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DIRECTORS

St. Charles East High School
St. Charles, IL

Gil Wukitsch is a graduate of St. Charles East High School (back in the day when it was still St. Charles High School). He has a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from DePaul University where he played in the nationally renowned Jazz Ensemble 1, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and the Screamin' Demons Pep Band. He also has a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Aurora University. Since 1993, Gil has served on the summer faculty of the Birch Creek Music Academy in Door County, Wisconsin where he teaches trumpet and combo and plays in the Faculty Academy Big Band. He has taught at St. Charles East High School since 1997 and currently teaches two Symphonic Bands, two Jazz Bands, two sections of AP Music Theory and directs the pit orchestra for the drama department’s musicals. Gil is active around the Chicago area as a clinician and trumpet player and has performed with artists such as Clark Terry, Harold Jones and The Manhattan Transfer.

Gil’s interests include cooking, eating, playing golf, traveling with his wife to various destinations to eat and play golf, and collecting interesting stories about life in rural Iowa. He lives in St. Charles with his wife Danielle (also a teacher) and their neurotic cat Uno. Email Mr. Wukitsch

Jim Kull has been Director of Bands at St. Charles East High School since 1994, where he conducts a concert band, symphonic band, Wind Ensemble and the Jazz Workshop. He also is on the faculty at Elgin Community College and Judson College. He holds degrees from VanderCook College and the University of Illinois. He also has done advanced coursework at Indiana University, where he studied with Ray Cramer and David Baker. As a saxophonist Jim has performed with Charlie Haden, Marian McPartland, The Manhattan Transfer and he has been a member of The Arts Center Jazz Ensemble, a resident professional ensemble at the College of DuPage for the last seven years. He is an active clinician and guest conductor, and conducted the Illinois All-State Jazz Band in 2002. 

On weekends, Jim can be found at his daughter Katie's horse shows, his daughter Morgan's soccer games, his wife Jennie's St. Charles East volleyball games, or on his patio at the grill.  Email Mr. Kull

Michele Oswalt received her bachelor of Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University and her Master of Music from Northern Illinois University. While at Illinois Wesleyan and Northern Illinois she studied conducting with Steven Eggleston and Stephen Squires. After completing her Masters of Music Michele began teaching in St. Charles in 1993 as an elementary band director serving Anderson, Fox Ridge, Lincoln and Munhall Schools. In 1995 she began teaching at St. Charles High School in addition to her elementary responsibilities. Currently, Michele teaches a section of Concert Band at St. Charles East High School along with assisting with Marching Band and Pep Band, and works at Anderson, Fox Ridge and Lincoln elementary schools teaching beginning band.

Michele is active as a horn player in the local Chicago area. In addition, she maintains a private horn studio with students from St. Charles and Batavia and frequently serves as a judge for different events including solo ensemble contest and the IMEA All State Conference. Email Mrs. Oswalt

Ben Oswalt , a graduate of St. Charles High School, conducts the Concert Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Concert Band and a Vocal Jazz Group at East. Now teaching for 27 years, he started teaching at St. Charles High School in 1984.  Ben began his studies in music education at the University of Wisconsin, he took time off work to pursue professional opportunities. He later completed his education at Huron College in South Dakota, where he earned his bachelor degree in Music Education.  Mr. Oswalt also holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Aurora University.  Ben's primary instrument is the trumpet but also plays the string bass.