Elementary music educaor Genein Letford of Canoga Park, California.

Students all over our country are indeed fortunate to be exposed to the influences of talented music educators. One of these is Genein Letford, the Music Director of New Academy, a charter elementary school in Canoga Park, California. 

Genein earned her Bachelor’s degree from UCLA. There she majored in Psychology and minored in Education with a focus in Diversifying in the Liberal Arts. This unique program was designed to give teachers a foundation in education and then expose them to different content areas. After earning her Bachelor’s degree, Genein completed the requirements for her teaching credential through a year long program called Teachers for a New Era. The program allowed her more hands-on experience with teaching than a traditional teaching program. Recently, Genein completed her Master’s thesis at California State University, Northridge.

Genein’s journey to her position as a music educator began when she was in the third grade. At that young age, she was labeled a special education student because she suffered from a speech impediment. She stuttered when speaking. To help her overcome her disability, Genein’s mother insisted she learn to play an instrument. The child chose the trumpet, mostly because it was one of the least expensive instruments to rent. A year later, Genein joined the school band. Through music, she found her voice. 

So far, Genein’s career as an educator has spanned 15 years. Her approach to teaching music is unique and innovative. She designed an interdisciplinary curriculum that incorporates history, social studies, science, language arts, and mathematics. Her talents extend into the community as well. in 2009, Genein began the Music For All: Instrument Scholarship Fund to provide instruments for low-income students who want to continue their music education. She also works as a motivational speaker.

For her work in the classroom, Genein has earned many accolades. She garnered the 2010 Great American Teacher Award. She also earned the National Sontag Prize in Urban Education.

To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, click on this link to Genein Letford.

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 three-day series that features these accomplished music educators.

Kamehameha Warrior Marching Band and Color Guard

Band Director Matthew Urabe led the Kamehameha Warrior Marching Band and Color Guard from Honolulu, Hawaii, in the 2020 Tournament of Roses Parade.

Band Director Matthew Urabe conducted the Kamehameha Warrior Marching Band and Color Guard from Honolulu, Hawaii. Always a crowd favorite, the 200 student-member group represented Kamehameha Schools as they celebrated their Hawaiian culture. I loved the spirit the performers’ grass skirts, hula dancing, and conch shell players. This is the school’s fifth appearance in the Rose Parade.

Matthew is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools, class of 1999. This talented educator earned his Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Music from Oregon State University in 2005.

The Pride of Owasso Marching Band

The Pride of Owassa was led by Director of Bands Chris Harris  in the 2020 Tournament of Roses Parade.

Chris Harris, Director of Bands at Owasso Public Schools, led his 375-member group from Owasso, Oklahoma. The 2020 Rose Parade was the sixth time The Pride of Owasso has performed in the Rose Parade, and the first time under the direction of Chris. With six invitations, The Pride of Owasso has participated in more Tournament of Roses Parades than any other school from Oklahoma.

Owasso High School Director of Bands Chris Harris.

Chris Harris has been a music educator in Owasso since 2004. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education (1990) and a Master’s degree in Music Education (1992). The talented educator is a member of many professional organization. These include Phi Beta Mu, OkMEA, and NAfME. Furthermore, he is the 2019-2020 Vice President of the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association. In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Chris plays steel pan for Something Steel, an island- based cover band from Tulsa, and performs with the Barrel Fish Community Steel Band, which he founded in December of 2018. Chris also enjoys playing coed soccer and officiating OSSAA soccer matches.

The Pride of Pearland Marching Band

Director of Bands Joe Munoz led the Pride of Pearland Marching Band from Pearland, Texas.

Director of Bands Joe Munoz led the Pride of Pearland Marching Band from Pearland, Texas. The 325-member group is well-known for its musicality and marching skills. But an additional reason that Pearland High School was chosen for the parade was because of the band’s community service. The group took quick action in setting up and running a shelter for those who had lost their homes immediately following Hurricane Harvey.

