Our Showband Staff

Mike Jewitt holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Calgary and a Graduate Bachelor of Education from Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia. He studied Saxophone under Dr. Jeremy Brown, completed his studies in music education under Malcolm Edwards, Dr. Glenn Price, and with good friend and colleague Jodie Lutherburrow. He has over 16 years of professional musical experience as a music educator, performer.

As an educator, Mike began his career as a K-12 music teacher in Calgary, first at Dr. E. P. Scarlett High School, where he taught jazz, choral, and instrument studies, directing a variety of ensembles to new heights, before going on to teach at École Fairview, a French immersion middle school, where he gained recognition as a staunch advocate of building strong foundations for musical literacy and technique.

As a performer, Mike has played baritone, tenor and alto saxophone in numerous ensembles, ranging from jazz bands to and chamber orchestras. An alumnus of the Central Memorial High School Golden Rams music program, in 1992 he began his marching career with the Bands of Calgary, starting with the Calgary Round-Up Band, progressing steadily through the ranks of the Calgary Stetson Show Band and the Calgary Stampede Showband before finally graduating to the Calgary Stampede’s Band of Outriders.

Drawing upon his many years of experience as a performer/educator, Mike continued his involvement with the Bands of Calgary, joining first the instructional staff for the Round-Up Band, then that of the Stetson Show Band, and, most recently, the Stampede Showband. After three years as the director of the Stetson Show Band and two years as the marching instructor for the Calgary Stampede Showband, Mike was offered and agreed to assume the position of Director of Bands with the Stampede Showband. Since assuming the directorship, Mike has routinely led the Stampede Showband to many honours, including a second-place finish in the WAMSB World Championship Finals, a third-place finish in the WMC’s Show Contest World Division Corps Style Class Contest, named WMC International Marching Champions, and also leading the Showband to six consecutive MACBDA show wins in 2010.

An active and long-time committee member of the Alberta International Band Festivals, an organization that operates under the motto of “Where Young Albertans Learn to Play, and Play to Learn,” Mike was elected to the position of vice-chair, in which capacity he served during its recent 40th anniversary year.

A sought-after guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator of marching bands and orchestras, Mike is frequently invited to regional, provincial, national, and international seminars, clinics, workshops, and competitions in Canada, USA, and Australia.

Trumpet Player, Educator, Youth Development, Band Director

Aaron became involved with the marching bands of Calgary in 1999 as a trumpet player with the Calgary Round-Up Band, after which he marched for two years with the Calgary Stetson Show Band. In the 2002 season Aaron joined the Stampede Showband, and was proud to be a member for 5 years, until aging out in 2006.

Aaron began formally leading and mentoring youth in 2002 at Rockyview Youth, a drop-in style youth program, where he volunteered until 2005. His passion for leadership continued to grow due to his involvement in the Stampede Showband. During the 2006 season with the Showband, Aaron took on the roles of Trumpet Section Leader and Brass Music Captain. For his contributions to the Showband that year, Aaron was awarded the Richardson Cup.

Aaron has been heavily involved teaching with the Bands of Calgary since 2006, teaching brass for the Round-Up Band, Stetsons Showband, and Stampede Showband. Over the past few years Aaron has worked to create the Leadership Program for the Stampede Showband as the Leadership Coordinator. Aaron now works as the Recruiting Coordinator for the Bands of Calgary, Brass Instructor for the Stampede Band, and Band Director for the Calgary Round-Up Band.

Apart from the Bands of Calgary, Aaron has also performed and studied music with several University of Calgary ensembles, including the Symphonic Band, Big Band, and the Brass Choir. Aaron now enjoys performing pop and rock, including performing alongside Calgary artist Michael Bernard Fitzgerald while opening for K-OS, Stars, The Dudes, Hedley, Bedouin Soundclash, Barenaked Ladies, and others. Some venues include Virgin Fest, Folk Fest, and the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Aaron received from the University of Calgary, a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2007, a Bachelor of Education in 2011, and a certificate in Leadership Development in 2011.

Mr. Hagan holds a bachelor of music degree with distinction specializing in secondary music education from the University of Calgary (2004) and a bachelor of education degree from the Master of Teaching Program also from the University of Calgary (2006). Mr. Hagan is currently serving in his 5th year as band and choral director at Western Canada High School where he enjoys working with one of the premier high school music programs in the city of Calgary.

