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Post by bandirectorman on May 17, 2023 14:41:03 GMT -6
It's hard comparing with an university that is willing to throw a lot of money and begin the track to tenure, something public schools don't have. As far as I could tell, Welborn was committed to Avon. It's just he got the godfather offer of a lifetime for a music educator and it became very hard to say no. Avon will still be an incredibly desirable location. Very true. Just like if you were that swayed by offer, then you must have known it was sorta coming down the pipe… just my two cents. I don’t think Avon will suffer because of it since I doubt he had time to make a huge difference anyway. It's pure speculation, but high school is so much harder than college. So much more drama and so much less freedom. I don't blame him AT ALL.
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Post by marimba11 on May 17, 2023 16:23:33 GMT -6
Very true. Just like if you were that swayed by offer, then you must have known it was sorta coming down the pipe… just my two cents. I don’t think Avon will suffer because of it since I doubt he had time to make a huge difference anyway. It's pure speculation, but high school is so much harder than college. So much more drama and so much less freedom. I don't blame him AT ALL. That’s honestly totally fair. High school band is seriously being pushed beyond what it ever was with the quality of these shows, politics of parents, state assessments, the list goes on and on. Collages even have shorter semesters and no competitive aspects
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Post by bandirectorman on May 18, 2023 14:14:13 GMT -6
Just want to extend my congratulations to Steven Pyter, who I recently learned has officially been announced as the new Director of Bands at Marian Catholic High School. We had the fortune of playing one of his original compositions and it was a great exercise to bridge the gap between our younger and more experienced students. Steve is one of the most talented directors in the region and seems like a great fit for that program. Good luck! Edit: Completely forgot about this but I do recall a podcast where Steve interviews Greg Bimm (2014?) podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bandmasters-podcast/id923873966?i=1000319541548 - Wow!
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Post by dbalash on May 18, 2023 14:40:20 GMT -6
Just want to extend my congratulations to Steven Pyter, who I recently learned has officially been announced as the new Director of Bands at Marian Catholic High School. We had the fortune of playing one of his original compositions and it was a great exercise to bridge the gap between our younger and more experienced students. Steve is one of the most talented directors in the region and seems like a great fit for that program. Good luck! I feel as though it's a very solid pick. He comes with experience from Lake Park and Plainfield North, who he put on the Illinois map. I've heard rumblings of a couple of others who were interviewed as well; I think he's the right pick.
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Post by yayband914 on May 19, 2023 0:08:10 GMT -6
David McGrath announced his new position as director of bands at Klein Oak, transferring from Klein Cain after six years.
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Post by dbalash on May 19, 2023 7:26:19 GMT -6
David McGrath announced his new position as director of bands at Klein Oak, transferring from Klein Cain after six years. Is this school...5 for him since around 2000? PCEP, Kell, Kennesaw Mountain, Klein Cain, Klein Oak?
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Post by dbalash on May 19, 2023 7:32:16 GMT -6
Just want to extend my congratulations to Steven Pyter, who I recently learned has officially been announced as the new Director of Bands at Marian Catholic High School. We had the fortune of playing one of his original compositions and it was a great exercise to bridge the gap between our younger and more experienced students. Steve is one of the most talented directors in the region and seems like a great fit for that program. Good luck! Edit: Completely forgot about this but I do recall a podcast where Steve interviews Greg Bimm (2014?) podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bandmasters-podcast/id923873966?i=1000319541548 - Wow! Press release from the Catholics:
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Post by hewhowaits on May 19, 2023 7:59:51 GMT -6
If Greg Bimm likes him as a person, he's a great hire.
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Post by dbalash on May 19, 2023 8:14:11 GMT -6
Word is things are shifting around in head band director land at Morton. Agreed. I've had an inkling of this recently. Also, the assistant director position is open. Morton has hired John Gonzalez as the assistant band director.
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Post by weber1492 on May 19, 2023 11:19:29 GMT -6
If Greg Bimm likes him as a person, he's a great hire. I think that he was well received by the kids at Lake Park, so that seems to check out. Yet then he abruptly left. Any idea why?