Joe Munoz, the Director of Band for the Pride of Pearland Marching Band of Houston, Texas.

Joe Munoz has been the Director of Bands for Pearland since 2013. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Houston. There he studied instrument pedagogy and conducting. In addition to his classroom responsibilities, he is an active adjudicator and clinician. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu International School Bandmaster Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Tau Beta Sigma Honorary Band Sorority (Honorary Member). Joe is also the lead instructor at the famous George M. Parks Drum Major Academy.

To learn more about the Tournament of Roses, click on this link for the Rose Parade.

One of my favorite events of the year is the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. The event takes place every year on the morning of January 1. This exciting parade is televised live from the city of my birth: Pasadena, California. I love everything about the parade: the flower-festooned floats, the sprightly equestrian units, the celebrity appearances, and the spectacular marching bands. And every year when I watch this parade on television, the dedication of our nation’s talented band directors always amazes me. Here is Part 1 of a three-day series that features these accomplished music educators.

Alhambra Unified School District Marching Band

The Alhambra Unified School District Marching Band performed in the Rose Parade under the direction of music educator Mark Trulson.

Head Marching Band Director Mark Trulson led the 275 students who comprise the impressive Alhambra Unified School District Marching Band. The students who form this group come from three high schools that represent the Southern California cities of Alhambra, Monterey Park, and San Gabriel. Those schools are Mark Keppel High School, Alhambra High School, and San Gabriel High School.

Head Marching Band Director Mark Trulson led the Alhambra Unified School District Marching Band in this year’s Rose Parade.

“To get into the Rose Parade, it’s like making it to the Super Bowl,” asserted Mark. He was the band director when the school made their Rose Parade debut 10 years ago. “It’s fun to be back,” the talented music educator remarked. “The first time you do, it’s awe-inspiring,” he said. “The second time, we’ve done this before, we got this,” he concluded.

Mark hails from Massachusetts originally. He has been a music teacher at Alhambra High School since 2003. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts. He earned his Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon.

Interestingly, 2020 Tournament of Roses President Laura Farber is a graduate of Alhambra High School.

Dobyns-Bennett High School Marching Band

Music Educator Lafe Cook serves as the Director of Bands for Dobyns-Bennett High school in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Director of Bands Lafe Cook led more than 300 students from Dobyns-Bennett High School located in Kingsport, Tennessee. This accomplished group encompasses the largest band program in the state of Tennessee. It is one of only 14 band programs in the country that has earned both the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s prestigious Sudler Flag of Honor and the Sudler Shield Award. This is the group’s fourth appearance in the Rose Parade.

Lafe has been a high school band director for a total of 26 years. He is in his 20th year as the Director of the Dobyns-Bennett Band program. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. There he was the drum major of the university’s marching band and a graduate assistant with the Music Department. He taught at E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, Virginia, for six years prior to coming to Dobyns-Bennett.

The Dobyns-Bennett High School Band under the direction of Lafe Cook made its fourth appearance in the annual Rose Parade extravaganza.

Greendale High School Marching Band

Director of Bands Tom Reifenberg led the Greendale High School Marching Band from Greendale, Wisconsin, through the parade route. This was the first appearance of the 222-member award-winning group. Greendale High School has earned the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s prestigious Sudler Shield Award. In addition, the school has garnered the Wisconsin School Music Association State Marching Band Competition an impressive 15 times. They also marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2016.

Director of Bands Tom Reifenberg led his students in this years Rose Parade.

“There are thousands of high schools across the country, and only a select few get to do something on this scale, marching in front of not only that many people in California, but that many people watching around the world on New Year’s morning,” observed Tom.

Tom has been the Band Director at Greendale since 2001. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater in 2001. He earned his Master’s degree in Music Education from Boston University in 2008.  For his work in the classroom, this talented music educator garnered the Michael G. George Distinguished Service Award in 2017. He also earned the Educator of the Year honor from the Greendale Chamber of Commerce in 2016, and the Herb Kohl Fellowship Award in 2015.

