Margene Pappas

Mrs. Margene Pappas, a native of Champaign, Illinois, received her B.S. and M.S. in Music Education from the University of Arizona and VanderCook College of Music. Mrs. Pappas is Director of Bands in Oswego Community Unit School District 308 where she has taught for thirty-four years both at the junior high and high school level. Currently Mrs. Pappas' teaching responsibilities include directing the OHS Wind Symphony, Chamber Winds, and Concert Band, working with the Marching Band, Pep Band, and Jazz Band, and administering the district band program. Membership in the high school band program has grown from two bands to six bands in the last nine years.

Mrs. Pappas' professional associations include, NBA (Board of Directors 1994-96 as a middle school representative and 2000-2004 as a high school representative), ASBDA, Phi Beta Mu, MENC, IMEA and she is on the advisory board for the BOA National Concert Band Festival.

Honors include: John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Legion of Honor Award, Illinois Chapter Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame, the NBA Citation of Excellence, 2000 Studs Terkel Humanities Council Award, Chicago Outstanding Music Educator Award, Illinois State Board of Education Award of Recognition for "Those Who Excel in Education," and Illinois Grade School Music Association Cloyd Myers Memorial Award for Excellence in Music Education. Recently, Mrs. Pappas was recognized by SBO Magazine to represent Illinois in 2002 as one of "50 Band Directors Who Make a Difference." In 1999, Mrs. Pappas was featured in THE INSTRUMENTALIST Magazine and was a recipient of the "Mr.Holland's Opus" Award. The Ledger-Sentinel, Oswego's weekly newspaper, selected Mrs. Pappas as on of the 50 most influential people of the century in Oswego, IL. She continues to teach privately and serves as a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor. Most recently she has been invited to conduct at the 2002 IMEA District III and VII Junior High Band Festival and will conduct the 2003 IMEA District V Junior High Festival Band.

As a musical educator in Oswego, Margene Pappas has motivated thousands of young people to pursue an interest in music and their musical talents. Ms. Pappas not only serves as the Director of the Oswego School District 308 Bands, but she also has established the T.N.T. Summer Band Program and a mentoring program for junior high students interested in developing their musical talents. In addition, she has brought music to community celebrations and festivals to instill a sense of pride in Oswego's history and heritage.