Tag Archives: Music Teachers

More band directors that led their students in the 2023 Rose Parade

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One of my favorite events of the year is the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. And every year when I watch this parade on television, the dedication of our nation’s talented band directors amazes me. Here is Part 2 of a two-day series that features these accomplished music educators.

The Pella Marching Dutch Band, Pella, Iowa

Appearing in this year’s Tournament of Roses will be the Pella Marching Dutch Band from Pella, Iowa. The group was led by Director of Bands Dameon Place. This year will be their third appearance in the Rose Parade. Their previous appearances were in 1988 and 2003. The Pella Marching Dutch Band was established in 1937 as an all-inclusive school band with a tradition that has spanned more than 80 years. Their innovative show designs, excellent musicality, and outstanding marching techniques have earned them numerous first place awards. In fact, the group has garnered more than 150 first place finishes and 39 consecutive Division 1 Superior ratings, the highest possible score, at the Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA) State Marching Band Festival.

Brookwood Bronco Marching Band, Snellville, Georgia

Another of the bands that will be marching in the parade this year is The Bronco High School Marching Band from Snellville, Georgia, under the leadership of Dr. Laura Coates Stanley. The group boasts nearly 300 students representing all the band classes in their high school. Laura has been teaching at Snellville for 20 years. She earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2001 and her Master’s degree in Wind Conducting 2003, both from the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in Music Education in 2015 from Boston University. Under Laura’s expert leadership, The Bronco Marching Band have received 10 Grand Championships in regional competitions.

Catalina Foothills Falcon Band, Tucson, Arizona

Also appearing in the parade was the Catalina Foothills Falcon Band from Tucson, Arizona, with Director of Bands Renee Shane-Boyd in charge. Renee, who has been a music educator in Tucson for 34 years, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, in 1983. She was selected as her District’s 2009 Teachers of the Year. Her group, the largest marching band in the state of Arizona, has won many accolades, including the Nunamaker Award at 2019 UA Band Day. In addition, they performed in the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and they have travelled to Europe, China, and Australia to perform.

LAUSD All-District High School Honor Band, Los Angeles, California

And finally, we introduce The Los Angeles Unified School District All-District High School Honor Band under the leadership of Band Directors Tony White and Art Duardo. The pair worked together with more than 300 students from approximately 75 Los Angeles county high schools in order to get ready for their 50th Rose Parade performance. This group has been participating in the Rose Parade since 1973. Throughout the years, the band has performed in a variety of events across the greater Los Angeles area, including NFL Super Bowls and Major League Baseball World Series.

 

Dedicated band directors lead student musicians in Rose Parade

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One of my favorite events of the year is the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. And every year when I watch this parade on television, the dedication of our nation’s talented band directors amazes me. Here is Part 1 of a two-day series that features these accomplished music educators.

Rosemount High School Marching Band, Minnesota

One of the bands that appeared in the parade was the Rosemount High School Marching Band from Rosemount, Minnesota, under the direction of Leon Sieve. Leon joined the faculty of Rosemount High School in 2002. In all, his career as a music educator has spanned 30 years. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota in 1993. He earned his Master’s degree from the American Band College at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon in 2005. This is the second appearance in the Tournament of Roses Parade for this group, the largest competitive marching band in the state of Minnesota.

Vista Ridge High School Ranger Marching Band, Texas

The Vista Ridge High School Ranger Marching Band from Cedar Park, Texas, also appeared under the leadership of Director of Bands Bryan Christian. Bryan earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Abilene Christian University in 1989. He earned his Master’s degree in Conducting and Clarinet Performance in 1991. A music educator for many years, he started teaching at Vista Ridge High School in 2003. Under his leadership, the Vista Ridge Band has performed at the Midwest International Band Clinic, received the Sudler Shield, were the 2018 UIL 6A State Marching Band Champions, were a 2021 Bands of America Grand Nationals Finalist.

Wisconsin Northwoods Marching Band

The Wisconsin Northwoods Marching Band from Minocqua, Wisconsin, also appeared in the parade under the direction of Antigo High School Director of Bands Austin Kappel, Wausau East Band Director of Bands Rob Perkins, and six other band directors. This group is a composite band of eight high schools located across north central Wisconsin. Students represented by the group include Lakeland High School, Northland Pines High School, Three Lakes High School, Merrill High School, Antigo High School, Wausau East High School, DC Everest High School, and Mosinee High School.

