Finding Aid for Peter J Griffin Papers, 1910-2011 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Title: Peter J Griffin Papers, 1910-2011

ID: 12/9/29

Primary Creator: Griffin, Peter J. (1961)

Other Creators: Isbell, Andrew "Andy" Edward, Smith, Gary E. (1942-)

Extent: 8.25 cubic feet

Arrangement: The collection is arranged into seven series: Series 1, Drill Charts; Series 2, Correspondence and Administrative Records; Series 3, Audio and Visual Records; Series 4, Epherma; Series 5, Andy Isbell Papers; Series 6, Gary Smith Papers; and Series 7) Mary E. Mell Sheet Music Collection. Materials are arranged in alphabetical and chronological order.

Date Acquired: 05/11/2011. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Alumni, Audio-Visual Material, Band, Football, Band Department, Bands, Faculty, Football, Marching bands, Marching Illini, Music, School of, Music Educators National Conference, Music teachers, Photographs, Radio

Formats/Genres: Music instruction, Papers

Languages: English

Consists of Marching Illini Drill Charts, correspondence, audio-visual recordings, photographs, and newspaper clippings documenting Dr. Griffin's time as Assistant Director of Bands (1994-2011) and Director of the Marching Illini (2006-2011) at the University of Illinois. Of particular note is the "Second Band" Presentation that was given in 2006 at the Midwest clinic, the MENC convention in 2008, and the CBDNA convention in 2009. This collection also contains records from Andy Isbell, a trumpeter in Marching Illini from 1983 to 1987 and voice of the Marching Illini from 1996 to 2018, and Gary Smith, director of the Marching Illini from 1976 to 1997.

Dr. Peter Griffin (1961- ) grew up in Evergreen Park, Illinois. His mother played piano and father played flute in Irish sessions. He joined band on baritone and trombone in 5th grade and later graduated from Evergreen Park High School, serving as drum major. He attended the University of Illinois, earning a bachelors of music education in 1983. As an undergraduate, he performed in the British brass band and the marching band, serving as a section leader for three years. Following his graduation, he taught grades 5-12 in Fowler, Colorado for three years. In 1987, he earned his masters degree in music education from the University of Illinois. Following this, he taught at Mitchell High School in Colorado Springs. While teaching in Colorado he also performed with Rocky Mountain Brassworks (Denver), the Pueblo Symphony Orchestra, and the Pueblo Municipal Band. He started a doctoral degree in music education in 1990. After taking a break to join the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1992, he graduated with his DMA in 2004. At Wisconsin, Dr. Griffin conducted one of its concert bands, was Assistant Director of the marching and Varsity bands, and taught in the School of Music. 

Griffin became Assistant Director of Bands at Illinois in 1994. In addition to his conducting responsibilities at the University of Illinois, Dr. Griffin taught conducting and marching band procedures in the School of Music. He was the conductor of the Illini Marching Band Festival and the Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival from 1994-2006. He also served as head clinician and co-director of the Smith-Walbridge Drum Major Clinics from 1993-2005, and has served as a clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator across the state of Illinois and throughout the United States. Dr. Griffin served as head clinician of the University of New Hampshire Marching Band Clinic from 1999-2002, was co -producer/director of the pre-game and halftime shows at the 1998 and 2000 Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia. Griffin has published articles in The Instrumentalist Magazine and the National Band Association Journal. In January 2006 he presented a clinic at the Illinois Music Education Association state convention in Peoria, and in December 2006 the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. In January 2008 he directed the Marching Illini in performances at the Rose Bowl Parade and Rose Bowl, and in March 2008 the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. In April 2008 he presented a clinic at the Music Educators National Conference Biennial Convention in Milwaukee, and in March 2009 at the College Band Directors National Association national convention in Austin, TX.

In 2011, Griffin became the Chair of the Music Department at Elmhurst College in Elhurst, Illinois. As chair, he oversaw the renovation of the music building on the Elmhurst campus. He also taught conducting and marching band procedures. He retired from Elmhurst College in 2022.

Alumni
Audio-Visual Material
Band, Football
Band Department
Bands
Faculty
Football
Marching bands
Marching Illini
Music, School of
Music Educators National Conference
Music teachers
Photographs
Radio

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Accruals: Mary E. Mell sheet music collection donated September 26, 2025.

Acquisition Source: Peter J. Griffin

Acquisition Method: Gift