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Clif Walker is in his third year as the Front Ensemble Arranger for Gateway Indoor and his sixth year as percussion arranger at Blue Springs High School (Blue Springs, MO). He holds a BSE from Missouri Western State University and an MME from the University of Central Florida.
During his time at Blue Springs as Director of Percussion (2011-2015), the percussion program performed for the Missouri Music Educator's Association State Convention as winners of the percussion ensemble "Call for Tapes" (2015), and earned first place in the World Division at the 25th Annual Mozingo Music Percussion Competition (2014), earning the awards for Best Front Ensemble and Best Tenorline. In 2015, Blue Springs became the first Missouri band to make the Bands of America Grand National Finals.
While Director of Percussion at Timber Creek High School in Orlando, Florida (2001-2008), Clif lead an ensemble that performed at the 2003 and 2008 FMEA State Music Conventions, the 2004 SDMENC/FMEA Music Convention, and the 2005 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) as the winners of the high school percussion ensemble "Call for Tapes." In 2008, Timber Creek Independent was launched with Clif as Director/Arranger and made WGI History with two class promotions in one season. They achieved several other successes as well, including first place finishes at WGI Orlando (A Class), the WGI Nashville Power Regional (Open Class), and FFCC State Championships (World Class). They also were WGI PIW Finalist at World Championships in Dayton, Ohio their very first year.
Clif worked with the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps (Percussion Caption Head/Arranger 1999-2002) and is a former member and instructor of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps (1992, 1994, and 1998). He also served as the Vice President of the Florida Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society (2008-2009).
He is an active adjudicator, arranger, and composer with original works performed at PASIC, The Midwest Band Orchestra Clinic, and the Sydney Opera House. His works for percussion ensemble, "Promise Music," "A Garden of Weeds," and "10 Windows" are all published by Innovative Percussion.
Clif is proud to endorse Yamaha Musical Instruments, Remo Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals, and Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets. He lives in Blue Springs, Missouri with his wife Christie and their three children—Joe, Tes, and Berg.
Bret graduated with a Bachelors degree from Northeast Missouri State University where he studied percussion with Dan Petersen. He was a member of the Disney World All-American Band in 1980 and then in 1981 became a member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps.
When first moving to Chicago, Bret was a freelance drum-set artist and has performed with Rich Matteson, Bobby Shew, Gloria Estefan and Nexus.
Bret began teaching the World Champion Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps in 1984 and served as Caption Head as well as Percussion Arranger through 2005. During this tenure, they won 6 World Championships and 5 High Percussion Awards. In 2005, after retiring from the Cavaliers, he joined the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps as a design and percussion consultant. In 2010, he served as Program Coordinator for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. He is currently consulting with Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps.
Bret is the Percussion Coordinator for the Prospect High School music program from Mt. Prospect, Illinois. He is also a consultant for various high schools around the country including LD Bell High School from Hurst, Texas. Bret has also taught the Oklahoma State Centennial Band who performed in the 2007 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.
He is an active Percussion Arranger/Clinician for various colleges and High Schools both across the nation and abroad. These include Northern Illinois University and Arizona State University. Bret consulted and worked with the Texas State Indoor Percussion ensemble from San Marcos, Texas who competed at the 2006 PASIC Convention.
Bret arranges for two of the top marching groups in Japan. One is Aimachi from Nagoya, Japan who were the 2006 Champion’s at the All Japan Championships. The other group, Vivace, is a semi-professional all girl marching band from Tokyo, Japan.
He was also a guest performer and composed an original percussion ensemble entitled “Renegade Highway” for the Plano East High School who performed at a Showcase Concert at the 2006 Percussive Arts International Convention held in Austin, Texas. Bret has written articles for publication in Percussive Notes Magazine and currently serves on the Board of Directors for PAS.
As a clinician, Bret has traveled extensively across the United States, Japan and Europe presenting clinics for Yamaha, Zildjian, Remo and Innovative Percussion.
