Michalah “Micy” Troutt, Jennifer Gehrket, and Katie Hannan will begin a new era of music at CHS and CGS
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The wait is over! Chester School District No. 139 announced at its monthly board meeting Thursday March 19 that three new music teachers have been hired to fill the shoes of Sue and Steve Colonel upon their retirement at the end of the 2026 school year.
Music fans of the Chester School District programs were getting very worried about the departure of the Colonels who have been at the helm of the Chester Grade School and Chester High School music programs for more than 30 plus years.
Until just recently there had not been a lot of interest expressed in the available music positions. Applications were not coming in as quickly as hoped. In the past several weeks, however, the interest peeked and at least six applicants had interviewed and the board had ample talent from which to choose.
The board also made a very favorable announcement that they intended to bring back the second music position at the Chester Grade School that had been vacant for nearly a decade. The General Music and Choir position at CGS was abandoned ten or more years ago when funding was very lean. That position was not re-instated until it was announced at the March 19 board meeting that that position would be filled for the 2026-27 school year.
At the Chester Grade School, Jenny Gehrket will teach all band programs including 5th Grade Beginner Band, 6th Grade Band, and 7th and 8th Grade Junior High Band. Gehrket comes as a graduate from Illinois State University.
Also at CGS will be Katie Hannan who will teach General Music, Kindergarten through 4th Grades. She will further be the Choral Director for 5th through 8th Grade choral groups. Miss Hannan graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
At Chester High School Michalah Troutt will teach all CHS Bands including Marching Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band. She will also be the vocal director for all CHS choral groups including Concert Choir and Swing Choir, “Sound Affect”. Miss trout has a Master’s Degree from SIU-C. She prefers to be called, “Micy” (pronounced “Mikey”).
District No. 139 Superintendent Kimberly Griggs said, “We’re excited about this! We’re very fortunate because we had several different applicants. Music is a very big piece of our district. We are very well known for our band. We want to continue moving that forward and receiving that support.”Miss Troutt visited Chester High School Thursday March 26 and spent the day with Mr. Colonel to get a feel for his program. Colonel introduced Troutt to staff and students throughout the day and gave her a good tour of the school.
Miss Troutt said, “I hope to visit several times during the final weeks of the 2026 school year and learn from Mr. Colonel what he has been doing in his program. I really don’t intend to come in a make a lot of changes right away. I want to get to know the students and find out what they expect as I grow into my new position at CHS.”
During the band period at the end of the day, Mr. Colonel introduced Miss Troutt to the current CHS Band members and let her observe the rehearsal. At one point in the rehearsal, Mr. Colonel noted to the students that they had just performed a march to perfection, and that if having Miss Troutt there to observe them made them play so much better, he would have her come to every performance and contest the rest of the year!
Miss Troutt grew up in West Frankfort and attended West Frankfort High School. Troutt said, “At one point during a first-round of budget cuts at West Frankfort, the band program was in danger. She went to the school board and requested permission to lead a volunteer student band at the high school. She was granted that permission and led the band. That experience enticed her to pursue a music teaching degree.
At that time, Troutt enrolled at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She marched all of her years at SIU in the world famous SIU Marching Salukis. She was the Section Leader for the Bass Drum Line her senior year. Her very spirited personality helped her to win the “Charles Jurjevich Spirit Award” for 5-Years-in-a-row. Troutt graduated from SIU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education May of 2022.
Trout took the next school year off to substitute teach and serve as Carterville’s Drum Tech the 2022 fall season. At SIU Troutt was a drum and percussion major. During this year she also accepted a K-4 General Music Position on a very short notice in January of 2023. In the fall of 2023 Miss Troutt returned to SIU as an Athletic Bands Graduate Assistant when she began Graduate School to earn her Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance.
During the next two years she served as a Clinician and she was an instructor for the SIU Summer Music Camps. During her time finishing her Master’s Degree, Troutt had the opportunity to direct the SIU Pep Band and Marching Salukis on several occasions.
She finished substitute teaching at Unity Point School and she assisted the Trico Band Camp as a Percussion Instructor. West Frankfort also utilized her assistance from time to time. To make ends meet, Miss Troutt worked at Olive Garden in Marion, Illinois. Troutt graduated from SIU in May of 2025.
Micy is very excited to be coming to Chester and has enjoyed her first day of orientation to the CHS Music Department. Steve Colonel, CHS Band and Choral Director said, “Today I had the opportunity welcome the 2026-2027 Chester High School Band and Choral Director to CHS. Miss Michalah “Micy” Troutt spent the day observing rehearsals and getting acquainted with CHS Music Students.”
“We had a fantastic day that ended with her asking questions about the department and its traditions. She understands the history behind our music department, and she is so eager to learn! I truly believe I will be leaving the department in very capable hands!”
At one point during the 8th hour band rehearsal, Mr. Colonel told the students that Miss Troutt reminds him of himself when he was just starting out his band teaching career. She is eager to begin and full of enthusiasm. Welcome to CHS Miss Michalah “Micy” Troutt!
Steve Colonel (right) current CHS Band and Choir Director, is pictured with the new CHS Band and Choral Director Michalah “Micy” Troutt who will begin teaching band and chorus at CHS next fall of 2026-27 school year. Miss Troutt had a Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance and Music Education from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Mr. Colonel will retire at the conclusion of the 2026 school year. Jim Beers Photo
Current Chester High School Band and Chorus Director, Steve Colonel (left) introduces the new CHS Band and Choral Director, Michalah “Micy” Troutt (right) to the current CHS Concert Band Thursday March 26, 2026. Miss Troutt will be the new CHS Band Director next fall of 2026 as Mr. Colonel will retire at the end of this school year. Jim Beers Photo