Directors

Anthony J. Svejda 

Anthony J. Svejda a saxophone player from Berwyn, IL just south of Oak Park is the Director of Bands and Music Department Chair at Oak Park & River Forest High School. He received his Bachelor’s of Science in Music Education in1996 and his Master’s of Music in 2001 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign  He is in his 21st year directing bands at  OPRFHS, where he also serves as Music Department Chair. Prior to his tenure at OPRFHS, Mr. Svejda taught for six years in District 204 directing bands at Neuqua and Waubonsie Valley High Schools in Aurora, Illinois, one year at Lockport Township High School, and one year at Hadley and Schilling Elementary Schools in Homer Township.

At OPRFHS, Mr. Svejda oversees and directs a robust instrumental program including Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Band II, and the Marching Huskies. Under his leadership, the OPRFHS band program has thrived in both performance excellence and student participation. In 2020, he was honored as "Oak Park Villager of the Year" for his contributions to music education and the local community.

An active member of the Music Educators’ National Conference, Mr. Svejda has also been affiliated with the National Association for Saxophone Alliance. As a performer, he held the position of principal alto saxophonist with the Chicago Civic Orchestra during the 1998–1999 season and won a position with the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C. in December 1998.

Throughout his career, Mr. Svejda has been a sought-after guest conductor and clinician. Over the past 18 years, he has directed numerous ILMEA District Jazz Bands across Illinois and was selected to conduct the prestigious ILMEA All-State Jazz Band in 2015. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to music education, he was named a 2016 "Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator of the Year" by Quinlan and Fabish Music Company.

Mr. Svejda continues to perform professionally with the Chicago Wind Symphony and as a founding member of the Reunion Saxophone Quartet.

In addition to his extensive work as a music educator and performer, he was a remix artist/producer.  Anthony has arranged numerous tracks by artists including Taio Cruz, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey, J Lo and many more.  All of the remixes have been heard over radio world-wide.  Most of these tracks can be purchased and/or downloaded on iTunes.  You can also find most of tracks on YouTube, soundcloud, Amazon, and searching online under the his name, Papercha$er, or Dr. Ant.