MEET OUR DIRECTORS
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James Rees, Director of Bands
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James Rees serves as the Director of Bands at Grapevine High School. He is entering his 13th year of teaching and second year at Grapevine. Prior to his current position he was the Associate Director at Lake Highlands High School in Richardson ISD and Associate Director at Evans Middle School in McKinney ISD.
Bands under Mr. Rees' direction have earned superior ratings consistently at all UIL events. Those bands have been selected as the outstanding group at Peak Music Festival, South Coast Music Festival and the Director's Choice Lone Star Showcase of Music. The Lake Highlands Symphonic Band was selected as a Commended Winner of the Foundation of Music Education's Citation of Excellence in 2018. Musicals conducted by Mr. Rees have been nominated for best orchestra in the Dallas Summer Musical Awards and Casa Mañana's Buckley Awards.
Mr. Rees holds Bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Music Performance from Texas Tech University. During his time at Texas Tech, Mr. Rees was selected as the Principal Tuba of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra. At the time of his appointment he was the youngest member of the Orchestra. Mr. Rees also holds a Master's in Music Education from Southern Methodist University.
Mr. Rees is an active adjudicator and guest clinician and is honored to have professional affiliations with Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association. Mr. Rees and his wife Sarah live in Grapevine and enjoy friends, family, food and travel.
Bands under Mr. Rees' direction have earned superior ratings consistently at all UIL events. Those bands have been selected as the outstanding group at Peak Music Festival, South Coast Music Festival and the Director's Choice Lone Star Showcase of Music. The Lake Highlands Symphonic Band was selected as a Commended Winner of the Foundation of Music Education's Citation of Excellence in 2018. Musicals conducted by Mr. Rees have been nominated for best orchestra in the Dallas Summer Musical Awards and Casa Mañana's Buckley Awards.
Mr. Rees holds Bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Music Performance from Texas Tech University. During his time at Texas Tech, Mr. Rees was selected as the Principal Tuba of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra. At the time of his appointment he was the youngest member of the Orchestra. Mr. Rees also holds a Master's in Music Education from Southern Methodist University.
Mr. Rees is an active adjudicator and guest clinician and is honored to have professional affiliations with Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association. Mr. Rees and his wife Sarah live in Grapevine and enjoy friends, family, food and travel.
William Redd
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Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Mr. Redd received his Bachelor Degree in Music Education from Slippery Rock University where he studied trumpet with Dr. Stephen Hawk and Mr. Joe Herndon. Upon graduation in 2015, he began teaching at Moon Area School District in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.
In 2017, Mr. Redd moved to Texas and started teaching at Belton High School, where he was the director of the Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble 1, and Symphonic Band 2. Under Mr. Redd's direction, the Marching Band received consistent Sweepstakes Awards and advanced to Area D Marching Contest and under his direction Jazz Ensemble 1 received consistent superior ratings including: Temple College Jazz Festival, Longhorn Jazz Festival, UT Arlington Jazz Festival, and TCU Jazz Festival. With Mr. Redd's guidance, the Symphonic Band 2 received Sweepstakes and earned superior ratings from all judges for the first time in program history.
Mr. Redd is an active teacher and clinician across the country. He is also the director of the Crossmen Winds (2019 WGI WIW finalists) and Assistant Brass Caption Manager at the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Redd has taught both indoor and outdoor ensembles including: The Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (Denver, CO); Rhythm X Winds (Dayton, OH); Belton HS (Belton, TX), Moon Area High School Marching Band (PA); Norwin Marching Band (PA); Kiski Area Marching Band (PA); and Slippery Rock University Winter Guard (PA). Mr. Redd performed with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps and was in the inaugural cast of the 2015 WGI World Champion, Rhythm X Winds as a featured soloist.
In 2017, Mr. Redd moved to Texas and started teaching at Belton High School, where he was the director of the Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble 1, and Symphonic Band 2. Under Mr. Redd's direction, the Marching Band received consistent Sweepstakes Awards and advanced to Area D Marching Contest and under his direction Jazz Ensemble 1 received consistent superior ratings including: Temple College Jazz Festival, Longhorn Jazz Festival, UT Arlington Jazz Festival, and TCU Jazz Festival. With Mr. Redd's guidance, the Symphonic Band 2 received Sweepstakes and earned superior ratings from all judges for the first time in program history.
