RACer band leadership 2025
DIRECTORS
DR. Ashley shoupe, Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Racer Band
Dr. Ashley Shoupe was appointed as the Assistant Director of Bands at Murray State University in 2023, where she currently serves as Director of the Racer Band, Racer Pep Band, and Symphonic Band. In addition to directing ensembles, Dr. Shoupe also instructs courses in Instrumental Music Education and supervises teacher candidates.
Prior to her graduate studies, Dr. Shoupe was the Orchestra Director at Huntley Middle School in DeKalb, Illinois. During her time there, she grew the program to over 100 students, fostering growth in the quality of the program and literature performed. Additionally, she founded the Chamber Orchestra, an auditioned ensemble aimed to extend the daily curriculum and to continuously further musical growth in it's members. Each of Dr. Shoupe's groups continuously received Division I ratings at yearly contests and festivals. In addition to teaching orchestra, Dr. Shoupe stayed active in the marching arts, having been hired as visual and music staff with all levels of marching ensembles, including the Northern Illinois University Huskie Marching Band, the Sycamore High School Marching Spartans, and Chromium Winds.
Dr. Shoupe earned a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Kentucky in 2023, a Master of Music and Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy from the University of Kentucky in 2021, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Northern Illinois University in 2014. She is proud to have studied with such esteemed educators as Dr. Cody Birdwell, Dr. Shayna Stahl, Professor George Boulden, Dr. Jennifer Campbell, and Dr. Thomas Bough. Dr. Shoupe is currently an active member of Women Band Director's International, the National Band Association, and the College Band Directors National Association.
Prior to her graduate studies, Dr. Shoupe was the Orchestra Director at Huntley Middle School in DeKalb, Illinois. During her time there, she grew the program to over 100 students, fostering growth in the quality of the program and literature performed. Additionally, she founded the Chamber Orchestra, an auditioned ensemble aimed to extend the daily curriculum and to continuously further musical growth in it's members. Each of Dr. Shoupe's groups continuously received Division I ratings at yearly contests and festivals. In addition to teaching orchestra, Dr. Shoupe stayed active in the marching arts, having been hired as visual and music staff with all levels of marching ensembles, including the Northern Illinois University Huskie Marching Band, the Sycamore High School Marching Spartans, and Chromium Winds.
Dr. Shoupe earned a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Kentucky in 2023, a Master of Music and Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy from the University of Kentucky in 2021, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Northern Illinois University in 2014. She is proud to have studied with such esteemed educators as Dr. Cody Birdwell, Dr. Shayna Stahl, Professor George Boulden, Dr. Jennifer Campbell, and Dr. Thomas Bough. Dr. Shoupe is currently an active member of Women Band Director's International, the National Band Association, and the College Band Directors National Association.
Dr. Brent M. Johnson, Director of University Bands
Dr. Brent Johnson was appointed Director of Bands in June of 2022 and Director of Racer Band at Murray State University beginning in the fall of 2020. In May of 2021, Dr. Johnson completed his doctoral studies and the University of Kentucky and received a DMA in Instrumental Conducting. Prior to moving to Lexington, he spent 5 years as the Director of Bands at Evergreen High School in Vancouver, Washington. While at Evergreen, the concert bands showed tremendous growth and garnered much attention for their improvement in quality and literature. The Wind Ensemble was selected to perform in the 2018 Music For All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, IN. This is the first national honor the band program at Evergreen has received. In 2017, the Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the Pacific Northwest Concert Band Festival at the University of Washington in Seattle. Also, the Evergreen Marching Band grew from 90 members to 130 members in one year and earned 2nd place in the Pacific Northwest Championships held at the University of Oregon. In 2019, the Evergreen High School Wind Symphony performed at the NAfME All-Northwest Division Conference in Portland, OR.
Previous to moving to the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Johnson spent one year as Director of Fine Arts for the Harlandale Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas. His roles and responsibilities included overseeing all aspects of the Fine Arts Programs, K-12, including Music, Drama, Dance, Visual Art, Mariachi, and Spirit. Harlandale ISD is made up of 14 square miles on the south side of San Antonio, Texas and services nearly 15,000 students.
