Getting a new band director is strange. I get it. It's not like you're just getting a new teacher. Band is more than just a class; it's a family. Adding someone to a family is weird, especially when it's the leader of the family. However, I hope that after a short time, it'll be like we've known each other for years. That's the point of this post! I thought I'd tell you a little bit about myself, and when we meet each other, you can do the same! So here it is!
I was raised in the small town of Salem, MO, just a little under two hours northeast of Hartville. My parents' names are Jim and Lisa, and I have one younger sister named Emily. An interesting fact about my family is that, while my immediate family is pretty small, my extended family is HUGE. I have 49 first cousins and 30-something second cousins. Our Christmases are crazy. :) As a child, I liked to sing, but I never had the chance to learn any instruments until 6th grade, when I joined band and started learning how the clarinet worked. However, I didn't really put together the fact that practicing and sounding good go together until 8th grade. When I finally started putting time and effort into music, I discovered that I could actually get pretty good! I began auditioning for district and conference honor bands and took solos and small ensembles to MSHSAA contests. By the time I finished my junior year of high school, I had attained a "I" rating at state and 1st chair in the District Honor Band! I found out that I really loved marching band I was also the alto section leader in my school's Chamber Choir and participated in various honor choirs throughout my junior and senior years.
After high school, I decided to attend Evangel University in Springfield, MO to pursue a degree in music education. During my four years there, I had so much fun being a part of their fantastic music department. I was a member of many ensembles there, including the EU Chorale, Marching Band (Clarinet Section Leader), Symphonic Band, and Concert Orchestra (Principal Clarinetist). The last ensemble I mentioned, the Concert Orchestra, was a touring group through which I was able to visit 7 countries and over 20 of the States playing music! I guarantee I'll be telling quite a few stories about those experiences this year.
A few more random facts about me:
I was raised in the small town of Salem, MO, just a little under two hours northeast of Hartville. My parents' names are Jim and Lisa, and I have one younger sister named Emily. An interesting fact about my family is that, while my immediate family is pretty small, my extended family is HUGE. I have 49 first cousins and 30-something second cousins. Our Christmases are crazy. :) As a child, I liked to sing, but I never had the chance to learn any instruments until 6th grade, when I joined band and started learning how the clarinet worked. However, I didn't really put together the fact that practicing and sounding good go together until 8th grade. When I finally started putting time and effort into music, I discovered that I could actually get pretty good! I began auditioning for district and conference honor bands and took solos and small ensembles to MSHSAA contests. By the time I finished my junior year of high school, I had attained a "I" rating at state and 1st chair in the District Honor Band! I found out that I really loved marching band I was also the alto section leader in my school's Chamber Choir and participated in various honor choirs throughout my junior and senior years.
After high school, I decided to attend Evangel University in Springfield, MO to pursue a degree in music education. During my four years there, I had so much fun being a part of their fantastic music department. I was a member of many ensembles there, including the EU Chorale, Marching Band (Clarinet Section Leader), Symphonic Band, and Concert Orchestra (Principal Clarinetist). The last ensemble I mentioned, the Concert Orchestra, was a touring group through which I was able to visit 7 countries and over 20 of the States playing music! I guarantee I'll be telling quite a few stories about those experiences this year.
A few more random facts about me:
- Coffee is my best friend.
- I'm decent at playing the guitar.
- My favorite artists are (in no particular order): The Civil Wars, Pentatonix, Jimmy Needham, Needtobreathe, Relient K, Ben Rector, Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Johnnyswim, Michael Buble, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and Bethel Music.
- I LOVE jazz music!
- Chocolate is also my best friend.
- Books are great.
- Red is my favorite color, but blue is a close second.
- I'm so excited about this year!!! :)