Jim Kidder ’62

Jim Kidder ’62, founder of Kidder Music in Peoria, Illinois, recently celebrated Kidder Music’s 50th year of serving Central Illinois music educators. He says, “It is very rewarding to have assisted in the musical journey of many thousands of students. Music education is alive and well!!!” Congratulations Jim!

Harlan Hogan ’68

Harlan Hogan ’68 was featured in Chicago Magazine’s  “Everyone Tells Me I Have a Great Voice” by Tal Rosenberg, featuring Hogan’s journey in his career as a voice actor. You can read all about it here. Hogan was also interviewed on the WBEZ Podcast show that’s now available on their site or Apple Podcasts nationwide, where Hogan mentions IWU and Dr. Ficca.

William Powers ’64

During the 1959-60 school year at IWU, bass-baritone, William Powers ’64 was given the opportunity to sing the title role in the Music School’s spring production of Gaetano Donizetti’s comic opera, DON PASQUALE. It was his first ever appearance in a full opera and he was just 18-years-old.

Now, (130 operas later around the world) on Saturday evening, August 12th at 7:00 pm at the First Methodist Church of LaGrange, Powers will join the Salt Creek Chamber Orchestra and cast for a concert version of DON PASQUALE (in Italian with subtitles), once again in the title role — 63 years since singing it for the very first time! Click here to learn more about the performance! Congratulations William!

Dave Kindred ’63

Dave Kindred ’63 has a new memoir, My Home Team: A Sportswriter’s Life and the Redemptive Power of Small-Town Girls Basketball, that will be published September 12. This memoir is about how journalism led Dave around the world, and how life brought him back to Illinois. You can read more about this new memoir here. Congratulations Dave!

David Wixon ’64

David Wixon ’64 is beginning his 41st year as a church and residential glass artist and builder with his custom stained glass studio. Formerly operating nationwide out of suburban Chicago, Dave is now located in Peoria, Arizona. Before semi-retiring to Arizona, Dave was the drummer in the Mad Monks Traditional Jazz Band for 40 years. The band traveled widely throughout the Midwest and Florida and was known for introducing New Orleans funeral parade songs into Sunday church services. Prior to starting his stained glass studio he taught business courses at several colleges including Wheaton College, DePaul University and Louisiana State University where he completed a PhD program in Marketing. More information about David Wixon & Associates can be found here. Congratulations!

Here is David with one of his stained glass windows!