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Post by ohioguy2 on May 21, 2023 18:11:03 GMT -6
William Mason has announced the appointment of Avious Jackson as Director of Bands beginning in the summer of 2023. Mr. Jackson has served on the band staff at Mason for many years. He will oversee the 6-12 band program, conduct the Wind Symphony, and assist Jason Sleppy with the marching band. Mason has announced that Zach Hinson will be joining the staff full-time at the Mason HS. He has served as one of the directors at Mason MS for the past ten years, and also has been the Woodwind Caption Head for the marching band. He takes Avious Jackson’s position that was opened when Mr. Jackson took over the Director of Bands position last month. It appears as though Mason will be hiring two new MS band directors, one with a percussion background and another that specializes in woodwinds. Mason has hired Michael Reese as one of their new MS directors. He previously taught in the Elida Schools in NW Ohio, and is also one of the directors of ConneXus percussion.
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Post by Allohak on May 21, 2023 19:09:21 GMT -6
Mason has announced that Zach Hinson will be joining the staff full-time at the Mason HS. He has served as one of the directors at Mason MS for the past ten years, and also has been the Woodwind Caption Head for the marching band. He takes Avious Jackson’s position that was opened when Mr. Jackson took over the Director of Bands position last month. It appears as though Mason will be hiring two new MS band directors, one with a percussion background and another that specializes in woodwinds. Mason has hired Michael Reese as one of their new MS directors. He previously taught in the Elida Schools in NW Ohio, and is also one of the directors of ConneXus percussion. They wanted someone with percussion expertise...Mr. Reese certainly meets that criteria
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Post by dbalash on May 23, 2023 12:10:07 GMT -6
Marian Catholic percussion director position is open. Angelo Makropoulos has resigned.
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Post by Marching Observer on May 23, 2023 17:57:53 GMT -6
This is more for the Indiana contingent here but Snider has announced their new Director of Bands. They are happy to welcome their newest hire, Brandon Crabhill.
This very much feels like a life long/legacy hire for many reasons. First, Mr. Crabhill is an Alum of Snider HS. Next, he is fresh out of college, graduating from Fort Wayne's own Purdue Fort Wayne University. Brandon also did all of his student teaching in Fort Wayne, working with one of the Elementary schools, Homestead HS, and finishing it out with student teaching in 2020/1 at Snider. It doesn't look like he has any interest in leaving the area, plus getting the Head Director job at your own Alma Mater seems almost like a dream come true.
So here's wishing him the best of luck. Looks like he will be around for quite a while and that means he can really establish and build a new legacy at Snider once again.
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Post by Subito Fortissimo on May 23, 2023 20:37:59 GMT -6
Wando has hired Dr. Andrew Blair to be their new percussion director/associate director. He is a former high school and middle school band director in NC and received his doctorate degree from the University of Georgia.
On a personal note, I've been acquainted with him in the past (his wife is my high school band director's daughter) and I think this is a great hire for Wando.
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Post by marimba11 on May 23, 2023 20:54:23 GMT -6
David McGrath announced his new position as director of bands at Klein Oak, transferring from Klein Cain after six years. Is this school...5 for him since around 2000? PCEP, Kell, Kennesaw Mountain, Klein Cain, Klein Oak? I think that’s right! Dude gets around the country. Wonder where he’ll end up next Really not sure what to make of this guys career post PCEP. I think Kell was pretty decent, but the decline at Kennesaw Mountain was pretty dramatic (school issues or not).
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Post by vidal28rdg on May 23, 2023 22:45:31 GMT -6
http://instagram.com/p/CsSUVrpMWhg “TC Band, I'm excited to introduce you to your new head band director, Mr. McCann! Brad McCann is humbled and thrilled to be joining the Timber Creek Falcon Band program! Mr. McCann has spent his entire Texas career at James Martin HS in Arlington, TX. Upon arriving in 2011, he began as a private lesson teacher on trombone, euphonium and tuba. He had two students earn All-State honors that year. The following year, he was promoted to 1st Associate where he directed the marching band, 2nd band, and jazz band. In 2015, he assumed the role of Director of Bands and has held that title the last 8 years. During that time, the band program at James Martin has grown 40% to its largest size in school history. The marching band has been a Regional and Super Regional finalist at many Bands of America contests. They have also been an Area B finalist numerous times. The concert bands have earned many division 1 ratings and sweepstakes awards during Concert and Sight-Reading. In 2015, the Wind Ensemble was named a TMEA Honor Band finalist. Mr. McCann has also been the co-conductor of the Martin HS Symphony Orchestra. Under his direction, the ensemble was named a two-time TMEA Honor Full Orchestra (2017 and 2019). Mr. McCann cannot wait to meet everyone very soon and fly with the Falcons!” Bit of a personal one this announcement, my former HS band director is filling in the vacancy at head director for Timber Creek(TX)
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Post by OldSchoolTrumpet on May 24, 2023 6:43:49 GMT -6
This is more for the Indiana contingent here but Snider has announced their new Director of Bands. They are happy to welcome their newest hire, Brandon Crabhill. This very much feels like a life long/legacy hire for many reasons. First, Mr. Crabhill is an Alum of Snider HS. Next, he is fresh out of college, graduating from Fort Wayne's own Purdue Fort Wayne University. Brandon also did all of his student teaching in Fort Wayne, working with one of the Elementary schools, Homestead HS, and finishing it out with student teaching in 2020/1 at Snider. It doesn't look like he has any interest in leaving the area, plus getting the Head Director job at your own Alma Mater seems almost like a dream come true. So here's wishing him the best of luck. Looks like he will be around for quite a while and that means he can really establish and build a new legacy at Snider once again. That's probably a good move for Snider. It has a promise of stability as opposed to the potential of being a revolving door for directors looking to move to other spots. Their longtime previous director, Kevin Klee, was an alum as well. (We were band mates at Snider for a single season in 1976/1977, when he was a Senior. He's an Old School Trumpet just like me.) Best of luck to Mr. Crabhill. If he could bring Snider back to Open class in Indiana, he'd be my hero.
