Vandegrift High School Percussion Ensemble

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

The Vandegrift High School Band was established in 2009 in Austin, TX. The band has a total enrollment of 326 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&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. The Vandegrift High School Percussion Ensemble is one of the premier performing ensembles as part of the percussion program. The percussion ensemble 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.

Vandegrift High School Percussion Ensemble

Conductor's Bio

Joe Hobbs is currently the Director of Percussion at Vandegrift High school in Austin, Texas. Joe is responsible for the Drum Line, percussion ensemble and also over sees all percussion responsibilities at Four Points Middle School in Austin, Texas. Vandegrift is a consistent BOA regional finalist and was the Texas State 5A Silver medalist in 2015. Joe was previously the director of percussion at Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, Texas. Under his direction the Newman Smith drum line was recognized as one of DFW’s strongest drum lines having won both the Plano Drum Line Contest as well as the Lone Star Drum Line Contest. Joe previously held the same position at Harpeth High School in Nashville, Tenn., where under his direction Harpeth was a Scholastic Open finalist at WGI Championships in 2009 and 2010, placing 4th in 2010. Harpeth also won multiple WGI regionals as well as SCGC championships. Joe currently serves as the percussion caption head for The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps from Rosemont, Ill. Joe took over the caption head position in 2015 after having joined the snare staff in 2014. Before joining The Cavaliers, Joe served on the percussion staff for the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Rockford, Ill., and Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps from Atlanta, Ga., where he was the battery caption head 2008-2010. Joe was also involved with Music City Mystique as a battery instructor from 2009 to 2011. He was a member of Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps from 2001-2003. During his time at Southwind he was named the 2003 DCI I&E Snare drum champion. From 2004-2006 Joe was a member of The Cavaliers’ snare line. During his time with The Cavaliers, Joe won two DCI World Championships, the 2006 DCI I&E mixed ensemble championship, and in 2006 he was awarded the “Cavalier of the Year” and Zildjian awards. Joe received his Music Education degree from Murray State University in Murray, Ky. Other teaching experience includes: George Rogers Clark High School, Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps, Murray State University, Austin Peay State University, and Mt. Juliet High School. Joe is endorsed by Pearl Drums, Innovative Percussion, and Evans Drumheads. Joe, his wife Kara, daughter Nina, and their Great Dane “Truman” currently live in Austin, Texas.