Rockford High School Marching Band, Michigan

One of the bands that appeared in this year’s parade was the Rockford Marching Band from Rockford, Michigan, under the expert leadership of Brian Phillips, Director of Bands at Rockford Public Schools. This group, which has won the Michigan state championship four times, is the largest competitive band in the state of Michigan, with nearly 275 students participating. More than 40% of these band students are also athletes. This is possible because instead of making students choose between athletics and marching band, the Brian limits their extra-curricular rehearsals so students can successfully participate in both.

Old-time singing cowboy became a CA music teacher

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Many times talented entertainers find their way into classrooms, influencing impressionable young minds to pursue similar interests in the performing arts. One of these was Ernest “Skeeter” Hubbert, a singing cowboy who became a popular music educator in Riverside, California.

Ernest was born on July 10, 1924, in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was musically gifted as a child, and when he grew up, he studied at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music and the Sorbonne in France. Eventually he enrolled at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he earned his Master’s degree in Music.

In the mid-1930s, Ernest landed a position in the band of Stuart Hamblen, and he also played rhythm guitar and trumpet on commercial recordings with Texas Jim Lewis. When WWII erupted, Ernest formed his own group of Western musicians which he dubbed Skeeter Hubert and his Cowboys. The Standard Transcriptions Company created approximately 40 recording with this group. These recording received widespread national airplay, earning Ernest a reputation for being the most popular singing cowboy on the air. In addition to performances as a musician, he also worked as an extra in many Western movies.

After the war was won, Ernest earned a living teaching music and directing choral groups in the Los Angeles area. Eventually he relocated to the city of Riverside, located in Southern California’s Inland Empire. There he accepted positions as a music teacher, first at Chemawa Junior High School, and then at Matthew Gage Junior High School. Next he taught music at Alcott Elementary School for two years before returning to Gage. He also directed civic choral groups in the area. Eventually, the former singing cowboy retired from the teaching profession.

Ernest passed away on Oct. 12, 1989. He was 75 years old. But the impact he made on young student musicians lives on to this day. To read more about Ernest “Skeeter” Hubbert, click on this link to an article written about him from his former student, Steve Lech, published on Dec. 18, 2022, in the Press Enterprise.

Educator Della Watson earns recognition from Humanities Texas

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High school English teacher Della Watson (at right) has earned a coveted Outstanding Teacher Award from Humanities Texas. Photo Credit: Humanities Texas

It is always a pleasure to share stories about exceptional educators who have earned accolades for their work in the classroom. One of these is Della Watson, an English teacher and music educator from Paducah, Texas. She has earned a coveted 2021 Outstanding Teacher Award from Humanities Texas.

Della teaches English, Reading, and Band at Paducah High School since 2018. She has also taught music education and choir at the junior high school level. In all, her career has spanned 15 years.

The honored educator is obviously views teaching as her calling. “I believe that learning should be engaging and fun for students so that they look forward to coming to class,” asserts Della. “I do my best to ensure that all of my students have many opportunities to succeed. Students very rarely fail my class, as I believe that if they fail, I have failed at doing my job, which is to teach all of my students,” she continues.

Clearly, Della has earned the respect of her colleagues. “[Ms. Watson] goes above and beyond what is expected because she deeply cares about her students and their learning, especially in the area of the humanities,” says Gary Whitman, Superintendent of Paducah Independent School District. “She connects with her students and causes them to enjoy learning as she makes it fun and exciting,” Whitman continues.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Della volunteers at Mel Mel’s Boutique. The boutique, a local business created in memory of a former Paducah student, earns funds to pay for scholarships for seniors from Paducah High School and nearby communities.

Della earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 1990 and her Master’s degree in Education, English, and English as a Second Language, both from West Texas A&M University.

As part of her honors from Humanities Texas, Della received a $5,000 bonus, with an additional $1,000 going to her school to support further excellence in the instruction of the humanities.

 

Exceptional music educators lead students in 2022 Macy’s Parade

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Once again, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year has wowed spectators, both in person and on television, including me! After watching the talented high school musicians who performed in the annual spectacular, I am always left in awe of the superlative music educators who prepared their students for this event. Here is a little about each of these educators.

