Alton Assisant Band Director Chuck Williard Finds New Stage At World Series
ALTON - Alton High School assistant band director Chuck Williard took his percussion experience to a baseball field on Oct. 23, 2026, joining BD Entertainment in Milwaukee for what he described as a World Series opening ceremony.
Williard is also a percussion instructor at Alton High, and he assists with the middle school band program.
Williard was in Milwaukee from Oct. 20-23, 2026, to prepare for the performance and participate in the ceremony. He said a form circulated in the drum corps community that he sent back led to the opportunity.
BD Entertainment is the commercial and theatrical production arm of BD Performing Arts, a nonprofit musical organization based in Concord, Calif., that also manages the Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps.
Williard knew he had something great to bring back to the Alton High Marching Band members after his World Series appearance in Milwaukee.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Williard said.
The Milwaukee Brewers won the 2026 World Series, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 to capture the franchise's first-ever championship title. Milwaukee defeated Tampa Bay 3-2 at American Family Field in the Oct. 23, 2026, World Series game.
The World Series performance gave him a lesson to share with his students at Alton High School, where he serves as assistant band director and percussion director.
“You never know where your marching band experience would take you,” he said.
Williard said he had never expected to participate in something like the World Series ceremony. He hopes the experience helps students recognize the opportunities that can come from their work in music.
He said he enjoys working with Alton students, describing them as receptive to feedback and willing to take steps to improve their marching experience. Watching them achieve their goals is particularly rewarding, he said.
Williard said he continues pushing students to improve throughout the school year, emphasizing that their education does not stop when competitions end.
He grew up in Plainfield and earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Illinois State University. He described Illinois State as one of his dream schools and said he returned for graduate study to refine his craft and work with its professors.
He said he will never forget performing at the World Series game.
"It was insane seeing 50,000 people screaming and cheering, hearing the National Anthem on the field and hearing the players announced," Williard said. "I am also a huge baseball fan, so it meant so much to me."
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