Fred M. Hubbell founded the Rockford Christian Fellowship Band in 1985 and was its principal conductor until retirement from the band in 2001. He taught in the Mount Carroll schools, and from 1956 to his retirement in 1980 in the Park Ridge Elementary schools. Thereupon he taught for 3 years at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. His assignment included music theory, woodwinds, arranging, and conducting the Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
His published works include more than sixty compositions and arrangements for band and orchestra as well as various instrumental solos and ensembles. (David Smith Publications, FMH bio)
George E. Strombeck majored in Music Education and graduated in 1961 from the University of Iowa. The Master of Musical Arts degree was taken at the University of Illinois. He taught junior high band for three years in his hometown of Moline, Illinois. He accepted an offer from Trinity College, Deerfield, Illinois, to become Director of Instrumental Music where he served for 15 years.
While at Trinity, Mr. Strombeck developed a concept of church band concerts performing "all-sacred" programs based on a Biblical theme. He wrote 45 band arrangements. He has also directed the Chicago Christian Fellowship Band. (David Smith Publications, GES bio)
George continues to perform as a band member in the fall of 2017 turning over the baton to our new director, Brian Waterson. Brian has been a member of RCFB since 2013 and served as Assistant Director beginning in 2016.
Brian graduated from Evangel College in 1989 with a degree in Music Education. He has served in music ministry as music director, soloist, and guest musician on trumpet and vocals at various churches in the Stateline area. He also taught band and choir at Christian Life Schools in Rockford, IL and in the North Boone School District in Poplar Grove, IL.
Brian currently performs with the Rochelle and Kishwaukee Community Bands. Occasionally, he takes time off from music to work as a network administrator for an Internet Service Provider in Ogle County.