traughber jhs bands
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"You are what
you repeatedly
do. Excellence
then, is not an act
but a habit."
~Aristotle


570 colchester drive
oswego, il, 60543
630.636.2721
rmaxwell0515@oswego308.org
Directors  


Mrs. Maxwell
Rachel J. Maxwell attended Illinois State University on a full music scholarship and graduated
in 1993 (Summa Cum Laude) with a Bachelor`s Degree in Music Education. She received a
Master of Music Education degree from the University of Illinois in 1997. In 2003 she
completed a Master of Educational Leadership degree from Aurora University. During 2006
Mrs. Maxwell also completed additional coursework in team-building and leadership and in
working with diverse students. Mrs. Maxwell has taught band in the West Aurora School
District (1993-95) and in the Oswego School District (1995-present).

Mrs. Maxwell currently serves as the Director of Bands at Traughber Junior High School and as
the Junior High Performing Arts and Band Coordinator for the district. She has taught music
education courses at North Central College in Naperville, IL and has been invited to be a  
guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator at a number of music camps and festivals.

Under her direction the bands at Traughber JHS have received national acclaim and have
performed at the Illinois Music Educators Association All State Conference, the University of
Illinois Super-state Festival and  at the ASBDA 2004 National Convention. The Jazz Bands  
have performed at the North Shore Jazz Festival, Music in the Parks, Jazz in the Burbs, IGSMA
Band Contest, Oswego Jazz Nite, Oswego Junior High Band Festival and Hackney`s, opening
for Brass Tracks. The group has worked with members of The Rob Parton Jazz Tech Big Band,
The Waubonsee Community College Jazz Band, The Shawn Maxwell Quartet, The Rhythm
Rockets, and many talented Junior High and High School directors.

Rachel Maxwell is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, Illinois Music
Educators Association, American School Band Directors Association, National Band
Association,International Association of Jazz Educators,  National Council of Supervisors of
Music Education, and a number of honor societies. She is the recipient of the Who`s Who
Among American Teachers Award (2006),Who`s Who Among Emerging Leaders Award (2006),
Who`s Who In American Education Award (2005), Who`s Who Among American Women
Award (2004), ASBDA/UMI Outstanding Young Band Director Award-Junior High Division for the
North Central Region of the United States(2000), Chicago-land Outstanding Music Educator
(1999), National Band Association Citation of Excellence (1999), and the National Recipient of
the Jim Ott (Drum Corps International) Scholarship. Mrs. Maxwell was also a member and
section leader of the world famous Phantom Regiment from 1987-1991.

She lives in North Aurora with her husband, musician Shawn Maxwell, her son Jackson and
daughter Ava, their border collie, Brecker, their cat Storm, and an American Saddlebred
that was adopted through Saddlebred Rescue, Blue.
To see Mrs. Botti's information, please follow her link:
Link to Mrs. Botti