A relationship, developed through a love of music and culture, has led to a unique ensemble gathering at Western Illinois University for a three-day residency in May to record a significant, sacred work by an African American composer. WIU Director of Jazz Studies John Cooper, and his wife, Gayle, have a long friendship with Sharon Reed, the founder and artistic director of the Heritage Ensemble community choir in Peoria, IL. Through her research into music composed by African American artists, Reed discovered works by Glenn Burleigh, an Oklahoma composer who not only published his own pieces,... Read More

MACOMB, IL – An original composition by Western Illinois University Music Professor John Cooper will be featured in a documentary that debuts on YouTube Thursday, Oct. 15. “The Governor of Forgottonia” composition is a tribute to Neal Gamm and his peaceful protests about the lack of funding western Illinois has received for road construction projects. The documentary, “People, Places, and Power: Fulton County Edition,” was produced by Matt Meachum, of the Illinois Humanities Council. “As a returning Vietnam veteran and theatre major at WIU, Gamm and others waged... Read More