Biography:
Dr. Rachel J. Maxwell, DMA, is a middle school band director, conductor, and clinician with more than 30 years of experience in instrumental music education. She serves as Director of Bands at Traughber Junior High School (Oswego CUSD 308, Illinois), where she has led a comprehensive, multi-tiered middle school band program since 1995. Dr. Maxwell’s work with middle school ensembles emphasizes inclusive access, musical growth, and age-appropriate artistry.
Under her direction, Traughber JHS ensembles have been invited to perform at the Music For All National Festival, The Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic (multiple-year demonstration ensemble), the University of Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival, the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference, as well as the Prairie State Middle School Concert Band Festival, a Music for All regional affiliate festival that she founded and manages. Her work with young bands includes the commissioning and world-premiere performances of wind works by John Mackey, Julie Giroux, Omar Thomas, David Biedenbender, Scott McAllister, Donald Grantham, Harrison Collins, and JaRod Hall. Dr. Maxwell is a frequent All-State and honor band conductor, adjudicator, and clinician, and her research and professional presentations focus on pedagogical creativity, ambiguity tolerance, and student-centered rehearsal practices.