Sam Simpson - Director of Bands at MacArthur Middle School
Schedule
1st Period - Advisory (Band Room/Yellow Lab)
2nd Period - Band Sectionals
3rd Period - Band Sectionals
4th Period - 8th Grade General Music
5th Period - Lunch
6th Period - Band Sectionals
7th Period - Plan
8th Period - Band Sectionals
9th Period - 6th Grade Band
10th Period - 7th/8th Grade Band
1st Period - Advisory (Band Room/Yellow Lab)
2nd Period - Band Sectionals
3rd Period - Band Sectionals
4th Period - 8th Grade General Music
5th Period - Lunch
6th Period - Band Sectionals
7th Period - Plan
8th Period - Band Sectionals
9th Period - 6th Grade Band
10th Period - 7th/8th Grade Band
Sam Simpson currently serves as director of bands at MacArthur Middle School in Prospect Heights, Illinois. In addition to directing the 6th grade, combined 7th and 8th grade concert band, and jazz ensemble, he teaches general music and advisory classes. This is his third year at MacArthur, and continues to try and uphold the proud tradition of MacArthur bands. Under his direction the concert band was one of the middle schools selected to perform at the 2018 Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival. The band has consistently earned superior ratings at IGSMA organizational contest – a tradition still held by the program since 1973. In addition, the concert band has consistently received Superior Ratings at the Chicagoland Invitational Concert Band Festival. The concert band has also been selected to the Illinois Superstate Band Festival in past years and was named honor band in 2012.
Mr. Simpson holds a degree of Bachelor’s in Music Education with a Minor in Jazz Studies from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, IL. While a student at Elmhurst College, he performed as a member of the world-renowned Elmhurst College Jazz Band. During that time, he was able to perform worldwide in countries such as the Czech Republic, Chile, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Croatia. He has been able to perform with some of the most influential jazz musicians such as Doc Severinsen, Dennis Mackrel, Patrick Williams, Gary Smulyan, Bobby Shew, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and many more. He has also performed at notable festivals such as the Nisville Jazz Festival in Nis, Serbia as well as the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. As a member of the Elmhurst College Jazz Band, he is also a three-time Downbeat award winner. Mr. Simpson still is a frequent performer in the Chicagoland area performing with various performing groups.
Prior to coming to MacArthur, Mr. Simpson completed his student teaching at Hersey High School under the direction of Scott Casagrande. He has also spent the past two years as an assistant band director at William Fremd High School in Palatine, IL. Under his direction, the concert bands and jazz ensembles had outstanding festival performances including superior ratings for the jazz groups. In 2015, the Fremd Jazz Lab Band tied for the highest score among all second jazz bands at the North Shore Jazz Festival.
Mr. Simpson's professional affiliations are with the Illinois Music Educator’s Association, the Illinois Grade School Music Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the National Band Association.
Outside of music, Mr. Simpson is married to his wonderful wife Maria. He is an avid sports fan and loves to root for his hometown Chicago sports teams. He also loves to travel the world and learn about all different cultures and customs.