Chris Sakowski completed his Master of Conducting from the American Band College of Sam Houston State University in Ashland, Oregon. He received a Bachelor of Music Education from The University of Memphis. As a marimbist at Memphis, Chris won the U of M Concerto Competition. He also was the section leader of the "Best Bass Line" at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 2001. Before graduating, he went on to be the caption head/arranger for The University of Memphis Drumline. Chris’s DCI/WGI percussion experience (1997-2013) includes teaching The Cavaliers, The Bluecoats, The Crossmen and The Colts. The most significant highlights of this era includes winning the Fred Sanford Award for “Best Percussion” at DCI World Championships in 2011 with The Cavaliers and acting as percussion co-caption head for The Crossmen in 2010. Chris also worked with WGI World Class Finalist Gateway Indoor for nine years, filling several roles including battery caption head, music coordinator and front ensemble arranger. Chris is a sought after adjudicator, percussion and wind arranger across the United States and abroad. He has led workshops as a clinician at The University of Oklahoma, Iowa State University, Missouri State University and in England at the British Youth Band Association Convention. Chris has written music for numerous high schools, colleges, drum corps and professional ensembles, highlighted by the NFL’s St. Louis Rams Drumline and the 2005 European Indoor Percussion Champions: 37th Kingswood from Bristol, United Kingdom. He was also proud to write a percussion ensemble piece that was premiered as part of the 100th anniversary of The University of Memphis, and performed by the U of M Percussion Ensemble, in 2012. Chris currently lives in the St. Louis, MO area with his wife Lauren and daughters Elizabeth Daisy and Charlotte Grace. He has taught string orchestra and band in the Rockwood School District since 2007 and is proud to be an Innovative Percussion Educational Artist.
Brett graduated with honors from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with a degree in Music Education. While at the university, he was selected to the Disney All-American College Marching Band and was percussion section leader for seven of his eight semesters. He taught high school band in Mtn. Grove, MO before joining the Palen Music Center team.
During his 30-year tenure at PMC, he has worked in private lesson instruction, instrument repair, accounting, in-store sales, road service, and sound system design and installation. He is a NICET Level III certified sound technician. He has been the company CEO since 1996 when he and his brothers Dan and Brad purchased the company. He served a four-year term on the board of directors for the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) from 1992-1996.
Brett and his wife Shelly have three sons; Alec (20) is a redshirt freshman on the golf team at the University of Missouri, Beau (17) will graduate from Rogersville high school this year and attend Southwest Baptist University to obtain a degree in Christian Theology, and Clay (11) attends Rogersville elementary school. Brett is very proud of his boys and his wife Shelly, who will become a National Sales Director in Mary Kay cosmetics in June, 2016.
Dan graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA with degrees in Electronic Music and Jazz Composition. He was a professional musician and private teacher for many years. Dan joined Palen Music Center in 1985 and became an owner in 1996.
Eric Matzat has experience in the music industry as a performer, teacher, and businessman. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelors in Music Education degree and Diploma in Music from Missouri State University in 1993. Eric performed as woodwind soloist and music arranger for the Shoji Tabuchi Theater in Branson, MO from 1992-1996. From 1996-2005, he served as Director of Bands for Branson Schools in Branson, Missouri. He completed a Masters in Music from Missouri State University in 2001. In 2006, he was named Outstanding Alumnus of the Department of Music for Missouri State University. He has held the position of President of Palen Music Center since 2005. Eric is currently serving on the Finance and Operations Committee for the Alliance of Independent Music Merchants and is a board member for the National Association of Music Merchants.
AAron Bryan taught band for 13 years, the last 8 at Broken Arrow High School, home of the nationally acclaimed Pride of Broken Arrow Marching Band - the 2006, 2011, & 2015 Bands of America Grand National Champion. Bands under Mr. Bryan’s direction were awarded the Oklahoma Band Sweepstakes 8 times, and his Wind Ensemble performed as one of three Oklahoma bands selected to OMEA’s Friday evening Honor Concert in 2009. AAron was a lead soprano soloist and served on the brass staff for the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps. Later, Mr. Bryan was the Brass Caption Head for the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps. AAron holds Master of Arts degrees from Truman State University in Conducting and Trumpet Performance, and a Bachelors Degree in Education from Missouri State University. He is in demand as a clinician, conductor, and drill writer across the Midwest. Mr. Bryan’s professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Oklahoma Music Educators Association, Oklahoma Bandmasters Association, Northeast Oklahoma Band Directors Association, MENC, and he is certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. AAron and his wife Christa have two boys, Aiden and Tyson.
