V A N D E G R I F T H I G H S C H O O L W I N D E N S E M B L E
M I K E H OWA R D director
K AT I E VA N D O R E N
KYLE NORRIS
AS S O C I AT E D I R ECTO R
AS S O C I AT E D I R ECTO R
JOE HOBBS
K AT I E H O PK I N S
PERCUSSION DIR ECTOR
VIS ION DANCE CO. D I R ECTO R
R I C H A R D FLOY D GUEST CONDUCTOR
LT. CO L . J A S O N F E T T I G
GUEST CONDUCTOR
JENS LINDEMANN GUEST ARTIST
TH E
M I DWES T
CLI N I C
an i nte r nati onal ban d an d o rch es tr a con fe r e nce
F R I D A Y , D E C E M B E R 17, 2 0 2 1 375 E M C C O R M I C K P L AC E W ES T
5:30 PM
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
D E C E M B E R 15 -18 , 2 0 21
2 0 21- 2 0 2 2 VA N D E G R I F T H I G
GH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE
ABOUT LEANDER ISD
T
he Leander Independent School District, located approximately 25 miles northwest of Austin, Texas, encompasses nearly 200 square miles and has campuses sited within the cities of Leander, Cedar Park, Jonestown, Georgetown, Round Rock, and Austin. This dynamic school district is one of the fastest growing school districts in Texas, serving an enrollment of over 42,000 students with 44 campuses and auxiliary facilities, while maintaining standards of excellence throughout the system. The Leander ISD Vision is that every student is encouraged, supported, and challenged to achieve the highest levels of knowledge, skills, and character. Every LISD graduate is prepared with the knowledge, academic foundation, and life skills to be a productive learner, an effective communicator, and a responsible citizen, in order to be successful in an ever-changing world.
ABOUT VAN D EG R I F T H I G H S CH OO L
V
andegrift High School (VHS) was established in 2009, and had its first graduating class in 2012. It has been recognized as an academically rigorous and competitive school, which has been ranked for the past four consecutive years in the US News and World Report’s Best High Schools. Vandegrift students boast exceptional academic, athletic, and fine art performances at the regional, state, national, and global levels. Additionally, many of our students are actively involved in the numerous extra-curricular activities and organizations offered here at Vandegrift High School and in the wider Austin Community, creating a culture of cooperation, innovation, and philanthropy. There are currently about 2,700 students enrolled at Vandegrift HS, and every year the school is getting larger!
PR OGR AM SY M P H O N I E FA N TAS T I Q U E , I V. M A R C H T O T H E S C A F F O L D R WS M u s i c C o m p a ny (2 0 21)
HECTOR BERLIOZ T R A N S C . E VA N VA N D O R E N G ra d e 5
S O F T LY S P E A K S T H E N I G H T C a r l Fi s h e r M u s i c (2 0 21)
CAROL BRITTIN CHAMBERS G ra d e 1
M O L LY O N T H E S H O R E S o u t h e r n M u s i c P u b l i s h i n g (19 98)
PERCY GRAINGER G ra d e 5
R I CHA R D FLOYD, GU ES T CO N D UCTO R
PINE RIDGE R AG E i g ht h N ote P u b l i c a t i o n s (2 019)
N E I L H U N T E R /A R R . D AV I D M A R L A T T G ra d e 2
KYLE NORRIS, CONDUCTOR
C A R I B A N A W O R L D P R E M I E R E T h o m a s M u s i c (2 0 21)
OMAR THOMAS G ra d e 6
A MOTHER ’S HYMN R WS M u s i c C o m p a ny (2 0 21)
R O B E R T W. S M I T H G ra d e 3
L E T M E B E F R A N K W I T H Y O U W O R L D P R E M I E R E O s t i M u s i c (2 0 21)
JOHN MACKEY G ra d e 4
K AT I E VA N D O R E N , C O N D U C TO R
YO U ’L L N E V E R WA LK A LO N E Manuscript (2021)
R O G E R S & H A M M E R S T E I N/C H R I S WA L D E N A R R . E VA N VA N D O R E N
G ra d e 3
JENS LINDEMANN, TRUMPET SOLOIST
SEMPER FIDELIS C a r l Fi sc h e r (18 8 8)
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA G ra d e 3
LT. C O L . JA S O N F E T T I G, G U E S T C O N D U CTO R
ACTS OF CONGRESS F o r n i n e M u s i c (2 0 2 0)
R YA N G E O R G E G ra d e 5 I. T h e B a t s o f La d y b i rd I V. W i l l i e fo r P re s i d e nt
SY M P H O N I E FA N TAS T I Q U E , I V. M A R C H T O T H E S C A F F O L D
H E C TO R B E R L I OZ / T R A N S C . E VA N VA N D O R E N RWS Music Company (2021), Grade 5 Symphony Fantastique is among Hector Berlioz’s earliest and most prominent works. A young composer in Paris, Berlioz became love-struck with an actress, Harriet Smithson, whom he saw perform the role of Ophelia in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. However, despite his numerous outreaches, Smithson departed Paris, spurning Berlioz and unknowingly inspiring a now cherished piece of the classical repertoire. Inspired and somewhat challenged by the influence of Beethoven, Berlioz grappled early in his career to reconcile the musical conventions of the time (early 1800’s Paris) with his own proclivity for passionate expression, lengthy and numerous melodies, and the unexpected. Within this symphony, the influence of German romanticism is clearly prevalent. A programmatic musical melodrama, Berlioz tells the story of a musician’s experience with unrequited love. Or, as he describes it: A young musician of morbid sensitivity and ardent imagination poisons himself with opium in a moment of despair caused by frustrated love. The dose of narcotic, while too weak to cause his death, plunges him into a heavy sleep accompanied by the strangest of visions, in which his experiences, feelings and memories are translated in his feverish brain into musical thoughts and images. His beloved becomes for him a melody and like an idée fixe (“fixed idea”) which he meets and hears everywhere. The fourth movement, “March to the Scaffold,” was repurposed from an unfinished opera, Les francs-juges and is said to have been written within a single evening. As Berlioz describes: He dreams that he has killed his beloved, that he is condemned to death and led to execution. The procession advances to the sound of a march that is sometimes somber and wild, and sometimes brilliant and solemn, in which a dull sound of heavy footsteps follows without transition the loudest outbursts. At the end, the idée fixe reappears for a moment like a final thought of love interrupted by the fatal blow. A N OT E F R O M T H E D I R E CTO R : T h i s t ra n s c r i pt i o n , w r i t te n by Au s t i n c o m p o s e r Eva n Va n D o re n , wa s c o m p l ete d i n c o l l a b o ra t i o n w i t h t h e Va n d e g r i f t H S W i n d E n s e m b l e. T h i s i s t h e p re m i e re p e r fo rm a n c e o f t h i s t ra n s c r i pt i o n a n d e d i t i o n o f " M a rc h to t h e S c a f fo l d."
S O F T L Y S P E A K S T H E N I G H T CAROL BRITTIN CHAMBERS Carl Fischer Music (2021), Grade 1 A soft hush begins to fall over the land. The busy chatter of the day gradually calms and quiets. Light loses its strength as day approaches its end and night settles in. Softly Speaks the Night is the perfect piece for teaching younger bands to play expressively. With graceful, lyrical melodies and countermelodies throughout, young performers can begin to learn more mature musical concepts such as smooth slurring, carrying notes to full value, and listening across the ensemble. An ideal contrast to livelier, energetic selections, Softly Speaks the Night will make for a thoughtful, tender moment in any concert program.