In addition to his music duties at the school, Mr. Hagan is also the Learning Leader for Corporate Partnerships. In 2007 he was nominated for the Edwin Parr Award for outstanding teaching by a first year teacher within the Calgary Board of Education. In 2011 Mr. Hagan was nominated by his students for the Priministers Teaching Excellence Award. Mr. Hagan is currently serving as Chairman of the Alberta International Band Festival Committee where he enjoys collaborating with his music education colleagues from across Alberta.

Jeff began his marching career in 1998 as a member of the Calgary Round Up Band, where he marched for two years as a performing musician and eventually drum major.  The following year, he joined the Calgary Stampede Showband, where he would spend the next five seasons as a member of the brass section.  During his time in the band Jeff was given the roles of section leader and brass captain.  He was also recognized as the most outstanding first year brass member in 2000, and the overall outstanding brass member in 2003.  After the conclusion of his fifth year as a member of the Showband, Jeff went on to march for two summers as a member of the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps.  After his second and final year with the corps, Jeff was awarded the prestigious “Sweet Feet” award given to the most outstanding visual performer.

Jeff began teaching with the Stampede Showband in the fall of 2005, and in 2003 he became an instructor with The Calgary Stetson Show Band. Jeff holds a bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Calgary.

Jeff is currently the Director of Bands at Dr. Gordon Higgins Junior High School.

Ryan began teaching the Calgary Stampede Showband drumline in September of 2008. He taught with the Calgary Round-Up Band from 2007-2009 and again in 2011. Ryan has also acted as percussion coordinator and co-coordinator at the Stetson Show Band from 2009 to present.

Ryan's marching experience includes playing in the drumlines of the Calgary Round-Up Band (1999-2001), the Stetson Showband (2002), Allegiance Elite Drum and Bugle Corps (2005), and the Stampede Showband (2003-2007). In the summer of 2009 Ryan marched in the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps' snare line and was awarded the percussion 'Rookie of the Year' award. Ryan is studying at the University of Calgary working towards a double-degree in Canadian History and International Relations.

Robin Fulbrook is a specialist in pit percussion.  She began her career at age thirteen in the Calgary Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, and then moved on to Calgary's Allegiance Elite.  Over the years she took private percussion lessons.  From 1994-1996 she marched with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps in Santa Clara, California.  There, she won the DCI Percussion Ensemble World Championship in 1995.  Currently, she is "giving back" by teaching and arranging pit percussion music not only with the Calgary Stampede Showband, but with the Bishop Grandin Marching Ghosts as well.

Robin excels at having her students get things done while still having fun.  Her contributions to percussion in Calgary have helped to define what pit percussion is all about.

Robin lives in Calgary with her husband Paul, their three children Alex, Chloe and Elsa.

Trevor began his marching career during the 1999-2000 season with the Bishop Grandin Marching Ghosts. After graduating from High School, Trevor joined the Calgary Stampede Showband in 2002-2003. He spent four seasons as a member of the Showband in the Trombone section. Aging out, winning the Taylor Award and being a member of the leadership team are among his favourite Showband memories.

Trevor began teaching marching with the Calgary Stetson Show Band in 2006-2007. He then joined the Showband marching staff in 2008-2009. This is Trevor’s first season as Marching Coordinator. The Showband marching program has improved every season for many years and the current marching staff strives to continue this tradition of excellence.

Outside the marching world, Trevor graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Marketing. Trevor is recently married and is currently employed as a Marketing Analyst with CCS Midstream Services, an environmental oil service company.

Rochelle began her journey as a member of Allegiance Elite, a drum and bugle corps, in 2000 as a soprano player. In 2001 she decided that standing still was not for her, so pursuing a career in Colourguard would be much better suited for her. Rochelle remained a member of Allegiance Elite through the 2003 season, competing in WGI and DCI tours.

Rochelle joined the Calgary Stampede Showband from 2004 through the 2006 seasons. During these years Rochelle received Outstanding First Year Member for Colourguard (2004), and the Taylor Award (2005). Rochelle achieved Assistant captain (2005) and Guard Captain (2006).

Rochelle marched the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the Santa Clara Vanguard, a Division I Drum & Bugle Corps from Santa Clara, California. At the DCI World Championships they placed 5th in 2007, and 7th in 2008.

