HOMEWOOD PATRIOT BAND STAFF
CHRIS COOPER
DIRECTOR OF BANDS Mr. Christopher D. Cooper is in his 30th year of teaching and his first year the Director of Bands at Homewood High School in Homewood, Alabama. Mr. Cooper's groups have performed for the Alabama Music Educators Conference in 2002 and 2006 and the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic at Troy University in 2003 and 2006. The Homewood High School Band has grown significantly since Mr. Cooper's arrival in Homewood, from 140 students to now around 410 students in the high school band program. In 2014, Mr. Cooper was chosen as the Homewood Grown Impact Teacher of the year by the Homewood City Schools Foundation of Education. In 2009, Mr. Cooper was chosen to be the guest clinician for the Association of China and Mongolia International schools Honor Band held in Tianjin, China. During his 10 day stay in China, Mr. Cooper rehearsed the honor band and worked with several International Schools while in Tianjin. In 2004, Mr. Cooper was chosen as the Teacher of the Year at Homewood Middle School, Homewood City Schools, and 1 of 8 finalists for the State of Alabama Secondary Teacher of the Year. While at Homewood High, the band has performed at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 2000, 2006, 2011, 2018. They have performed at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California in 2003, 2009 and 2014 and will march in the 2022 parade in Pasadena CA. They have also performed at the 2000 George Bush Inaugural Parade in Washington D.C. in 2001, the Fiesta Bowl Parade in Phoenix, Arizona 2005, Orange Bowl Parade in Miami, Florida 2000, two Governor's Inaugural Parades for the State of Alabama and many other local events. In 1993, Mr. Cooper completed his Bachelors of Music Education from Auburn University. While at Auburn Mr. Cooper was the percussion section leader for three years, undergraduate assistant for one year, and President of Phi Mu Alpha. Mr. Cooper then completed his Masters of Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1996. Mr. Cooper is an active band and percussion adjudicator throughout the Southeast United States and has conducted over Thirty Middle School and Junior High Honor Bands throughout the Southeast United States. His Wife Karen is a 2nd grade teacher at Shades Cahaba Elementary School in Homewood, he has a daughter Molly Kathryn (19) who attends the University of North Alabama where she is a Lionette, and son Mason (17) who is a snare drummer in the Homewood Patriot Band. Mr Cooper is a 2014 inductee into Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. |
TERRANCE COBB
ASSIST. DIRECTOR Terrance Cobb is in his 17th year of teaching in Homewood. He is the Director of Bands at Homewood Middle School and Assistant Director at Homewood High School. Mr. Cobb’s teaches the Homewood Middle School Symphonic Band. At the high school, he also teaches the 7th period Concert Band, assists with the Chamber Winds, Honors Band, and the Homewood High School Patriot Marching Band. In addition to his responsibilities as assistant band director, Mr. Cobb also serves as the instructor for the Homewood High School Patriot Color Guard. As Patriot Guard Instructor, Mr. Cobb is responsible for all choreography and is the visual designer for the Homewood Patriot Marching Band. He is in high demand as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the southeast. His color guards have consistently received superior ratings, and have won Best in Class awards throughout the south. |
RYAN MURRELL
ASSIST. DIRECTOR Ryan Murrell is in his 12 year of teaching and his 4th year teaching at Homewood. He is an Assistant Band Director at Homewood Middle and Homewood High School. Mr. Murrell is a native of Homewood where he graduated in 2003. After graduation, he went to Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. He then attended the University of Southern Mississippi and received his Master's Degree in Music Education in 2019 and his Education Administration Degree in 2021. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education Administration from Southern Mississippi. While at JSU, he marched in the Marching Southerners where he marched trumpet and later became Head Drum Major. He was also involved in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and the JSU Brass Quintet. He helped found the Mu Iota Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi:Honorary Music Fraternity and became its first Chapter President in March 2009. He studied trumpet under Dr. Cameron "Chip" Crotts and Dr. John Merriman. He studied conducting under Dr. Kenneth G. Bodiford and Dr. Jeremy Stovall. |
JENNIFER AYERS
STAR SPANGLE GIRLS INSTRUCTOR More info coming soon! |
AMY HORTON
ASSIST. STAR SPANGLE GIRLS INSTRUCTOR Mrs. Amy Horton is a graduate of Vestavia Hills High School, where she was a member of the marching band's Rockettes danceline. She loved band so much that she continued her band and dance experience as a danceline member of the Auburn University Marching Band. After serving as danceline captain her final year at Auburn, Mrs. Horton graduated with a Bachelor's in Secondary Mathematics Education. She is now a math teacher and the Star Spangled Girls Assistant at Homewood High School. When she's not working, Mrs. Horton likes to go fishing and watch baseball and football with her husband Dylan. They both cheer for the Braves to win in baseball, but they are on opposing teams for college football. Everyone has to have a rival...War Eagle! |
ABIGAIL AHO
COLOR GUARD INSTRUCTOR Ms. Abigail Aho is in her first year as assistant Color Guard instructor with the Homewood Patriot Marching Band. In addition to her role at the high school, Ms. Aho teaches seventh grade Language Arts at Homewood Middle School. She is a graduate of Hoover High School, where she enjoyed participating in the color guard, winter guard, and symphonic band programs. After graduating, Ms. Aho attended Samford University, earning Bachelor’s degrees in English and Secondary Education. During her time at Samford, she served as the captain and choreographer for the Marching Bulldog Color Guard. Additionally, she performed 3 seasons with Divenire Winter Guard, earning a 6th place overall finish at WGI World Championships. Ms. Aho also marched a tour with Music City Drum and Bugle Corps, a competitive world class drum corps based in Nashville, Tennessee. Ms. Aho has judged numerous color guard auditions and enjoys working with various high school, collegiate, and independent color guards. She hopes to add many more years of experience choreographing and teaching in Homewood! |
DARREN HOLBROOKS
PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR Darren Holbrooks |
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JOHN BRADLEY
BAND COACH John Bradley is in his 49th year of teaching. |
RON PENCE
DIRECTOR EMERITUS Ron Pence |
