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Time:

Monday
December, 19, 2022
01:45 PM - 02:30 PM

Location:

W184

Category

Middle School Percussion Ensemble

Conductor

Conductor Thumb
Andrew Klein

Program

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Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

A. Nick Kerr Middle School opened in 2000-01. Our namesake, A.A. Nick Kerr, was dedicated to the students of Burleson ISD for 34 years as a teacher, coach and principal. In August 2019, we opened the newly constructed Kerr Middle School on East Hidden Creek Parkway in Burleson. Kerr Middle School serves nearly 1200 students in grades 6, 7 and 8. We are a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase school. Our core belief is developing and maintaining strong relationships with students. The motto of Kerr Middle School is “You Belong Here” and we strive to make Kerr a place where every student feels at home. Kerr Middle School offers a wide variety of academic and extracurricular activities such as advanced coursework, band, guard, choir, drama, cheerleading, dance, UIL athletics, and a plethora of elective classes. The Kerr Percussion Ensemble consists of first, second, and third year players, where they are enrolled in a full band class. Instruction and master-class opportunities occur five days a week, in addition to weekly private lessons. All students participate in solo and ensemble contest and concert band contests/festivals. Recently, the Kerr Percussion Ensembles placed 1st, 2nd, and 4th at the 2022 North Texas Percussion Festival. The studio has consistent representation at the Percussive Arts Society Texas Keyboard State Championships and finished in third place in 2018. Each year multiple Kerr percussion students earn a spot in the District Band and Texas Music Educators Association All-Region Bands. All percussion students have the option to participate in the competitive middle school indoor drumline each year. This ensemble rehearses outside the school day three times a week with additional percussion staff. The Kerr Indoor Drumline has earned five cadet championships (2016-2019 & 2022) in the North Texas Colorguard Association and is a feeder to the WGI World Class ensemble Burleson Centennial High School. The band program includes beginner band classes, two concert bands, pep band, guard class, percussion ensemble, and indoor drumline. In beginner band, students are grouped into homogenous instrument classes that focus on building solid players with strong fundamentals while nurturing a love of music. Seventh and eighth grade students are placed in ability based ensembles, where the curriculum is based on performing diverse and interesting repertoire. Frequent performances such as formal concerts, solo and ensemble contest, festivals, guard contests, indoor drumline contests, and pep rallies provide ample opportunities for students to perform exciting music. Moreover, the program also believes in providing masterclass opportunities with local professional musicians and dynamic music educators in order to inspire and develop our students. For more than two decades, the Kerr MS band program has consistently earned superior ratings at festivals, contests and UIL Concert & Sight Reading. Individually, band students consistently earn 1st divisions on solo and ensembles, and earn a significant number of positions in the District Band and the TMEA All-Region Bands. Kerr MS Band is a feeder to Burleson Centennial High School Band program. The high school bands have consistently earned sweepstakes at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading and multiple placements in the TMEA All-State bands. In 2012, the wind ensemble advanced to the TMEA State 3A Honor Band finals. Burleson Centennial High School has performed at the UIL State Marching Championships in 2021 and 2019. In 2019 the Spartan Regiment placed 5th in the 5A UIL State Marching Championships and were Area Champions. The percussion program has earned five NTCA scholastic indoor drumline championships, two 6th place finishes in WGI World Class Finals, and in 2017 earned a WGI Open Class World Championship.

Kerr Middle School Percussion Ensemble

Conductor's Bio

Andrew Klein is currently in his 14th year of teaching and 11th year in Burleson ISD. He serves as the Assistant Band Director at Burleson Centennial High School and Director of Percussion for Kerr Middle School. He conducts the Wind Symphony, assists with the Spartan Regiment, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and the percussion program. Mr. Klein is a native of Columbia City, Indiana and earned his Bachelor of Music Education Cum Laude from Ball State University in Muncie, IN. During his time at BSU he studied percussion with Dr. Erwin Mueller, conducting with Dr. Thomas Caneva, and student taught with WGI Hall of Fame Daniel Fyffe (Franklin Central HS). At Ball State, he was awarded the James Lane award in 2005, and the John McMahan award in 2006 for leadership and dedication in percussion. Mr. Klein earned his Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from Oklahoma State University. As a graduate teaching assistant, he studied conducting with Dr. Joseph Missal and percussion with Wayne Bovenschen. During his graduate degree, Mr. Klein conducted the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, University Brass Ensemble, Chamber Winds, Cowboy Marching Band, and Spirit Band. In 2009, he performed at the CBDNA National Convention in Austin, TX as a member of the OSU Wind Ensemble. Prior to returning to CHS, he served as the assistant band director and percussion director at Kerr Middle School. Before teaching in Burleson ISD, Mr. Klein was the assistant band director and percussion director at Temple High School. His bands and students have consistently earned sweepstakes at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading, superior ratings at the UIL State Solo & Ensemble contest, and multiple placements in the TMEA All-State bands. Burleson Centennial High School has advanced to the UIL State Marching Championships in 2021 and 2019. In 2019 the Spartan Regiment placed 5th in the 5A UIL State Marching Championships and were Area Champions. The percussion program has earned five NTCA scholastic indoor drumline championships, five NTCA cadet championships, two 6th place finishes in WGI World Class Finals, and in 2017 earned a WGI Open Class World Championship. Most recently, the Kerr Middle School Percussion Ensemble won the 2022 North Texas Percussion Festival, earned distinction as a national winner in the 2022 Mark of Excellence National Percussion Ensemble Honors, and were chosen as a featured ensemble at the 2022 Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Percussive Arts Society. Mr. Klein lives in Burleson, TX with his wife, Catharine, who is the head band director at Kerr Middle School. When he is not teaching he enjoys reel mowing, traveling, golf, and playing with his two miniature dachshunds Grace and Cara.

Additional Directors

Richard Kearns

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