Before becoming Director of Fine Arts, Dr. Johnson spent eleven years as a High School Band Director in both Kentucky and Texas. Under his direction, Dr. Johnson's bands have received consistent Sweepstakes ratings both on the marching field and on the concert stage. In 2002 and 2006 Dr. Johnson led the Elizabethtown High School Band (KY) and the Daviess County High School Band (KY), respectively, to the state finals of the Kentucky Music Educators Association State Marching Band Championships. In 2007, the Daviess County High School Band was a finalist and 3rd place overall at the Bands of America Tennessee Regional in Clarksville, TN. From 2002 to 2008, Dr. Johnson's concert bands were consistently named to Exemplary Performance Status by the Kentucky Music Educators Association for their distinguished performances at both region and state Concert and Sight Reading Contests. In 2008, the Kentucky Chapter of the Phi Beta Mu National Bandmasters honor society named Dr. Johnson "Outstanding Young Band Director" at the KMEA Convention. In the summer of 2008, Dr. Johnson was named Associate Band Director of the Winston Churchill High School Band in San Antonio, TX. While at Churchill, the band program was a finalist at the Houston Bands of America Regional and the Bands of America San Antonio Super Regional for two years. In 2008, the Churchill Band was named a 5A State Finalist at the UIL State Marching Band Championships. The Churchill Band was also invited to perform at Pearl Harbor as a commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the bombing. In 2010, Dr. Johnson was selected to become the Head Band Director and Fine Arts Department Chair at Douglas MacArthur High School, a sister school to Churchill. While at MacArthur, the band program grew from 150 to over 260 students in two years. All three concert bands consistently earned sweepstakes ratings during his tenure, and in 2011, the MacArthur Band was selected to perform a feature concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Dr. Johnson received the Master of Music in Music Education Degree from New Mexico State University. Prior to NMSU, Dr. Johnson is a 2001 graduate of Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. He is proud to have studied with such wonderful teachers as John Fannin, Dennis Johnson, Ray Conklin, Dr. Christopher Hughes and Dr. James Shearer. Dr. Johnson is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Washington Music Educators Association, the National Band Association and the Kentucky Music Educators Association.
Previous to moving to the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Johnson spent one year as Director of Fine Arts for the Harlandale Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas. His roles and responsibilities included overseeing all aspects of the Fine Arts Programs, K-12, including Music, Drama, Dance, Visual Art, Mariachi, and Spirit. Harlandale ISD is made up of 14 square miles on the south side of San Antonio, Texas and services nearly 15,000 students.
Before becoming Director of Fine Arts, Dr. Johnson spent eleven years as a High School Band Director in both Kentucky and Texas. Under his direction, Dr. Johnson's bands have received consistent Sweepstakes ratings both on the marching field and on the concert stage. In 2002 and 2006 Dr. Johnson led the Elizabethtown High School Band (KY) and the Daviess County High School Band (KY), respectively, to the state finals of the Kentucky Music Educators Association State Marching Band Championships. In 2007, the Daviess County High School Band was a finalist and 3rd place overall at the Bands of America Tennessee Regional in Clarksville, TN. From 2002 to 2008, Dr. Johnson's concert bands were consistently named to Exemplary Performance Status by the Kentucky Music Educators Association for their distinguished performances at both region and state Concert and Sight Reading Contests. In 2008, the Kentucky Chapter of the Phi Beta Mu National Bandmasters honor society named Dr. Johnson "Outstanding Young Band Director" at the KMEA Convention. In the summer of 2008, Dr. Johnson was named Associate Band Director of the Winston Churchill High School Band in San Antonio, TX. While at Churchill, the band program was a finalist at the Houston Bands of America Regional and the Bands of America San Antonio Super Regional for two years. In 2008, the Churchill Band was named a 5A State Finalist at the UIL State Marching Band Championships. The Churchill Band was also invited to perform at Pearl Harbor as a commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the bombing. In 2010, Dr. Johnson was selected to become the Head Band Director and Fine Arts Department Chair at Douglas MacArthur High School, a sister school to Churchill. While at MacArthur, the band program grew from 150 to over 260 students in two years. All three concert bands consistently earned sweepstakes ratings during his tenure, and in 2011, the MacArthur Band was selected to perform a feature concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Dr. Johnson received the Master of Music in Music Education Degree from New Mexico State University. Prior to NMSU, Dr. Johnson is a 2001 graduate of Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. He is proud to have studied with such wonderful teachers as John Fannin, Dennis Johnson, Ray Conklin, Dr. Christopher Hughes and Dr. James Shearer. Dr. Johnson is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Washington Music Educators Association, the National Band Association and the Kentucky Music Educators Association.
