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| FACULTY & STAFF: |
Dr. Craig R. Miller
Miller completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in
Instrumental Conducting from the University of Missouri at
Kansas City Conservatory of Music in 2000. Dr. Miller is
currently the Director of Bands at Park Hill South High
School in Kansas City, MO. Dr. Miller was the first Director of
Bands at Blue Valley West High School for seven years
starting with the opening of the school in 2001 and
previously for one year at Shawnee Mission North High
School. Both schools are in Overland Park, KS.
Instrumental Conducting from the University of Missouri at
Kansas City Conservatory of Music in 2000. Dr. Miller is
currently the Director of Bands at Park Hill South High
School in Kansas City, MO. Dr. Miller was the first Director of
Bands at Blue Valley West High School for seven years
starting with the opening of the school in 2001 and
previously for one year at Shawnee Mission North High
School. Both schools are in Overland Park, KS.
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In 1998, Dr. Miller was a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music where
he was Director of the Kansas City Youth Wind Ensemble, Director of UMKC Athletic Bands, and Assistant Director of the
Conservatory Wind Ensemble under the baton of Professor Gary Hill who is currently at Arizona State University.
From 1993-1998, Dr. Miller was Associate Director of Bands at Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri. At Hickman,
he was director of three jazz ensembles, marching band and taught three levels of music theory including AP music
theory. He shared responsiblities of two concert bands with John G. Patterson, former of Coordinator of Music for
Columbia Public Schools in Columbia, Missouri.
Prior to his appointment at Hickman High School, he received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas at
Austin, Master of Music in Applied Trumpet from Indiana University at Bloomington, and was Assistant Director of Bands
at McCallum High School in Austin, Texas. During his residence at Indiana University, he was Director of the Young
Winds of Indiana Project and Instructor of Brass Techniques Courses at Indiana University. Dr. Miller returned to the
University of Texas at Austin to begin doctoral work in wind band conducting with Professor Jerry Junkin.
Dr. Miller left Austin to become the Director of Winds and Percussion at the High School for the Performing and Visual
Arts in Houston, Texas from 1991-1993, where he received the national winner of the Classical Wind Band Category in
the 1993 Down Beat music awards. That same year, Dr. Miller founded the Houston Academy of the Arts, a summer
program for inner city youths that now have over 500 students participating each summer.
Dr. Miller has been an adjudicator at the district, region and state levels of competition in Texas, Missouri, Kansas and
Oklahoma. He has been a conducting student of Gary Hill, Arizona State University; Ray Cramer, Indiana University and
trumpet student of Keith Benjamin, UMKC; Ray Crisara, UT-Austin; Charles Gorham, IU; Allen Dean, IU and Betty Scott,
University of Missouri.
he was Director of the Kansas City Youth Wind Ensemble, Director of UMKC Athletic Bands, and Assistant Director of the
Conservatory Wind Ensemble under the baton of Professor Gary Hill who is currently at Arizona State University.
From 1993-1998, Dr. Miller was Associate Director of Bands at Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri. At Hickman,
he was director of three jazz ensembles, marching band and taught three levels of music theory including AP music
theory. He shared responsiblities of two concert bands with John G. Patterson, former of Coordinator of Music for
Columbia Public Schools in Columbia, Missouri.
Prior to his appointment at Hickman High School, he received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas at
Austin, Master of Music in Applied Trumpet from Indiana University at Bloomington, and was Assistant Director of Bands
at McCallum High School in Austin, Texas. During his residence at Indiana University, he was Director of the Young
Winds of Indiana Project and Instructor of Brass Techniques Courses at Indiana University. Dr. Miller returned to the
University of Texas at Austin to begin doctoral work in wind band conducting with Professor Jerry Junkin.
Dr. Miller left Austin to become the Director of Winds and Percussion at the High School for the Performing and Visual
Arts in Houston, Texas from 1991-1993, where he received the national winner of the Classical Wind Band Category in
the 1993 Down Beat music awards. That same year, Dr. Miller founded the Houston Academy of the Arts, a summer
program for inner city youths that now have over 500 students participating each summer.
Dr. Miller has been an adjudicator at the district, region and state levels of competition in Texas, Missouri, Kansas and
Oklahoma. He has been a conducting student of Gary Hill, Arizona State University; Ray Cramer, Indiana University and
trumpet student of Keith Benjamin, UMKC; Ray Crisara, UT-Austin; Charles Gorham, IU; Allen Dean, IU and Betty Scott,
University of Missouri.
Mr. Matt Arnet
Matt has been involved in marching percussion as a
performer, arranger and clinician for over 15 years.
Following his years as a performing member of the Hickman
HS drumline, in Columbia, Missouri, Matt began a 4-year
stint (1997-2000) with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle
corps, spending his final 3 years acting as section leader of
the drumline as well as the bass drum section.
Matt also spent the fall of 1997 performing with the “Big M of
the Midwest” and the Marching Mizzou drumline. Matt’s
teaching career began in the fall of 1998 when he returned to
his alma mater to instruct the drumline at Hickman.
performer, arranger and clinician for over 15 years.
