Music Department
The band program strives to provide students with opportunities to love music and to apply their skills and experiences to real life lessons. The program consists of a concert band, symphonic band, jazz band and pep band. The symphonic band has travelled to Washington, D.C. and Mexico. The program strives to achieve excellence in teaching, performing and community leadership. You can click here to visit the EPCHS Band official web site.
The choral program includes the following groups: prep choir, concert choir, girls chorus, boys chorus and chorale. Participation in the chorale is by audition only. All other groups are open to the student body at large. Choirs participate in numerous concerts, contests and tours. You can click here to visit the EPCHS Choir official web site.
Fine Arts Resources
Jessy Keeney is a part of the Fine Arts/Music department at EPCHS and has been a teacher for 4 years at EPCHS. She is the director of Chorale and Madrigals and teaches Choir, Piano, Music Appreciation, and Evolution of Rock and Roll. Ms. Keeney received her Bachelor of Arts in Education and Masters of Science in Education/Instructional Technology from the University of Wyoming. During her time at University Miss Keeney was involved with Tau Beta Sigma (band sorority), symphonic band, orchestra, marching band, and choir where she played piano, saxophone, oboe, and english horn. Miss Keeney comes to EPCHS after serving as the Director of Choral Activities for Smart Intermediate in Davenport, Iowa. Miss Keeney has also been heavily involved in musical theater holding various roles from producer, director, music director, set construction, costuming, sound technician, etc. for community theater and various high schools.
Adam Schneblin is the lead teacher of the Fine Arts/Music department and the Director of Bands at EPCHS. He has 28 years of teaching experience, 19 of those being at EPCHS. Adam Schneblin, an East Peoria native, graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and received his Masters in Educational Administration from Illinois State University. Mr. Schneblin has taught and conducted music at Illinois Central College, Morton High School, Concordia Grade School, and East Peoria Central Junior High. Currently, he is the Director of Bands and Principle Conductor for East Peoria Community High School District 309. Mr. Schneblin has served as an Illinois Grade School Music Association solo and ensemble judge and has guest conducted for the Illinois Music Educators Association Jazz Band District Festival and the Peoria District 150 All-District Band. In addition to conducting and teaching, Mr. Schneblin has played with the Peoria Municipal Band, Prairie Wind Ensemble and still performs every summer with the Pekin Park Band as a tuba player. Outside of work, he has a wonderful wife and three children that keep him busy.
Kyle Newgard has been the Director of Bands for East Peoria School District #86 since 2009. His responsibilities include: teaching beginning band at three elementary schools, three junior high concert bands, marching band, and two jazz bands. In addition, he assists with the Marching Raiders at East Peoria Community High School and conducts the Concert Band at East Peoria Community High School. Mr. Newgard is a native of Decatur, Illinois and attended MacArthur High School. Upon graduation, he attended the University of Illinois and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. In 2014, Mr. Newgard completed his Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership from Aurora University. Mr. Newgard has served as a judge for All-State and has been the guest conductor for the Illinois Music Educators Association Jazz Band District Festival. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education and the National Band Association.