STAFF

Director of CE BANDS

Nicholas Williams

Nicholas Williams is a native of Murphysboro, Illinois, graduating from Murphysboro High School in 2003 with Honors. He attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he received his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education, graduating cum laude in May 2007. Mr. Williams completed his Master of Science degree in Educational Administration in May 2014 from SIU Carbondale, earning his General Administrative K-12 endorsement on his Illinois Professional Educator license. He is also certified in the State of Florida for both Music K-12 and Educational Leadership K-12.

In May 2020, Nick decided to return to his alma mater, becoming just the 4th Director of Bands in 30 years for Murphysboro High School. At MHS, Mr. Williams oversees all aspects of the band program (Crimson Express Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Pep Band), while also directing the district’s Beginning Band program, and teaching two sections of 8th Grade Music (Exploring American Music). In addition to these teaching assignments, Mr. Williams also sits on the Apple Festival Sub-Planning Committee for the Drums at Appletime High School Marching Band Competition, helping coordinate the festival’s band competitions. Other programs Mr. Williams has had the pleasure of directing include Murphysboro Middle School, Murphysboro, Illinois (2007-2014), Carterville High School, Carterville, Illinois (2014-2019), and Four Corners Upper School in Orlando, Florida (2019-2020). Nick has also enjoyed other musical opportunities working with the following programs: Belleville District 118, Belleville East High School, Pinckneyville Community High School, SIU Carbondale’s own Marching Salukis, the Summer Music Camps at SIU Carbondale, the Southern Illinois Music Festival, the Southern Illinois Brass Festival, and the MAAA Junior High Honors Band Festival in Southeast Missouri.

Mr. Williams is a member of the Illinois Music Education Association, the National Band Association, the Illinois Education Association, and the Murphysboro Education Association. He resides in Murphysboro, Illinois with his beautiful wife Amanda, and their two dogs Ella and Thatcher.

Assistant Director/Music Designer for Crimson Express; Director of Bands Murphysboro Middle School

Michael Moreland

Mr. Moreland is a graduate of Brainerd Senior High School in Brainerd, MN and attended SIU Edwardsville, Southeast Missouri State University, and John A. Logan College before receiving his degree in Music Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Mr. Moreland is an alumnus of the Belleville Black Knights Drum & Bugle Corps where he marched from 1985-1989. Mr. Moreland has worked for several high schools in Southern Illinois as an instructor and arranger. Mr. Moreland has a beautiful wife, two awesome kids, and is an avid Minnesota Vikings, L.A. Lakers, and Saluki Fan.