Chris K Music is proud to share that Christopher Keniley has been recognized and featured by Notable Men, highlighting his career in music education, leadership, and service to musicians and music programs. The feature provides an opportunity to look back at a musical journey spanning more than 25 years—from teaching private music lessons and working…
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The 2026 marching band season continues to grow for Chris Keniley and CK Marching Services! Chris Keniley will serve as an Adjudicator/Clinician at the A.A. Stagg Marching Band Jamboree on September 12, 2026, in Palos Hills, Illinois. For this event, Keniley will provide nonscored general commentary to participating marching bands, offering an additional educational perspective…
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Starting band or orchestra is an exciting milestone. For many students, it’s their first opportunity to learn an instrument, perform with an ensemble, and discover what making music with other people is all about. But for parents, the beginning can also bring plenty of questions. Is this the right instrument? How much should they practice?…
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Starting band is an exciting milestone for a young musician. Choosing an instrument, learning the first notes, and becoming part of a school ensemble can open the door to years of music-making. But there is one thing that can make those first few weeks much easier: starting with an instrument that works properly. At Chris…
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An instrument doesn’t have to stop working before it needs attention. Recently, I cleaned and serviced a baritone at Chris K Music in Mattoon, Illinois. The instrument was still playable when it came in, but once it was disassembled, the buildup inside showed exactly why regular instrument maintenance is so important. The before-and-after photos from…
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Are you looking for music lessons in Mattoon, Illinois for yourself or your child? Chris K Music is currently accepting new students, with several afternoon and evening lesson times available throughout the week. Students can take lessons in person in Mattoon, IL, or study from home through online music lessons. Whether you’re picking up an…
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Keeping your instrument in good playing condition can make a huge difference in how it sounds, responds, and feels. At Chris K Music in Mattoon, Illinois, I provide instrument repair, cleaning, maintenance, and troubleshooting services for students, families, schools, and musicians throughout Central Illinois. First, I want to say thank you! Over the past couple…
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When a music teacher tells a student to “practice this week,” what does that actually mean? Should you play the same song over and over? Start with the hardest music? Practice scales for 30 minutes? Play everything from beginning to end? At Chris K Music, one of the skills I work to develop in my…
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Great marching band drill should do more than create exciting visual moments. Good drill design should also support the sound of the ensemble. One consideration I make when writing drill for CK Marching Services is how performer placement can affect sound projection. Straight Lines Can Create Sound Problems When musicians are positioned directly behind one…
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When an instrument comes in for service at Chris K Music in Mattoon, Illinois, my goal isn’t simply to make it look cleaner. I want to find the problem that’s affecting the instrument and get it working properly again. This recent trumpet is a great example. The trumpet came in with stuck tuning slides and…
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