Sandra J Stoeckel

Sandra J. Stoeckel is the founder and one of the two primary conductors of the After Hours Community Band (AHCB), serving both St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri counties. She grew up in Jefferson City, Missouri, and participated in many music activities. She lived in the Chicago area for a short time and took the opportunity to tour/compete in a Drum and Bugle Corp for two years, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Choir, etc.. After graduation from High School, she attended and received a Bachelors of Music Education degree (K-12 Instrumental & Voice) in 1981 and a minor degree in Recreation from Central Missouri State University (now UCM) in Warrensburg, Missouri. Mrs. Stoeckel also completed a Graduate Assistantship for the CMSU Marching Mules in 1982.

After college, while living in Columbia Missouri, she was a member of the Columbia Community Band under the direction of Mr. Butch Antal. She also conducted the pit orchestra for the Columbia Entertainment Company at the Maplewood Barn, in Nifong Park.

After moving to the St. Louis area, she founded the After Hours Community Band, now in its 36^th year. With roughly 80 members on its current roster, this band performs around the greater St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri areas. (WWW.AHCB.Org). She served on the Board of Directors of the band in various capacities. She also served on the Board for the Pattonville Orchestra Parent Association for 4 years and chaperoned Orchestra trips.

Mrs. Stoeckel has played in pit orchestras for musicals at Lindenwood College and, more recently, here at the Mineral Area Fine Arts Academy. She played lead trumpet for 6 years in the famous Ambassadors of Swing band, under the leadership of Larry Charpoit, in St. Louis. She is also currently playing in the AHCB, The Dixie Rhythm Kings, and the MAFAA Community Band.

Mrs. Stoeckel is a registered substitute teacher for the North County School District for music classes and is starting instruction at the MAFAA. She has privately taught trumpet on many occasions over her many years of playing. As a sideline, she also works for Claude T. Smith Publications for the sole purpose of helping to keep the music of the famous Missouri composer, Claude T. Smith, a live and to educate new band directors to become familiar with his works, and how his compositions can be used to teach different aspects of music.

Mrs. Stoeckel is married to her husband, Dan, who is also a wonderful musician. Together they have two grown sons. They moved to Terre Du Lac, Bonne Terre, Missouri in June of 2020 and are still getting to know and learn about this beautiful region of our great state.