Mr. Andy Boland | Director of Bands

Andy Boland (he/him) is an experienced music educator and band director with a passion for fostering creativity, collaboration, and excellence in student musicians. Currently serving as the Director of Bands at Morton West High School in Berwyn, Illinois, Mr. Boland oversees a robust band program of 140 students, including three concert bands, a marching band, and a percussion ensemble. With a focus on both individual musicianship and ensemble cohesion, Mr. Boland works to create a supportive and challenging environment for students at all levels. In addition to conducting bands, he designs drill for the marching field shows, ensuring a well-rounded and engaging experience for every student in the program.

Before joining Morton West, Mr. Boland served as the Director of Bands at Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park, Illinois, where he built a thriving instrumental music program. There, Mr. Boland implemented a variety of new initiatives, including a percussion ensemble curriculum and an instrumental jazz program. He also contributed to the school community by leading music history courses, coaching the Assistant Varsity Girls’ Volleyball team, and assisting with school recruitment activities. Mr. Boland’s leadership at Nazareth Academy helped shape the school’s instrumental music offerings while integrating technology-based professional development initiatives for faculty.

Mr. Boland holds a Masters of Education in Educational Technology from Concordia University and a Bachelors of Music from Eastern Illinois University. He has completed post-graduate coursework in educational technology and teaching strategies at Roosevelt University. Throughout his education, Mr. Boland studied trumpet with Dr. Mark DeGoti, Dr. Mark Ponzo, and Dr. Jeremy McBain, and received conducting instruction from Col. Jason Fettig, Barry L. Houser, and Dr. Milton Allen.

Mr. Boland’s deep commitment to both his students’ growth and the field of music education is evident in his ongoing pursuit of professional development and dedication to creating innovative, student-centered learning experiences. He is an active member of the Illinois Music Education Association and the National Band Association.

Mr. Kendall Ruff | Assistant Director of Bands

Kendall Ruff has been an active musician and educator in the Chicagoland area for the past 15 years.  Kendall received his bachelors degree in Music Education from Roosevelt University in 2003 and has studied saxophone and woodwinds with some of Chicago’s best including Jerry DiMuzio and Mike Smith.  Kendall is a woodwind specialist who is active in theater pits and big bands throughout the area.   Kendall is currently the assistant band director, choir director, and orchestra director at Morton West High School. 

Mr. Eric Rauch | Assistant Director

Eric Rauch graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2004 with his Bachelor’s of Music Education and in 2013 he earned his Master’s of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music.  He performed on trumpet in concert bands, jazz bands, and orchestras, while he was earning those degrees.  He also spent two seasons as a member of the NIU Huskie Marching Band. 

He began teaching at JS Morton during the 2024-25 school year, where he teaches band at the Freshman Center, and music electives at West.  He has been the Drum Line Instructor for the Mustang Marching Band since 2017.  Additionally, he leads the Morton 201 Jazz Band.  Prior to teaching at Morton he taught band and orchestra for Lyons 103, a position he held for 18 years. 

Eric stays active beyond the classroom.  He trains for and races in triathlons each summer and also coaches his daughter’s softball teams.  He lives in Glen Ellyn with his wife, daughter, and two cats. 

Jorie Grande | Color Guard Instructor

Jorie Grande is a dedicated educator in her twelfth year of teaching and currently serves as the Library Media Specialist at Morton West High School, where she has been a proud member of the staff for four years. During her first two years at Morton West, she taught Freshman English before transitioning into her current role in the Knowledge Center.

Her passion for the performing arts began in fourth grade as a member of beginner band, where she played the flute. Throughout middle and high school, she continued to develop her musicianship on both flute and piccolo. Jorie’s color guard journey began in fifth grade after participating in her high school’s Middle School Night—a moment that sparked a lifelong love for the art of spinning. She performed with the Hinsdale South Color Guard for all four years of high school and went on to join the prestigious Marching Illini Color Guard at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a member of the Marching Illini, she had the honor of performing at Chicago Bears games, the Bands of America Super Regional at Lucas Oil Stadium, and the 2014 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.

During college, Jorie returned to Hinsdale South as an assistant color guard coach, a position she held for four years. She is now in her second year coaching color guard for the Morton 201 Band, where she continues to share her expertise and passion with a new generation of performers. Her mission as an instructor is to equip students with the skills and confidence necessary to succeed both in performance and beyond, fostering lifelong values of respect, punctuality, and perseverance.