logo
‘Humbling and exciting': Sullivan interim band director up for Grammy award

‘Humbling and exciting': Sullivan interim band director up for Grammy award

Yahoo14-05-2025

MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — A music teacher in Central Illinois is up for a nationwide nomination for his talents in music and teaching.
Mattoon's Christopher Keniley is officially a quarter finalist for the 2026 Grammy Music Educator Award. He took over leadership of the Sullivan band program after tragedy struck last year and kept the music steady through sorrow.
PREVIOUSLY: Sullivan band director identified as man who died in IL 121 crash
'Really just beyond words,' Keniley said. 'That's quite an honor just to be considered for that.'
It's said that music endures, and after a tragedy, Christopher Keniley had made sure that continued in Sullivan.
'We had to face a lot of hardships. I mean, the passing of the late Aaron Jones like that, that was harsh,' Keniley added. 'I mean, that was for the entire community.'
In August, the former band director, 26-year-old Aaron Jones, died in a car crash.
'That would have been the forever director,' Keniley said. 'Just even still thinking back at that, it's just it's wild.'
It was Keniley who helped stabilize the program this past year as the interim band director for grades 6-12.
3.3 magnitude earthquake wakes up part of Central Illinois
'To find different ways to embrace music and the culture of music and get out there in the community and say, hey, like we're going to honor him,' Keniley added.
And now, he's being recognized for his leadership. He's one of 200 teachers from 180 cities around the country nominated for the Grammy Music Educator Award. And his students had one big question upon learning about the nomination.
'Their reaction was like, 'Wait, so if you win, you get to meet Taylor Swift?'' Keniley said.
For the interim educator who kept the music playing, it's an honor worthy of his impact.
'Sullivan has been through a lot this past year, and so it's just humbling and exciting to see that what I have done this past year has made a huge difference,' Keniley said.
As the school year gets closer to its end, so does Christopher's time as interim band director. But it's his hope to leave a gift as he leaves. The winner of the Grammy Educator Award will also secure a grant for their school. The semifinalists get announced in September.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump dismisses protests, touts Kennedy Center's future at ‘Les Mis' opening
Trump dismisses protests, touts Kennedy Center's future at ‘Les Mis' opening

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Trump dismisses protests, touts Kennedy Center's future at ‘Les Mis' opening

President Trump on Wednesday attended the opening night performance of 'Les Misérables,' one of the first shows to hit the stage at the Kennedy Center since Trump drastically overhauled the performing arts center's operations. Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended the show and a fundraiser in support of the center. A smattering of protesters greeted Trump outside the Kennedy Center, and a handful of performers skipped Wednesday's performance in protest of Trump's attendance. 'I couldn't care less,' Trump said of the boycotts. 'All I do is run the country well.' The president said Wednesday's fundraiser brought in $10 million for the Kennedy Center. The performance at the Kennedy Center's nearly 2,400-seat Opera House was completely sold out, according to officials. Some 'specialty seating' tickets, which included a meet-and-greet with the president, were being sold for as much as $2 million. 'We want to bring it back better than ever. As you know it needs a little help from the standpoint of age and fitness, but it's going to be fantastic,' Trump said. 'Les Misérables' is one of the most major productions to hit the Kennedy Center's stages since Trump overhauled the performing arts institution's board in February and named himself its chair. The president, who had accused the Kennedy Center of being too 'woke,' appointed his envoy for special missions Richard Grenell as its interim executive director. The president went on to appoint a slew of political allies as board members, including chief of staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Fox News hosts Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo and senior White House official Sergio Gor. The Kennedy Center earlier this month denied reports that it allegedly saw a 36-percent decline in sales subscriptions following Trump's takeover of the arts hub. The president didn't step foot in the center during his first term in office, bucking tradition and declining to attend the annual Kennedy Center Honors event after several of the awards recipients criticized him. Judy Kurtz contributed to this report. Updated at 8:37 p.m. EDT. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Norman's Neighborhood: Teen aspiring to be a public servant like Officer Norman
Norman's Neighborhood: Teen aspiring to be a public servant like Officer Norman

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Norman's Neighborhood: Teen aspiring to be a public servant like Officer Norman

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – This week's Norman's Neighborhood, we meet Ashton, a teenager who has grown up in North Little Rock and watched Officer Norman give and give. Each time he saw Officer Norman at either the bus stop or on social media, he was inspired to do the same. Norman's Neighborhood: Uncle Kenny Wayne is jamming to achieve victory over violence Ashton is a 13-year-old who just wrapped up 7th grade. He was also the vice president of his class. 'Ashton has always been a good kid as long as I've known,' Officer Norman said. Officer Norman has known Ashton since he was born. He was even there at the bus stop when Ashton's older sister was his age. Ashton says being inspired by Officer Norman has led him to adopt a giving mentality. Speaking to Norman, Ashton says, 'How you go from neighborhood to neighborhood putting smiles on people's faces, I want to do the same thing.' 'It feels good to me that when you were watching, I was doing the right thing,' Norman replied. To all the difference makers out there, Officer Norman emphasizes that 'it takes being different to make a difference.' 'I mean, different as you have to stand out above everyone else,' he added. Norman's Neighborhood: North Little Rock sisters setting example that you're never too young to impact others But in doing so, make sure you stay true to yourself. 'You are not going to be the next Officer Norman, you are going to be the next Ashton,' Norman said. 'You're 13 now, and your focus is neighborhoods and making people smile,' Officer Norman said. 'Just imagine the future for you!' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Community Spotlight: Danville AMBUCS 100-year anniversary
Community Spotlight: Danville AMBUCS 100-year anniversary

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Community Spotlight: Danville AMBUCS 100-year anniversary

DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Diane Carlyon and Abby Carlton of Danville AMBUCS joined WCIA's Taylor Mitchell to talk about their 100-year anniversary celebration. On April 15, Danville AMBUCS turned 100 years old, and they are doing several things this summer to celebrate the milestone. On June 20, a band will be performing at the Turtle Run Banquet Center. They have invited members of the national board from across the country to attend this event, as well as Danville AMBUCS members and the public. Community Spotlight: Crescent City Fireball Festival The following morning on June 21, they will be hosting Challenger Baseball, which is eight teams of kids playing. That same evening, AMBUCS will be going out to Big Thorn Brewery in Georgetown to have a relaxing night of food, drinks and information. Challenger Baseball is one of Danville AMBUCS biggest projects of the year. This year, they increased from six to eight teams, and they play every Saturday in June from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A Super Soccer program for special needs children and adults will also be starting in September, with registration open now. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store