A native of southwest Missouri, Josh Garoutte attended Missouri State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Educational Administration degrees in 2006 and 2014 respectively. Mr. Garoutte taught in Missouri public schools for 8 years, the last 7 of which were with Spokane R-VII Schools, where he was responsible for all aspects of instrumental music as Director of Bands and also served as the District A+ Program Coordinator. In his time teaching, Josh was honored to be a faculty member of two Missouri Gold Star Schools, a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School, and has served as an adjudicator, clinician, arranger, private lesson instructor, and drill writer for bands in the area. His professional association affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Missouri Bandmasters Association, National Education Association, Missouri State Teachers Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity. Josh currently resides in Ozark, MO with his wife Ashley and their son, Rhys.
Melissia is from Willard, Missouri. She performed for years with the Phantom Regiment drum corp, graduated from Missouri State University and has teaching experience in Missouri, Illinois, and Nevada. She has achieved many things as a director including leading her marching band to the BOA Grand Nationals Semifinals and directing her concert band all the way to the Missouri Music Educators Association state convention. If you would like to learn more about her, check out this great article that appeared in the April 2011 edition of Teaching Music. Melissia will be available to assist our partner schools with marching band clinics, concert band clinics, literature selection, assistance with recruiting, beginning band instrument testing, and much more.
Amanda Meyer graduated from Southwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education in 1997 and a Master of Science in Education in 2000. She has 14 years of teaching experience in grades 6-12. Amanda was the assistant Band Director in Cassville for three years, and the Assistant Band Director at Nevada High School for eleven years. She has also maintained a very successful private studio teaching flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, and saxophone lessons for the last 14 years.
Chuck Appleton taught instrumental music for 33 years and retired in May, 2010. Chuck taught 23 years in Warrensburg, where he was director of bands and eight years in Dixon, MO. A native of Sedalia, Missouri, Mr. Appleton received his bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Missouri State University in 1979 and a Master of Music Education degree from Central Missouri State University in 1995. Mr. Appleton served as Band Vice-President for the Missouri Music Educators Association from 2006-2008. Mr. Appleton is also a member of MENC, Missouri Bandmasters Association, Missouri Association of Jazz Educators and Phi Beta Mu.
Bridgett Randolph received her B.M.E. from Central Methodist University and her M.Ed. from William Woods University. She has taught instrumental music for the last 18 years with the latter 10 years in the Columbia Public Schools. Bridgett also taught high school and middle school at Orrick R-IX, Mid-Buchanan R-V, and Southern Boone R-I school districts. Bridgett is a member of MMEA, NAfME, MNEA, MBA, and Phi Beta Mu. Bridgett has performed with the Columbia Community Band, Columbia Civic Orchestra, Memories Dance Band, Capitol Kicks Dance Band, Ray Auburn Big Band, and Kerry Strayer Big Band. She is active as a clinician and adjudicator and enjoys playing in big bands and community ensembles so give her a call if you need a trombone player! Bridgett currently resides just outside of Columbia, MO with her husband Mark, and their two wonderful children Olivia and Logan.
John Bell recently retired as Director of Bands and Music Department Lead Teacher at Park Hill South High School, and also taught at Park Hill HS and William Chrisman HS. He holds degrees from Central Missouri State University (now UCM) and the University of Illinois with postgraduate work toward the DMA in Conducting at The University of Iowa. John is a recipient of the John Philip Sousa Legion of Honor. He is active as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the Midwest, serves as Director of Bands and Orchestra at Northwest Missouri State University, and is the co-conductor of the Northwinds Symphonic Band.
