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Illinois Brass Band
Illinois
About
Dedicated to bringing British-style brass band music to audiences in Chicago and across the Midwest, George Foster and William Homer founded The Illinois Brass Band in February of 1991 with assistance from Boosey and Hawkes. The band is composed of 30 volunteer musicians and is the most senior of Illinois’ brass bands. As a member of the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA), IBB attended its first competition in 1993. The band won first place in NABBA’s Honors Division in 1994 and followed with an unprecedented string of six championships in seven years (1996-2002) in the Championship Division. IBB also represented NABBA at the Great American Brass Band Festival in 1999 and was honored to attend the 2003 British Open Brass Band Championships – the first brass band outside the British Commonwealth to compete in this prestigious event. IBB has released several recordings: A Christmas Fantasy; Championship Brass; Shaken'... not Stirred; Live and Kickin; Hark!; and most recently Cookin’ With Brass. It has also showcased exceptional guest soloists, including internationally renowned euphonium virtuosi Robert and David Childs, cornet soloist Roger Webster, trombone soloist Brett Baker, euphonium soloist David Thornton, and tenor horn soloist Paul Bennett. Through performances, recordings, and participation in competitions and festivals, IBB continues to bring the excitement of brass band music to general audiences and brass aficionados alike. IBB is an IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt and Illinois non-profit corporation and is supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
Musical Director
Stephen Squires
Stephen Squires maintains a versatile career as a conductor, educator, and performer. As a professional conductor, he has collaborated with world-class artists, including Frederica von Stade, Janos Starker, and Pinchas Zukerman, while demonstrating a strong commitment to contemporary music by premiering over 100 new works. His extensive conducting background includes current appointments as Music Director of The Illinois Brass Band, the Fox Valley Orchestra, and the Millar Brass Ensemble, alongside former tenures with the Illinois Chamber Symphony, the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra, and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Stephen has also appeared as a guest conductor for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Syracuse Symphony, and various other ensembles, with his work featured on recordings for the Albany, Delos, Spring Hill, MEDR, and Centaur labels. He received his foundational training at the Eastman School of Music and holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the Crane School of Music, as well as a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting and Trumpet Performance from California State University, Northridge. His professional development includes studies with esteemed mentors such as Helmuth Rilling and Maurice Abravanel at institutions like the Aspen Music Festival. Beyond the podium, he is an active recital accompanist and freelance trumpeter, balancing his teaching and performing passions with his leadership roles.