M O L L Y O N T H E S H O R E PERCY GRAINGER Southern Music Publishing (1998), Grade 5 Richard Floyd, Guest Conductor Molly on the Shore was originally published as a set with Colonial Song (1921). Like many of Grainger’s works, Molly on the Shore was set for a variety of instrumentations, and the wind version was certainly not the first. Grainger originally wrote Molly on the Shore in a 1907 string setting as a birthday gift for his mother. In setting Molly on the Shore I strove to imbue the accompanying parts that made up the harmonic texture with a melodic character not too unlike that of the underlying reel tune. Melody seems to me to provide music with an initiative, whereas rhythm appears to me to exert an enslaving influence. For that reason I have tried to avoid rhythmic domination in my music — always excepting irregular rhythms, such as those of Gregorian Chant, which seem to me to make for freedom. Equally with melody I prize discordant harmony, because of the emotional and compassionate sway it exerts…. One of the reasons why things of mine like Molly on the Shore and Shepherd’s Hey are good is because there is so little gaiety and fun in them. While other composers would have ben jolly in setting such dance tunes, I have been sad or furious. My dance settings are energetic rather than gay. Percy Grainger
PINE RIDGE R AG
N E I L H U N T E R /A R R . D AV I D M A R L A T T Eighth Note Publications (2019), Grade 2 Kyle Norris, Conductor The rag, popularized by Scott Joplin and others of his time, is a musical form still enjoyed by the audiences of today. Neil Hunter has cleverly captured the spirit, rhythm and color of the rag in Pine Ridge Rag. Written as the signature piece for the composer, David Marlatt’s, brass quintet, the Pine Ridge Rag features each member of the ensemble in a jaunty ragtime setting. Technically accessible to high-school level players, it is a light-hearted addition to any program.
WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMANCE, C O M M I S S I O N E D I N C E L E B R AT I O N O F T H E 75 T H M I D W E S T C L I N I C OMAR THOMAS Thomas Music (2021), Grade 6 Named after the largest Caribbean carnival in North America outside of the Caribbean (held annually in Toronto and now called “Toronto Caribbean Carnival”), Caribana is my attempt to bring the Calypso music originated on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago to the large ensemble symphonic music stage. Through this music originated on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, they have become cultural staples of all Caribbean nations, with singers and songwriters from various countries adding to the rich tapestry of the tradition Driven by layers of rhythmic percussion (known as “the engine room”), Caribana seeks to the recreate the experience of immersion in the carnival experience — from the elaborate beaded, feathered, and shimmering costumes, to the flatbed 18-wheeler trucks blasting Soca and Calypso through their massive speaker systems, followed by people dancing shoulder-to-shoulder to the driving and infectious music, waving flags of their respective Caribbean nations in perfect rhythm to the driving and infectious music. This piece gives you a bird’s eye view of the festivities, swoops in and darts about, taking in individual scenes and sights, immersing you in the pulsing chaos of the moment, and finally making you one with the electrified crowd of revelers as you follow the music down the parade route. As a proud son of parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and ancestors born in the Caribbean nation of Guyana, South America, Calypso and Soca form many of my earliest and most endearing musical memories. There is not a family gathering I can recall that wasn’t (loudly) underscored by this music, be it a cookout, a holiday, a wedding, a repast, Saturday morning house cleaning, or car rides to and from Brooklyn. The creation of this work is the realization of a years-long dream to hear this music brought to the symphonic concert stage in a way that is authentic, and that integrates our musical cultural language with the idioms of the symphonic concert genre. This piece is lovingly dedicated to my family and to the ancestors. Wave yuh flag! Omar Thomas
A MOTHER ’S HYMN R O B E R T W. S M I T H RWS Music Company (2021), Grade 3
Simple, poignant and beautiful, A Mother’s Hymn is based on an old Swedish melody also known as How Great Thou Art. Composer Robert W. Smith writes: As I was growing up in the deep south of the United States, I was greatly impacted by my mother and grandmother and their love of hymns. This melody was my mother’s favorite, and I performed it regularly both at home and in the church. I cherish the memories of playing this beautiful hymn on trumpet accompanied by my grandmother on the organ or piano. I particularly enjoyed the interpretive freedom my grandmother gave me during the performance while she followed me with each nuanced phrase. I created this setting in honor of my mother Grazia W. Smith and mothers everywhere. Robert W. Smith A N OT E F R O M T H E D I R E CTO R : The performance of this piece is dedicated to the Vandegrift High School Wind Ensemble Senior Class of 2021. These students were instrumental in the ensemble’s ability to be selected for performance at the Midwest Clinic, but were not able to perform in Chicago due to COVID. The Vandegrift High School community is proud of how these students persevered through a difficult senior year. Congratulations to our Class of 2021!
P R O G R A M N OT ES
CARIBANA
P R O G R A M N OT ES
LE T M E B E FR ANK WITH YOU WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMANCE JOHN MACKEY Osti Music (2021), Grade 4 Katie VanDoren, Conductor In the summer of 2020, in the midst of COVID, I desperately felt like I needed to write something joyful. So I started writing, and after about 24 measures, I had this terrible feeling — not uncommon for composers — that maybe this piece I was writing had already been written. And in this case, I feared that I had just plagiarized Frank Ticheli. I sent the opening to Frank, who was incredibly gracious in his response. He said that he had NOT written this tune — although it’s clear to anyone that he could have. This is a Ticheli-esque tune if ever I had written one! It turns out that if I think “let’s write 3 minutes of joyful fun,” my brain jumps to “you mean Ticheli but with an excessive amount of snare drum and a few extra “wrong” notes. Thank you, Frank Ticheli — to whom this piece is dedicated — for his inspiration. John Mackey
Y O U ’ L L N E V E R W A L K A L O N E FE AT U R I N G T R U M PE T S O LO I ST J EN S L I N D EM A N N , U C L A T R U M PE T P R O FES S O R R O D G E R S A N D H A M M E R S T E I N /A R R . C H R I S W A L D E N S E T T I N G BY E VA N VA N D O R E N Manuscript (2021), Grade 3 Dedicated to the Students and Staff of the Andrews High School Band and Waukesha South High School Band On behalf of the Midwest Clinic Board of Directors and the Vandegrift High School Wind Ensemble, this performance of "You’ll Never Walk Alone" is dedicated to the students, staff and communities of the Andrews High School Band from Andrews, Texas, and the Waukesha South High School Band from Waukesha, Wisconsin. Both programs have dealt with recent tragedies that have profoundly impacted their band communities. The performers and attendees of the Midwest Clinic stand alongside these programs. Many know "You’ll Never Walk Alone" as the emotional peak of Act II in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel. But in the 75 years since the number was first heard on Broadway, it has blossomed into a global anthem that strikes a strong chord during tough times. In recent weeks, it has come to embody the resilience and solidarity demonstrated by the Andrews High School and Waukesha South High School Bands in this difficult time. In memory of those lost and to all impacted by these tragic occurrences, may you never walk alone. A N OT E F R O M T H E D I R E CTO R : This arrangement of "You’ll Never Walk Alone," written by Chris Walden, was written for and dedicated to trumpet legend Ryan Anthony. Mr. Anthony gave inspiration and hope to students and musicians all over the world. The Vandegrift Wind Ensemble directors and students are proud to perform this work alongside one of Mr. Anthony’s close friends, Jens Lindemann. A large amount of gratitude also extends to Mr. Walden making this setting available as well as Mr. VanDoren who adapted it for Wind Ensemble. In a year that has provided so much hardship, Ryan Anthony’s sense of spirited optimism is a model for all.
