– Biography –
Adam Huckeby
Currently
Adam's formal music career began in August of 2015, when he was hired on as the Choir Director at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in St. Charles, Illinois. Since starting at the church, he now frequently leads worship from the piano as a Saturday Worship Pianist, serves as Conductor of the Easter Orchestra, occasionally has the chance to lead one of the church's many Praise Bands, and even works with the Handbell Choir from time to time. When he is not leading in front of the congregation, Adam can usually be found behind the scenes in the media booth running lights, graphics, livestreams, and sound during services. In fact—as of January 2019—he took on the position of Sound Coordinator with the intent of revamping and maintaining the church's sound system and making sure everything sounds exactly as it should! He is blessed to be an integral part of a church filled with such enthusiastic and talented musicians, and beyond grateful to be a part of the wonderful staff and leadership at Hosanna!.
Almost immediately after becoming a part of the Hosanna! team, Adam began picking up gigs as Music Director for various theatre companies in the area, including the Arts Center of St. Charles and Children's Theatre of Elgin/Fox Valley Theatre Company (CTE/FVTC). While working as Co-Music Director for CTE/FVTC's production of the Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the Spring of 2017, Adam had the incredible opportunity—for the first time in his career—to take on the role of Pit Conductor for the show. Adam caught on quickly and soon felt right at home leading the whole performance from the Conductor's podium. He now gets frequent calls to take charge as Music Director for CTE's youth productions—and, more recently, to act as Sound Designer and Audio Engineer. He greatly enjoys being a part of their fantastic creative staff and production teams.
While Music Direction has been Adam's primary focus, he still finds time to perform on a fairly regular basis. He has played in multiple pit orchestras with various theatre companies over the years, having performed on everything from trombone to percussion to synthesizer. He also plays trombone and sings as a part of the Bishop Super Band—a group made up of local music professionals who play together at various community events. More recently, Adam has been part of the inception of two new groups: The Swing Set (a small jazz/pop ensemble based out of Crystal Lake, IL) and concept_mix (a collaborative music production project between Adam & Aldren Briones). In fact, since its inception, concept_mix has developed into an independent record label and production company--concept_mix_music—representing a variety of local, aspiring artists and helping them realize their creative musical visions.
Furthermore, Adam has been teaching Private Lessons in Piano, Voice, Brass, and Theatre since November of 2015. He has taken on several younger students—anywhere between 5-13 years of age—in additional to working with older students in high school and college, and even the occassional adult. Over the summer, he often receives gigs directing summer music camps in the area, teaching everything from choir to band. Between leading music camps, teaching private lessons, directing youth musicals, and conducting adult ensembles, Adam has quickly gained the experience needed to lead, work with, and teach people of all ages and in all fields of music.
Finally, Adam began working at Piano Trends Music & Band Company in Crystal Lake, IL back in January 2018. At the store, he has an additional set of private students and also oversees the store's technical operations. Having had an interest in small business for quite some time, the store has proven to be the perfect training ground to try new things and learn what works! Many thanks to store owner, Tim Paul, for the endless kindness and constant flow of incredible opportunities!
Stay tuned for more to come, because there are always new projects and opportunities in the works!
Almost immediately after becoming a part of the Hosanna! team, Adam began picking up gigs as Music Director for various theatre companies in the area, including the Arts Center of St. Charles and Children's Theatre of Elgin/Fox Valley Theatre Company (CTE/FVTC). While working as Co-Music Director for CTE/FVTC's production of the Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the Spring of 2017, Adam had the incredible opportunity—for the first time in his career—to take on the role of Pit Conductor for the show. Adam caught on quickly and soon felt right at home leading the whole performance from the Conductor's podium. He now gets frequent calls to take charge as Music Director for CTE's youth productions—and, more recently, to act as Sound Designer and Audio Engineer. He greatly enjoys being a part of their fantastic creative staff and production teams.
While Music Direction has been Adam's primary focus, he still finds time to perform on a fairly regular basis. He has played in multiple pit orchestras with various theatre companies over the years, having performed on everything from trombone to percussion to synthesizer. He also plays trombone and sings as a part of the Bishop Super Band—a group made up of local music professionals who play together at various community events. More recently, Adam has been part of the inception of two new groups: The Swing Set (a small jazz/pop ensemble based out of Crystal Lake, IL) and concept_mix (a collaborative music production project between Adam & Aldren Briones). In fact, since its inception, concept_mix has developed into an independent record label and production company--concept_mix_music—representing a variety of local, aspiring artists and helping them realize their creative musical visions.
