Our Director, Tom Drake
Mr. Drake joined the Joliet American Legion Band in 1956 as a clarinetist and the band’s Associate conductor. In 1963, after 25 years of conducting the band, Archie McAllister, Jr. transferred the conductor’s baton to Tom Drake.
Tom has been a music educator, professional musician and clinician since his graduation from VanderCook College of Music. Tom graduated VanderCook College of Music with both a bachelor and Masters degree. Additionally, Tom’s postgraduate work continued at both the Eastman School of Music and Northwestern University.
Tom’s teaching assignments include Kelvin Grove, Ludwig Reed Walsh, and Romeoville High School. In 1993, Tom retired from Romeoville High School having been its band director for 31 years. Tom is presently an adjunct faculty member of the Lewis University Music Department.
Tom has been the recipient of the Chicagoland Outstanding Educator and Saint Genesis Awards as well as inducted into Joliet’s “Hall of Pride”.
Tom has been a music educator, professional musician and clinician since his graduation from VanderCook College of Music. Tom graduated VanderCook College of Music with both a bachelor and Masters degree. Additionally, Tom’s postgraduate work continued at both the Eastman School of Music and Northwestern University.
Tom’s teaching assignments include Kelvin Grove, Ludwig Reed Walsh, and Romeoville High School. In 1993, Tom retired from Romeoville High School having been its band director for 31 years. Tom is presently an adjunct faculty member of the Lewis University Music Department.
Tom has been the recipient of the Chicagoland Outstanding Educator and Saint Genesis Awards as well as inducted into Joliet’s “Hall of Pride”.