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Post by bandirectorman on May 24, 2023 15:48:32 GMT -6
Is this school...5 for him since around 2000? PCEP, Kell, Kennesaw Mountain, Klein Cain, Klein Oak? I think that’s right! Dude gets around the country. Wonder where he’ll end up next Really not sure what to make of this guys career post PCEP. I think Kell was pretty decent, but the decline at Kennesaw Mountain was pretty dramatic (school issues or not). I think it's pretty cool that so many different schools see value in hiring David. Everyone has their reasons for moving on and, gasp, they don't always involve the actual band program itself. Not everyone is married to their programs like some of the top, iconic dudes who made a particular school's band into their own image (Alfred Watkins, Greg Bimm, Al Castronovo, Wayne Markworth, LJ Hancock, Marty Spitzer, Kevin Ford, Ken Snoeck to name a few). At the end of the day, it's only a band directing slot at a school. No one should be stuck anywhere nor expected to stay for generations. Five years is a good amount of time.
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Post by paddy on May 24, 2023 17:38:03 GMT -6
I’m going to withhold my opinion on Snider’s hire until I hear from random dude who talked to designers who work in DCI (Marching Music’s Major League)…
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Post by madisonscoutslover on May 24, 2023 18:00:25 GMT -6
David McGrath announced his new position as director of bands at Klein Oak, transferring from Klein Cain after six years. Is this school...5 for him since around 2000? PCEP, Kell, Kennesaw Mountain, Klein Cain, Klein Oak? Telling you this as a member of Cain... it is sad to see him go. Tears on all our faces. His reason of leaving is to bring Oak as band back up as they are unhealthy (The many directors they've lost in 11 months' time is shocking). He has done what he needed with us, I just wish he should've stayed longer The only band he wants to see beat Oak is Cain and that possibility is likely. No bias. Oak's director had just resigned on the 8th just the day before our orientation/show reveal (May 9th), which is the same day McGrath was asked to be director at Oak. He had till that Thursday to make a decision. It was on Wednesday that the news was told at the same time (to avoid conflict between schools) during our study halls. As soon as he is done with our show he will be leaving fully. I think he went to meet Oak already; I don't remember. Will these changes affect both Oak and Cain? Yes, but in what ways? The field will hold proof and the answers.