Furthermore, Adam has been teaching Private Lessons in Piano, Voice, Brass, and Theatre since November of 2015. He has taken on several younger students—anywhere between 5-13 years of age—in additional to working with older students in high school and college, and even the occassional adult. Over the summer, he often receives gigs directing summer music camps in the area, teaching everything from choir to band. Between leading music camps, teaching private lessons, directing youth musicals, and conducting adult ensembles, Adam has quickly gained the experience needed to lead, work with, and teach people of all ages and in all fields of music.
Finally, Adam began working at Piano Trends Music & Band Company in Crystal Lake, IL back in January 2018. At the store, he has an additional set of private students and also oversees the store's technical operations. Having had an interest in small business for quite some time, the store has proven to be the perfect training ground to try new things and learn what works! Many thanks to store owner, Tim Paul, for the endless kindness and constant flow of incredible opportunities!
Stay tuned for more to come, because there are always new projects and opportunities in the works!
In The Past
Adam began his education in music when he first picked up a trombone in fifth grade, eventually joining jazz band, choir, and musical productions throughout middle school. In high school, Adam immediately took his place as a musician and a leader in the music department, continuing in the same ensembles—now at the high school level—in addition to marching band and vocal jazz. After participating in the introductory ensembles, he jumped straight into the top wind ensemble, top chamber choir, and top vocal jazz ensemble. He continued to grow by acquiring several formal leadership positions from then on.
Equally important, Adam became thoroughly intrigued by Music Theory and Composition, taking on the task of self-teaching himself and eventually deciding to attend a composition camp at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point as he entered his Senior year. At camp, he composed A Flight of Fancy (for concert band) under the guidance of the university's composition professor, Dr. Charles Young. Returning to school that year, Adam was given the opportunity to rehearse and conduct his high school wind ensemble in his first-ever debut performance of A Flight of Fancy.
Later that year, Adam received a Second Place in State Award for his original song Crash & Burn, giving him the opportunity to go to the All-State Music Conference. Not only was Adam considered State-level material for composition, but he also out-performed thousands of other students by audition in not just one, but two categories—traditional choir and vocal jazz—making him a three-time All-State musician in a single year. Being able to choose only one category of study at the All-State level, Adam chose his greatest interest: theory and composition. By the conclusion of his high school career, he put the cherry on top of it all by earning his high school music department's "Senior of the Year" Award in recognition of his dedication, leadership, and musicianship through all four years of his high school career.
Though Adam is known to be an avid autodidact (and a passionate advocate of self-learning), he has often sought out the valuable guidance of trusted mentors and undertaken several private education opportunities to supplement his ongoing personal research. He has studied the art of conducting and directing with Dr. John Slawson, jazz piano and theory with Mr. Ray Koehler, contemporary piano with Ms. Cassie Bennett, and classical voice with Ms. Julie Westbrook. Adam now works alongside Dr. Melody Kuphal at Hosanna! and continues to glean wisdom from her on a daily basis. Mr. Matthew Bishop has also had a significant influence, and Adam often has the opportunity to work together with him on various productions and projects.
Equally important, Adam became thoroughly intrigued by Music Theory and Composition, taking on the task of self-teaching himself and eventually deciding to attend a composition camp at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point as he entered his Senior year. At camp, he composed A Flight of Fancy (for concert band) under the guidance of the university's composition professor, Dr. Charles Young. Returning to school that year, Adam was given the opportunity to rehearse and conduct his high school wind ensemble in his first-ever debut performance of A Flight of Fancy.
Later that year, Adam received a Second Place in State Award for his original song Crash & Burn, giving him the opportunity to go to the All-State Music Conference. Not only was Adam considered State-level material for composition, but he also out-performed thousands of other students by audition in not just one, but two categories—traditional choir and vocal jazz—making him a three-time All-State musician in a single year. Being able to choose only one category of study at the All-State level, Adam chose his greatest interest: theory and composition. By the conclusion of his high school career, he put the cherry on top of it all by earning his high school music department's "Senior of the Year" Award in recognition of his dedication, leadership, and musicianship through all four years of his high school career.
Though Adam is known to be an avid autodidact (and a passionate advocate of self-learning), he has often sought out the valuable guidance of trusted mentors and undertaken several private education opportunities to supplement his ongoing personal research. He has studied the art of conducting and directing with Dr. John Slawson, jazz piano and theory with Mr. Ray Koehler, contemporary piano with Ms. Cassie Bennett, and classical voice with Ms. Julie Westbrook. Adam now works alongside Dr. Melody Kuphal at Hosanna! and continues to glean wisdom from her on a daily basis. Mr. Matthew Bishop has also had a significant influence, and Adam often has the opportunity to work together with him on various productions and projects.