SEMPER FIDELIS
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA Carl Fischer (1888), Grade 3 Lt. Col. Jason Fettig, Director, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band It has always been safe to assume John Philip Sousa considered, “The Stars and Stripes Forever” his best march. Indeed, newspaper men, when interviewing Sousa, would often reiterate this same opinion, but Sousa would be quick to correct them. “Semper Fidelis,” NOT “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” was what the March King considered to be his best march. First sketched in Washington on October 7, 1887, it was Sousa’s intention that “Semper Fidelis” be used out of doors instead of “Hail to the Chief.” He had already composed and was playing his pompous “Presidential Polonaise” for President Chester Arthur, who found “Hail to the Chief” (a Scottish boating on) an unsuitable air for a president. Named in honor of the motto of his beloved United States Marine Corps, "Semper Fidelis" ("Always Faithful") has always enjoyed the distinction of being one of the most popular and recognizable of Sousa’s marches. Long a favorite of European bands and orchestras, “Semper Fidelis” was even reported to be Kaiser Wilhelm’s favorite march. Sousa often related the story that he had written the march one evening “while in tears, after my comrades of the Marine Corps had sung their famous hymn.” Written in vigorous regimental style, Sousa described the first performance of the march for Musical America in 1910: We were marching down Pennsylvania Avenue, and had turned the corner at the Treasury Building. On the reviewing stand were President Harrison, many members of the diplomatic corps, a large part of the House and Senate, and an immense number of invited guests besides. I had so timed out playing of the march that the ‘trumpet’ theme would be heard for the first time, just as we got to the front of the reviewing stand. Suddenly ten extra trumpets were shot in the air, and the ‘theme’ was pealed out in unison. Nothing like it had ever been heard there before – when the great throng on the stand had recovered from its surprise, it rose in a body, and led by the President himself, showed its pleasure in a mighty swell of applause. It was a proud moment for us all. A N OT E F R O M T H E D I R E CTO R : This performance of "Semper Fidelis" is dedicated to our namesake, 1st Lt. Matthew Ryan Vandegrift. 1st Lt. Vandegrift, a United States Marine, was killed in the line of duty in Iraq in April of 2008. Lt. Vandegrift is described by his former LISD Teachers as a student who demonstrated the highest character and showed devotion to serving others, which is demonstrated by his enlistment into the US Marine Corps. The students of the Vandegrift HS Wind Ensemble are proud to carry on his legacy of strong character and service to others. We are honored to have the Director of the "President’s Own" United States Marine Band, Col. Jason Fettig, lead the band on this performance of "Semper Fidelis," the official march of the US Marine Corps.
A C T S O F C O N G R E S S R YA N G E O R G E Fornine Music (2020), Grade 5
Congress Avenue strikes north up from the feet of Austin, Texas. It then crosses over Lady Bird Lake splitting downtown in half before coming to a rest in the lap of the Texas State Capital building. The stretch of the avenue south of the lake, known as South Congress, is lined with shops, taco bars, hotels, tattoo parlors, live-music venues, and restaurants. It is a main artery of the city and serves as a cultural nerve center for all things Austin. In the 17 years that my family and I have lived here this street has become a favorite jaunt of ours. And though this place has grown and evolved rapidly over the years the charm, soul, and uniqueness found in its roots still holt true…for the time being anyway. It is in the occurrences, locations, graffiti, and wall art located along Congress Avenue that this suite finds its inspiration. I. The Bats of Ladybird Hovering over Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin is the Congress Avenue Bridge. From March to early October, this bridge becomes home to the largest urban bat colony in North America due to it’s unique honeycomb underbelly that is the perfect size for the 1.5 million Mexican Free-Tailed bats to reside in every year. Around twilight these bats slowly begin to stir and awake from their midday slumber. What starts as a slow trickle eventually turns into a flood as hundreds of thousands of bats stream from their nests out into the night sky to feed on roughly 15 tons of central Texas insets. To the many locals and tourists who witness this exodus, it is one of nature’s most impressive spectacles. This movements imagines a young bat, who finds themselves caught up in the pageantry, chase, and excitement of this nightly ritual. In a nod to the bat’s origins this piece pulls some form rhythms and colors found in Mexican folk music. IV. Willie for President In 1991 Austin was dubbed the “Live Music Capital of the World” after it was discovered that it had more live music venues per-capita than anywhere else in the nation. While the city’s growth has altered that statistic over the years, the moniker has stuck around due to the city’s voracious appetite for all things music. Willie for President is a mural painted on the side of a clothing store that pays homage to the patron saint of Austin’s music scene, Willie Nelson. This final movement tips-the-hat to Nelson as well as other “outlaw” rockers and singers like Stevie Ray Vaughn, Janice Joplin, and Gary Clark Jr. who have lived here and graced Austin stages over the last several decades. It also draws on the energy and passion I’ve experienced over the years following my wife around as she helps produce the massive Austin City Limits Music Festival here every fall. This movement is dedicated to her. Ryan George
Vandegrift High School “Second to None”
September 13, 2021 To Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. On behalf of the staff and students Vandegrift High School and the Leander Independent School District, we are honored to be represented by our Vandegrift Band at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. As one of the most renowned music conventions in the country, it is a privilege for our directors and students to be included in your December performance. Vandegrift High School as established in 2009 and is named in honor of Lt. Matthew Ryan Vandegrift, a Leander High School honors graduate (Class of 1999) and athlete – who was killed in Iraq in April 2008. He graduated from Texas A&M University with Honors and a degree in International Business, before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in August 2005. He was killed just four days past his 28th birthday. Like many of our band students, Matthew grew up in the Steiner Ranch subdivision — very near our high school. He was an honor graduate at both the high school and college level, and a fierce competitor who participated in numerous extracurricular activities. Matthew always demonstrated the highest character, plus a devotion to service demonstrated by the fact that he volunteered to defend the ideals of our great nation. When we opened the school, Head Director, Michael Howard and his staff made a personal commitment to creating and supporting a band that would honor Matthew’s sacrifice in every aspect of the program. With every performance, our Viper Band honors his legacy by upholding the highest standards for themselves. I know you will enjoy their contribution and performance at your clinic, and I hope you have the opportunity to talk to the students about what Vandegrift means to them. I thank you for allowing our school the opportunity to showcase our talented students through their performance. We are extremely proud of the Vandegrift Band. Our students and their directors have invested a tremendous amount of time and energy into creating a truly world-class experience for our students. Sincerely
