Western Illinois University Alumnus Named to Yamaha’s ’40 Under 40′ List
Western Illinois University School of Music alumnus Andrew Gibb-Clark has been named one of Yamaha’s inaugural “40 Under 40” music educators.
Gibb-Clark received his master’s degree in music (choral conducting) from WIU in 2017. He is the director of choral activities and fine arts department chair at Highland High School in Highland, IL. He is also choir director at Faith Lutheran Church in O’Fallon, IL.
Yamaha released its “40 Under 40” list, and accompanying music education advocacy program, in February. The program celebrates music educators at all grade levels, public or private, as well as private music instructors. There were hundreds of music education leaders nominated by students, parents, other teachers or administrators, local instrument dealers and mentors last fall.
Criteria for choosing the 40 honored teachers include action, courage, creativity and growth.
Andrew Gibb-Clark
The “40 Under 40” program received multiple nominations for Gibb-Clark, with one citing his “the show-must-go-on attitude” and his “unselfish caring toward his students.”
The choral program at Highland High School has grown by 50 percent under Gibb-Clark’s leadership. In his first year of teaching, he added a show choir to the school’s course offerings.
Gibb-Clark’s program planned to put on a spring musical production of “The Little Mermaid,” when the state of Illinois went into COVID-19 lockdown two weeks before opening night. A review of Illinois Department of Public Health regulations turned into a solution for the production to move ahead.
“We landed on a drive-in, with students performing live inside, and the audience in their cars across the street, enjoying a drive-in, movie-style musical,” Gibb-Clark said. “The show went amazingly well, and was well attended by the community. I am extremely proud of what my students were able to accomplish, putting the show together in only a week.”
Gibb-Clark is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education and the Illinois Music Educators Association. He currently serves on the IL-ACDA State Board as the District 6 Representative and is the Senior High Choral Chair for ILMEA District 6.
Prior to teaching at Highland High School, Gibb-Clark taught music for grades K-12 in the New Berlin School District, near Springfield, IL. He said the lessons he learned during his time at WIU are used every day in his classroom.
“Pedagogical knowledge of my content area and administrative skills learned through an assistantship while at WIU have significantly contributed to success for me as an educator and for my students in their pursuit of knowledge,” he said.
For more information about Yamaha’s “40 Under 40” program, visit bit.ly/3v0J9Rc.
