Crystal Lake Community Band

Don Ehrensperger
Don Ehrensperger graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor and Master of Music Degree. He studied conducting with John P. Paynter and trumpet with Vincent Czichowitz of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He taught at Cary-Grove High School in Cary, Illinois from 1963 to 1993 where his Marching, Concert and Jazz bands won acclaim throughout the area. A clinician and adjudicator in Illinois and Wisconsin, he is a member of numerous Musical Associations. Mr. Ehrensperger has conducted the Crystal Lake Community Band since 1986, leading the group throughout the area and abroad to Italy and Germany as well as performances in Alaska.

Duane Peiffer
Duane Peiffer first began working with community bands as an 18 year old baritone sax player with the Cedar Rapids, IA Municipal Band. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music from Northwestern University in 1989, he taught in Lake Zurich where he also participated in the Lake Zurich Summer Band. While completing his Master of Music degree at Northwestern University in 1992, he played bassoon with the North Shore Concert Band. For the past 15 years, Mr. Peiffer has been the director of the Woodstock City Band. In addition to working with community bands, he has taught middle school and high school band, middle school general music and choir, and high school guitar. Duane has always enjoyed a variety of musical experiences and has performed professionally on voice, woodwinds, brass, and percussion in ensembles ranging from church orchestra to jazz ensemble to vocal studio recording.