Biography

Randy Sundell has received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. He has been the Director of Bands at Vernon Hills High School since its opening in 1999. Prior to that, Sundell held positions as the Associate Director of Bands at Libertyville High School, Libertyville, IL and Director of Bands at Oak Grove School District #68 in Green Oaks, IL.

Mr. Sundell directs the Freshman Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Football Pep Band, and is the assistant director of the Symphony Orchestra. He has also taught AP Music Theory.

Under his direction at Vernon Hills High School, the Wind Ensemble has been recognized for numerous awards and honors. The ensemble has been selected to perform at the Illinois Superstate Festival hosted by the University of Illinois every year since 2003. They were named the Honor Band for the 2007, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2023 festivals. The Wind Ensemble was featured on WFMT’s Innovations in 2010. The group was chosen as a National Winner for the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors competition 2011-2013 and a Commended Winner in 2014 and 2016. The Wind Ensemble has also performed at the Illinois Music Education Association All-State Festival in 2004 and 2013.  The band program was recognized by the National Band Association National Programs of Excellence in 2014 as the North Central Division Winner.

Mr. Sundell received the Chicagoland Music Educators Award from Quinlan and Fabish Music in 2004 and has been elected to the American Bandmasters Association. He is active as a judge and clinician in the Chicago area. As a performer, Mr. Sundell plays bassoon in a woodwind quintet, Winds Off The Lake and the North Suburban Wind Ensemble of which he is also the Associate Conductor.

His professional affiliations include the American Bandmasters Association, NAfME, the Illinois Music Educator Association, the International Double Reed Society, the National Band Association, the American School Band Director Association, and Phi Beta Mu.