Central Illinois Home School Band Program

05/21/2025

Another article about Director Chris Keniley!

The Sullivan School District asked Chris Keniley to serve as interim director of bands after its director, Aaron Jones, died in a car crash a week before the start of

05/09/2025

Director Christopher Keniley is a quarter finalist for the 2016 Music Educator Award! Article below

The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum have announced the quarterfinalists for the annual Music Educator Award, which honors impactful music educators in the U.S. The final recipient will be honored during GRAMMY Week 2026, days ahead of the 2026 GRAMMYs.

12/12/2024

Home School Musicians!

The next semester starts Friday, January 10th for the Central Illinois Home School Band Program. The group meet on most Fridays, 12:30 - 2:00 in Mattoon, IL and will conclude the semester with a concert in May. Families travel as far as Effingham, Champaign, Decatur, and Terre Haute, IN to participate.

Any home school musician that is able to play a wood wind, brass, percussion, or string instrument is welcome to participate. Private school students without a band program also welcome to join.

For more information contact Director Chris Keniley at 217-232-3786 or email [email protected].

Send a message to learn more

10/13/2024

Are you a home school student that plays a woodwind, brass or string instrument?

Are you a former school band student that switched to Home Schooling?

Come join the Central Illinois Home School Band for its 4th Season!

We meet in Mattoon, IL on Friday Afternoons (12:30 - 2:00), all school year (Sept through May).

It's not to late to join! Audition is necessary to evaluate skills.

The Central Illinois Home School Band Program performs a variety of concert band music arranged for the ensemble. Families travel as far as Champaign, Effingham, and Decatur to participate.

NO COST to join and participate. Ministry of Chris K Music Lessons, Repairs, and School Music Services. Donations are appreciated but not required.

Contact Director Chris Keniley at 217-232-3786 or email [email protected]

Send a message to learn more

08/14/2024

The Central Illinois Home School Band Program will start its 4th season on Friday, September 6th!

Time: 12:30 - 2:00pm
Day; Fridays, starting September 6th.
Where: Broadway Christian Church, Mattoon IL

This is for any home school or private school family that currently plays a concert band or orchestral instrument. At this time home school musicians will need to demonstrate basic reading and technical skills through audition.

At this time there will be no beginner band program, but hopeful to continue soon.

For more information reach out to Director Chris Keniley at 217-232-3786 or email [email protected]

Central Illinois Home School Band Program is a program provided by Chris K Music Lessons, Repairs, and School Music Services of Mattoon, IL.

Send a message to learn more

05/24/2024

Did you know our Home School Band Program accepts private school students? Talk to your school today about making a trip to Mattoon on Fridays!

Send a message to learn more

05/13/2024

Thank you Kelly Birky for the fantastic photo from Saturday, May 11th Home School Band Concert!

Our next season starts in September 2024! If your a home school or private school student interested please let us know. Beginner band and music lessons are available for anyone interested in learning an instrument.

05/11/2024

The Central Illinois Home School Band program had another amazing concert tonight. Students continue to grow and improve. Looking forward to next school year has in store. Our program will be going on 4 years!

If you’re a home school student that plays or interested in learning a concert band or orchestral instrument, please contact director Chris Keniley or visit

Chris K Music offers musical services including Lessons, Repairs, Piano Tuning, Refurbished Instruments, School Services, Ministry and more.

05/08/2024

Interested in joining our homeschool band program? Music lessons are a great way to learn an instrument and get prepared for our upcoming season!

05/08/2024

Getting ready to wrap up another successful season for the Central Illinois Home School Band Program! Over 20 youth ages 7-18 joined us this past school year and cannot wait to see what is in store for the future. If your a home school or private school student interested in joining, please contact Director Chris Keniley at Chris K Music Lessons, Repairs, and School Music Services.

01/19/2024

Due to road conditions BAND will resume Friday January 26th.

Its not to late to join. If your interested in learning a wood wind or brass instrument please contact Director Chris Keniley at 217-232-3786 or email [email protected]

01/11/2024

Due to inclement weather all over Central Illinois, the Home School Band will meet the following Friday (19th) and not the 12th.