Chicago Brass Band

06/12/2026

One of the many colorful moments in Jan Van der Roost's The Lost Circle:

06/08/2026

🎺 We’re excited that Karen Crylen will be a cornet clinician for Youth Brass Day 2026 on June 27! A veteran music educator, repiano cornetist with the Chicago Brass Band, and inaugural conductor of the Windy City Brass Academy Band, Karen brings a wealth of teaching experience and a passion for helping young musicians thrive.

Registration is open now!
https://www.chicagobrassband.org/youthbrassday

Students will enjoy learning from Karen’s engaging approach, musical expertise, and dedication to developing confident, expressive performers.

We're thrilled to introduce Karen Crylen, Cornet Clinician for Youth Brass Day!

🎺 Register by TODAY to guarantee your FREE Youth Brass Day T-shirt!
chicagobrassband.org/youthbrassday

Karen holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she studied trumpet with Ronald Romm of Canadian Brass and Charles Daval, former principal trumpet of the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Karen spent eight years as a school band director, specializing in beginning and middle school instrumental music, where she developed extensive experience teaching young musicians and building strong foundational skills across the concert band curriculum. She is now a full-time private lesson instructor, providing individualized brass instruction to students throughout the Chicagoland area.

An active performer, Karen plays repiano cornet with the Chicago Brass Band and also performs with the Northshore Concert Band and Chicago Wind Symphony. She served as Music Director of the Windy City Brass Academy Band for its inaugural season, helping guide and mentor developing young brass musicians.

Through her teaching, conducting, and performing, Karen is passionate about creating engaging and supportive musical experiences for students of all ages.

06/07/2026

We're excited to see Victor Ribadeneyra, a dedicated member of Chicago Brass Band's trombone section, sharing his experience and enthusiasm for brass banding as a trombone clinician at this year's Youth Brass Day on June 27!

Registration is open now!
https://www.chicagobrassband.org/youthbrassday

Victor brings firsthand brass band experience and a passion for helping young musicians grow. Trombone students in grades 7–12 will enjoy a day of ensemble playing, skill-building, and musical exploration while learning from Victor and an exceptional team of brass and percussion educators.

Slide into Youth Brass Day with our trombone clinician, Victor Ribadeneyra!

Join Victor and our outstanding team of brass and percussion educators on Saturday, June 27, for a full day of music-making, learning, and fun at Youth Brass Day!

🎺 Registration includes a FREE Youth Brass Day T-shirt when you register by June 5!

Learn more and register today: chicagobrassband.org/youthbrassday

Victor is a trombonist, euphonium player, music educator, and nonprofit professional specializing in music education and program building. He has taught jazz and classical trombone lessons, music theory classes, ear training classes, K-12 general music classes, middle and high school concert band, high school marching band, and high school jazz band. Trombone and euphonium students studying with Victor regularly earn top ratings in both jazz and classical solo competitions at ILMEA, ISSMA, and MYAC events. Groups under his direction have achieved top ratings in jazz and classical ISSMA ensemble competitions and seen multiple trips to ISSMA Class B Marching Band State Finals.

As a trombonist, composer, and arranger, Victor has received multiple honors for both his jazz and classical music as a Jazz Fellow at the Ravinia Steans Music Institute, finalist in the United States Air Force Golden Band of the West trombone audition, and finalist in the Indiana University Concerto Competition. Victor also marched with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps as lead baritone, receiving an Individual and Ensemble Champion Award with the Blue Stars Trombone Quartet.

Victor holds a Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) degree with a Minor in Jazz Studies from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Victor’s primary classical teachers include M. Dee Stewart, Peter Ellefson, Carl Lenthe, and David Plumb. His jazz teachers include Dr. David N. Baker, Curtis Fuller, Brent Wallarab, and Michael Spiro. Victor has also participated in master classes with Joseph Alessi, Alan Barnhill, and Amanda Stewart.

In addition to teaching music lessons, Victor has also held positions at Chicago Sinfonietta, the Music Institute of Chicago (MIC), Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, Ravinia Festival, and as K-12 Band Director & General Music Teacher with the School Town of Munster.

06/06/2026

🥁 Our wonderful percussionist, Daniel Heffner, will be helping young musicians find the beat at this year’s Youth Brass Day on June 27!

Registration is open now!
https://www.chicagobrassband.org/youthbrassday

Daniel combines extensive performance experience with an engaging and supportive approach to teaching. Percussion students in grades 7-12 will spend the day developing their musicianship, refining their technique, and making music alongside Daniel and an outstanding team of brass and percussion educators.

