Dr. Phillip Wilhelm, Assistant Professor of Music Education and Coordinator for Music Education teaches Music Education courses, bassoon and is conductor for the Chamber Choir.  Dr. Wilhelm received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Education from SIUE and his doctoral degree from Northcentral University.  As an undergraduate and graduate student, he studied bassoon with Bob Mottl of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.  As a bassoonist, he has performed four seasons with the St. Louis Philharmonic, playing principal second bassoon.  Other performance engagements include the SIUE Orchestra, BandTogether, various pit musical ensembles and, of course, with the Gateway Wind Quintet.  In addition to his solo work, Dr. Wilhelm is also a bassoonist and founding member of the Gateway Wind Quintet

Dr. Wilhelm also taught in the public school system for many years, during which he taught band, choir, and general music.  One of his performing ensembles was featured in a concert at Powell Hall. Dr. Wilhelm has been a guest clinician, conductor, judge, and consultant at various institutions and musical offerings throughout the bi-state area.  In addition to these activities, he has earned all three levels of Orff-Schulwerk Certification from Webster University and is active in the Southern Illinois Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, for which he is currently the president. 

Dr. Wilhelm is Director of Music at the O'Fallon United Church of Christ and is also involved in mission work, often accompanying people to Ecuador.  As an innovative composer and arranger, Dr. Wilhelm released his debut album, Simple Gifts, in the fall of 2003.  In 2008 one of his songs was selected to be included on the national release of the CD The Light of the World.  He also continues to be an active performer on both piano and voice throughout the region.