David Allen

Coordinator, Outreach, and Public Engagement Program Coordinator, Student Teaching

B.S. (music education), B.M. and M.M. (music), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

As Coordinator of Outreach and Public Engagement David guides the curricular and instructional aspects of the School of Music outreach programs. David also coordinates the student teaching placement and pre-student teaching experiences for all music education students in the School of Music.

David and his brothers Gregory and Michael represent the Allen family’s third generation of music educators. This history of music educators in David’s family goes back to his grandfather, John Melton, who started his teaching career in Illinois in 1927. David has continued this tradition starting in 1996, when he was appointed Director of Bands at Salem Community High School in Salem, IL. In 1999, he became Director of Bands at Champaign Centennial High School in Champaign, IL, where he taught for five years. At both schools David directed the concert, jazz, marching, and pep bands. He also taught 5th-8th grade music students at Champaign's Dr. Howard Elementary, Franklin, and Jefferson Middle Schools. In 2001 David served as music director of the Illinois Theatre Festival All-State production of West Side Story. In 2003 the Centennial Symphonic Band was selected as the class AA Superstate Honor Band. David received three Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association for performances at the University of Illinois’ Superstate Concert Band Festival.

David has been a member of the teaching and administrative faculty of Illinois Summer Youth Music since 1994. He has taught the music education courses: Introduction to Music Education and Introductory Music Ed. Technology. He frequently serves as a clinician and adjudicator and is an active member of the Illinois Music Educators Association. David is a co-adviser for the U of I chapter of the Illinois Collegiate Music Educators Association.

David's office is located in room 3010 of the Music Building, 1114 W. Nevada, and he may be contacted by e-mail or at 333-6453.