Instructors:
Chris Gleason
Chris Gleason earned his BME at UW-Eau Claire in 1997 and his Masters Degree from UW-LaCrosse in 2002. He has taught band in the East Troy School District and the LaCrosse School District. He currently teaches concert band and jazz ensemble at Patrick Marsh Middle School in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Under Mr. Gleason's direction the Patrick Marsh Band Program has increased by over 100 members from 2004 to 2010. Mr. Gleason's 8th Grade Band has performed at the Milwaukee Art Museum, Wisconsin State Capitol Rotunda, the "New Wisconsin Promise Conference", and the 2006 and 2009 Wisconsin State Music Conferences. The Patrick Marsh 8th Grade Band commissioned composer, Samuel R. Hazo and performed the world premiere of Blue and Green Music at the 2009 Wisconsin State Music Conference. In 1992 Mr. Gleason was selected as the Wisconsin Governor’s Scholar to Interlochen Arts Camp in Interlochen, Michigan. Mr. Gleason has performed professionally at Disneyland, Valleyfair, and the Mall of America. He has been guest conductor of numerous camps and festivals including the National Band Association –Wisconsin Chapter Junior High All-State Band, Tri-State Honors Band, UW-Milwaukee Honors Band and UW-Whitewater Band Camp. He has also served as the Tuba/Euphonium Instructor for the Indianhead Arts Camp in Shell Lake, Wisconsin for many years. He is the chair-elect of the Wisconsin Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP) Committee and the chair of the Wisconsin State Middle Level Honors Band. He has taught CMP Workshops at VanderCook College of Music, the Los Angeles Unified School District in California, The Total Music Educators Workshop and numerous districts in Wisconsin. Mr. Gleason is the founder and organizer of the Kalahari Band Festival in Wisconsin Dells. Mr. Gleason is a member of NBA, WMEA, and MENC. ed his BME at UW-Eau Claire in 1997 and his Masters Degree from UW-LaCrosse in 2002. He has taught band in the East Troy School District and the LaCrosse School District. He currently teaches concert band and jazz ensemble at Patrick Marsh Middle School in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Under Mr. Gleason's direction the Patrick Marsh Band Program has increased by over 100 members from 2004 to 2010. Mr. Gleason's 8th Grade Band has performed at the Milwaukee Art Museum, Wisconsin State Capitol Rotunda, the "New Wisconsin Promise Conference", and the 2006 and 2009 Wisconsin State Music Conferences. The Patrick Marsh 8th Grade Band commissioned composer, Samuel R. Hazo and performed the world premiere of Blue and Green Music at the 2009 Wisconsin State Music Conference. In 1992 Mr. Gleason was selected as the Wisconsin Governor’s Scholar to Interlochen Arts Camp in Interlochen, Michigan. Mr. Gleason has performed professionally at Disneyland, Valleyfair, and the Mall of America. He has been guest conductor of numerous camps and festivals including the National Band Association –Wisconsin Chapter Junior High All-State Band, Tri-State Honors Band, UW-Milwaukee Honors Band and UW-Whitewater Band Camp. He has also served as the Tuba/Euphonium Instructor for the Indianhead Arts Camp in Shell Lake, Wisconsin for many years. He is the chair-elect of the Wisconsin Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP) Committee and the chair of the Wisconsin State Middle Level Honors Band. He has taught CMP Workshops at VanderCook College of Music, the Los Angeles Unified School District in California, The Total Music Educators Workshop and numerous districts in Wisconsin. Mr. Gleason is the founder and organizer of the Kalahari Band Festival in Wisconsin Dells. Mr. Gleason is a member of NBA, WMEA, and MENC.
Rick Palese
Rick Palese joined the administrative team at VanderCook in July 2010, however his relationship with the institution goes back much further. Rick is a VanderCook alumnus, having earned his B.M.Ed. in 2003, and M.M.Ed. in 2008.
Prior to being hired at VanderCook, Rick taught for seven years at Prairie Hill School in Cary, IL, where he directed both 5th and 6th grade bands. While at Prairie Hill, Rick also sponsored Jazz Club, Podcasting Club, and assisted with 6th grade musical productions and school assemblies.
Rick is an avid percussionist and maintains an active teaching studio at Absolute Music in Geneva, IL. He is a member of the Hudson Music Teacher Integration Project, and Vic Firth Education Team.
Dr. Charles T. Menghini
Charles T. Menghini is the President, Professor of Music and Director of Bands at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to his appointment as President in August of 2004, Charlie served as Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Director of Bands. He began his teaching at VanderCook College in 1994 and his teaching has included conducting, organization and administration, curriculum and supervision, brass methods and rehearsal techniques classes.
Charlie brought with his appointment to VanderCook 18 years of successful high school band experience in Missouri and Kansas. Bands under his direction received consistent Division I ratings in regional, state and national music festivals, performed at various state music educator conventions and performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade, Orange Bowl Parade, Bands of America International Festival and the XV Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Originally from Iron Mountain, Michigan, Menghini attended Northern Michigan University and the University of Missouri – Columbia where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. He also holds a Master degree in Education from the University of Missouri – Kansas City and a Doctorate of Arts in Wind Conducting from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music where he studied with Gary Hill. In addition to Hill, Menghini recognizes Tim Lautzenheiser and Gary Green as being most-influential teachers in his growth and development.
Charles Menghini has written for professional journals and magazines including the “Instrumentalist” where he serves as a member of the Board of Advisors. He is also co-author of the Essential Elements 2000 Band Method, published by the Hal Leonard Corporation.