Charlie Little Principal
Vandegrift High School 9500 McNeil Drive , Austin, 78750
Campus Phone: (512) 570-2300
http://vhs.leanderisd.org
Fax Number: (512) 570-1606
CHARLIE LITTLE
P E T E R WA R S H AW
VA N D E G R I F T H I G H S C H O O L P R I N C I PA L
LEANDER ISD FINE ARTS DIR ECTOR
October 1, 2021
To the Midwest Clinic: What an inspiration to see students embrace and celebrate the Arts! The renowned Midwest Clinic is a remarkable opportunity for students to grow their love of musical performance and improve their skills. We are all fortunate to enjoy the fruits from this learning experience. The communities that support our band students at Leander High School, Vandegrift High School and Stiles Middle School can be rightly proud of the high standards to which these dedicated students are held. These formative experiences -the friendships and life lessons taught along the way - are the true rewards of this incredible opportunity. I am tremendously grateful for the time and dedication of our band directors, Robert Selaiden (Leander HS), Mike Howard (Vandegrift HS), and Darcy Williams (Stiles MS), who represent Leander ISD life changers and lead the charge of excellence in their respective fields. It takes a community and a Leander ISD family to continue these endeavors so it is with great pleasure that I thank and commend the Midwest Clinic musicians for their outstanding performances as well as their collaborators, directors and clinicians for establishing a creative space that nurtures artistic talent and so much more. Sincerely,
JtUAt�
Trish Bode President, Board of Trustees
DR. BRUCE GEARING
TRISH BODE
LEANDER ISD SUPERINTENDENT
P R ES I D EN T, L E A N D ER I S D BOARD OF TRUSTEES
LEANDER ISD HONOR GROUPS
T E X A S M U S I C E D U C AT O R A S S O C I AT I O N I N V I T E D C H O I R S
W E S T E R N I N T E R N AT I O N A L B A N D C L I N I C P E R F O R M A N C E S
CANYON RIDGE MS TREBLE/BASS CHOIR, 2021 – COURTNEY KELLY
C E D A R PA R K H S S A X O P H O N E E N S E M B L E , 2 0 21 – C H R I S Y E E
C EDA R PA R K M S T R EB L E C H O I R, 2 0 2 0 – K A R A K A S B ER G
R UN NING B R USHY MS SYM PHONIC BAN D, 2018 – VAN R OBISON
C EDA R PA R K H S M I X ED C H O I R, 2 018 – L I S A H O LT
R O U S E H S W I N D E N S E M B L E , 2 015 – L E E C R O C H E T
C A N YO N R I D G E M S T R EB L E C H O I R, 2 017 – CO U R T N E Y K EL LY
L E A N D E R H S W I N D E N S E M B L E , 2 014 – N I L S G U N D E R S E N
VA N D E G R I F T H S WO M EN ’S C H O I R, 2 016 – M I C H A EL F ER I S
H E N R Y M S H O N O R S B A N D , 2 013 – R O B E R T H E R R I N G S
V I STA R I D G E H S M I X ED C H O I R, 2 014 – ST E V E W H I T E
W I L E Y M S H O N O R S B A N D , 2 0 12 – G A R L A N D C H I A S S O N
H EN R Y M S T R EB L E C H O I R, 2 012 – M I C H EL L E H A N K
HEN RY MS HONO RS BAN D, 20 0 9 – R OBERT HER R INGS
H EN R Y M S T R EB L E C H O I R, 2 0 0 8 – K I M B ER LY W I L L I A M S C EDA R PA R K M S M I X ED C H O I R, 2 0 0 3 – B R EN DA J U ST I C E
SUDLER CUP RECIPIENTS C A N YO N R I D G E M S , 2 018 – A M Y A L L I S O N
SOUTHWEST ACDA INVITED CHOIRS
H E N R Y M S , 2 0 11 – R O B E R T H E R R I N G S
VA N D E G R I F T H S W O M E N ’ S C H O I R , 2 016 – M I C H A E L Z O O K
C EDA R PA R K M S, 2 0 0 8 – M A N U EL S A N LU I S
N AT I O N A L AC DA I NVIT E D C H O I R S
SUDLER FL AG RECIPIENTS
C EDA R PA R K H S M I X ED C H O I R, 2 0 21 – L I S A H O LT
VA N D E G R I F T H S , 2 0 21 – M I K E H O WA R D
H E N R Y M S W O M E N ’ S C H O I R , 2 0 19 – A M A N D A R A N S O M VA N D E G R I F T H S W O M E N ’ S C H O I R , 2 019 – M I C H A E L Z O O K
SUDLER SHIELD RECIPIENTS VA N D E G R I F T H S , 2 0 2 0 – M I K E H O WA R D
TEXAS MUSIC EDUCATOR ASSOCIATION HONOR/INVITED BANDS
V I S TA R I D G E H S , 2 018 – B R YA N C H R I S T I A N
CANYON R IDGE MS HONO RS BAN D, CCC 2021 – AMY ALLISON
C EDA R PA R K H S, 2 0 0 6 – ST E V E W ES S ELS
VANDEGRIFT HS WIND ENSEMBLE, A A A A A A 2018 – MIKE HOWARD H E N R Y M S H O N O R S B A N D , C C C 2 018 – R O B E R T H E R R I N G S
N AT I O N A L C O N C E R T B A N D F E S T I VA L P E R F O R M A N C E S
H E N R Y M S H O N O R S B A N D , C C C 2 014 – R O B E R T H E R R I N G S
R UN NING B R USHY MS SYM PHONIC BAN D, 2017 – VAN R OBISON
CEDA R PA RK HS WIND ENSEM BLE, A A A A 2014 – STE VE WESSELS HEN RY MS HONO RS BAND, CCC 2010 – R OBERT HER R INGS L E A N D E R H S B A N D , A A A A 19 9 4 – D E N N I S H O P K I N S
PE R CU S S IVE A R T S S O C I E T Y I N T E R N AT I O N A L CONVENTION PERFORMANCES V I S TA R I D G E H S , 2 018 – H E C TO R G I L
MIDWEST CLINIC PERFORMANCES
W I L E Y M S , 2 016 – E M I LY TA N N E R T
L E A N D E R H S W I N D E N S E M B L E , 2 0 21 – R O B E R T S E L A I D E N
H E N R Y M S , 2 014 – H E C TO R G I L
S T I L ES M S H O N O R S B A N D, 2 0 21 – DA R C Y W I L L I A M S VA N D E G R I F T H S W I N D E N S E M B L E , 2 0 2 1 – M I K E H O W A R D
BOA G R A N D N AT I O N A L C H A M PI O N
C E D A R P A R K M S S Y M P H O N I C B A N D , 2 0 19 – B R I T N I D U N N
VA N D E G R I F T H S , 2 019 – M I K E H O W A R D
VA N D E G R I F T H S P E R C U S S I O N E N S E M B L E , 2 017 – J O E H O B B S H E N R Y M S H O N O R S B A N D, 2 016 – R O B E R T H E R R I N G S F O U R P O I N T S M S W I N D E N S E M B L E , 2 015 – C H R I S Y E E S T I L ES M S H O N O R S B A N D, 2 015 – D A R C Y W I L L I A M S C A N Y O N R I D G E M S H O N O R S B A N D , 2 014 – A M Y A L L I S O N V I S TA R I D G E H S W I N D E N S E M B L E , 2 014 – B R YA N C H R I S T I A N H EN R Y M S T R O M B O N E EN S EM B L E, 2 012 – R O B E R T H E R R I N G S H EN R Y M S H O N O R S B A N D, 2 010 – R O B E R T H E R R I N G S CEDAR PARK MS SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE, 2012 – MANUEL SAN LUIS CEDA R PA R K M S SY M P H O N I C BA N D, 2 0 0 8 – M A N U EL SA N LU I S
WOODWIND P
P I C C O LO — KO U S T U B H GA LGA L I F LU T E — K I YA N A L R O BA I R E , D E VO N C H AU, N I C O L E I M M I N G, S O F I A R A M I R E Z , E T H A N S A R WA R , AY U S H S I N G H , N A D I A V E R L I N S K Y
O B O E S — E T H A N C H E E , RYA N H A , E M I LY M AO BA S S O O N S — I S A B E L L A L I N , T I M OT H Y N O R R O D, JA M E S PA R K
PERFORMERS
CL AR INET — ASA CARTER, CADE CAS S ENS, THEODOR E CHAU, THOMAS COLLYER, RYAN HOGARTH, K AIRS HU, CHAEYUN LEE, KENNA SAIIDI, BROOKE STEWART BA S S C L A R I N E T — W E S L E Y A L A BA S T R O, N AT H A N C O N G, H AY D E N G R I E R
SOPR ANO SA XOPHONE — INBO S HIM ALTO SA XOPHONES — K AS R A SAIIDI, ER IC PAR MELEE TENOR SA XOPHONES — MA X L AVOR ATO, TAYLOR YUAN BAR I SA XOPHONES — LUCAS DHAR, DANIEL WAR R EN
BRASS PER
T R U M P E T S — L A R A BAT T I S T I , T R E A S A C O N N O R S , J O H N H I L L , B E N KO L E C K I , R O B E R T R I N K E V I C H , L A R S O N R O B E R T S , A DA M T H O M P S O N , L A N D O N VO N S T R O H , E M I LY WO KO E K
H O R N S — C HA R LOT TE ALL E N , CA R I NA B R OWN FI E L D, B L AK E FI E L EK E , L I LY S M ITH , E M M A T YD E M A N , G R AC E WH E E L E R
RFORMERS
T E N O R T R O M B O N E S — DAV I S D E R AG O N , C O L I N GA R R I S , N OA H S A B BAVA R A P U, A M A A N SY E D, JAC O B Z ATO P E K BA S S T R O M B O N E S — A N T H O N Y TA N G, E DW I N T H O R N TO N
E U P H O N I U M S — F O R R E S T B R O E , B RYC E J O R DA N , GA R R E T T M C C O S K Y T U BA S — J O H N H O L S I N G E R , K I R S T E N TJ E L M E L A N D, H I L L A RY XU
