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Charles Morgan is a Grammy nominated, award-winning music educator. He is a Professor of Music, the Music Coordinator, and Director of Bands at Joliet Junior College. Born and raised in New Lenox, Illinois, Charles studied trombone with Jerry E. Lewis, Edward Kleinhammer, and Mark Fisher. He received his Associate of Arts degree from Joliet Junior College in 1991 and his Bachelor of Music emphasis in education from Northern Illinois University in 1993.
His teaching duties at Joliet Junior College include applied brass, music fundamentals, and conducting. He conducts the 90-member JJC Community Band. Charles has served as an adjudicator throughout the state at many junior and senior high school music festivals. In 2010 Joliet Junior College honored him with the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. Charles is also a three time GRAMMY Music Educator Award Quarterfinalist for 2014, 2015, and 2018. In 2012, Charles was selected and continues to serve as the Music Education editor for The College Music Society’s online Symposium. Charles is also a member of Phi Beta Mu - The International Bandmasters Fraternity.
Charles was Director of Bands at Glenwood School for Boys in Glenwood, Illinois; Laraway School in Joliet, Illinois; and Shabbona Middle School in Morris, Illinois. In 1998 he was hired as the Jazz Band Director at Joliet Junior College. He received his Masters of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in 2003. In 2004 he was selected for the bands and brass position at Joliet Junior College.
As a performer he has shared the stage with Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, The Grass Roots, Tommy James and the Shondells, Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits, Jay and the Americans, Lou Christie, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, CTA featuring Danny Seraphin and Bill Champlain, The New Invaders, and The Buddy Rich Big Band. Charles has been a member of The Buckinghams for over 20 years. With The Buckinghams he has appeared on Good Morning America, NBC Concerts at Noon, WGN; recorded a special for PBS “60's Pop Rock Reunion” released on CD/DVD by Time Life; and performed at both the 55th and 56th Presidential Inaugurations in Washington D.C. He can also be heard on their recordings “Yesterday, Today,” “Live and Well,” “Standing Room Only,” “Reaching Back,” “Solid Gold,” “The Joy of Christmas,” their CD/DVD “Up Close,” and most recently he appeared on the WTTW special concert series "Cornerstones of Rock", which is currently airing nationally and has been released on CD/DVD.
As an arranger/composer Charles has several Jazz Ensemble charts, Brass Quintet and Concert Band pieces to his name. He has also collaborated as the horn arranger for The Buckinghams’ recording “Reaching Back,” “The Joy of Christmas,” and their latest album “Flashback.”
Charles plays Getzen trombones and is honored to be a Getzen Clinician. Recently he has been added to the Etymotic “ETY•Heads” team promoting their line of music hearing protection.