 

The Carmel Marching Greyhounds, Director Chris Kreke

Director of Bands Chris Kreke led the Carmel Marching Greyhounds in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo credit: Jacob Musselman

The Carmel High School Marching Greyhounds from Carmel, Indiana, made their second appearance in the parade, this one under the direction of Director Chris Kreke. Chris earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Ball State University in 1995 and his Master’s degree in Music Technology from Indiana University in 2000.

The Marching Greyhounds garnered the Bands of America (BOA) Grand National Champion Award five times, and was a Grand National Finalist a whopping 24 times. They were named the BOA Super Regional Champion six times and the BOA Regional Champion 17 times. At the state level, the Marching Greyhounds are five-time ISSMA State Champions and have made State Finals for 30 years. The 300-member group made their previous appearance in the Macy’s Parade in 2011, and they also performed in the Rose Parade in 2014 and the London New Year’s Parade in 2004.

The Bourbon County High School Marching Colonels, Director Michael Stone

The Bourbon County Marching Colonels under the direction of  Michael Stone appeared in the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo credit: Bourbon County High School

The 100-member Bourbon County High School Marching Colonels marched in the parade under the leadership of Director of Bands Michael Stone. This was the first Macy’s Parade appearance for the group, who hail from Paris, Kentucky. Michael earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2014 and his Master’s degree in Music Education in 2017, both from Eastern Kentucky University. In 2020, Michael was named the Phi Beta Mu Young Bandmaster of the Year in Kentucky.

Under Michael’s leadership, the Marching Band won the 2018 KMEA Class AAA State Championship and the 2018 and 2019 Bands of America Class A National Championship in his first year as Director. What an accomplishment!

Vandergrift High School Viper Marching Band, Director Katie VanDoren

Also appearing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was the Vandergrift High School Viper Marching Band from Leander, Texas, under the direction of Katie VanDoren. Photo credit: Four Points News

Director of Bands Katie VanDoren led the 300-member Vandergrift High School Viper Marching Band from Leander, Texas, in the parade. Katie has been teaching at Vandegrift since 2014. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She is currently in her sixth year at Vandegrift High School and her seventh year of teaching high school band.

Their selection for the Macy’s Parade is just the most recent honor the Vandergrift Vipers have earned. The group garnered first place in the 2022 UIL State Marching Band Contest held in San Antonio. They also won the Bands of America Grand National Championships in 2019. The group also captured the Sudler Shield International Marching Band Award and won the Bands of America Regional Championships four times.

Tarpon Springs High School Outdoor Performance Ensemble, Director Kevin Ford

Appearing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was the Tarpon Springs High School Outdoor Performance Ensemble under the leadership of Director Kevin Ford. Photo Credit: Pinellas County Schools

Hailing from Tarpon Springs, Florida, the Tarpon Springs High School Outdoor Performance Ensemble under the leadership of Director Kevin Ford also appeared in the parade. Kevin is presently in his 28th year of teaching in the public school system. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Florida. He is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Florida Bandmasters Association, the Pinellas County Music Educators Association, and he serves as a member of the Bands of America (BOA) Educational Advisory Board.

The 200-member Tarpon Springs group is making its second appearance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in under 10 years. The ensemble was featured in the 2013 parade. In addition to their selection in the Macy’s event, they were named the BOA Grand National Champions in 2014. The group was crowned BOA Division AA and AAA Class National Champions seven times.

Clovis North Educational Center Bronco Band and Color Guard, Director David Lesser

The Clovis North Educational Center Bronco Band and Color Guard under the leadership of Director of Bands David Lessing also appeared in the 2022 Macy’s Parade. Photo credit: YourCentralValley.com

And finally, Director of Bands David Lessing appeared with the Clovis North Educational Center Bronco Band and Color Guard from Fresno, California. David was honored in 2020 by the John Philip Sousa Foundation as a Legion of Honor Laureate. In 2006, he was recognized as one of the “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” by School Band and Orchestra (SBO) Magazine. In addition, he was the Fresno Madera County’s Music Educator Association Jazz Educator of the Year in 2005. This is David’s 22nd year of teaching.

The group has been named Western Band Association’s (WBA) Class or Grand Champions five times since 2010. This year’s appearance is the first time the 100-member Bronco group participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.