Rochelle also was a member of Escalade WG, Calgary in the years 2008, 2009.

Rochelle began her teaching with the Calgary Round-Up Band in 2005 through 2008. She was Colorguard Coordinator with Stetsons Showband in 2009. Rochelle began teaching The Stampede Showband in 2008, and began Coordinating in 2010.

Outside of her marching band life Rochelle is a Registered Nurse working in Internal Medicine/Pulmonary at the Rockyview General Hospital, as well as Mental Health at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Jordan’s connection with the Stampede Showband started back in 1996 where he attended his first marching band competition in Calgary.  After this he joined the Calgary Round-Up Band in the fall of 1997 and started a nine year long career in the marching arts.  After two years with the Calgary Round-Up Band, Jordan spent two years with the Calgary Stetson Showband, the latter of those as Drum Major.  He then continued to march with the Calgary Stampede Showband for three more years, two on euphonium and one on contra.  Following his time spent marching with the Bands of Calgary he moved on to spend two summers (2005 and 2006) marching with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, finishing second and first place respectively at the Drum Corps International World Championships.

Jordan is an active member of the marching community here in Calgary.  As a euphonium player, his musical involvements in the city are numerous.  While attending the University of Calgary he has participated in the Symphonic Band (trombone), University of Calgary Wind Ensemble (euphonium) and numerous other ensembles.  He is currently enrolled at the University of Calgary in Music Education.

As an internationally renowned master instructor, musician and author, Merlin B. Thompson B.Mus., M.A. has given lectures and concerts, conducted workshops and training seminars in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the USA. Currently a PhD candidate at the University of Calgary, Merlin’s research explores the role of authenticity in learning relationships through a body-heart-mind-gut-soul framework. He is thrilled this is his 4th year working with the Showband Leadership Team!!

Ian Hale graduated from the University of Calgary in 2001 with his Bachelor’s Degree in percussion performance where he studied with Dr. Glenn Price. He received his Master’s Degree in percussion performance in 2008 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he studied with Eduardo Leandro and DCI Hall of Fame member Thom Hannum. He has studied marimba with Leigh Howard Stevens, Gordon Stout, and She-e Wu and has participated in masterclasses with several artists including Michael Burritt, Steven Schick, Robert van Sice, and composer David Maslanka. He has participated in numerous professional training workshops including the David Robertson Workshop as part of Carnegie Hall’s Weil Music Institute. He was a member of the music faculty at UMass from 2007-2008.

Ian has enjoyed and continues to enjoy an extensive performance career. He has performed with artists including Kenny Aronoff, Jens Lindemann, Susan Hoeppner, Michael Burritt, Eduardo Leandro, Salvatore Macchia and former member of the famous percussion ensemble NEXUS, the late John Wyre. He has also performed with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra, the Berkshire Symphony Orchestra, Land’s End Chamber Ensemble, William’s College Chamber Players and has recorded for CBC radio and BRAVO! television. He was a finalist at the 2002 Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention multiple-percussion contest, held in Columbus, Ohio, and also received second place at the 2002 Montreal Symphony Orchestra Young Performer’s Competition in Montreal, Canada where he received an additional award for best performance of a Canadian composition. He was a laureate at the 2003 Canadian Music Competition in Calgary, AB, and was a semi-finalist at the 2007 Universal Marimba Competition in Belgium in which over 100 competitors were involved. He has performed at numerous Percussive Arts Society International Conventions and has appeared as part of the Vic Firth concert percussion podcast series.

Ian has worked with many fine marching music ensembles including the Calgary Stampede Showband, the Calgary Stetsons Show Band, the Calgary Round-Up Band, the Central Memorial High School Golden Rams Band, the North Stars Avant-Guard, Spirit of America Band, the Thomas Jefferson High School Band and the Shepard Hill High School Winter Percussion. Ian continues to be heavily involved in the drum and bugle corps activity. He was the percussion caption head and arranger for the Allegiance Elite Drum and Bugle Corps from 2002-2005 and was a member of the percussion staff for the Glassmen, the Magic of Orlando and the Madison Scouts. He is currently in his seventh season as a valued member of the percussion staff for the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps from Fort Mill, SC.

He is endorsed by Vic Firth Inc. and Avedis Zildjian cymbals.

