Music, from the University of Missouri St. Louis in 2010. She has been teaching in Illinois public schools for 28 years, getting her start in the Unit 5 District in Normal, Illinois, with teachers that helped guide her career.
Dr. Gustafson-Hinds is married to Evan Hinds, who is a music arranger and drill writer and additionally serves as the Percussion Director for the Marching Panthers for O’Fallon Township High School. Together they have a daughter named Evelyn who is 6.
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