David Morrison received his formal training in music at the University of Illinois, where he earned his Music Education B.S. in 1973 and his Masters in 1977. From 1973 to 1977 he was Director of Bands at East Richland High School in Olney, Illinois. From 1977 until 2006, he was the Director of Bands at Prospect High School, in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, where he developed and maintained a nationally recognized band program for 29 years. Honors that he has received include the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association, election to the Phi Beta Mu National Band Director’s Honorary Fraternity, winner of Outstanding Contributions to Education Award at Prospect High School on two occasions, Outstanding Chicagoland Music Educator Award in 1992, the Shining Star Award 1995, nomination for the Golden Apple Award in 2001. In 2003, Mr. Morrison was honored as the Illinois State Teacher of the Year, and in 2005, he was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Bandmaster’s Hall of Fame at Northwestern University. In June of 2007, Mr. Morrison received the John Paynter Lifetime Achievement Award. Although recently retired, Mr. Morrison continues to guest conduct, clinic, and adjudicate music groups throughout the U.S. and the world. Most recently, Mr. Morrison served as guest conductor at the Singapore American School in the Far East and conducted the Illinois All State Band in January of 2009.
Under the direction of David Morrison, the Prospect bands have been exceptionally successful. The Symphonic band has won numerous honors, including consistent first division awards from the Illinois High School Association State Band Contest, first division awards at the Chicagoland Symphonic Band Festival, and the Honor Band Award at the prestigious Superstate Band Festival. Auditioning among outstanding bands throughout the State of Illinois, the Prospect Symphonic Band was honored as a 15 time selectee to the University of Illinois Superstate Band Festival. In 2005, the Band was chosen for the second time to perform as the Superstate Honor Band, at the Foehlinger Great Hall in the Krannert Center in Champaign, IL on May 6, 2006.
The Prospect Marching Knights have gained national recognition for their outstanding performances at state and national competitions, winning numerous championships at the Chicagoland Marching Festival, receiving the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association, being selected for the finals five times at the Bands of America Grand National Championships, winning the Grand Championship at the University of Illinois Marching Competition 24 times, including 23 years consecutively, winning the Grand Master Championship at the National Pageant of Bands in Phoenix, Arizona in 1995, and winning the Bands of America Toledo Regional Championship in 2001. The Prospect Bands have traveled extensively. Some of their destinations include Hawaii (King Kameamea Parade), London (Lordmayor of Westminster’s Parade), Pasadena (Tournament of Roses Parade), the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the Fiesta Bowl Parade in Phoenix, Arizona, the Citrus Bowl and Magic Kingdom Parades in Orlando, Florida, the Bank One Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston, Texas, and the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles, CA. On January 2, 2006, the band made their second appearance in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.