Larry Rebillot has been a teacher, a performer and a judge in all aspects of the arts, especially the pageantry arts for over thirty years. He has served as the Bands of America Color Guard Coordinator as well as organizing many successful fall clinics through the Tri-State Circuit for the Pageantry Arts. He has taught, choreographed and consulted with the Bluecoats, the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands, the University of Nebraska Cornhusker Marching Band, the Northwest Passage Performing Arts, the Pride of Cincinnati Drum Corps & Winter Guard, and Western Carolina University’s "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band.

Michael Klesch is an arranger and clinician for numerous marching bands across the country. In addition to being Musical Director and Brass Arranger for the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps he is staff arranger for both the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band and the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band. Michael was the wind arranger for the Bands of America Honor Band at the 2005 and 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade.

Michael has a long and successful career in the Drum Corps activity as a performer, arranger, and program consultant. He was a performer with the Garfield Cadets and finished out his time there as drum major of the 1983 DCI World Champions. After aging-out in 1983, he then served on the Cadets brass staff in 1984 and as the brass arranger from 1985 to 1992 (World Champions in 1985, ’87, and ’90). Michael has served as an arranger and consultant with the Troopers, Colts, Crossmen, and Phantom Regiment, and also currently works with the Academy and the DCA Connecticut Hurricanes.

Michael’s degrees come from West Chester University, a B.S. in Music Education, and from the University of Massachusetts, a Masters in Music Education. His professional memberships include: M.E.N.C, M.M.E.A, and Phi Delta Kappa. He is an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma as well as Kappa Kappa Psi (of which he was a founding brother of the West Chester University Chapter). Michael resides in Hadley, Massachusetts with his wife, Heather, and their son, Robert.

Jay was born in Chicago, Illinois, and began his musical studies at age 6 with piano and voice lessons. He started trumpet in grade 5, and his marching career began in the dynamic music program at Marian Catholic High School, in Chicago Heights, Illinois.  He attended Northwestern University (B.Mus. Performance, Education) and was an associate member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, training orchestra for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  During his collegiate years he was a member of the Northwestern University Marching Band and spent two summers as soprano soloist with the Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps.  He completed his Master’s degree in May 2000, at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

On the West Coast, Jay was part of the Lyric Brass Quintet (faculty ensemble at Pacific Lutheran University, WA), the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cascade Symphony, and the Vancouver Island Symphony.  In the Fall of 2001, he moved to Calgary to join the Foothills Brass Quintet, a full-time touring brass ensemble, performing hundreds of concerts every year all across North America. As a trumpet soloist, Jay has been featured with Ensemble Noir (Toronto,) Altius Brass and Kensington Sinfonia. He has also been a finalist in major brass competitions including Ellsworth Smith International Trumpet Competition and the Jeju International Brass Competition.

In 2004, Jay began his association with the Calgary Stampede Showband as the Brass Coordinator, and currently is the Summer Program Coordinator. Jay has also worked with the Calgary Stetson Show Band as brass coordinator, Music Director and Band Director and is also the Director of A Band of Outriders. During his tenure, he has completed many arrangements and transcriptions for field show, concert band, and parade for each of the bands.

Steve first entered the Calgary marching band scene in 1992 as a tenor saxophonist with the Bishop Grandin Marching Ghosts.  While a member of the Ghosts he was promoted to Assistant Drum Major in his senior year, and took part in a successful tour to Europe.

Steve joined the Calgary Stampede Showband while still on saxophone for the 1995-96 season, the year the Showband won it's first World Championship.  That same year he also performed and competed with the Stampede WG. The following year, Steve joined the Colour Guard, and, along with the Winter Guard, performed in the program for the next two and a half years.  Through his years in Stampede, Steve captained the guard (1998), and was awarded both the Taylor Award for Colour Guard (1997), and the Richardson Cup (1998).

Steve spent the summer of 1999 marching with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps out of Rosemont, Illinois, placing third at the DCI World Championships.  He continued his performance experience by marching with Escalade WG during the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

Steve began his teaching with the bands of Calgary as the CG coordinator for the Calgary Stetson Showband from 2000 to 2005.  He began teaching with the Stampede Showband in 2001 and is currently in his 8th season teaching with the group.

By day, Steve works in the accounting department of a western Canada supply company.