PERCUSSION PERFORMERS
PERCUSSION — SARA BUSTAMI, MIHIR GYPTA , NOAH HINES, Z ACHARY IACOBUCCI, ANIK A LUEHRMANN, JERRY LUO, CALLIE LUONG, JOSEPH PAINTER, NICHOL AS SACASA , JOSEPH SEKEL , BENJAMIN SPIT Z
P R I VAT E L E S S O N FA C U LT Y FLUTE
CLARINET
TROMBONE
D R. R AC H E L K A P L A N
D R. N I C H O L AS C O U N C I LO R
M A N N Y A R R E N DA N D O
ANN KJERULF - KNIEN
T YLER MCELHINNEY
WILL DORSEY
SA XOPHONE
EUPHONIUM
ELIZ ABETH ROSINBUM
M I TC H M ES T
N I C K G O O DW I N C H E RY L FLOY D OBOE
C RYS TA L A L E X A N D E R - D U C K E T T
D R. A M Y B U R G U S
FRENCH HORN
DAV I D H U M M E L
BET T KROENING
BASSOON
TUBA
PERCUSSION
TRUMPET
T R I S TA N B OY D
G I L E LO R R E AGA
MARK HUNTER
D R. K Y L E KO R O N K A
TIM SHUSTER
D R. A L E X O N I E A L
M I K E P I CC I O N E
OU R FAM ILY OF LE AN D ER IS D BAN D D I R ECTO RS CE DAR PAR K HIGH SCHOOL C H R I S TO P H E R Y E E K E N DA L L S T E V E N S O N ANNA BUSH R O L A N D C H AV E Z CA S E Y K U N Z E
ROUSE HIGH SCHOOL R YA N J O H N S TO N E CA I T L I N WO L F M AT T WO O D DREW SAENZ J E N B A R TO N
GLENN HIGH SCHOOL
VI S TA R I D G E HIGH SCHOOL
J E R E M Y F I G L E W I CZ
B R YA N C H R I S T I A N
JAC O B GA L L
R E I D AT I K I N S O N
MYK AIL COSTNER
Z AC H S A N TO S H E CTO R G I L
LEANDER HIGH SCHOOL ROBERT SEL AIDEN R YA N S I R N A
E R I N KO S M A N CANYO N R I DGE MIDDLE SCHOOL
MICHAEL SWIREN
AMY ALLISON
MICHAEL ZELLERS
T R I S TA N R I V E R A
W I L L CA L L AWAY
STEVE MYERS
CE DAR PAR K MIDDLE SCHOOL
LEANDER MIDDLE SCHOOL
BRITNI DUNN
CAT H Y T E LT S C H I K
JA S O N B R OW N
ILIANA REYNA
CORRIE BIRD
J E R E M I A H WA R D
DANIELSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
RUNNING BRUSHY MIDDLE SCHOOL
ANDREA GONZALEZ
VA N R O B I S O N
L AU R E N P I C C I O N E
MARK URBINA
A M A N DA K L I N G E N B E R G
GA R R E T T WA L L AC E
FOUR POINTS MIDDLE SCHOOL
STILES MIDDLE SCHOOL
J ES S I CA G O N Z A L ES
JENNA YEE
C O R I R E E B E N AC K E R
TJ W ES T
DA R CY VO GT W I L L I A M S
ADRIAN TETI WILEY MIDDLE SCHOOL HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL
TAY LO R W I L L I A M S O N
ROBERT HERRINGS
CRISTINA BARRERA
K AT H E R I N E W I L L E R
BECKY CLICK
A ARON SANCHEZ
CONDUCTORS M I K E H OWA R D DIR ECTOR OF BANDS
Mike Howard is currently in his 13th year at Vandegrift High School and in his 18th year of teaching high school band. Under his direction, the Vandegrift Wind Ensemble was selected as the 2018 TMEA 6A Honor Band State Champion and performed at the 2019 TMEA Convention. Most recently, the Vandegrift Wind Ensemble was chosen as a feature ensemble at the 2020 Midwest Clinic in Chicago, and will perform at the event in 2021. The Vandegrift Concert Band Program was also chosen as the recipient of the 2020 Sudler Flag of Honor by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Mr. Howard’s concert bands are consistent UIL Sweepstakes Award winners and TMEA Honor Band State Finalists. As the Vandegrift Marching Band Director, Mr. Howard’s bands have been recognized with several high honors such as 2019 BOA Grand National Champion, 6A UIL State Marching Contest Bronze Medalist, 5A UIL State Marching Contest Silver Medalist, BOA Regional Champion, BOA Super Regional Finalist, BOA Super Regional Class Champion, UIL State Marching Contest Finalist and the 2019 Sudler Shield International Band Award, awarded by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. As Associate Director, he assisted in winning the 2013 UIL 4A State Marching Championship. The Vandegrift Viper Band and Vision Dance Company has also been selected as a featured Marching Band in the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the first band from LISD to receive this honor. At Vandegrift, Mr. Howard is the director of the Viper Marching Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. Before coming to Vandegrift, Mr. Howard was an assistant band director at James E. Taylor High School and Morton Ranch High School in Katy ISD. Prior to teaching at Morton Ranch, Mr. Howard was an instructor for the Cedar Park High School Band in Cedar Park, Texas and an instructor for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps from Madison, Wisconsin. Mr. Howard’s professional affiliations include membership in Phi Beta Mu, Texas Music Adjudicator’s Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicator’s Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. He has served music education as TMEA Region 32 Band Chair and continues to serve as TMEA Area E Band Chair and TMAA Concert Band Vice President. Mr. Howard graduated from Texas State University in San Marcos with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and from Concordia University-Texas with a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration. He lives in Leander, Texas with his wife Amber, his daughter, Madison and his son, Justin.
CONDUCTORS R I C H A R D FLOY D
GUEST CONDUCTOR
Richard Floyd has amassed a distinguished career at virtually every level of music education and wind band performance. He most recently retired as the University Interscholastic League State Director of Music at the University of Texas at Austin and now holds the title Texas State Director of Music Emeritus. He also has just completed a 35-year tenure as Musical Director and Conductor of the Austin Symphonic Band, viewed to be one of the premier adult concert bands in America. He currently is enjoying his 59th year of professional involvement as a conductor, music educator, author, clinician, and administrator. His ensembles have performed at numerous state and national conventions and conferences including the 1977 College Band Directors National Association, the 1981 Music Educators National Conference and concerts at the Midwest International Clinic in Chicago in 1989, 1997 and 2007. Other distinguished performances include concerts for the American Bandmasters Association in 1993 and 2006 and the 2004 Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, Washington. In addition, he has toured extensively as a clinician and conductor throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. The Texas Bandmasters Association named him Texas Bandmaster of the Year in 2006 and presented him with the TBA Lifetime Administrative Achievement Award in 2008. He received the Texas Music Educators Association Distinguished Service Award in 2009 and was inducted into the Bands of America Hall of Fame and Texas PBM Hall of Fame in 2011. Also, in 2011 he was awarded the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic Medal of Honor for distinguished service to the profession and in 2018 was recognized as a Midwest Clinic Legend. In 2014 he was inducted into the National Band Association Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts and was also honored with the Kappa Kappa Phi Distinguished Service to Music medal. Mr. Floyd’s held the post of National Secretary for the College Band Directors National Association from 1979 to 2007 and he has played an active leadership role in that organization’s many projects and services for over four decades. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors for Music for All and is a Yamaha Master Educator. In 2006 he was featured on the GIA Produced DVD entitled Kindred Spirits from the series Conducting from The Inside Out. Other conductors included H. Robert Reynolds, Craig Kirchhoff, and Allan McMurray. In 2015 his book entitled The Artistry of Teaching and Making Music was published to critical acclaim by GIA Publications. His second book, The Seven Deadly Sins of Music Making was released by GIA in August 2020.
