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)

Extent: 8.0 cubic feet

Arrangement: The collection is arranged into six 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; and Series 6, Gary Smith Papers. Materials are arranged in alphabetical and chronological order.

Date Acquired: 05/11/2011

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 since 1997, and Gary Smith, director of the Marching Illini from 1976 to 1997.

Dr. Peter Griffin became Assistant Director of Bands at Illinois in 1994 after having served in that capacity at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 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. Prior to his appointment at Wisconsin he was instrumental music director in Fowler, Colorado and 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.

In addition to his conducting responsibilities at the University of Illinois, Dr. Griffin teaches 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, and 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.

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Acquisition Source: Peter J. Griffin

Acquisition Method: Gift