Western Illinois University College of Fine Arts and Communication

Mike Fansler

Mike Fansler is Director of Bands and conductor of the Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds at Western Illinois University, where he also teaches graduate wind conducting and literature, and various undergraduate music education courses. He joined the faculty in 2001, and is currently Associate Professor of Music.

Fansler has conducted in Australia, Germany, Holland, and throughout the United States, where has made guest adjudicating and conducting appearances with numerous high school and honor bands. In addition, he has appeared with the Army Ground Forces Bands, Northern Arizona Wind Ensemble, Johnson City (TN) Symphony Orchestra, and has twice been the featured conductor for the Western Illinois University Orchestra. He has lectured on the music of Percy Grainger at the Midwest Clinic and received a grant to visit the Grainger Museum in Melbourne to further study Grainger’s music and life. Under his direction, the Western Illinois Wind Ensemble has performed at the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference and on the prestigious Armour Stage in Chicago’s Orchestra Hall.

Fansler received his education from James Madison University (1993), Syracuse University (1995), and is currently ABD at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he studied conducting with James F. Keene. His teaching experience includes: Director of Bands at Sullivan East High School in Bluff City, TN; Director of Bands (interim) at Mars Hill College, NC; Director of Athletic Bands/Professor of Saxophone at Idaho State University; and most recently Associate Director of Bands/ Athletic Band Director at Western Illinois University.

Fansler serves as the Director of the Western Illinois University Summer Music Camps program and has also directed the Idaho State University and Mars Hill College Summer Music Camps. He is Advisor for the WIU chapters of the College Music Educators National Conference and National Band Association. His professional memberships include the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, Conductors Guild, Music Educators National Conference, Illinois Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

 

Office Location: 204D Sallee Hall
Office Phone: 309/298-1505
Email: MJ-Fansler@wiu.edu

[ Music ] [ College of Fine Arts and Communication ] [ Western Illinois University ] School of Music | 1 University Circle | Macomb, IL 61455 E-mail: music@wiu.edu | Phone: 309/298-1544 | Fax: 309-298-1968 Last updated: August 26, 2007