Dr. Samuel McIlhagga

Professor Emeriti

Ph.D. in Music, 2006, University of Minnesota;
M.M., in Instrumental Conducting, 1993, Northwestern University;
B.M.E., 1992, Grand Valley State University
Appointed 2003.

Dr. Samuel McIlhagga formerly was a professor of music, and director of bands at Albion College where he directs the symphonic wind ensemble and jazz ensemble in addition to teaching courses in honors, popular music, music as a creative process, and instrumental music education. McIlhagga is also artistic director and conductor of the Lansing Concert Band, a community band based in Lansing, Michigan. A native of Michigan, McIlhagga has taught in the public schools and also at the collegiate level since 1993. He earned his M.M. in Wind Conducting (1993) from Northwestern University his Ph.D. in Music Education (2006) from the University of Minnesota. McIlhagga began his career as director of bands at Grand Valley State University, his alma mater, in 1993. In 1994 he served as visiting professor and director of bands at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. McIlhagga went on to become band director at Sparta High School in Sparta, Michigan until 2001.

McIlhagga maintains an active guest conducting, adjudication, and clinician schedule. For over 20 years, he has adjudicated and been clinician for concert and marching bands both in Michigan and around the mid-west. McIlhagga is a frequent presenter at the Michigan Music Conference and he presented at the ANBOC (Australian National Band and Orchestra Conference) in Brisbane, and the CBDNA Regional Conference in Mt. Pleasant, MI. In 2010, his peers named him Albion College Faculty of the Year. McIlhagga is also faculty advisor to Kappa Kappa Psi, Kappa Chi chapter. His professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), College Music Society (CMS), The National Association for Music Education, Society for Music Teacher Education (SMTE), and the Michigan Music Education Association (MMEA).