Welcome

My name is Raeleen Horn. I celebrate a 33 year career (1980 – 2013) as the Music Department Chair and Director of Bands at Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois. I am currently retired and welcoming professional opportunities for motivational speaking, adjudicating, supervising student teachers and guest conducting. I enjoy travel, hiking, golf, photography and every aspect of the music world.

I love working with young, aspiring music educators and beginning teachers.

This marks my ninth year as a motivational speaker. My presentations are geared toward enlightening music education students at the college and university levels. My master class is called The Realities of Teaching – Critical Factors for Success. I have appeared at a host of schools across the country: DePaul University, VanderCook College of Music, University of Illinois, Wheaton Conservatory of Music, University of Arizona, University of Mississippi, Arizona State University, University of Iowa, Ball State University, Elmhurst College, Valparaiso University, Indiana University, Grand Valley State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne (IPFW), Butler University, University of Illinois at Chicago, Northern Illinois University, Western Carolina University, California State University San Bernardino, Brevard College, Benedictine University, Furman University – NC, Bowling Green State University – Ohio and Grand Canyon University – Phoenix. I present to Music Methods classes along with all-school music convocations, marching band technique classes and cNAfME chapters. I have also presented sessions at the Iowa Bandmasters 87th Annual Convention, the Indiana Music Educator’s Professional Development Conference and gave a GENERATION NEXT session during the 70th Anniversary of the 2016 Midwest Clinic at McCormick place in Chicago.

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

My background includes earning a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University where I studied conducting with Director of Bands – John P. Paynter. I am a member of the American School Band Director’s Association, National Band Association, Women Band Directors International and the Music Educator’s National Conference – NAfME. I serve as Steering Committee Chair for Naperville Central High School’s John Pearce Performing Arts Scholarship. I am a Docent, photographer and Consultant to the Committee for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Hinsdale Music Club. I am a 2018 Inductee into the “Palatine High School Athletic Hall of Fame.”

Articles I have created appear in two professional music journals: The Instrumentalist and The School Musician. For eight years, I wrote a monthly column for The Instrumentalist entitled Band Classics Revisited. I am the 1992 State and North Central Regional winner of the American School Band Director’s Association Stanbury Award for the recognition of younger band directors dedicated to the advancement of school band programs. In 2010, I was presented the Outstanding Bandmaster of the Year Award from the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity.

While at Palatine High School my conducting responsibilities included Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, Variety Show Pit Band, Musical Pit Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble and Pep Band. Under my direction, Palatine High School Bands have traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad participating in approximately 50 performances each year. Many professional musicians along with television and radio personalities have performed with the Palatine High School Symphonic Band.

Thank you for checking out my website!