Cliff Jourdan
Department Chair of Fine and Performing Arts
Associate Professor of Music / Director of Bands
Prior to his appointment at Kaskaskia College in 2002, Jourdan taught instrumental
music at Vandalia High School in Vandalia, Illinois where his marching, concert and
jazz bands consistently won competitions and received superior ratings at
organization contests. Before that, he taught at Sandoval Jr./ Sr. High School
in Sandoval, Illinois where he was in charge of the band, chorus, and general
classroom music programs. His success in the public schools led him into the college
teaching ranks where he has won the Kaskaskia College Student Congress Outstanding
Professor Award in the 2004-2005 academic year.
Before becoming director of bands at KC, Jourdan was Conductor of the Centralia
Philharmonic Orchestra for 6 years. His performance background and experience is very
eclectic, having been a member of the Centralia Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra
(tuba), several jazz and big bands (bass, trombone, guitar, vocal), various brass
quintets (tuba), and progressive rock groups (bass, guitar, keyboards and vocals).
While an undergraduate, he was principal tuba for the Southern Illinois University
Wind Ensemble.
Jourdan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Southern Illinois
University at Carbondale, and a Master’s degree in Music Education from VanderCook
College of Music in Chicago. He studied conducting with Dr. Charles Menghini of
VanderCook, Edward Benyas and Michael Hanes of Southern Illinois University at
Carbondale.
Professor Jourdan's responsibilities at Kaskaskia College include teaching music major courses,
general education courses, conducting the Kaskaskia College concert, jazz, and
pep-bands along with directing the student jazz ensembles. He was also the
co-organizer for the first Merry TUBA Christmas in the Centralia area in 2006.
In addition, he regularly works as an adjudicator for regional solo/ensemble contest,
organization contests, and as a parade judge. He also works as a clinician for local
Jr. and Sr. High schools and is frequently a guest conductor at regional
festivals.
Jourdan is also an active composer. His works have been premiered by the Southern
Illinois University Wind Ensemble and the Kaskaskia College Concert band and have
been performed by various regional schools. In March of 2009, he premiered his
latest work "Yucatan" with the Kaskaskia College Concert Band. Jourdan has
premiered additional works while at KC including a dedication to those lost in the events of September 11, 2001 titled “A Song of
Remembrance.” His works continue to be performed by ensembles at Kaskaskia
College including the Concert and Jazz Bands along with the Pep-Band and Instrumental
Ensembles.
Cliff Jourdan
Associate Professor of Music
Kaskaskia College
27210 College Road
Centralia, IL 62801
cjourdan@kaskaskia.edu
Mike Register
Assistant Professor of Music / Director of Choirs
Assistant Professor of Music Mike Register was raised and attended high school in
Jacksonville, Florida. After graduating in 1967 he went “up north” on a music
scholarship to Tennessee Technological University (Cookville, Tenn.) where he
graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education (voice) degree.
He studied conducting with James Wattenbarger and Kermit Breen and music theory
and counterpoint with Robert Jager.
While at Tech he also participated in several summer and spring musicals at the
Cumberland County Playhouse, a popular tourist resort, as well as performing in
several folk groups in Nashville and Gatlinburg. After receiving his degree he
moved back to Jacksonville where he taught Humanities, General Music and 8th Grade
Choir at Paxon Jr. High School for two years. He also worked as a freelance musician
at Russell Film Labs, writing, producing, and recording music for television and
radio commercials as well as background music for short television films.
He moved back to Tennessee where he spent one year taking additional course work and
working as a studio musician in Nashville. He then moved to Champaign-Urbana,
Illinois to attend graduate school at the University of Illinois. He spent 2 years on
the Champaign campus, graduating in 1977 with a Master of Music (MM) degree in
Conducting and Choral Literature.
In 1976 he was admitted to the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) program and during that
year and the 6 summers following his graduation completed 48 semester hours toward
the DMA degree. He studied voice with William Warfield and conducting with Harold
Decker and Paul Vermel.
In 1977 he was hired at Salem Community High School as the choral director where,
over the next 25 years, he developed an award winning program which garnered 53
superior ratings at state contest out of 56 entries. Professor Register was
appointed Director of Choirs at Kaskaskia College in August, 2002.
Mike Register
Assistant Professor Music
Kaskaskia College
27210 College Road
Centralia, IL 62801
mregister@kaskaskia.edu
Applied Instructors
Private Instructors are available for all instruments.
Stephen Marr – Private Clarinet/Saxophone Instruction and General Music
Instruction.
Tom Baker – Private Trumpet Instruction.
Kevin Devany – Private Trombone Instruction.
Greg Allen – Private Tuba Instruction.
Dovie Heaton-Bergen – General Music Instruction.
Sharon Mahon – Private Vocal Instruction, Class Piano,
General Music Instruction.