IVC Bands Mission & History

The mission of the Illinois Valley Central High School Instrumental Department is to promote a musical appreciation, knowledge and participation though study and performance of quality instrumental literature.

A performance class has its own kind of content that has value, demand rigor, and is worthy of academic study. It is taught because it is one very important way of experiencing the art of music, an art that will help the students develop a finer understanding of themselves and their humanity.

It is the belief of the IVC instrumental music directors that this mission is accomplished through the indoor and outdoor ensemble experiences

Teamwork is what the IVC band is all about. We are not a part of this organization for individual attention.

We succeed as a one spirit, one mind and one family.

We trace our modern history back to Mr. Rich Sparks who took the music program to national levels having the band travel to Washington DC for the Cherry Blossom Parade and to the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona in 197X.  Mr. Sparks left us to become a director with the University of Maryland Band program and he was succeeded by Mr Dan Dietrich in 1981.  Under Mr. Dietrich's direction the band traveled to music festivals in Winnipeg, Canada, Florida Gator Bowl, Indy 500, San Diego, Kentucky Derby Parade, Hawaii,  and Washington DC.  In average a 4 year band student would have 2 trips in their career. The Pride and Performance Motto was introduced by Mr. Dietrich.  Our current director, Mr. Matt Chapman took over in 2010.  Much of the band glory and hardware comes from the Marching Band season but IVC concert and jazz bands also place high in judged events.  Without the indoor concert season to strengthen the musicianship of our students the success of the  Marching Band would be greatly diminished.  The IVC Marching Band has been the champion of their class at Illinois State Marching Championships 15 times and another ___ times we were runner up in our class.

We take pride in the success of  the band students and they are accomplished in their careers both musically and professionally.  


Some of our distinguished alumni are: