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About MeHi I am Brian Thompson. I have been teaching Band for the last 16 years in mostly Rural Utah. I teach at Richfield High School but have taught middle school and elementary bands. I was named Music Educator of the Year for 2021 by Utah High School Education Association. I was a Quarter Finalist for "2018 Educator of the Year" by The Grammy Foundation. My responsibilities include Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Percussion, Guitar, Choir, and Music 1010. The most important time of the year for me is the summer when I get to take my beautiful wife and four kids camping, thus the pictures.
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Who We Are |
I have played the trombone since I started beginning band in 7th grade. I now mostly play the Bass Trombone, well I own one so I just as well play it. I started college at Snow College, they had an emerging music program and gave me a chance.
I moved to The University of Utah mainly so I could be in the Olympic Band for the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake, yes I just gave away my age. I studied Music Education but spent most of my time practicing the trombone. While at U of U I got a job teaching a few elementary school bands in before and after-school programs, poor kids I had no clue what to do but I was able to learn a lot. I graduated and moved out of the city to a small town and have loved having no traffic ever since. I spent three summers going to The American Band College in Ashland, Oregon and received my Masters in Conducting from Sam Houston State University. Many of these method books were developed as part of my time at The American Band College. I appreciate the faculty and staff encouraging all of us to do our best and be creative in overcoming our weaknesses. |
Other Endeavors |
When I first started teaching full time I also had the opportunity to start a little side business as a piano tuner and have really enjoyed the challenge of repairing and tuning pianos. It has been fun to be able to experiment with different temperaments.
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