Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
Claudia Taylor "Lady Bird" Johnson High School opened in August 2008, the newest of seven comprehensive high schools in the North East Independent School District. Claudia Taylor Johnson High School is the only high school in the United States named for the former First Lady. Additionally, the campus strives to embody Lady Bird's famous motto "Children are apt to live up to what you believe of them."
In just eleven years, the band program has grown to over 340 students under the direction of Jarrett Lipman, Alan Sharps, Robert Lozano, Dan Musacchio, Kris Hartman, and Darryl Pemberton. The Claudia Taylor Johnson Band has established a reputation for quality, innovation, and excitement. Retired Drum Corps International (DCI) Artistic Director and Award Winning Fred J. Miller Uniform Designer Michael Cesario has said about the band, “The Claudia Taylor Johnson Band has burst onto the national marching band scene with a brilliant sound, and distinctly new look … that has produced a powerful response from audiences and judges alike, garnering admiration for its full-throated, rich sound, its imaginative and inspiring presentations, and the high energy and intensity of its young performers.”
Claudia Taylor Johnson High School offers a comprehensive music program including marching band, 5 concert bands, 3 jazz bands, full orchestra, 4 string orchestras, a strong chamber music program, multiple percussion ensembles, and an athletic pep band. The concert band program is at the heart of the band department, and trains students year-round in important wind and percussion fundamentals to prepare for the performance of advanced and exciting literature. The ensembles at Johnson are based on bi-annual auditions that place students based on ability level. Each ensemble works at a carefully determined pace that allows its members to excel and enjoy “magical musical moments” through performances for the community and contest.
The Claudia Taylor Johnson Wind Ensemble advanced to the TMEA State Honor Band Contest in 2012 placing 5th overall, in 2014 placing 3rd overall, and in 2018 placing 4th overall. The Wind Ensemble and Concert Bands at Johnson have earned consistent Sweepstakes ratings since the school opened in 2008. The Wind Ensemble also served as a demonstration group and featured group for the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention (2010, 2014) and the New Jersey Music Educators Association conference (2013).
The Claudia Taylor Johnson Marching Band is a two-time Bands of America San Antonio Super Regional Champion (2014, 2016), a two-time Grand National Finalist (2011, 2016), and earned the Bronze Medal at the 2014 UIL 6A State Marching Contest. In addition, the band advanced to the 2010 and 2012 UIL State Marching Contest, and was named a State finalist in 2012. Since 2010, the band has been a consistent Bands of America Regional and Super Regional Finalist.
On January 1st, 2014, the Claudia Taylor Johnson Band marched in the 125th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. The band received the invitation to march in the famed parade in the fall of its 5th year, as only the third San Antonio Band to ever receive an invitation, and the only band to represent the Texas region in 2014.
Band Directors Jarrett Lipman and Alan Sharps have been at Johnson since the school opened in 2008. In 2014, Lipman was recognized as the Phi Beta Mu "Outstanding Young Bandmaster of the Year.” Band Director Alan Sharps was pop artist Pharrell Williams’ band director. Pharrell has credited Sharps with inspiring him to pursue music and overcome obstacles in life to achieve his dream of being a successful musician.
Claudia Taylor Johnson High School Wind Ensemble
Conductor's Bio
Jarrett Lipman is the Director of Bands at Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson High School in San Antonio, Texas. Lipman is currently on the Brass Faculty at the Boston Crusaders, and prior to that was on the Cadets Brass Faculty from 2010 to 2016.
At Claudia Taylor Johnson, Lipman directs the Marching Band, co-conducts the Wind Ensemble with Mr. Alan Sharps, and assists with the other concert bands and jazz ensembles. The Claudia Taylor Johnson Marching Band is a two-time Bands of America San Antonio Super Regional Champion, a two-time Grand National Finalist, and earned the Bronze Medal at the 2014 UIL 6A State Marching Contest. In addition, the band advanced to UIL State Marching Contest each year since 2010, and is a consistent finalist.
The Claudia Taylor Johnson Wind Ensemble advanced to the TMEA State Honor Band Contest in 2012 placing 5th overall, in 2014 placing 3rd overall, and in 2018 placing 4th overall. The Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the 2019 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. The band has also been invited to serve as demonstration group and featured group for the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention (2010, 2014) and the New Jersey Music Educators Association conference (2013).
Lipman graduated with dual degrees in Music Education and Euphonium Performance from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. From 2008-2010, Lipman performed as a euphonium player with the San Antonio Wind Symphony of San Antonio, Texas. In 2014, Lipman was selected as the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity Texas Chapter's “Outstanding Young Bandmaster.”
Lipman is grateful for the opportunity to continue to grow as an instructor under the guidance and mentoring of Mr. Tom Bennett, Mr. Gino Cipriani, Mr. Mark Chambers, Mr. Joe Dixon, Dr. Tim Rhea, Mr. James Keene, and Mr. Mike Brashear, all of whom have supported the development of the program at Johnson.
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