Duker, Guy M.

Guy Duker (1916-1998), conductor, composer, and arranger, appeared as a guest conductor for many high schools and Universities throughout the country. Mr. Duker began his career as the supervisor of music and the director of bands in the Highland and Alton public schools in Illinois for a total of fifteen years before he joined the faculty of the University of Illinois in 1953. He was the associate director of bands and a professor of music at the University of Illinois until he retired in 1978.

Mr. Duker published many music transcriptions for bands, which have been performed throughout the world. He continued transcribing orchestral music for bands until his death. The words he wrote for the march, ?Illinois? by Goldman, are sung by the Marching Illini every time they march to the stadium for home football games.

Mr. Duker was a member of the College Band Directors National Association and served as secretary-treasurer, national vice president and national president of the association. He also was a member of the University Club, the University President?s Council, the University Quarterback Club, the University Rebounders Club and the First United Methodist Church of Champaign.

From the guide to the Guy M. Duker Papers, ca. 1938-1995, (The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music)