CONDUCTORS LT. C O L . JA S O N F E T T I G
D I R E C TO R , “ T H E P R E S I D E N T ' S O W N ” U N I T E D S TAT E S M A R I N E B A N D
Colonel Jason K. Fettig is the 28th Director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. He joined in 1997 as a clarinetist and soon became a frequently featured soloist with both the band and the Marine Chamber Orchestra. After serving four years in the organization, he was select¬ed as an Assistant Director, and he conducted his first concert with the Marine Band Aug. 1, 2001. He was commissioned a first lieutenant in July 2002, promot¬ed to captain in August 2003, and became the band’s Executive Officer the following year. He was promot¬ed to major in August 2007 and to lieutenant colonel in July 2014, one week before assuming leadership of “The President’s Own.” He was promoted to his present rank in August 2017 in the Roosevelt Room by President Donald J. Trump. He is the third Director of “The President’s Own” to be promoted to colonel in a White House ceremony. As Director, Col. Fettig is the music adviser to the White House and regularly conducts the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra at the Execu¬tive Mansion and at all Presidential Inaugurations. He also serves as music director of Washington, D.C.’s historic Gridiron Club, a position held by ev¬ery Marine Band Director since John Philip Sousa. In his first years as Director, Col. Fettig has led the band for numerous major national events both at the White House and throughout the country. He conducted national broadcast performances for the 200th Anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner at Ft. McHenry in Baltimore, a special Veterans Day performance with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City, and an appearance on the David Letterman Show at the invitation of Michelle Obama in New York. He leads frequent concerts throughout the Washington, D.C., area and across the country during the band’s annual national tour. Live performances by the Marine Band under his direction are often heard on National Public Radio. Col. Fettig is a fervent advocate for both traditional and contemporary American music and remains dedicated to the ongoing development of music for wind band. In recent years, he has conducted world premières of substantial new works by James Stephenson, Jacob Bancks, David Rakowski, Adam Schoenberg, David Conte, and Narong Prangcharoen. Throughout his career with the Marine Band, Col. Fettig has been deeply committed to music education and has taken an active role in the evolution and expansion of the many educational initiatives of “The Presi¬dent’s Own.” In addition to helping refine the Music in the Schools and Music in the High Schools programs, he has made it a priority to maintain a significant presence in schools throughout the nation during the band’s national concert tours. He also began an interactive and theatrical Young People’s Concert series in 2006 and authored, hosted, and conducted this popular annual event until 2015. In 2014, shortly after assuming com¬mand of the Marine Band, Col. Fettig launched an ambitious project to re-record all of the marches of John Philip Sousa and provide free performance and educational materials online to schools throughout the world. Col. Fettig is a 1993 graduate of Manchester Central High School in New Hampshire and holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass) in both clarinet performance (1997) and music education with an emphasis in conducting (1998). In 2005, he earned a master’s degree in orchestral conducting at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) where he served as assistant conductor for two productions of the Maryland Opera Studio. He studied clarinet with Michael Sussman and David Martins, and his principal conducting teachers were Malcolm W. Rowell and James Ross. Additionally, Col. Fettig has par¬ticipated in workshops with several renowned conductors including Osmo Vänskä and Otto Werner Mueller. Col. Fettig has represented the Marine Band on numerous occasions as a soloist, adjudicator, and clini¬cian, and regularly conducts both concert bands and orchestras for all-state and honor festivals. In 2014, he was elected as a member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.
GUEST PERFORMER JENS LINDEMANN
GUEST ARTIST
"Jens Lindemann gave a sizzling, high energy performance in the American premiere of the trumpet concerto 'Dreaming of the Masters' at Carnegie Hall" – New York Times
As the first classical brass soloist to ever receive the Order of Canada, Jens Lindemann is hailed as one of the most celebrated artists in his instrument’s history and was recently named “International Brass Personality of the Year” (Brass Herald). Jens has played both jazz and classical in every major concert venue in the world: from the Philharmonics of New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Moscow and Tokyo to Carnegie Hall and even the Great Wall of China. His career has ranged from appearing internationally as an orchestral soloist, being featured at the 2010 Olympics for an audience of 2 billion people, national anthems at the Rose Bowl and for the San Francisco Giants on Memorial Day, performing at London’s ‘Last Night of the Proms’, recording with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to playing lead trumpet with the renowned Canadian Brass and a solo Command Performance for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Jens has also won major awards ranging from Grammy and Juno nominations to winning the prestigious Echo Klassik in Germany and British Bandsman 2011 Solo CD of the year as well as receiving several honorary doctorates.
Classically trained at the renowned Juilliard School in New York and McGill University in Montreal, Jens’ proven ability to perform as a diverse artist places him at the front of a new generation of musicians. He has performed as soloist and recording artist with classical stars such as Sir Neville Marriner, Sir Angel Romero, Pinchas Zukerman, Doc Severinsen, Charles Dutoit, Gerard Schwarz, Eiji Oue, Bramwell Tovey, Kent Nagano, Lior Shambadal, Boris Brott and Jukka Pekka Saraste. Having recorded for BMG, EMI, CBC and the BBC, Jens is helping to redefine the idea of the concert artist by transcending stylistic genres and the very stereotype of his instrument by performing with “impeccable attacks, agility and amazing smoothness” (The Clarin, Buenos Aires). A prodigious talent, Jens Lindemann performed as a soloist with orchestras and won accolades at numerous festivals while still in his teens. A prizewinner at numerous jazz and classical competitions including the prestigious ARD in Munich, Jens also placed first, by unanimous juries, at both the Prague and Ellsworth Smith (Florida) International Trumpet Competitions in 1992. Since then, he has performed solos with orchestras including, the London Symphony, Berlin, Philadelphia, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Beijing, Bayersicher Rundfunk, Buenos Aires Chamber, Atlanta, Washington, Seattle, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Montreal, Toronto, National Arts Centre, Vancouver, Warsaw, Mexico City, Costa Rica, Bogota, Welsh Chamber, I Musici de Montreal, St. Louis, and Mostly Mozart at Lincoln Center. Heralded internationally as an outstanding artist, critics have stated: “He played with golden timbre and virtuosic flair” (New York Times)“, “a world-class talent” (Los Angeles Times), “it was one of the most memorable recitals in International Trumpet Guild history” (ITG), “performed brilliantly in the North American premiere of Bernd Alois Zimmermann’s Concerto with the Toronto Symphony” (Toronto Star), and “he gave the virtuoso highlight of the evening with the Montreal Symphony”. Based in Los Angeles as Professor with High Distinction at UCLA, Jens is also director of the summer brass program at the Banff Centre in Canada. Jens Lindemann is an international Yamaha artist playing exclusively on 24K gold plated instruments.
