Warren Township High School Band Directors

Mr. Jenkins was appointed Director of Bands in 2007 after serving as Associate Director since 1990.  Mr. Jenkins supervises the entire band program, and is Director of the perennial State Finalist “Marching Blue Devils”.  Mr. Jenkins conducts Concert Band I Almond and Concert Band I O'Plaine, Pep Band and Chamber Ensembles. Mr. Jenkins is also the Director of the eight-time State Champion Winter Guard. 

Education

He has received the “Coca-Cola Educator of the Month” award and was selected as an “Educator of the Month” by the Warren Student Council.  Mr. Jenkins was recently selected for inclusion in the 2002 and 2005 editions of “Who’s Who In Education”.

He has served as a music staff member for the five-time World Champion Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps and the World Champion Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps.

Professional affiliations include the Music Educators National Conference, the Illinois Music Educators Association, and the National Band Association.

Kurt Gros was appointed an Associate Director of Bands at Warren Township High School in 2006. Mr. Gros conducts Symphonic Band I, Concert Band II, Concert Band III, Jazz Lab III O'Plaine, and Jazz Lab IV O'Plaine. Under the direction of Mr. Gros, Warren bands have given exciting performances, received superior ratings, and have been accepted to the Illinois Music Educator's Association All-State Conference and University of Illinois Superstate.

Mr. Gros' musical interests sparked at a young age when his grandfather, a jobbing jazz pianist, introduced him to the sounds of jazz. As much as he hates to admit it, seeing a Kenny G concert is the reason Mr. Gros decided to play the saxophone. After having a
successful elementary saxophone career at Homer School District 33C under the direction of Sherri Lyons (now Harrison), Mr. Gros attended Lockport Township High School. Under the direction of Daniel Valkema, Mr. Gros attended the University of Illinois Marching Band Festival, the 2001 IMEA All-State Conference, the 2000 Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, and the 1999-2001 Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festivals. It was the nurturing atmosphere, lifelong friendships, breathtaking performances, and the immense joy Mr. Gros took from his high school band experiences that convinced him that music always needed to be a part of his life.

Mr. Gros received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Illinois in December of 2005. While at Illinois, Mr. Gros studied saxophone with Professor Debra Richtemeyer and played in Symphonic Band I and II, many saxophone quartets, and Jazz Ensemble IV. Mr. Gros also performed at many Illinois football games and the 2002 Nokia Sugar Bowl in New Orleans with the prestigious Marching Illini. He also played percussion in Concert Band I, and contra-alto clarinet in the Wind Symphony. In 2005, Mr. Gros commissioned and premiered "SuperCell" for alto saxophone and percussion ensemble by
world-famous composer David R. Gillingham. In fall of 2005, Mr. Gros finished his course work by completing his student teaching at Libertyville High School and Viking Middle School. Prior to his appointment at Warren, Mr. Gros was a staff member for the Joliet West High School Marching Tigers (2002-2005). He also held long-term substitute band director positions at Lockport Township High School, Western Avenue Elementary School (Geneva, IL), and Geneva Middle School.