The Greendale High School Marching Band marched in the Rose Parade under the leadership of Director of Bands Tom Reifenberg.

To learn more about the bands that marched in this year’s parade, see the list at this link: Tournament of Roses.

Several outstanding music educators appeared with their students today in the 2019 annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It’s the 93rd parade since Macy’s department store inaugurated the tradition. These educators represent some of the best America has to offer in music education.

The Blue Springs High School Band marched under the direction of Tim Allshouse. In 2009, this superb educator was name his district’s Teacher of the Year. The 210-member band hails from Blue Springs just outside Kansas City. Missouri. This Golden Regiment Band has previously marched in the Rose Parade and the Presidential Inaugural Parade for President Barack Obama. I loved this band’s crisp white and bright pink uniforms, especially their chic slanted hats!

Directors Jeremiah Fowler and David Jaggie conduct the Madison Central High School Band from Richmond, Kentucky. The band is comprised of 215 musicians, 60 color guard members, and five drum majors. This group has been named their state champions a whopping five times! “We have very mature and great musicians in the band programs and the reason why the high school has become so successful is due to the fantastic middle and elementary music and band teachers,” remarked David Jaggie. This band’s unique animal costumes were really delightful! Members dressed in zebra stripes, peacock feathers, and tiger stripes, among other animals, were a genuine treat for the eye. I loved their snappy music choices, too.

Under the direction of Renee Shane-Boyd, the Catalina Foothills High School Band traveled from Tucson, Arizona, to appear in the parade. As a teacher in Catalina Foothills School District for 35 years, she has taught elementary, middle, and high school. As the Director of Bands at Catalina Foothills High School, her program is known for its diversity and excellence in concert, jazz, and marching band. The group has consistently been the largest marching band in the state of Arizona for over 18 years. This is the second time the Falcon Band has marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. A total of 265 students comprise this band. This group appeared to have the most unusual marching maneuvers. I really loved watching them!

Also marching was the Martin Luther King, Jr., High School Band from Lithoma, Georgia. This 114-member group was established in 2001. The group is the first American marching band to perform in Johannesburg, South Africa. The students were overseen by School Principal Ennis C. Harvey. I loved the comment that educators at this school attempt to instill the ideology modeled by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in all of their students.

The Panther Band representing Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, made its third appearance in this year’s Macy’s Parade. Directed by Kevin Pollock, the 183 members of this band are no strangers to performing. The group has also appeared in the Presidential Inaugural Parade and twice in the Rose Parade. Kevin has worked at the school since 1987. The respected music educator said that the band’s success is a credit to the members. “They’re willing to work hard and put in the time to get the job done,” he said. I really enjoyed the beautiful turquoise, white, and black uniforms with the piano keyboard motif sported by this group. And I liked their use of the grand piano prop to accompany their theme of “Roll Over, Beethoven.”

The Ronald Reagan High School Band from San Antonio, Texas also appeared. This 360-member band marched under the direction of Dan Morrison. Previously, the band appeared in the Rose Parade. In addition, the group has won the University Interscholastic League Marching Contest numerous times and is a two-time winner of the Bands of America Conroe Regional competition. For his outstanding work in the classroom, Dan has garnered the Daniel J. Perrino School of Music Award for Excellence in Music Education. Loved the back and neon green uniforms on this group.

And finally, the Macy’s Great American Marching Band made its fourteenth appearance in this year’s parade. This group of 240 members is comprised of stellar high school musicians from all over the country. These students performed under the direction of Richard Good and Dennis Rhoads. What a terrific idea to bring together student musicians from all over the United States to create this new band.

Loved this year’s parade! If you would like to read more about the parade, see this link from CBS News.  I look forward to sharing the event with you again next year! Happy Thanksgiving holiday to you and yours!