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Post by LeanderMomma on May 27, 2023 6:50:36 GMT -6
Is this school...5 for him since around 2000? PCEP, Kell, Kennesaw Mountain, Klein Cain, Klein Oak? Telling you this as a member of Cain... it is sad to see him go. Tears on all our faces. His reason of leaving is to bring Oak as band back up as they are unhealthy (The many directors they've lost in 11 months' time is shocking). He has done what he needed with us, I just wish he should've stayed longer The only band he wants to see beat Oak is Cain and that possibility is likely. No bias. Oak's director had just resigned on the 8th just the day before our orientation/show reveal (May 9th), which is the same day McGrath was asked to be director at Oak. He had till that Thursday to make a decision. It was on Wednesday that the news was told at the same time (to avoid conflict between schools) during our study halls. As soon as he is done with our show he will be leaving fully. I think he went to meet Oak already; I don't remember. Will these changes affect both Oak and Cain? Yes, but in what ways? The field will hold proof and the answers. 😢
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Post by marimba11 on May 27, 2023 12:13:10 GMT -6
Is this school...5 for him since around 2000? PCEP, Kell, Kennesaw Mountain, Klein Cain, Klein Oak? Telling you this as a member of Cain... it is sad to see him go. Tears on all our faces. His reason of leaving is to bring Oak as band back up as they are unhealthy (The many directors they've lost in 11 months' time is shocking). He has done what he needed with us, I just wish he should've stayed longer The only band he wants to see beat Oak is Cain and that possibility is likely. No bias. Oak's director had just resigned on the 8th just the day before our orientation/show reveal (May 9th), which is the same day McGrath was asked to be director at Oak. He had till that Thursday to make a decision. It was on Wednesday that the news was told at the same time (to avoid conflict between schools) during our study halls. As soon as he is done with our show he will be leaving fully. I think he went to meet Oak already; I don't remember. Will these changes affect both Oak and Cain? Yes, but in what ways? The field will hold proof and the answers. Wow makes sense!
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Post by statechamp1239 on May 27, 2023 16:20:41 GMT -6
The Mighty Lion Band from Lafayette, LA has hired Ronnie Gleason who was the Assistant director of LHS from 2006-2015, and then the head director of Kaplan HS is now to take over Scott Walker position as head director.
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Post by Momof20613 on May 28, 2023 15:12:47 GMT -6
Clint Brown, the head director at Piedmont High School, has stepped down from his position at Piedmont because of health issues and stepped in as an assistant director at Yukon High School. David Craig, the previous assistant band director at Yukon, stepped down to move to Norman Public Schools to be a head middle school director.
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Post by realjsnacks on May 29, 2023 11:42:11 GMT -6
Clint Brown, the head director at Piedmont High School, has stepped down from his position at Piedmont because of health issues and stepped in as an assistant director at Yukon High School. David Craig, the previous assistant band director at Yukon, stepped down to move to Norman Public Schools to be a head middle school director. Brown stepping down makes him the third head director in four years to leave Piedmont, among several other assistant directors coming and going. Really hope this doesn't impact them too much in the coming season.
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Post by Momof20613 on May 30, 2023 16:48:57 GMT -6
Clint Brown, the head director at Piedmont High School, has stepped down from his position at Piedmont because of health issues and stepped in as an assistant director at Yukon High School. David Craig, the previous assistant band director at Yukon, stepped down to move to Norman Public Schools to be a head middle school director. Brown stepping down makes him the third head director in four years to leave Piedmont, among several other assistant directors coming and going. Really hope this doesn't impact them too much in the coming season. He’s only the second head director in a row, because James Rivera, Yukon’s current head, was at Piedmont as the head since 14 or 15 until he left in summer of 22 to go to Yukon.
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Post by realjsnacks on May 31, 2023 14:06:49 GMT -6
Brown stepping down makes him the third head director in four years to leave Piedmont, among several other assistant directors coming and going. Really hope this doesn't impact them too much in the coming season. He’s only the second head director in a row, because James Rivera, Yukon’s current head, was at Piedmont as the head since 14 or 15 until he left in summer of 22 to go to Yukon. Rivera came to Piedmont in 2016 as an assistant director. He became the head in the spring of 2018 after the head director at the time left for a music position in Colorado. Then Brown took over after he left at the end of the 21-22 school year. So my math is a little off, but still, three head directors gone within five years is not good news.
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Post by yayband914 on May 31, 2023 15:41:29 GMT -6
Windermere H.S., FL just got brand new directors, but that's all I know at this point.
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Post by dbalash on May 31, 2023 17:09:05 GMT -6
Windermere H.S., FL just got brand new directors, but that's all I know at this point. The school announced Wednesday, May 31, Marc Kolodinsky as its new band director and Kathrine Rudzik as its new assistant band director. Kolodinsky brings 17 years of band director experience to the Wolverines. He started his career at Deltona High School and also led the programs at Matanzas (Palm Coast) and Oviedo high schools. Most recently, he served as band director at Lyman High School in Longwood. Rudzik comes to Windermere from Conway Middle School and also previously taught at Bridgewater Middle. Parents of band students will have a chance to meet both directors at a Meet and Greet from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at the school. Kolodinsky and Rudzik take the reins following Rob and Lynsey Darragh’s departure.
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