Rob grew up in Granby, Missouri and attended East Newton High School. He holds Music Education degrees from Southwest Baptist University and Central Missouri State University (now UCM). Rob taught instrumental and vocal music for thirty-one years in Missouri schools. He served as Band Director grades 5-12 in the Morgan County R-2 School District, Versailles from 1977-1979, High School Band and Vocal Director in the East Newton School District, Granby from 1979-1985, and Band Director grades 5-12 in the Boone County R-6 School District, Centralia from 1985-2009. After retirement in 2009 he served as part time instrumental music teacher in the Columbia, Mo school district and has remained active as a clinician and adjudicator in the north Missouri area. He is currently working part time as an educational consultant for Palen Music Center in the Kansas City area.
Mike Steffen grew up in Grandview, MO and holds Music Education Degrees from Missouri State and University of Missouri - Kansas City. He served as a band director for five years in the Lee's Summit R-7 School District (KC area) where he taught band in grades 5-12. While he was there, Mike worked with the LSHS Golden Tiger Marching Band, directed the Concert Band, and directed the middle school program. Most notably, he was instrumental in the development of the Lee's Summit High School Jazz Program which had an active, well-respected big band, two student combos, and placed many students in the All-District Jazz Bands each year. Prior to that, Mike taught middle school band in Pleasant Hill, MO. Mike loves playing the saxophone, is married to his high school sweetheart, Miranda, and is the proud papa of three beautiful girls - Melody, McKenna, and Mae!
Becky Long joined the Palen Music Center team in June, 2016. Prior to that, she served as Assistant Band Director and Woodwind Specialist at Rockwood Summit High School and Rockwood South Middle School where she conducted the Concert Band, Woodwind Choir, Pep Band, and Beginning Woodwinds. She also assisted with the award winning Rockwood Summit High School Marching Band. Throughout her twelve year career, Becky also taught in the Webb City Schools, Webb City, MO; Collinsville High School, Collinsville, IL; Mater Dei Catholic High School, Breese, IL; Dover Plains Middle High School, Dover Plains, NY; Arlington High School, Lagrangeville, NY. She taught numerous marching bands and winter drumlines and was on staff with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps in 2004. Becky received a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL in 2004 and a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009. Her most notable performing experiences include winning the Concerto-Aria Competition at Illinois Wesleyan and performing with the Phantom Legion Drum and Bugle Corps and Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. She remains active as a clinician, designer, and drill writer for programs throughout Illinois and Missouri. She resides in Fenton, MO with her husband, Jason; sons Jace and Grayson; and black lab, Cole Porter.
David Gorham retired in 2014 after 32 years in public school music education. He served as Director of Bands at Owasso High School for 25 years, 1989-2014, where he oversaw the entire band program, directed the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band II, and the Pride of Owasso marching band, as well as teaching AP Music Theory. During his tenure, the high school band grew from 120 to 380 members. Before coming to Owasso, he taught five years in Van Buren, Arkansas as Eighth Grade band director. The ensembles under his leadership have all earned Superior ratings at every region and state event for the 30 consecutive years. The Owasso Wind Ensemble performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in 1999 & 2012, and was selected as an Oklahoma Music Educator’s Association Honor Group seven times. The band program was awarded the Sudler Flag of Honor and Sudler Shield by the Sousa Foundation. They are the only program in Oklahoma to be honored with both awards. The marching band made three appearances in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade under his leadership, and was named the Overall Best Band in the 2014 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. In addition, they were named finalists at Bands of America Regionals in St. Louis, Arlington, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Grand Nationals Championships. In 2012, they were the BOA St. Louis Super-Regional Champions. Mr. Gorham was born in Hope, Arkansas and graduated from Hope High School in 1978. In 1982, he received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Arkansas. He received his Master of Music Education from the University of Arkansas in 1993. Mr. Gorham was selected as the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association Director of the Year for 1997. In addition, he was the 1988 ASBDA-Stanbury Award winner for Arkansas and the 1992 ASBDA-Stanbury Award winner for the South Central Region. In 2006, Mr. Gorham was the 2006 Section 6 recipient of the Outstanding Music Educator Award by the National Federation of High Schools. He was a recipient of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association Exemplary Teacher award in 2010, and Bandworld Legion of Honor Laureate in 2011. He is a member of Phi Beta Mu and the American Bandmasters Association. Mr. Gorham and the Owasso band program were featured in the September 2013 addition of School Band and Orchestra magazine. In 1999, he was listed in SBO as one of “50 Directors Who Make a Difference”, and in 2009 was included in the Instrumentalist magazine article “Five Perspectives on Warm-Ups”. Mr. Gorham has over 85 published works for concert band, published by Wingert-Jones Music Co.,Barnhouse, and Southern Music Co. These works have been included on contest lists throughout the United States, Australia, and Japan. He has composed a number of commissioned works for groups throughout the country, including the University of Arkansas Wind Ensemble, Arkansas All-State Band, the North Hills Symphony Band (Pittsburgh, PA), and the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America. For 30 years, Mr. Gorham had the privilege of working with his wife, Jana, an active band director and clinician. They have one son, Brant.