April LaBine graduated in 2007 from the University of Calgary with a Bachelors of Music Honors degree as a flute major focusing on Secondary Education.  While at the University of Calgary, April was involved with numerous University ensembles and had the opportunity to work with musicians such as Dr. Glen Price, Dr. Mark Hopkins, Dr. Jeremy Brown, and Janos Horvath (voice).  In the spring of 2007, April performed a solo senior recital, and she currently performs with the Alberta Winds (under the direction of Dr. Jeremy Brown) and with flute ensembles around the city.

In the summer of 2006, April traveled to Europe to take flute lessons in Italy with Rafael Trevisani, Andrea Griminelli, Roberto Fabriciani, and Nicola Mazzanti. While in Europe she also attended the WASBE conducting conference in Interlaken, Switzerland, and spent over a month at the Barbara Krakauer School of Music (Academie Musicale Internationale) in Vaison la Romaine, France, where she studied with many professors from around the globe including private lessons from Marie Martinie-Myron of the Paris Conservatoire.  Her principal private flute instructors in Calgary (and the surrounding area) have included Lauren Eselson, Judy Reside, Susan Staples, and Ingrid Crozman.  April has also studied briefly with Lorna McGhee, Gwen Klassen, Elizabeth Godzina (Poland), Sarah Hann and Mary Sullivan.  She has attended many masterclasses with famous flutists including Tim Hutchins, Lorna McGhee, Jim Walker, Peter Lloyd, and Trevor Wye.

Currently, April is pursuing a two-year after degree in the Masters of Teaching program at U of C.  She has been teaching private flute lessons since 2000 to students throughout the Calgary area.  Many of her students have gone on to music degrees around Canada, Germany, and the United States, and participated in and placed high in competitions and in RCM Exams.  Miss LaBine has also been active in the music community in the city by running an after-school band program (music club) at Lycee Louise Pasteur School, and has been a band clinician for various schools around the Calgary area.

During the 2006-2007 school year April volunteered as a teacher's assistant at Forest Lawn High School with their Grade 10 Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Band.  In February 2007, she joined the staff of the Calgary Stetson Show Band as their flute instructor/technician, and continues to be active in the band community in her first year as flute choir instructor for the Stampede Showband.

Saxophonist Stephen Lewis (b.1987) has been well established as a performer of classical and contemporary music for the saxophone. Starting out on saxophone as a student of saxophonist and music educator Brendan Hagan, he later completed a Bachelor of Music degree in performance with Wendell Clanton at the University of Victoria, BC (2009), and a Master of Music degree (performance) at the University of Alberta with Dr. William Street (University of Alberta). Mr. Lewis has had the privilege of working with luminaries of the instrument including Jean-Marie Londeix, John Sampen, Otis Murphy, Eugene Rousseau, Jeremy Brown, and Lynne Greenwood. Stephen also had the opportunity to work with Claude Delangle, Arno Bornkamp, Vincent David, Jean-Denis Michat, Julien Petit, and others in the summer of 2008 at the Université Européenne de Saxophone in Gap, France.

He was the soprano saxophonist in the Elise Hall Saxophone Quartet and was also a member of the University of Victoria Wind Symphony for four years. In 2008, he was a winner of the University of Victoria Concerto Competition, was a finalist in the Victoria Symphony Young Artists’ Concerto Competition, and was a finalist in the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Competition (2006). He is a two-time winner of the University of Alberta Concerto Competition and performed Tomasi's Concerto for Saxophone with the U of A Symphonic Wind Ensemble in the Winspear Centre (March 2010), and Glazunov's Concerto with the U of A Symphony Orchestra. Stephen has performed as a guest artist with the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra (2008), Sidney Classical Orchestra (June 2008), and performed with the University of Victoria Orchestra in 2009. He has won numerous scholarships and awards in music festivals including the Goodwin Memorial Medal for most outstanding saxophone performance in the Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival. In 2003, he received first class honours for Grade 9 Saxophone (Royal Conservatory of Music- Toronto) as well as a silver medal for the highest mark in the province on saxophone (Alberta). He performs regularly as a soloist and chamber musician, and has performed solo works throughout Canada, the United States, France, and Thailand (Bangkok).
 