Mr. Redd is an active teacher and clinician across the country. He is also the director of the Crossmen Winds (2019 WGI WIW finalists) and Assistant Brass Caption Manager at the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Redd has taught both indoor and outdoor ensembles including: The Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (Denver, CO); Rhythm X Winds (Dayton, OH); Belton HS (Belton, TX), Moon Area High School Marching Band (PA); Norwin Marching Band (PA); Kiski Area Marching Band (PA); and Slippery Rock University Winter Guard (PA). Mr. Redd performed with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps and was in the inaugural cast of the 2015 WGI World Champion, Rhythm X Winds as a featured soloist.
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Brooke Irby
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Ms. Irby is a native of Bedford, TX, where she attended L.D. Bell High School. In her time at Bell, she had the privilege of performing and placing at the Texas State Marching Contest, and BOA Grand Nationals. She was a member of the leadership team in 2012, and a drum major in 2013.
She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Ms. Irby studied clarinet under Dr. Christopher Ayer. She was a member of the SFA Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Fred J. Allen for 4 years, and principal clarinet in the SFA Orchestra and Opera Theatre. In 2015, she performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC with the Lumberjack Marching Band. During her final semester of study, she had the pleasure of studying conducting with Dr. Tamey Anglley.
Ms. Irby served as a student teacher at Prosper High School with John Alstrin and Rogers Middle School with Brandon Holt.
Ms. Irby comes to us from McKinney Boyd High School in McKinney, TX. During her time in McKinney, she assisted with the marching program and directed the Symphonic II Band. In her first UIL Concert and Sightreading her band earned Sweepstakes.
She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Ms. Irby studied clarinet under Dr. Christopher Ayer. She was a member of the SFA Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Fred J. Allen for 4 years, and principal clarinet in the SFA Orchestra and Opera Theatre. In 2015, she performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC with the Lumberjack Marching Band. During her final semester of study, she had the pleasure of studying conducting with Dr. Tamey Anglley.
Ms. Irby served as a student teacher at Prosper High School with John Alstrin and Rogers Middle School with Brandon Holt.
Ms. Irby comes to us from McKinney Boyd High School in McKinney, TX. During her time in McKinney, she assisted with the marching program and directed the Symphonic II Band. In her first UIL Concert and Sightreading her band earned Sweepstakes.
Rick Drewry
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Rick Drewry is joining the Grapevine Mustang Band Family from Spring, TX where he served as Percussion Director and Assistant Band Director at Conroe ISD's newest high school Grand Oaks. He is the primary front ensemble technician for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps and a front ensemble instructor for Monarch Independent indoor percussion ensemble.
Mr. Drewry is originally from Nashville, TN and received a bachelor's in music education from the University of Tennessee at Martin. While attending his undergrad, Mr. Drewry had the privilege of performing three seasons with The Cavaliers (2012-2014) and one season with Music City Mystique (2014). Mr. Drewry also holds a masters in performance from the University of Texas at Austin where he studied with marimba virtuoso Dr. Thomas Burritt and Prof. Tony Edwards, Principal Timpanist for the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Before coming to Grapevine, Mr. Drewry was lucky enough to work with and learn from a few very successful high school programs, such as The Woodlands High School, Cy-Fair High School Indoor Drumline, and Lake Travis High School.
Mr. Drewry is BEYOND excited for this incredible opportunity to join the band staff as Director of Percussion for Grapevine High School. Mr. Drewry and Pikachu (his chinchilla), and Hei Hei, Cleo (his birds) are excited for new adventures at Grapevine High School!
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Justin Draper
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As an instructor, Justin R Draper has been teaching kids and adults for 15+ years in many performance genres/ages including early childhood (creative movement), youth / teens (marching arts, musical theatre, technical dance), and adults (technical movement, improv).
He has previously worked with Dance 411 Competition & Performance Company (GA), Movement Designer at Spirit of Atlanta Drum & Bugle Corps (GA), and Color Guard Director at Fayette County High School (GA). Mr. Draper currently serves as Color Guard Caption Head at Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps (AL), Movement Designer at Colts Drum & Corps (IA), and Lead Administrative Coordinator at Paramount Winterguard (GA).
