Dr. Samuel McIlhagga
LCB Conductor and Artistic Director

Dr. Samuel McIlhagga was granted emeritus status as professor of music at Albion College in 2021. During his seventeen years at Albion he has served as chair of the department of music as well as director of bands, directing the symphonic wind ensemble, jazz collective, and the “British Eighth” marching band. As a strong advocate for contemporary classical and popular music, McIlhagga taught courses in 20th century composers and composition, rock and roll in society, and music performance as a creative process. While at Albion, he also founded the Albion Chamber Players, a professional ensemble devoted to performing a wide variety of chamber wind music. Prior to his appointment at Albion College, McIlhagga served for six years as the band director at Sparta High School, and as director of bands at Sinclair Community College and Grand Valley State University.

McIlhagga earned a PhD from the University of Minnesota, an MM in wind conducting from Northwestern University, and his BME from Grand Valley State University. He has studied conducting with professors Craig Kirchhoff and John Paynter. Continuing to be active as a guest conductor and clinician, McIlhagga has worked with high school and middle school bands and honor bands across the Midwest. He has presented nationally and internationally at music conferences on topics including the musical and poetic collaboration of William Walton and Edith Sitwell, the music and compositional style of Andrew Boysen, and the importance of general music in secondary schools. Dr. McIlhagga and wife Kristin reside in East Lansing, and together the Drs. McIlhagga have two beautiful children, Ollie and Annie, and one big great dane, Coraline.
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