Our Directors
Bill Mitchell
Glenwood High School
Mr. Mitchell serves as the Director of Bands at Glenwood High School, where he directs the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, Titan Marching Band, and Pep Band. In addition to performing ensembles, he has the privilege to teach Adaptive Music in conjunction with the Special Education department. Beyond his duties at Glenwood High School, he serves as the Concert Band and Jazz Band director at the University of Illinois-Springfield and the Low Brass instructor at Illinois College. Mr. Mitchell holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Eastern Illinois University and a Master's degree in Trombone Performance from the University of Nebraska.
Mr. Mitchell is a proud father to his son Myles and husband to his wife Jessica. When not teaching, you're likely to find him walking with his dog, lifting weights in his garage, or making music of his own with his trombone quartet.
Jen Claytor
Glenwood Intermediate School & Glenwood Middle School
Mrs. Claytor studied Music Education at Western Illinois University. She has had the privilege of teaching general music to students from kindergarten through 8th grade, elementary and middle school choir, and beginning, intermediate, and middle school band during her time living in Illinois. She loves playing her clarinet in local ensembles whenever she has the chance and singing at church. Working with young people and making music with others are two things that bring her great joy.
Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Claytor loves spending time with her husband Jonathan, daughter Elise, son Nolan, and dog Yuji. Together they enjoy going on walks, watching Survivor, cheering on the Cardinals, and traveling. Mrs. Claytor especially loves reading a good book, napping in her hammock, and watching episodes of Holiday Baking Championship.
Loren Wilson
Glenwood High School Drumline
Mr. Wilson is an English teacher at Glenwood High School and serves as the drum instructor for the Titan Marching Band. His passion for percussion and marching band began in 8th grade, leading him to join the Centralia High School Marching Showcase as a freshman. There, he not only learned to march and play drums at a competitive level but also discovered DCI (Drum Corps International) - known as the major leagues of competitive marching band - becoming a lifelong fan.
While Mr. Wilson pursued other interests in college that ultimately led him to a teaching career, his love of music and marching band remained strong. This passion drove him to serve for over a decade as the drum instructor at Lanphier High School. Upon transferring to Glenwood High School, he eagerly took on the role of drum instructor, aiming to provide students with the same life-changing experience that band was for him.