2004 Dr. Pete Griffin, University of Illinois
2005 Matt Luttrell, Illinois State University
2006 Robert Sheldon, Composer
2007 Dr. David Vroman, Bradley University
2008 James Swearingen, Ohio State University & Composer
2009 Dr. Daniel Belongia, Illinois State University
2010 Mrs. Margene Pappas, retired Oswego CUSD
2011 Robert Sheldon, Composer
2012 Tom Philbrick, teacher New Berlin PSD
2013 Dr. John Korak, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
2014 Timothy Loest, composer
2015 Dr. Jennifer Moder, McKendree University and Founder of ILLHB
2016 Dr. Richard Fischer, Concordia University - Chicago
2017 Mr. Eric Hipple, Concordia Lutheran - Peoria; Mrs. Judy Vasel, Trinity Lutheran - Bloomington; Ms. Kim Taube, St. Andrews Lutheran - Park Ridge; Mr. Sal Percoco, St. John Lutheran - Champaign
2018 Todd Stalter, Eureka HS & Composer, ILLHB commissions and performs "Reflections on a Lenten Hymn...All Fires Unholy" by Todd Stalter
2019 Dr. Darryl A. Coan, Professor of Music, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19
2021 Cancelled due to COVID-19
2022 Dr. Neal Smith, Professor of Music, Millikin University
2023 Mr. Christopher Render, Richwoods HS, ILMEA Jazz Division President
2024 Mr. Eric Hipple [Concordia-Peoria]; Mrs. Julie Higgins [Trinity-Bloomington]; Mr. Zach Stegman [Good Shepherd - Collinsville]; Ms. Haley Borchers [Unity Christian - Decatur]
2025 Dr. Jen Moder, former band director at Concordia-Peoria and founder of the ILLHB; Associate Profession of Music Education at McKendry University
2026 TBA
2004-2008 Concordia Lutheran School - Peoria
Founder and Coordinator: Dr. Jennifer Moder
2009-2010 Trinity Lutheran School - Bloomington
Coordinator: Mrs. Judy Vasel
2011-2012 Trinity Lutheran School - Springfield
Coordinator: Laura Fliege
2013-2014 Zion Lutheran School - Bethalto
Coordinator: Mr. Eric Hipple
2015 McKendree University
Coordinator: Mr. Eric Hipple
2016 Concordia University - Chicago
Coordinator: Mr. Eric Hipple
2017-2018 Concordia Lutheran School - Peoria
Coordinator: Mr. Eric Hipple
2019 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Coordinator: Mr. Zachary Stegman
2020 - 2021 Cancelled due to COVID-19
2022 Millikin University
Coordinator: Mr. Zachary Stegman
2023 Concordia Lutheran School - Peoria
Coordinators: Mr. Eric Hipple and Mr. Zachary Stegman
2024 Trinity Lutheran School - Bloomington
Coordinator: Mr. Eric Hipple
Site Host: Mrs. Julie Higgins
2025 Concordia Lutheran School - Peoria
Coordinator & Site Host: Mr. Eric Hipple
2026 Trinity Lutheran School - Bloomington
Coordinator: Mr. Eric Hipple
Site Host: Mrs. Julie Higgins