Kirby Swinney graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1982 with a degree in instrumental music education and retired in 2014 after teaching band for 30 years in the Oklahoma communities of Weleetka, Dewey, Choctaw and Shawnee. While at Dewey and Shawnee, both band programs earned their first ever OSSAA sweepstakes award and in 2013 the Shawnee Band Program earned its first ever double sweepstakes award when both concert bands earned superior ratings at the state level contest. Kirby's marching bands were consistently rated superior at regional competitions and were also consistent top twelve finalists at the OBA State Marching Band Championship Contest. Kirby has served as secretary of the OBA Board of Control and also served on the OBA Board of Directors as secretary and president. Kirby has served as band chairman for the Oklahoma Music Educators Association and also served on the OMEA board as band vice-president. He is a member of OMEA, OBA, NAfME and Phi Beta Mu. Kirby has two children. His son Adrian is a recent graduate of the University of Oklahoma and is teaching English in Japan. His daughter Caitlyn is currently a pre-nursing student at the University of Oklahoma in Norman.
Jeff recently retired after 28 years of teaching band in Oklahoma, primarily in Bartlesville and Pryor. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Oklahoma. During his 19 year tenure in Bartlesville his bands earned nine State Sweepstakes awards, were selected to perform as an honor band at the state music convention, and took the band overseas to Europe twice on concert tours. He is a third generation band director and between himself, his father, and his grandfather, have given over 110 years of teaching band to Oklahoma students. Jeff is also a past president of the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association and a past chairman of the Oklahoma All-State band. His professional affiliations include Oklahoma Bandmasters Association, NAME, Phi Beta Mu, Oklahoma Music Adjudicators Association, and the Percussive Arts Society. Mr. Lawless is also a very active professional percussionist performing with the Tulsa Symphony, Tulsa Opera Orchestra, Tulsa Ballet Orchestra, and Amici New York Orchestra every summer at the OK Mozart Festival. He has been lucky to perform with such notable musicians as Itzah Pearlman, Doc Severinsen, Branford Marsalis, Joshua Bell, Jean Pierre Rampal, and James Galway.
Troy Bunkley completed 31 years of teaching and joined the Palen Music Center team in June, 2016. He served as the Music Department chair and Band Director at Washington for 22 years, taught at Poplar Bluff for 7 years and Fredericktown for 2 years. He received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia and his Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University. He spends his free time trying to keep up with his three sons: Clayton in college, Cameron in the Army, and Colton in high school or his wife Julie with her colorguard groups.
Casey Tillman graduated from Missouri State University in 2000 with a degree in Mass Media. He came to Palen Music in 2001 and oversees technology and computer systems. Casey also coordinates inventory, shipping and receiving and oversees the accounting department.
Kale White retired from band directing in May 2016 to join the Palen Music Center team. He was a band director in Oklahoma for 27 years, having taught in Purcell, Owasso, the Putnam City schools in OKC, and the last eighteen years in Jenks. He earned his BME and MME at the University of Oklahoma. He is a member of the Oklahoma Bandmaster’s Association, Oklahoma Music Educator’s Association, and the Percussive Arts Society.
