David W. Maccabee

David W. Maccabee has been Director of Bands at United Township High School, in East Moline, Illinois, since 1986. He previously taught in the Geneseo and Nokomis, Illinois school systems. At United Township High School, he is director of all instrumental music ensembles, including Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, and Pep Band. During Mr. Maccabee’s tenure, enrollment in the UTHS Band program has grown from 100 to nearly 200 members.

Mr. Maccabee was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and raised in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. He moved to Illinois at the age of 16, and graduated from J.D. Darnall High School in Geneseo, Illinois. In 1982, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Augustana College (IL). He received his Master’s Degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music Education in 1989.

Under Mr. Maccabee’s direction, the UTHS Band program has achieved a national reputation for excellence that has earned them numerous honors and awards. The United Township High School Symphonic Band has performed on 3 occasions for the Illinois Music Educator’s Association All-State Convention, 5 times at the prestigious Bands of America

National Concert Band Festival, the University of Illinois Super-State Band Festival, the Western Illinois University Band Showcase, twice at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, and at the “French Reed’s Music Festival” in La Croix Valmer, France – the first high school band ever to perform at this highly acclaimed event. In 1998, the UTHS Symphonic Band performed at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, performing in front of a worldwide audience of over 1500 people. The band has received superior ratings in every festival they have participated in for the past 22 years.

In addition, the UTHS Marching Panthers have earned a reputation as one of the premiere marching bands in the state of Illinois. Amongst the band’s accomplishments are more than 30 Grand Championships over the past 20 years, including 6 Class Championships at the State of Illinois Invitational Marching Band Championships at Illinois State University, an event where they have been a finalist on 18 occasions.

David Maccabee is also a frequent guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the country. He has conducted numerous summer band camps, including Western Illinois University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Illinois. Mr. Maccabee has also served the Illinois Music Educator’s Association as Division Chair, All-State Auditioner, and the IMEA Mentoring Council. His professional affiliations include the United Township Education Association, the National Education Association, the Illinois Music Educator’s Association, the Music Educator’s National Conference, the National Band Association, and Pi Kappa Lambda. Mr. Maccabee has received citations of excellence from the city of East Moline, the East Moline Rotary Club, John Deere and Co., United Township High School, Western Illinois University, and Vander Cook College of Music. In addition, Mr. Maccabee has received the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence on 7 different occasions. In 1998, Mr. Maccabee became the first recipient of the “Dr. Victor Zajec Award”, given to him in recognition of the UTHS Symphonic Band’s performance at the 1998 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. In 2000, Mr. Maccabee was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmaster’s Association.

David resides in East Moline, Illinois, with his wife of 24 years, Sara, and their three children, 21 year old twin daughters Eryn (a senior at Augustana College) and Elyse (a senior at DePaul University), and their 15 year old son, Connor (a junior at United Township High School.).