RACerband leadership 2023
DIRECTORS
DR. Ashley shoupe, Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Racer Band
Dr. Ashley Shoupe is the Assistant Director of Bands at Murray State University, where she serves as the Director of Racer Band, Racer Pep Band, and Symphonic Band. In addition to her duties with the Murray State Bands, Dr. Shoupe instructs the Instrumental Music Education courses and serves as a University Supervisor to 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 perform more challenging music, and which competed annually at district and state level IGSMA contests. Her groups consistently received Division I ratings at festivals and contests. In addition to her daily duties teaching orchestra, Dr. Shoupe stayed active in the marching arts. She was 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 the Doctor of Musical Arts, Master of Music, and Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy from the University of Kentucky, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Northern Illinois University. 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.
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 perform more challenging music, and which competed annually at district and state level IGSMA contests. Her groups consistently received Division I ratings at festivals and contests. In addition to her daily duties teaching orchestra, Dr. Shoupe stayed active in the marching arts. She was 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 the Doctor of Musical Arts, Master of Music, and Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy from the University of Kentucky, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Northern Illinois University. 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. 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, Mr. 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, Mr. Johnson spent eleven years as a High School Band Director in both Kentucky and Texas. Under his direction, Mr. Johnson's bands have received consistent Sweepstakes ratings both on the marching field and on the concert stage. In 2002 and 2006 Mr. 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, Mr. 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 Mr. Johnson "Outstanding Young Band Director" at the KMEA Convention. In the summer of 2008, Mr. 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, Mr. 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.
Mr. Johnson received the Master of Music in Music Education Degree from New Mexico State University. Prior to NMSU, Mr. 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. Mr. 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, Mr. 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, Mr. Johnson spent eleven years as a High School Band Director in both Kentucky and Texas. Under his direction, Mr. Johnson's bands have received consistent Sweepstakes ratings both on the marching field and on the concert stage. In 2002 and 2006 Mr. 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, Mr. 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 Mr. Johnson "Outstanding Young Band Director" at the KMEA Convention. In the summer of 2008, Mr. 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, Mr. 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.
Mr. Johnson received the Master of Music in Music Education Degree from New Mexico State University. Prior to NMSU, Mr. 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. Mr. 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 & Officers
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Jake Glatczak, Drum Major
Instrumental Music Education Major Sam Mitchell, Drum Major Journalism / Media Production Major Nicole Payne, Drum Major Instrumental Music Education Major Liberty Guyette, Racer Band President Instrumental Music Education Major Diamond Edwards, Vice President of Community Instrumental Music Education Major |
Gena Ann Parker, Vice President of Woodwinds
Instrumental Music Education Major Tyler Bussen, Vice President of High Brass Music Business Major Cooper Barnett, Vice President of Low Brass Instrumental Music Education Major Maddie Beck, Vice President of Percussion Music Business Major T'Khiyah Trice-Wilford, Vice President of Color Guard Middle School Music Education Major, Popular Culture Minor Alex Caporali, Uniform Manager Animal Tech / Vet-Tech Major |
SECTION LEADERS
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Amelia Lutz, Flute Section Leader
Music Major MJ Bachman, Flute Section Leader Graphic Design Major Emily Stalker, Clarinet Section Leader Instrumental Music Education Major Madison Roby, Clarinet Section Leader Math Major Michaela Black, Saxophone Section Leader Nursing Major Ryan Potts, Saxophone Section Leader Occupational Safety and Health Major Nathan Shepperd, Saxophone Section Leader Biomedical Science Major, Music Minor Alex West, Trumpet Section Leader Health and Physical Education Major Alyssa Shrader, Trumpet Section Leader Instrumental Music Education Major Noah Hawkins, Trumpet Section Leader Music Business Major Rachel Colston, Mellophone Section Leader TESOL Major, Music Minor Hannah Pritchett, Mellophone Section Leader Instrumental Music Education Major |
Logan Combs, Trombone Section Leader
Musical Theatre Major Avery Mackey, Baritone Section Leader Wildlife Biology Major, Music Minor Isaac Carter, Sousaphone Section Leader Instrumental Music Education Major Nathaniel Moore, Sousaphone Section Leader Historical / Social Studies Certification Major Evan Carlton, Drumline Section Leader - Snare Accounting Major John Gibson, Drumline Section Leader - Tenors Vet-Tech Major Chris Trevathan, Drumline Section Leader - Bass Music Business Major, Recording Techniques Minor, Japanese Minor Spencer Osborne, Front Ensemble Section Leader Instrumental Music Education Major, History Minor Kit Bickers, Front Ensemble Section Leader Vocal Music Education Major Jesus Lara, Color Guard Section Leader Instrumental Music Education major Kristian Canada, Color Guard Section Leader Art Education Major Jayden Hammer, Color Guard Section Leader English / Secondary Education Major |
BARCS
Band ambassadors to the residential colleges
The purpose of the BARC program is to serve as a communicative liaison between colleges and Racer Band regarding scheduling conflicts during Great Beginnings and to build better relationships with incoming Racer Band freshman. Since participation in Racer Band requires seven days of camp for rehearsal prior to school, incoming freshman student miss many of the Great Beginnings sessions foundational for the college career. We will equip you with the information missed. Our goal is to promote community and build friendships across campus as well as within Racer Band. Also, we just love to have fun!
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Melissa Hagarty, Head BARC
Vocal Music Education Major Layla Turner, Lee Clark BARC Music Business Major, Business Administration Minor Samantha Sextonson, Franklin BARC Creative Writing Major, Film Studies Minor Erika Morton, Elizabeth & Richmond BARC Biology / Fisheries / Aquatic Bio Major |
Caden Laidlaw, Hart BARC
Music Business Major, Recording Techniques Minor Alex Mills, Hester BARC Instrumental Music Education Major Avery Francis, White BARC Electromechanical Engineering Technology Major |