drum Majors
Gil Marjadi
Instrumental Music Education Major
Maxxwell Stobaugh
Finance & Financial Planning Major
Bailey Welch
Instrumental Music Education Major
Instrumental Music Education Major
Maxxwell Stobaugh
Finance & Financial Planning Major
Bailey Welch
Instrumental Music Education Major
Officers
Nathan Kasitz, Racer Band President
Instrumental Music Education Major
Ethan Springer, Vice President of Community
Business Administration Major
Mariah Kelley, Vice President of Woodwinds
Sociology Major
Lucas Tucker, Vice President of High Brass
Instrumental Music Education Major
Reagan Abbott, Vice President of Low Brass
Construction Management & Architecture Design Major
Kayleigh Miller, Vice President of Percussion
Biology Major
Lillie Allen, Vice President of Color Guard
Exercise Science Major
Instrumental Music Education Major
Ethan Springer, Vice President of Community
Business Administration Major
Mariah Kelley, Vice President of Woodwinds
Sociology Major
Lucas Tucker, Vice President of High Brass
Instrumental Music Education Major
Reagan Abbott, Vice President of Low Brass
Construction Management & Architecture Design Major
Kayleigh Miller, Vice President of Percussion
Biology Major
Lillie Allen, Vice President of Color Guard
Exercise Science Major
SECTION LEADERS
WOODWINDSKensley Norvell, Flute Section Leader
Social Work Major Maya Lee, Flute Section Leader Instrumental Music Education Major Lily Knotts, Clarinet Section Leader Instrumental Music Education Major Shawnee LaMar, Clarinet Section Leader Instrumental Music Education Major Katie Weaver, Clarinet Section Leader Elementary Education Major Nathaniel Fowler, Saxophone Section Leader Instrumental Music Education Major Hayden Heberer, Saxophone Section Leader Instrumental Music Education Major PercussionGraham Gerard, Drumline Section Leader - Snare
Mathematics Education Major, Music Minor Elliott Corressell, Drumline Section Leader - Tenors Civil Engineering Major Anz Blankenship, Drumline Section Leader - Bass Business Administration Major Sam Rudy, Front Ensemble Section Leader Instrumental Music Education Major |
BrassJoshua Buxton, Trumpet Section Leader
Instrumental Music Education Major Dalton Darnall, Trumpet Section Leader Instrumental Music Education Major Liam Stewart, Trumpet Section Leader Engineering Major Kendee Creekmur, Mellophone Section Leader Music Business Major Amelia Messersmith, Mellophone Section Leader Instrumental Music Education Major Logan Calhoun, Trombone Section Leader Psychology Major Bryson Barger, Baritone Section Leader Instrumental Music Education Major Aaron Johnson, Baritone Section Leader Instrumental Music Education Major Ly Myre, Sousaphone Section Leader Wildlife & Conservation Biology Major Color guardMadisyn Farley, Color Guard Section Leader
Exercise Science Major Easton Keenan, Color Guard Section Leader Environmental Sciences Major Camryn Kyle, Color Guard Section Leader Art & Graphic Design Major |
Band council |
Uniform team |
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Kendall Davis, Clarinet
English & Creative Writing Major Scarlett Gant, Flute Biology Major Timothy Hanley, Trumpet Instrumental Music Education Major Ryley Pribble, Baritone Instrumental Music Education Major Madeline Walton, Bass Clarinet Animal Health / Vet-Tech Major Syd Custer, Mellophone - Social Media Co-Chair Advertising Major Julia DeBoer, Sousaphone - Social Media Co-Chair Business Administration Major |
Juliann Heisdorffer, Bass Clarinet -Team Manager
Criminal Justice Major Gavin Hartle, Sousaphone Instrumental Music Education Major Ellie Lawson, Flute Animal Health & Pre-Vet Tech Major Vie Matally, Clarinet Art & Graphic Design Major Xavier Meek, Saxophone Instrumental Music Education Major Grace Trowbridge, Color Guard Middle School Education Major |