Soultones of Swing

David, a resident of Collinsville, IL

Susannah, a resident of Collinsville, IL, is currently the music director at St. Angela Merici School in Florissant, MO.  She received her bachelors degree in music education from Eastern Illinois University where she studied with Diane Boyd Schultz and Brian Luce.  Susannah completed her masters degree in music education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.  Susannah has played the flute and piano for eighteen years.  She is also a member of the St. Louis Wind Symphony, president of the Flute Society of St. Louis, and maintains a private flute and piano studio.

Keith, a resident of Collinsville, IL started playing Harmonica at age 5 and has been 'rocking ever since'. Guitar, Mandolin, Do bro and Steel are a few instruments that he plays. He has played in Blugrass Jazz and Rock Bands since 1973.

Butch, a resident of Maryville, IL started playing trombone in the 6th grade. He received a BA in Music Eduction from Bradley University and has taught for 11 years. He currently plays in the Edwardsville Municipal Band, the Southern Illinois Community Band, the St. Louis Wind Symphony, and the Rolling Thunder Brass Quartet. He has, also, played and was guest conductor in the Wood River Municipal Band. He currently conducts the Granite City Community Band, the Granite City Swing Band, and co-directs the St. Luke's Adult Choir in Maryville.

Steve, a resident of Edwardsville, IL began his musical journey with the oboe in grade school, which he continued to play through high school where he eventually made the All State Orchestra.  He was also the drum major for Edwardsville High School for 3 years and began playing the tenor saxophone in stage band.  At the University of Illinois, he continued playing the tenor sax as a member of the Marching Illini.  He also played the oboe and English horn in concert band while he pursued his degree in Electrical Engineering.  In recent years, Steve has focused his talents on alto and tenor sax, playing swing and blues with the Soultones and other groups.

Damon is currently a resident of Union, MO, looking to relocate to the Illinois side of the river.  Do you want to buy a nice house in Union? 

Damon got his first pair of sticks and a practice pad at age 2 to keep from driving his mother out of the kitchen.  Apparently utensils and pots/pans make great drums for a 2 year old child. 

His formal education began in the percussion section in 5^th grade (beginning band).  Between every honor band he could audition for (and make, up to the national level), and playing professionally in concert and jazz groups by age 13, he developed a vast array of experiences to draw on even before college.  Damon attended Millikin University where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education.  He also has completed many credits towards a Masters Degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL.

Besides teaching, Damon has provided many other music and education services to his colleagues.  He has presented clinics at many schools for bands, percussion sections and general music classes; guest conducted ensembles for performances; been a guest performer with ensembles; consulted and instructed for marching bands; composed and/or arranged pieces for a variety of ensembles; taught private lessons; and crafted custom percussion equipment.

Stephanie, a resident of Edwardsville, IL

Brad, a resident of Collinsville, IL started piano lessons when he was 7. At age 10 he switched to trumpet. He added guitar when he was thirteen, playing his brother's old Conrad. In high school he found his new love...bass. With bass he found that he had more freedom to improvise than on trumpet and guitar. Brad has been playing in groups for over 30 years.He's played heavy metal and classic rock to musical theater and everything in between. He recently returned from Italy where he continued to play and received instruction in bass at the Thelonius Monk School of Jazz.

'What is that thing you're playing?' It is an NS Designs electric upright bass. It has the classic sound of a full scale upright but with less bulk. This is important when playing on a small stage with a large group. Not to mention I'd never fit a full upright in my Mini Cooper!

Lorie, a resident of Collinsville, IL started on piano at the age of 7, then switched to trumpet at the age of 10.  She has been playing in groups for over 20 years.  She has played in Pit Orchestras, Jazz Bands, Concert Bands, small brass ensembles, and solo performances.  She recently returned from Italy where she had continued to play and received instruction at the Thelonius Monk School of Jazz.  She is currently studying the trumpet with Andy Tichenor and Dr. John Korak.