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Barry Houser keeps the Illini marching
Barry Houser is the Director of the Marching Illini, Associate Director of Bands, Conductor of the Wind Orchestra, Director of the Fighting Illini Athletic Bands, Clinical Associate Professor, and Chair of the Conducting Area in the School of Music at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He conducts concert ensembles, and athletic bands, and directs the 400-member Marching Illini, as well as teaching courses in the School of Music. Wind bands are an institution at the University of Illinois, and the bands department has a long history of excellence in the world of college bands. I caught up with Professor Houser to hear about what the program has planned during the summer and fall music seasons.
Centennial names new basketball coaches
CHAMPAIGN — The future of Centennial's basketball programs became much clearer late Tuesday night. Roderick Hutchison will succeed Tim Lavin at the helm of the Chargers boys' basketball program, with Josh Sterling set to follow Tamara Butler as the school's girls' basketball coach. Both hires — announced via Centennial's...
Solidarity Gardens help Urbana teens bloom where they’re planted
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Urbana’s Solidarity Gardens Teen Nature Program is blooming, empowering teenagers to plant — not only produce and flowers — but community relationships. Those in the program learn about nature, meet new people, and gain service hours — all while helping those in need. This program requires no tools or experience and […]
UPDATE: Champaign Fire Dept. shares details behind school fire
Update at 4 p.m. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Officials have shared more information regarding a small fire at a Next Generation School building on Tuesday. It happened before 2:35 p.m. Randy Smith from the Champaign Fire Department told WCIA that a fire alarm was activated at the building located at 2533 Galen Drive. The fire […]
WATCH: Champaign firefighters rescue ducklings from storm drain
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign Fire Department came to the rescue on Monday after a passerby discovered baby ducks trapped in a storm drain. Urbana local Abbie Irwin noticed the feathered family while she was out making DoorDash deliveries. A distressed mother duck was circling a storm drain with her ducklings stuck inside. Firefighters […]
Write for Smile Politely’s Opinion section
Our Opinion section is mostly populated with our weekly Editorial Board offerings, but every once in a while someone with an opinion to share will reach out with a pitch. We’ve published articles on the foul smells emanating from Kraft, the emu, school district issues, jail phone calls, animal control — all because an interested community member had something to say. We’d love to see more perspectives in the section!
WIOA program teaches Champaign students to cook
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – WIOA, or the Workforce Innovative Opportunity Act, is giving students in Champaign opportunities to find passions in agriculture, business, and even the culinary arts. The WIOA program is presented through READY, an alternative school. “WIOA pays the hourly wage for the student, along with the work comp insurance, in exchange for […]
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