Jordan’s connection with the Stampede Showband started back in 1996 where he attended his first marching band competition in Calgary.  After this he joined the Calgary Round-Up Band in the fall of 1997 and started a nine year long career in the marching arts.  After two years with the Calgary Round-Up Band, Jordan spent two years with the Calgary Stetson Showband, the latter of those as Drum Major.  He then continued to march with the Calgary Stampede Showband for three more years, two on euphonium and one on contra.  Following his time spent marching with the Bands of Calgary he moved on to spend two summers (2005 and 2006) marching with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, finishing second and first place respectively at the Drum Corps International World Championships.

Jordan is an active member of the marching community here in Calgary.  As a euphonium player, his musical involvements in the city are numerous.  While attending the University of Calgary he has participated in the Symphonic Band (trombone), University of Calgary Wind Ensemble (euphonium) and numerous other ensembles.  He is currently enrolled at the University of Calgary in Music Education.

Colin McNutt has instructed and arranged for the Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps, and the popular stage production, Blast! He has also written for and instructed the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps, Magic of Orlando and the Madison Scouts.

Colin has served on the faculty of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he is an alumnus and received degrees in Classics and Music Education. Currently, he is the Percussion Caption Supervisor for the 9 time DCI World Champion Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps.

Gino Cipriani holds the position of the Brass Caption Supervisor for the nine-time World Champion Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. He led the brass program to its World Champion brass titles in 2000 and 2005. 

Cipriani received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Instrumental Education from the University of Mississippi. As a student at Ole Miss, he studied trumpet performance under the guidance of Dr. Charles Gates. Gino also had the great pleasure of studying trumpet under Roy Poper when he attended California State University at North Ridge.

Cipriani has served as a consultant to marching bands, jazz bands, concert bands as well as drum and bugle corps across the United States, Canada and Korea. In Korea, he had the pleasure of working with the Korean Armed Forces Bands in preparation of the World Cup Ceremonies in 2002. In addition, Cipriani serves as an adjudicator at marching band competitions throughout the country for US Scholastic Band Association.

Cipriani spent 10 years, 1990 through 1999, as a brass instructor for the 10-time World Champion Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. He then took the position as brass supervisor for the nine-time World Champion Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2000 and 2001 season. In 2002 and 2003 Cipriani had the honor to serve as the brass caption head and assisted in bringing Magic of Orlando back to the field as a finalist after two years of inactivity.

In 2004, he held the brass caption head position for the six-time World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps. From 2001 to 2004, headed and consulted for the brass section of the five-time DCA champion Syracuse Brigadiers. In 2007, he took the position of brass caption head of the five-time DCA champion Reading Buccaneers.

T. André Feagin is Assistant Professor of Music, Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Texas at El Paso. His duties include conducting the Symphony Band and The Chamber Players. In addition he directs the Sound of the Southwest Marching Miner Band and the Miner Basketball Pep Bands.

Professor Feagin holds a master of music degree in instrumental wind conducting from the University of Memphis and a bachelor of music degree in performance. He is currently pursuing the doctorate of musical arts degree in wind conducting from the University of North Texas. He is a recipient of the Golden Apple Teacher award and has taught in the public schools of Tennessee, Texas, and California. As a conductor, he has made appearances across the United States and made his professional conducting debut with the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America. His mentors include Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Dennis W. Fisher, Kraig A. Williams, James Gholson, Denise Gainey and Steve Cohen. He continues to be in high demand as a guest conductor and travels regularly as a clinician and lecturer throughout the United States. He has been a recording production assistant for the GIA Windworks series and is a contributing author in the eighth volume of the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series.

Professor Feagin is also an active program coordinator, adjudicator, clinician and music arranger for some of the countries finest high school, drum corps and university band programs. He is in his third year on staff with the United States Army All-American Band with MENC. In addition, he serves as wind master of the Spirit of America Band from Orleans, MA. Active in the drum corps activity, Professor Feagin has worked at Carolina Crown (Fort Mill, SC), Memphis Sound (Memphis, TN), and most recently the Santa Clara Vanguard (Santa Clara, CA). Professor Feagin served these organizations in many capacities including brass staff/program coordinator, executive director and brass caption manager. In addition to winning the visual, high brass and percussion captions with Memphis Sound in 2007, Drum Corps International named him Division III Director of the year. He is a former four-year conductor of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and a past recipient of the Drum Corps International Jim Jones Leadership Award.

Professor Feagin’s professional memberships include the Music Educators National Association, Texas Music Educators Association, College Band Directors National Association and an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.