A brass band may be known for its brilliant brass playing, but it wouldn't be complete without its percussion section's energy, color, and drive. From laying down the groove to adding sparkle, drama, and excitement, percussionists are essential to bringing the music to life. Today we're excited to introduce our Youth Brass Day percussion clinician, Daniel Heffner!

Registration is open now!
https://www.chicagobrassband.org/youthbrassday

Daniel's musical experience runs from orchestral and symphonic percussion to jazz drumming and banging on trashcans. His trial-by-fire introduction to brass banding occurred in 2005, when he was drafted to compete with the Chicago Brass Band, as a featured xylophone soloist, at the World Music Contest in The Netherlands. Two decades, four international trips, and countless musical adventures later, he’s still at it.

Daniel has also performed locally with the Illinois Brass Band, Fox Valley Orchestra, Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest, Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra, Fox Valley Concert Band, Waukegan Band, Wheaton Municipal Band, and numerous other community ensembles. He was an inaugural member of the rhythmic performance ensemble Be The Groove.

Originally from South Carolina, Daniel came to Chicago to attend Northwestern University, where he played on the marching band’s drumline and in the Stomp-like performance troupe Boomshaka. (In his spare time, he studied economics and computer science.)

Daniel works as a competitive intelligence professional. He resides in the West Ridge neighborhood with his wife and their two cats.

06/04/2026

Our Solo Tenor Horn, Christine Schachtschneider, will be the tenor horn clinician at this year's Youth Brass Day on June 27! 🎺

Christine brings scores of brass band experience, an encouraging teaching style, and a genuine enthusiasm for helping young musicians grow. Tenor horn and French horn students in grades 7–12 will enjoy a day of learning, music-making, and skill-building alongside Christine and an exceptional team of clinicians.

Registration is open now!
👕 Register by June 5 and receive a free Youth Brass Day t-shirt!
https://www.chicagobrassband.org/youthbrassday

Get ready for the warm, rich sound of the tenor horn as we introduce our Youth Brass Day tenor horn / French horn clinician! 🎶

Registration is open now!
https://www.chicagobrassband.org/youthbrassday

Christine Schachtschneider earned both her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Horn Performance from Illinois State University. Her primary teachers include Douglas Hill and Joe Neisler. She is an active freelance performer and private instructor throughout Central Illinois and currently serves as Lead Academic Advisor and Assistant to the Director for the Illinois State University School of Music. In this role, she works closely with students pursuing collegiate music studies and careers, supporting their academic and professional development.

An accomplished orchestral and chamber musician, Christine performs as principal horn with the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra and the MiOpera orchestra, and as third horn with the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra. She is also a member of the Chicago Wind Symphony, Maslanka Wind Symphony, and Twin Cities Brass Quintet, and has performed with the Heartland Festival Orchestra, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, Opera Illinois Orchestra, and Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. Her extensive chamber performance experience includes appearances with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet, Illinois Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet, Athena Brass Band Brass Quintet, Illinois State University Faculty Brass Quintet, and Lyric Winds Woodwind Quintet.

Christine has performed across the continental United States as well as internationally in England, New Zealand, and Japan. She was a founding member of the ctp trio, a horn, tuba, and piano chamber ensemble dedicated to commissioning and performing new works for this unique instrumentation. In addition to her classical work, she has performed with nationally recognized crossover and touring ensembles, including Mannheim Steamroller and Rocktopia.

A dedicated brass band musician, Christine has been a member of the Athena Brass Band since 2019 and currently serves as solo tenor horn with the Chicago Brass Band. As leader of the Chicago Brass Band’s tenor horn section, she helped guide the ensemble to consecutive “Best Horn Section” awards at the U.S. Open Brass Band Championships in 2024 and 2025. She is also an award-winning chamber musician within the brass band community, earning first place in the 2017 North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) Small Ensemble Competition and third place in 2018. She has also performed as solo horn with the Brass Band of Central Illinois, appearing as a featured soloist on multiple occasions, and was a featured soloist with the Chicago Brass Band at their performance at the 2023 Great American Brass Band Festival.

Her experience as both an educator and high-level ensemble musician reflects her passion for mentorship, musical excellence, and creating inspiring opportunities for young brass players.

