Ben Luginbuhl

Ben Luginbuhl

Ben Luginbuhl is currently in his 27th year of teaching vocal music at Normal Community High School.  During his tenure, he has also taught general music and chorus at every grade level K-8 at  two middle schools and elementary schools within the McLean County Unit 5 school district in Normal, Illinois.   At NCHS, Ben is the music department chair and directs 5 curricular and 3 extra-curricular choirs, including the NCHS Madrigal Singers, Court Singers, and two a cappella ensembles. He is also vocal director and pit conductor for NCHS musical productions, and has also taught AP Music Theory and American Popular Music.  He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree, with highest honors, from the University of Illinois, and has received master’s degrees in both Education Administration  and Music Education from Illinois State University.  In 2010, Ben became a National Board Certified Teacher, renewing in 2021. In the 2018-2019 school year, Ben was humbled and honored to be named a Top Ten Finalist in the Illinois Teacher of the Year program.

Ben has served as President and Senior Chorus Chair for ILMEA District 3.  He also is active in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), serving as the Illinois District 3 representative, and currently serving as state President-Elect Designate and High School Repertoire & Resource chair.  He has  been the guest conductor of the ILMEA Districts 2, 5, & 8 All-District Junior Chorus, as well as several public school and church choir festivals throughout the Midwest.  He enjoys adjudicating choir festivals and has spent over 20 years as a section leader and conductor at ISYM Choir Camps at the University of Illinois.  Ben, his wife Kristy, and children Cade, Cole, and Charis reside in Bloomington.