David Allen

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David Allen recently retired in April 2026 as the School of Music’s Advancement Director. He guided the advancement and alumni relations initiatives for the School of Music since 2013. Previously, he served as Outreach and Public Engagement Director, managing programs such as Illinois Summer Youth Music, the Instrumental Chamber Music Symposium, and many more School of Music Outreach and Public Engagement programs. He also worked with all Music Education students as they gained early field experience in the classroom and through student teaching.

David and his brothers, Gregory and Michael, represent the third generation of music educators in their family. This history of music educators goes back to his grandfather, John Melton, who started his teaching career in Illinois in 1927. David joined the tradition in 1996, when he was appointed Director of Bands at Salem Community High School in Salem, IL. In 1999, he became Director of Bands at Champaign Centennial High School in Champaign, IL, where he taught for five years. At both schools David directed the concert, jazz, marching, and pep bands.  David was a member of the teaching or administrative faculty of Illinois Summer Youth Music from 1994-2012.

David taught many courses within the Music Education curriculum in the School of Music and continutes to serve as a clinician/adjudicator for local and state-wide music festivals. He is an active member of the Illinois Music Educators Association and served as advisor for the U of I Music Educator’s Collegiate Chapter from 2004-2014.