Melanie Butcher
6th-12th Grade Choir Director
Work Phone: (309) 833-6255
Work Fax: (309) 836-1034
Email: butcherm@mcusd185.org
Mrs. Melanie Butcher is in her 21st year of teaching in the Macomb Community Unit School District #185. She is the MHS Choral Director where she conducts five choral ensembles and is the musical director for the bi-annual Spring musical. Additionally, Mrs. Butcher assists with the 6-8 grade choirs at the Macomb Middle School. Each year, her students participate in the Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) District IV Chorus, ILMEA All State Chorus and IHSA Solo and Ensemble and Organization Contests. Mrs. Butcher’s choirs make frequent community appearances and many of her students continue their education in the field of music after graduating from Macomb High School.
Mrs. Butcher holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education and a Master of Arts degree in choral conducting from Western Illinois University. She previously taught music in the Plainfield School District and at St. Paul Catholic School. Mrs. Butcher resides in Macomb with her husband Joe, and their two sons, Nick and Andy, and their dogs, Savvy and Ellie.
Ethan Ivey
6th-12th Grade Choir Director
Work Phone: (309) 833-6256
Work Fax: (309) 837-9992
Email: iveye@mcusd185.org
Mr. Ivey has taught in Macomb since 2017. He directs the 6th Grade, 7th Grade, and 8th Grade Choirs, the Macomb Middle School Swing Choir, and co-teaches High School Mixed and Concert Choirs. He also teaches regular Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, and Voice lessons outside of school to students of all ages. In addition to regular school performances, Mr. Ivey and his students participate in ILMEA All-State Junior High Chorus, ILMEA District 4 Elementary and Junior High Honor Choirs, The WIU Holiday Festival of Choirs concert, IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest, and IESA Organization Contest. He previously taught General Music and Choir in Lansing Iowa, where he served as the Music Director for the Eastern Allamakee School District Theatre program.
He has a Master of Music in Choral Conducting (’14) and a Bachelor’s in Music Education (’12) both from Western Illinois University. He directs the Praise Kids and Sanctuary Choir at Wesley UMC in Macomb, and has served as a Music Director for local community theatre experiences including How to Eat Like a Child. He is the Webmaster and Vice President of the Executive Board at the Macomb Arts Center. Mr. Ivey also enjoys opportunities to serve as a guest conductor for area choral festivals, or piano accompanist for those festivals. He is an in-demand accompanist for local school and university activities, especially musical pits, most recently serving as keyboardist for The Mad Ones, and School of Rock.
During the Summer, Mr. Ivey serves as Music Director for the WIU Summerstage theatre, most recently Seussical, Matilda, and Newsies. He also serves as Coordinator and Music Director of Rising Stars, a summer youth devised theatre experience for incoming 1st through incoming 9th grade students through the Macomb Arts Center. Otherwise, he likes to spend time with family and friends around the Midwest, seeks out opportunities to travel, and leans into a number of nerdy hobbies!