Following his years as a performing member of the Hickman
HS drumline, in Columbia, Missouri, Matt began a 4-year
stint (1997-2000) with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle
corps, spending his final 3 years acting as section leader of
the drumline as well as the bass drum section.
Matt also spent the fall of 1997 performing with the “Big M of
the Midwest” and the Marching Mizzou drumline. Matt’s
teaching career began in the fall of 1998 when he returned to
his alma mater to instruct the drumline at Hickman.
Matt taught and arranged battery percussion for Columbia-Hickman until 2003. In
the fall of 2001, Matt began teaching and arranging for Blue Valley West HS, a
position he currently still holds. In addition to working with the Red and Silver
Brigade, Matt has also established a winter drumline during his time at West. Matt’
s percussion ensembles and private students have consistently achieved at a high
level, earning top ratings and rankings in BOA, MCCGA, WGI and Kansas state
level festivals and competitions.
the fall of 2001, Matt began teaching and arranging for Blue Valley West HS, a
position he currently still holds. In addition to working with the Red and Silver
Brigade, Matt has also established a winter drumline during his time at West. Matt’
s percussion ensembles and private students have consistently achieved at a high
level, earning top ratings and rankings in BOA, MCCGA, WGI and Kansas state
level festivals and competitions.
Paul Bessetti is currently is an expert in the field of marching band fundamentals.
Previous to his arrival at Park Hill South as a consultant, Mr. Bessetti worked with
the Lake Erie Regiment and Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps. Of the four seasons
once with each corps.
Mr. Bessetti has a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of
Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, where he was a member
of the Conservatory Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble and Jazz
Ensemble as well as the Conservatory's Undergraduate Brass Quintet. While at
UMKC he studied trumpet with Dr. Keith Benjamin and performed in master classes
given by Jack Sutte, Keith Johnson and Charlie Geyer.
As a performer, Paul is in his fourth season with the Fountain City Brass Band
where he plays in the cornet section. In addition, he has recently accepted a
position with the Heritage Brass Quintet. Mr. Bessetti is also a freelance musician,
performing in various shows, religous services and ceremonies, as well as giving
recitals, clinics and lessons.
Previous to his arrival at Park Hill South as a consultant, Mr. Bessetti worked with
the Lake Erie Regiment and Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps. Of the four seasons
once with each corps.
Mr. Bessetti has a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of
Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, where he was a member
of the Conservatory Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble and Jazz
Ensemble as well as the Conservatory's Undergraduate Brass Quintet. While at
UMKC he studied trumpet with Dr. Keith Benjamin and performed in master classes
given by Jack Sutte, Keith Johnson and Charlie Geyer.
As a performer, Paul is in his fourth season with the Fountain City Brass Band
where he plays in the cornet section. In addition, he has recently accepted a
position with the Heritage Brass Quintet. Mr. Bessetti is also a freelance musician,
performing in various shows, religous services and ceremonies, as well as giving
recitals, clinics and lessons.
Mr. Paul Bessetti
Lakeview Middle School and Assistant High
School Band Director, directs the Concert
Band, the Jazz Ensemble, and assists with
the Marching Band. Mr. Boyd completed his
Mr. Charles Boyd, Director of Bands at
undergraduate study at Northwest Missouri
State University. Park Hill jazz bands under
Mr. Boyd's direction have received
consistent superior ratings at area jazz band
festivals and contests. The PHS Jazz
Ensemble is regularly requested to perform
for various local events and functions.
School Band Director, directs the Concert
Band, the Jazz Ensemble, and assists with
the Marching Band. Mr. Boyd completed his
Mr. Charles Boyd, Director of Bands at
undergraduate study at Northwest Missouri
State University. Park Hill jazz bands under
Mr. Boyd's direction have received
consistent superior ratings at area jazz band
festivals and contests. The PHS Jazz
Ensemble is regularly requested to perform
for various local events and functions.
Mr. Charles Boyd
After his undergraduate study Mr. Boyd became a member of the United States
Marine Band program, stationed at El Toro, California. While serving in the Marine
Band program at El Toro, Mr. Boyd held the position of principal Cornet in the
assumed duties as brass assumed duties as brass section leader of the El Toro Marine
Band program. He is also active as an adjudicator in Missouri, and is a member of
the MMEA, MENC, Phi Beta Mu, MBA, and IAJE. He is past Middle School/Junior
High School Band Vice President of the MMEA Kansas City District #3. In addition to
his duties with Lakeview MS and Park Hill South.h
Marine Band program, stationed at El Toro, California. While serving in the Marine
Band program at El Toro, Mr. Boyd held the position of principal Cornet in the
assumed duties as brass assumed duties as brass section leader of the El Toro Marine
Band program. He is also active as an adjudicator in Missouri, and is a member of
the MMEA, MENC, Phi Beta Mu, MBA, and IAJE. He is past Middle School/Junior
High School Band Vice President of the MMEA Kansas City District #3. In addition to
his duties with Lakeview MS and Park Hill South.h
:: Park Hill South High School Band ::
| May 14, 2008 - Last Update |