Hello! Thanks for being willing to learn more about me.
Bio
David Getz has been the Orchestra Director of Morton High School since 2012, the Central Illinois Concert Orchestra from 2017-2023, and the Central Illinois Youth Symphony since 2024. In 2025 he started his own business, David Getz Creative LLC. He received his Bachelors of Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2012, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and his Masters in Music Education from Illinois State University in 2021. In 2026, Getz received his certificate in Educational Administration from Southern Illinois Univ.-Edwardsville. Getz has studied extensively as a pianist and violist, though he also enjoys playing his mandolin in his free time.
As a performer, Getz won the Illinois Wesleyan Concert/Aria Competition in 2010, and he performed the piano solo part of Rhapsody in Blue at a concert in 2013. Getz is an avid composer that regularly premieres his works with his ensembles. Getz presented at the 2017 and 2025 ILMEA Convention on the student composition program he started in 2012, “The Composers’ Guild.” In 2023, Getz published a book, “Unlocking Student Creativity through Composition,” on the curriculum and formation of the Composers’ Guild; it is available through F-Flat Books. In 2018, Getz finished writing, produced, and directed his first original musical, Ruth, which can be streamed on Spotify. The show received another run in 2025 with an expanded orchestration. He also hosts a podcast, “Feed the Lake,” which focuses on helping people discover their most creative selves. Getz is a frequent presenter at Education conferences on his innovate rehearsal techniques and creative approach to teaching and learning through his passion for data analytics.
In addition to music, Getz loves athletics. He ran Cross Country and Track & Field at Illinois Wesleyan, and he was an Assistant Cross Country & Track Coach at MHS from 2012-2021. While coaching, Getz refined his skills as a data analyst which has now made him a sought-after clinician on his innovating growth monitoring techniques in the classroom.
He lives in Morton with his wife, Lauren, two twins daughters, Ally and Addy, and two sons, Skye and Myles.
CV
-
Educational Administration (Principal Certification) - SIUE (2026)
Masters in Music Education - Illinois St. University (2021)
Bachelors in Music Education - Illinois Wesleyan University (2012)
-
Morton High School Orchestra (2012-present)
Central Illinois Concert Orchestra (2017-present)
Illinois District 2 Middle School Festival Orchestra (2017)
-
Illinois Music Education Conference:
2017- “The Composers’ Guild”
2020 - “Less Rehearsals: Better Concerts”
2022 - “Unlocking Student Creativity through Composition”
2025 - "Keep Stats, Not Grades"
2026 - “Less Rehearsals: Better Concerts”
F-Flat Books Summer Symposium
2022 - “Unlocking Student Creativity through Composition”
2023 - “Keep Stats, Not Grades”
Illinois Digital Educators Alliance
2024 - "Keep Stats, Not Grades"
2026 - “Practical Data Anayltics for Teachers”
Iowa Music Educators Association
2024 - "Keep Stats, Not Grades"
-
2022 - “Unlocking Student Creativity through Composition” - F-Flat Books
-
Illinois All-State Orchestra Violin Judge (Scales; 2018, 2019)
Illinois Solo & Ensemble Contest Judge (2015-2019)
-
PREMIERED WORKS
o “Rhapsody in A Minor” for full orchestra - 2026
o “Appalachians Dance” for full orchestra – 2022
o “Orchestra March in F Major” for full orchestra – 2018
o “Ruth: The Musical” – 2018
o “Checkmate!” for full & string orchestra – 2018, 2014
o “The Cobbler’s Dance” for string orchestra – 2018, 2014, 2012
o “String Quartet No. 1” performed by the Boston String Quartet – 2016
o “Carousel Waltz” for string orchestra – 2015
o “Heaven’s Christmas Carol” for full orchestra & choir – 2014, 2012
o “Elegy for the Young: A tribute to Sandy Hook Elementary” – 2013
o “Belize” for piano & cello – 2012
o “Piano Sonata No. 1 in G minor” for piano – 2012
o “Brass Quintet in C Major” for brass quintet - 2012