Matthew Charuka, a graduate assistant in SIU’s School of Music, leads visiting students in a woodwind ensemble during Woodwind Day on Feb. 11. (Photo by Brittainy Spears)
February 16, 2026
School of Music hosts inaugural Woodwind Day
Nearly 180 middle school and high school students from throughout the region learned about the nuances of playing woodwind instruments at the inaugural Woodwind Day, hosted by the SIU School of Music on Feb. 11.
The students received instrumental masterclasses with SIU faculty on flute, clarinet, saxophone, and double reeds — oboe and bassoon, said Richard Kelley, director and associate professor of saxophone. Brittainy Spears, an assistant lecturer and coordinator of music education, and graduate assistant Matthew Charuka worked with students as they rehearsed and performed in a woodwind ensemble in Shryock Auditorium.
Combined with the School of Music’s Percussion Day, High School Choir Day and Brass Day, approximately 750 students have visited campus this academic year for specialized music instruction, Kelley said.
Students attended from schools, including:
- Carterville High School.
- Central Junior High, West Frankfort.
- Du Quoin Middle School.
- Eldorado High School.
- Evergreen Park Community High School, Evergreen Park, Illinois.
- Frankfort Community High School, West Frankfort.
- Gallatin County Community Unit School District.
- Marion Junior High School.
- Marion High School.
- Murphysboro High School.
- Pinckneyville Community High School.
- Shawnee Junior High and High School.
- Sparta High School.
- Unity Point Community Consolidated School District.
- Vienna High School.