Being the child of a band director, Mr. Draper’s love for music and performing sprouted at a very early age. Originally from Heflin, AL, he adopted the alto saxophone as his first instrument of choice and attended various local and regional honor bands through high school, receiving top placements. Mr. Draper went on to attend Jacksonville State University and join The Marching Southerners Colorguard (AL). Afterwards, he performed with Eastern Shore Independent winterguard (AL) and worked with local community theatre groups along the gulf coast. He was then a feature member of the Paramount Winterguard (GA) for 5 years and was honored to receive the gold medal in independent world-class classification at WGI World Championships 2018.
His passion for education and coaching has led him to work in many diverse areas including: Drum Corps International, Bands of America, Winter Guard International, Southern Association for Performance Arts, Southeastern Color Guard Circuit, Gulfcoast Colorguard & Percussion Circuit, Mississippi Indoor Association, StarQuest Dance Competition, Revolution Talent Competition, and Fusion National Dance Competition.
Mr. Draper is excited to join the talented team at Grapevine High School and work with the gorgeous Mustang Guard!
He has previously worked with Dance 411 Competition & Performance Company (GA), Movement Designer at Spirit of Atlanta Drum & Bugle Corps (GA), and Color Guard Director at Fayette County High School (GA). Mr. Draper currently serves as Color Guard Caption Head at Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps (AL), Movement Designer at Colts Drum & Corps (IA), and Lead Administrative Coordinator at Paramount Winterguard (GA).
Being the child of a band director, Mr. Draper’s love for music and performing sprouted at a very early age. Originally from Heflin, AL, he adopted the alto saxophone as his first instrument of choice and attended various local and regional honor bands through high school, receiving top placements. Mr. Draper went on to attend Jacksonville State University and join The Marching Southerners Colorguard (AL). Afterwards, he performed with Eastern Shore Independent winterguard (AL) and worked with local community theatre groups along the gulf coast. He was then a feature member of the Paramount Winterguard (GA) for 5 years and was honored to receive the gold medal in independent world-class classification at WGI World Championships 2018.
His passion for education and coaching has led him to work in many diverse areas including: Drum Corps International, Bands of America, Winter Guard International, Southern Association for Performance Arts, Southeastern Color Guard Circuit, Gulfcoast Colorguard & Percussion Circuit, Mississippi Indoor Association, StarQuest Dance Competition, Revolution Talent Competition, and Fusion National Dance Competition.
Mr. Draper is excited to join the talented team at Grapevine High School and work with the gorgeous Mustang Guard!
Austin Von Kalow, Assistant Percussion Director |
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Mr. Von Kalow grew up in Dallas, TX, where he attended Lake Highlands High School. He is excited to begin his first year of teaching and will serve as the assistant percussion director for the Grapevine Mustang Band.
Mr. Von Kalow received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Texas Christian University where he studied with Dr. Brian West, Joey Carter, Jeffery Hodge and Joseph Eckert. During his time at TCU, he was heavily involved in several of the performing ensembles at TCU including the Percussion Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Band, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and the Horned Frog-Marching Band, where he served as the drumline captain in 2018. While representing TCU in these ensembles, Mr. Von Kalow received the outstanding soloist award at the Elmhurst Jazz Festival in Illinois in 2017 and performed twice at the PASIC convention in 2015 and 2019 with the TCU Percussion Orchestra. While pursuing his degree in music education, he served as a percussion technician and has instructed several drumlines in the DFW metroplex. He completed his final semester at TCU by student teaching at Colleyville Heritage High School and Colleyville Middle School under the instruction of Nick Beaudet, Nick Thomas and Lauren Jones.
Mr. Von Kalow is very excited for the opportunity to work with the outstanding staff and students of Grapevine High School.
Mr. Von Kalow received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Texas Christian University where he studied with Dr. Brian West, Joey Carter, Jeffery Hodge and Joseph Eckert. During his time at TCU, he was heavily involved in several of the performing ensembles at TCU including the Percussion Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Band, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and the Horned Frog-Marching Band, where he served as the drumline captain in 2018. While representing TCU in these ensembles, Mr. Von Kalow received the outstanding soloist award at the Elmhurst Jazz Festival in Illinois in 2017 and performed twice at the PASIC convention in 2015 and 2019 with the TCU Percussion Orchestra. While pursuing his degree in music education, he served as a percussion technician and has instructed several drumlines in the DFW metroplex. He completed his final semester at TCU by student teaching at Colleyville Heritage High School and Colleyville Middle School under the instruction of Nick Beaudet, Nick Thomas and Lauren Jones.
Mr. Von Kalow is very excited for the opportunity to work with the outstanding staff and students of Grapevine High School.