06/02/2026

Our Solo E-flat Bass (Tuba), Tim Schachtschneider, will serve as tuba clinician for this year's Youth Brass Day on June 27! 🎺

Tim brings a deep knowledge of low brass playing, a thoughtful approach to music-making, and a passion for helping young musicians build confidence and skill. Tuba and low brass students in grades 7–12 will have a fantastic opportunity to learn from his experience, strengthen their fundamentals, and make music alongside an outstanding team of clinicians.

Registration is open now!
https://www.chicagobrassband.org/youthbrassday

It's "all about that bass" today as we introduce our Youth Brass Day tuba clinician! 🎶

The tuba provides the foundation that supports the entire ensemble, and we're excited for students to learn from 𝐓𝐢𝐦 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐭𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫, an outstanding performer and educator who knows exactly how to make those low notes sing. Whether you're a seasoned tubist or just discovering the power of the brass band's lowest voice, you'll gain valuable insights, inspiration, and musical skills at Youth Brass Day. Registration is open now!

https://www.chicagobrassband.org/youthbrassday

Tim is an active freelance performer and instructor in Central Illinois. He currently plays Eb tuba in the Chicago Brass Band, is a member of the Chicago Wind Symphony, and has been the tuba player for Millikin University’s annual Vespers performances since 2017. Tim has been lucky to perform with many other groups in the area including the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, Heartland Festival Orchestra, Lake County Symphony Orchestra, Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra, and even Al Pierson & Guy Lombardo’s Royal Canadians.

As a soloist, Tim has appeared with the Brass Band of Central Illinois, Pontiac Municipal Band, Fox Valley Concert Band, and Millikin University Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Tim has also been a semi-finalist or finalist at several solo competitions, including the ITEC Artist Tuba competition, IWBC Susan Slaughter Solo Competition, NABBA solo competition, and most notably won third place in the Tuba Artist Division of the 2016 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐮𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

An avid supporter of chamber music, Tim is a member of the Twin Cities Brass Quintet in Bloomington-Normal, and has performed with the Illinois Symphony Brass Quintet, Saint Xavier Faculty Brass, Millikin Faculty Brass, Chicago Brass Band Sextet, and ctp trio (horn, tuba, and piano). In 2018 ctp trio presented a recital of new music at the Midwest Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Tim was Adjunct Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Millikin University in Decatur, IL from 2017-2022 and had the great privilege to fill in as Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium Spring 2025 at his alma mater - Illinois State University. Currently, he works as the Stage Manager and Head of Sound for the School of Music at Illinois State University.

Tim earned his BS in Music Business, and MM in Tuba Performance from Illinois State University, primarily studying under Dr. Andy Rummel.

06/01/2026

Our Principal Solo Cornet, Andy Malovance, will serve as Music Director for this year's Youth Brass Day on June 27! 🎺

Andy brings a wealth of musical experience, artistry, and enthusiasm to the podium. Brass and percussion students in grades 7–12 will have an incredible opportunity to learn, perform, and grow under his leadership alongside an outstanding team of clinicians.

Registration is open now!
https://www.chicagobrassband.org/youthbrassday

Over the coming week, we'll be introducing the outstanding staff and clinicians who will be guiding students at Youth Brass Day, beginning with our Music Director, Andy Malovance, whose passion for brass education and musical excellence helps make this event such a rewarding experience for young musicians.

Andy entered the world of brass banding in 2005 when he played cornet with the international award-winning Chicago Brass Band in his first North American Brass Band Championship. Currently principal cornet of the CBB, Andy has performed and competed across the world. Highlights include performing as principal cornet at the World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Netherlands and the New Zealand Brass Band Championships, winning first prize in the NABBA high brass technical solo contest (2008, 2010, 2025) and being awarded, “Most Outstanding Brass Soloist” at the 2013 US Open Brass Band Championships. In addition to his work with the Chicago Brass Band, Andy is an active trumpeter/cornetist and clinician in the Chicago area.

His educational background includes a Bachelor of Music Education degree from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois and a Masters in Music Education with emphasis in conducting at Colorado State University. His conducting teachers have included Rebecca Phillips, Wes Kenney, Rodney Dorsey, and James Kim. Andy is currently a band director at Wredling Middle School in Saint Charles Illinois and has previously conducted the Madison Brass Band and the McHenry County Youth Orchestra.

05/23/2026

Join us tomorrow, Sunday the 24th, at Prairie Ridge High School at 2pm for an afternoon of fantastic brass! We will be performing alongside the amazing youth brass players of the Windy City Brass Academy! Attached is the program for the concert below! 🎺🎶