William Jastrow

William Jastrow’s professional experience comprises 40+ years of vocal and instrumental music teaching and music education administration in Illinois public schools. A retired member of the Indian Prairie School District 204 music faculty, Bill maintains an active schedule as a conductor, clinician, arranger, and music education advocate. He has appeared as a clinician/conductor at numerous district, state and national music conferences and festivals, including the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference and as conductor of the Illinois All-State Band.

From twelve years, Bill served as a member of the Illinois Music Education Association Board of
Directors, first as Band Division President and then as State President. In addition, Bill has
authored numerous articles for the Illinois Music Educator on the vital role that music must play
in a comprehensive education for all students. As ILMEA Past-President, Bill contributed to the
planning of “Dream Out Loud”, a joint advocacy initiative with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
and Yamaha Corporation. Currently, Bill serves on the Board of Directors for ARTSpeaks, a nonprofit association dedicated to raising community awareness of the critical role that quality
public school arts programs play in developing the competitive edge 21st century students
need for success.

Bill holds degrees in music education from the University of Illinois and Northwestern University. He has been recognized as a Most Influential Educator by the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation, received special recognition from the Illinois State Board of Education for “Contributions to Education,” honored by the National Association for Music Education with a Teaching Music Award, and inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Illinois Bandmasters Hall of Fame.

A member of the percussion section since 2011, Bill is proud to be a DSO musician and happy to
serve on the Board of Directors.