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The After Hours Community Band is fortunate to have two Co-Conductors, Carol Commerford and Morgan Schneider, who share primary conducting duties equally. They are assisted as needed by Conductor Emerita Sandra Stoeckel.

Carol Commerford, Co-Conductor
A picture of Carol Commerford conducting.

Carol Commerford received her Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of Central Missouri and her Master’s in Arts Administration from the University of Illinois in Springfield, IL. Carol taught instrumental music in the Blue Springs School District after completing her bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Upon receiving her master’s degree in Arts Administration, Carol became Program Administrator for Music, Dance, and the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program for the Missouri Arts Council and moved on to the position of Assistant Director for Programs for that state agency. Carol became the first Executive Director for the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education. After a break, Carol became band director at Hixson Middle School in Webster Groves. For 19 years, she served as the Director of the Community Music School of Webster University and now in her “retirement” she is part-time Education Director for Classic 107.3. She is the wife of AHCB trumpeter, Jack Commerford and mother of Patrick, Megan, and Shannon Commerford.

Morgan Schneider, Co-Conductor
A picture of Morgan Schneider conducting.

Morgan Schneider first joined the After Hours Community Band in the spring of 2022 as the Band’s timpanist. From there, she made her community band conducting debut with the ensemble in the winter of 2022, and continued to serve as a percussionist and assistant conductor with the group until she was named Co-Conductor in the summer of 2024.

Morgan graduated Magna Cum Laude from Belmont University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and dual emphases in vocal and instrumental music. She has earned her Master of Music in Music Education from Ball State University. Morgan is an alumna of the Vanderbilt Spirit of Gold Marching Band, as well as its chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, the national band sorority. Prior to moving to St. Louis, Morgan taught for 4 years in the Boston area, teaching various wind she percussion ensembles from grades 4-12, as well as middle school jazz band, general music, and adaptive music. Morgan has presented at the Association for Popular Music Education 2022 Conference on her work in adaptive music settings.

Morgan has been teaching band at Parkway Central Middle School since 2020. In addition to teaching 6th-8th grade band, Morgan directs the United Sound peer mentor program at PCMS. She also works with the middle school jazz band, the Parkway Central High School Marching Colts, and the University Herald Brass Band, which performs in the St. Louis 4th of July Parade.

Morgan resides in University City, MO with her husband Mike and greyhound Memphis.

Sandra Stoeckel, Conductor Emerita
A picture of Sandra Stoeckel conducting.

Sandra J Stoeckel graduated from Central Missouri State University (CMSU - Warrensburg, Missouri) in 1981 with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education - (instrumental and vocal K-12) and a year of graduate work. She was a Graduate Assistant for the “Marching Mules”! After college she worked with the Columbia Entertainment Company as their pit-orchestra director and also performed with the Columbia Community Band. After moving to St. Louis, she began teaching band through the Parkway Adult Education Program. From this group, her vision for the After Hours Community Band (AHCB) was born in 1986. Sandra has been with the AHCB since its inception as a conductor, holding different roles on the Board of Directors, and trumpet player. In the spring of 2024, Sandra became a member of the AHCB Hall of Fame, retired as Co-Conductor and was named Conductor Emerita.

After 32 years, she is retired from Citibank/CitiMortgage, Inc. in O’Fallon, Missouri. She now substitute teaches for St. Francois North County School District and is a trumpet instructor for the Mineral Area Fine Arts Academy. She is married to AHCB member, Daniel A. Stoeckel, (tenor sax/horn player) who is a music education graduate from Northeast Missouri State University /Truman State University - Kirksville, Missouri. Together they have fun playing in many different ensembles, and have two wonderful sons, Ryan & Griffin.