Donald S. Lewellen

Donald S. Lewellen (Conductor Emeritis) was a member of the music faculty at Illinois Central College for twenty-five years and held the rank of Professor of Music. He received his musical training at Eastern Illinois University where he received bachelors and masters degrees, and Clayton University where he completed his doctoral studies in conducting and composition. In 1992, his composition, "Wind Images," was selected as the winning composition in the Phi Beta Mu Original Composition Contest. In 1990, Dr. Lewellen received the "Gallion Award," the highest honor bestowed for excellence in teaching by the Board of Trustees of Illinois Central College. He also received the 1990 Outstanding Community College Faculty Member Award presented by the Illinois Community College Trustees Association. He was inducted into the Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1989 by the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. The Fraternity presented him with the "Outstanding Bandmaster Award" in 1996. Lewellen is the founder and conductor of the Prairie Wind Ensemble. (Text taken from Concert Program, January 30, 1997)