VA N D E G R I F T B A N D D I R E C T O R S K AT I E VA N D O R E N
AS S O C I AT E D I R ECTO R O F BA N D S
Katie VanDoren is currently in her 8th year at Vandegrift High School in Austin, Texas. Originally from Cedar Park, Texas, Mrs. VanDoren graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Mrs. VanDoren’s bands have been consistent UIL Concert Band Sweepstakes Award winners and, while at Vandegrift, she has been instrumental in the marching band’s success at UIL and BOA events. Mrs. VanDoren is also an active educator with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps. She is currently the Assistant Brass Caption Head and has the privilege to work with some of the best teachers and performers in the country. Prior to this position, she spent 12 years with Carolina Crown, and was on the brass staff since 2013 after marching from 2008-2012. Katie also works with the SASI Leadership Faculty, a group of current and former teachers dedicated to developing student leaders. In addition to her roles as an educator, Katie is presently an active adjudicator for Bands of America. Her professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Association of Texas Professional Educators. Mrs. VanDoren currently resides in Austin, Texas with her husband Evan and their dog, Cooper, where both enjoy being part of a wonderful community of outstanding music educators.
KYLE NORRIS
AS S O C I AT E D I R ECTO R O F BA N D S
Kyle Norris is in his first year as an Associate Director of Bands at Vandegrift High School in Austin, Texas. He previously taught at Cedar Park Middle School and at Covington Middle School in Austin ISD. Mr. Norris is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he attended Union High School. He went on to earn degrees in Music Education and Horn Performance from Oklahoma State University, where he studied horn with Lanette Compton and brass pedagogy with Dr. Ryan Gardner. Mr. Norris performed extensively as a member and section leader of the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Joseph Missal, the Symphonic Band under the direction of Dr. Doug Henderson, as well as the horn octet, horn quartet, and various other chamber ensembles. For two years, Mr. Norris served as Drum Major for the OSU Cowboy Marching Band. Prior to graduating in 2016, he was named Outstanding Senior Music Education Major. Mr. Norris is a member of the Brass Staff at the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, where he was a member of the mellophone section in 2013 and 2015. In previous summers, he taught on the Brass Staff at the Legends Drum and Bugle Corps and as an education staff member at System Blue. Outside of school, Mr. Norris stays active as a performer with the Cedar Park Winds, a community band made up primarily of band directors and private lesson teachers from the North Austin area. Mr. Norris’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the International Horn Society.
PERCUSSION & VISION DIRECTORS JOE HOBBS
DIR ECTOR OF PERCUSSION
Joe Hobbs is in his 6th year as the Director of Percussion at Vandegrift High school in Austin, TX. Under his direction the Drum Line won the Dripping Springs Drum Line Contest in 2016, 2017, and 2019 as well as the Lone Star Classic in 2018. The Vandegrift Percussion Ensemble was also selected to perform at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2017 in Chicago. The Vandegrift Percussion Section was invited to perform at the 2019 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in Indianapolis. Aside from his work with Vandegrift, Mr. Hobbs is currently the Battery Coordinator for the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps from Canton, Ohio. He previously served as the percussion caption head for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from Rosemont, IL from 2015-2018. During this time, the percussion section saw a radical change in placement going from 10th place in 2015 to 3rd place by 2017. Before joining The Cavaliers, Mr. Hobbs served on the percussion staff for the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps from Atlanta, GA. He was also involved with Music City Mystique as a battery instructor from 2009-2011. Mr. Hobbs was a member of Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps from 20012003. During his time at Southwind, he was named the 2003 DCI I&E Snare drum champion. From 2004-2006 he was a member of the Cavaliers snare line. During his time with the Cavaliers, Mr. Hobbs won two DCI world championships, 2006 DCI I&E mixed ensemble championship, “Cavalier of the year” and the “Zildjian award” in 2006. Mr. Hobbs received his Music Education degree from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. He is endorsed by Pearl Drums, Innovative Percussion, Sabian Cymbals and Evans Drumheads.
K AT I E H O PK I N S
D I R ECTO R O F V I S I O N DA N C E CO M PA N Y
Katie Hopkins is in her 3rd year as the Director of the Vision Dance Company at Vandegrift High School. Ms. Hopkins is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer who has been living in Austin, TX for five years. She has been on the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps staff since 2018, where she choreographs and is responsible for the color guard movement program. Ms. Hopkins’ drum corps career began in 2006 as a member of the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps color guard for four years. She then went on to teach and choreograph for the Cadets from 2010 to 2017. Ms. Hopkins has worked with many marching band and color guard programs around the country. Since moving to Texas in 2016, she has served as a choreographer and instructor for Claudia Taylor Johnson HS, Westlake HS, Dripping Springs HS, and more. Originally from Arlington Heights, Illinois, Ms. Hopkins received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from Columbia College Chicago with a concentration in teaching and performance, and a minor in Arts, Entertainment and Media Management. She has been an artist with multimedia dance company, ARCOS (Austin, TX) since its founding in 2011, performing and touring in the US and UK, and performs with Austinbased dance company BLiPSWiTCH.
VA N D E G R I F T B A W
e believe that music is a fundamental piece of the human experience. Music Education is therefore a necessary endeavor to ensure that the whole child is being educated. This includes skill development, cognitive understanding, and aesthetic appreciation for many forms of music. The primary objective of the Vandegrift High School Instrumental Music Department is to develop the performance, rehearsal, and personal practice skills of each student. The vision for the program is to “Define the Standard” in all we do. The Vandegrift High School Band was established in 2009 in Austin, TX. The band has a total enrollment of 368 students made up of students from 9th-12th grade. Ensembles that perform within the VHS Band umbrella include the Viper Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band 1, Concert Band 2, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and several chamber music ensembles. The Viper Band has been recognized at the state and national level in marching and concert band and continues to have a foundation of working to provide a student-centered, leadership-oriented approach while having high performance expectations for its students. Chamber Music and Private Lessons are central to the success of the concert program at VHS and include a flute choir, saxophone ensemble, horn choir, trombone choir, tuba/euphonium ensemble, and a brass choir. The dedication and expertise of the Private Lesson Faculty continue to set new standards of excellence. The Vision Dance Company was established in 2011 as a dance -based performing ensemble. The Vision Dance Company is directly connected to the Vandegrift HS Viper Band and provides the visual representation of the music being performed. In the Fall of 2021, there were 53 members of the Vision Dance Company, the largest company in the history of the program. The Vandegrift High School Percussion program is made up of students from 9th-12th grade and is run in coordination with the VHS Concert Band programs. All percussionists in the Vandegrift High School band participate in chamber music as part of their year-long curriculum.
AND PROGRAM
M I DWE S T S U B M I S S I O N C O M E S U N D AY — O M A R T H O M A S HAI L TO TH E S PI R IT O F LI B ER T Y — J O H N PH I LI P SO U SA
TO T H E S E N I O R S O F T H E 2 019 -2 0 2 0 V H S W I N D E N S E M B L E: We had no idea that the day of our Midwest Recording would be our final day to play together as an ensemble. After so many outstanding performances together, we missed out on our opportunity to finish our year together and have a culminating experience. While our time ended short of what we hoped for, the legacy that you left behind continues to sustain. Your recording of Come Sunday was certainly memorable, but the impression you left on the on our younger students is irreplaceable. Thank you for leaving the Viper Band better than you found it. TO T H E S E N I O R S O F T H E 2 0 2 0 -2 0 21 V H S W I N D E N S E M B L E: The last 16 months have been a time of needed resilience, positivity, and change. You started your Senior year being told that you would not be able to perform at the 2020 Midwest Clinic, due to COVID-19 and its impact on our day-today lives. Regardless of this news, you made the choice to positively move forward, inspire other young musicians, and help the VHS Band continue forward through a difficult time. Because of your efforts, our program is feeling sustained retention and continues to impact hundreds of young people. In recognition of your efforts and work throughout such a difficult year, the students and staff of the VHS Wind Ensemble would like to dedicate this Midwest Performance to you, the Wind Ensemble Senior Class of 2021. Go Vipers!
