Conductor and Director of Bands
DJ Alstadt is the Band Director at Naperville Central High School, where he
conducts and team teaches four curricular ensembles with colleague Brandon Estes. Other
duties include Music Theory, Music Appreciation, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Chamber Ensembles, and
Pep Band. He also oversees all areas of the program.
Under his direction, the music program has been recognized as a Grammy Signature School. The Wind
Ensemble performed at the 2006 All-State Convention. The Jazz Ensemble (Jazz Studio Orchestra) was a
featured performer at the 2007 Illinois Music Educator's Conference. The Marching Redhawks have been
finalists in the Illinois State University Invitational.
Mr. Alstadt currently serves as the Artistic Director for the Illinois Ambassadors of Music and
toured Europe in the summers of 2008 and 2010. He has served, in a sabbatical role for one term, as the
Conductor of the North Central College Wind Ensemble. Additionally, Mr. Alstadt earned National
Board Certification in 2008.
Mr. Alstadt received his B.A. in Music Education from Western Illinois University and his Masters
Degree from Vandercook College of Music. He has studied trumpet with Dr. Bruce Briney, Mr. Tito
Carrillo, Dr. Leah Schumann, and currently Mr. Doug Sharf. Principal conducting teachers are Dr. Jon
Dugle, Dr. James Stegal, Mr. Dale Hopper, and Dr. Charles Menghini.
Mr. Alstadt was profiled and listed as "50 Directors Who Make a Difference" in the 2005 December
issue of School Band and Orchestra Magazine. Other honors include: 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004
inductee in Who's Who in America's Teachers, and 2002 inductee in Who's Who in America. Mr. Alstadt's
extensive background in marching band comes from intensive tours with two-world champion DCI corps:
The Cadets and The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. As a member of The Cadets, he performed in the
closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia; as a Cavalier, he participated in
their first World Championship season. He was a guest clinician for the District IX Illinois Music
Educators Association (IMEA) Jazz Band. Mr. Alstadt was recognized as an outstanding first year
teacher in 1999 at Naperville District 203 (Arlo Schilling).
He remains active as a trumpet player continuing to hone his craft in all styles of music. DJ and
his wife, Kate, have one child, David Joseph ("Joe") Alstadt.
E-Mail: dalstadt@naperville203.org (Preferred contact)
Band Office: (630) 420-6462
