Dedicated and Inspiring Music Education Major Brad Eston is This Year’s Student Laureate

A highly devoted student. A beacon of inspiration to his peers. A natural leader who fosters others. A joy to be around. Someone whose contagious personality can be felt by all those around him. These are just a few descriptors that McKendree’s faculty have used to describe this year’s Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, Brad Eston.

 

A senior from Quincy, Ill., Brad is majoring in music education (instrumental emphasis) and plans to become a band director. His goal as a soon-to-be teacher is to give his future students a way to express themselves and also educate them about musicians who are people of color. He has performed with the concert band, wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, McKendree Spirit Band, concert choir, and chamber choir on campus, and he can often be found practicing his euphonium – even on weekends and breaks. His dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed by his peers; in fact, they elected him to serve as president of the McKendree chapter of the National Association for Music Education. He was also chosen as the most outstanding brass musician at McKendree’s annual honors recital in 2020 and 2021.

 

Brad is equally dedicated and involved outside of the classroom (and rehearsal spaces). He has served as a resident assistant, a New Student Orientation leader, a student ambassador, and an assistant for the McKendree junior high band camp. He has also served as a brass technician for the Collinsville High School marching band and has worked with bands at Edwardsville High School and Coolidge Junior High School. His students have called him compassionate, inspiring, and a real role model for young musicians.

 

“Brad will be one of the finest music educators McKendree has placed into the field,” said Dr. Jennifer Moder-Bell, associate professor of music education at McKendree University. “He is extremely driven and passionate about music education, and we are all very proud of his growth, dedication, and hard work.”

 

Congratulations, Brad!