Mrs. Melanie Butcher is in her nineteenth 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.

Mr. Ivey started teaching in Macomb in 2017. He directs the 6^th Grade, 7^th Grade, and 8^th Grade choirs, the 7/8^th Grade Swing Choir, and will be coteaching with High School Mixed and Concert choirs. He also teaches regular Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, and Voice lessons outside of school to students of all ages. Last year, in addition to regular school performances, Mr. Ivey and his students participated in the District 4 ILMEA elementary honor choir and the WIU Holiday Festival of Choirs concert. 

He has a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting (’14) and a Bachelors in Music Education (’12) both from Western Illinois University. He is a member of the Illinois Music Education Association and The Barbershop Harmony Society. He directs the Praise Kids and Chancel Choir at Wesley UMC in Macomb, Co-directs the Prairieland Barbershop Chorus, and occasionally serves as the Music Director for the Macomb Community Theatre. 

During the Summer, Mr. Ivey frequently teaches at the Western Illinois University Summer Music Camps and attends Choral Directors conferences or Conducting workshops. He played Keyboard in the pit for the 2023 WIU Summerstage performance of School of Rock alongside many Macomb students and community members. He also serves as one of the leaders of Rising Stars, a summer youth devised theatre experience for K-8^th grade students. Otherwise, he likes to spend time with family and friends around the Midwest.