VA N D E G R I F T V I P E R B A N D A N
T E X A S U I L S TAT E M A R C H I N G C O N T E S T
BA N D S O F A M E R I CA
2021 UIL AAAAAA State Marching Band Silver Medalist 2018 UIL AAAAAA State Marching Band Bronze Medalist 2016 UIL AAAAAA State Marching Band Finalist 2015 UIL AAAAA State Marching Band Silver Medalist 2013 UIL AAAA State Marching Band Champion 2011 UIL AAAA State Marching Band Finalist
2019 Bands of American Grand National Champion Seven-Time Bands of America Super Regional Finalist 2017 Bands of America Conroe Regional Champion 2016, 2019, 2021 Bands of America Austin Regional Champion
T E X A S M U S I C E D U CATO R S A S S O C I AT I O N H O N O R BA N D 2018 TMEA Honor Band State Champion 2015 TMEA Honor Band State Silver Medalist 2013 TMEA Honor Band State Finalist
M I DW E S T BA N D A N D O R C H E S T R A C L I N I C 2017 Midwest Invited Percussion Ensemble 2021 Midwest Invited Wind Ensemble
N D V I S I O N DA N C E C O M PA N Y
D I R E C TO R S
I N S T R U C TO R S
M I K E H OWA R D
E VA N T U R N E R M A K E N Z I E P E AC O C K E V E LY N W E B B E R ALEX DELLER S A N T I AG O AG U I L A R CA E L A N S P I D L E L AU R E N CA S E Y- C LY D E A DA M C H R O B A K J P GAGA Z A CHARLIE STEVENS M A R C U S N E U D I GAT E
K AT I E VA N D O R E N KYLE NORRIS JOE HOBBS K AT I E H O P K I N S MARK HUNTER H O L LY LYO N S
DESIGN TEAM JEREMY SPICER
PROGR AM COORDINATOR
DAV I D D U F F Y
PROGR AM DESIGNER
J D S H AW
MUSIC ARR ANGER
J E F F S AC K T I G DRILL WRITER
A N D R E W M A R K WO R T H PERCUSSION ARR ANGER
J O S H W E N DT
M OV E M E N T D E S I G N E R
M I D D L E SCH O O L D I R ECTO R S
CA N YO N R I D G E M I D D L E S C H O O L
AMY ALLISON HEAD DIRECTOR
T R I S TA N R I V E R A AS S I S TA N T D I R ECTO R
STEVE MEYERS
AS S I S TA N T D I R ECTO R
FOUR POINTS MIDDLE SCHOOL
JESSICA GONZALES HEAD DIRECTOR
CORI REEBENACKER AS S I S TA N T D I R ECTO R
ADRIAN TETI
AS S I S TA N T D I R ECTO R
THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS STUDENT MUSICIANS IN THE 2 0 21 VA N D E G R I F T H S W I N D E N S E M B L E
VA N D E G R I F T H S P E R F O R M I N G A R T S FAC U LT Y Holly Lyons, Dance, Department Chair
VA N D E G R I F T H S W I N D E N S E M B L E Senior Class of 2020 Senior Class of 2021
FA M I LY A N D F R I E N D S Amber Howard
Christopher Bailey
Paul Pape
Gabby Azios, Dance
John Curtin
Tom Shine
Michael Zook, Choir
Kenneth Ersch
Paul Sikes
Emily Chandler, Choir
Richard Floyd
Steve Smith
Celeste Schneider, Theatre
Genaro Gonzalez
Jeremy Spicer
Jon Alonso, Theatre
Eddie Green
John Stansberry
Jeff Davis, Technical Theatre
Robert Herrings
Scott Stewart
Madison and Justin Howard Robert and Patricia Howard
L E A N D E R I S D FI N E A R T S D E PA R T M E N T
Chris and Kacey Howard
Peter Warshaw, Fine Arts Director
Phillip and Kristin Howard
Megan Liles, Assistant Fine Arts Director
Cindy Young
Sheila Olenich, Administrative Assistant
Evan VanDoren
Liz Gutierrez, Bookkeeper
Kat Willer Danny Weaver
LE AN D E R I S D AD M I N I S TR ATI O N Dr. Bruce Gearing, Superintendent
Kerry Taylor
James Hudson
Ronald Todd
JD Janda
Steve Wessels
Gary Markham
Nicholas Williams
Ron Morrison
Perform America Eddie Lopez Damian Gonzales University of Texas at Austin
Jeremy and Elizabeth Spicer Paul and Jennifer Pape
Bob Howard
FAC I L I T I E S A N D T R AV E L A S S I S TA N C E
Kara and Nina Hobbs Conrad Isenhour
LIFELONG MUSICAL AND E D UCATI O NAL M E NTO R S H I P
M I D D LE SCH OO L BAN D FACU LT Y
Christopher and Shelley Bailey
Amy Allison, CRMS
PR O G R AM AS S I S TAN C E
Paul and Kristi Sikes
Jessica Gonzales, FPMS
Robin Wilson, Design
Arnold Garza
Tristan Rivera, CRMS
Taylor Williamson, JTW Photography
Stephanie and Andy Abbarno
Steve Meyers, CRMS
Perform America, Sponsor
Kip and Marla Degilio
Cori Reebenacker, FPMS
The Entire SASI Family
Adrian Teti, FPMS
VA N D E G R I F T B A N D FAC U LT Y Katie VanDoren
VA N D E G R I F T H S AD M I N I S TR ATI O N
Joe Hobbs
Charlie Little, Principal
Kyle Norris
Phyllis Boddorf, Administrative Assistant
Erin Kolecki, President
Katie Hopkins
Jayme Spexarth, Associate Principal
Kyle Fieleke, Vice President
Holly Lyons
Nick Asmus, Assistant Principal
Karen Norrod, Past President
Mark Hunter
Jeremy Fry, Assistant Principal
Andrea Wardrop, Treasurer
Suzie Neuenschwander, Assistant Principal
Dennis Baginski, Treasurer-Elect
RECORDING SPECIALIST David Smith, MusicSmiths Audio
Kody Harrington Dustin Tharp
Brittany Skillern, Assistant Principal
Tricia Lavorato, Secretary
Amanda Wilson, Assistant Principal
John Holsinger, Fundraising Chair Kristen Hill, Public Relations
VA N D E G R I F T B A N D S TA F F Santiago Aguilar
Kim Conner, Membership
Evelyn Webber
E N S E M B L E P R E PA R AT I O N AS S I S TAN CE
Kody Harrington
Richard Floyd
Adam Chrobak
Col. Jason Fettig
Lauren Casey-Clyde
Brad Kent
Caelan Spidle
Kerry Taylor
Alex Deller
Omar Thomas
Makenzie Peacock
Jeremy Spicer
Evan Turner
Evan VanDoren
JP Gagaza Charlie Stevens
VHS BAND BOOSTER EXECUTIVE BOARD
Beth Jameson, Membership Denice Fink, Hospitality Ashlie Von Stroh, Band-Aid DoRae Shipman, Hydration Dave Imming, Technology Aaron Iacobucci, Photography Tanja Saidi, Uniforms Cynthia Marple, Spirit Wear Caelum Jones, Travel Linda James, Vision Dance Co.
VHS BAND & VISION BOOSTER SPONSORS RIVER PLACE DENTAL GENE ARANT TEAM – KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY D E LY S I A C H O C O L AT I E R CR AIG S MYS ER, 1835 REALT Y STRAIGHT & LEVEL CONSTRUCTION C O O L C R E E K FA M I LY D E N TA L FOUR POINTS AUTOMOTIVE PAR ROT T WEALTH MANAGEM ENT WAG-A-BAG REID’S CLEANERS STEINER RANCH R A N DA L L’ S G O O D N E I G H B O R P R O G R A M