| :: Faculty :: |
Mr. Mark Nichols
| Staff News |
:: Blue Valley West High School Band ::
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Ms. Carolyn Knapp
She is credited with building a comprehensive band program that is successful in
many areas. Her high school bands have consistently provided quality performances
for private and community organizations at the national and local levels. Mrs. Knapp
also conducted a summer program for beginning instrumental students for fifteen years.
Mrs. Knapp received her Bachelor of Music Education from Kansas State University,
her Master of Arts from Webster University along with graduate work at the University of
Missouir-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. Her concert band experience includes
collaboration with many well know conductors and clinicians. She has worked with Dr.
Frank Tracz, KSU, Dr. Michael Golemo, Iowa State University, Dr. Patrick Casey,
Central Missouri State University, Dr. Craig Miller, Blue Valley West High School, Dr.
Melvin MiIes, Morgan State University; and Mr. Ken Green, Northwestern in LA.
Mrs. Knapp served as Secretary on the Kansas City Youth Wind Ensemble Board of
Directors for two years. Her professional memberships include: National Band
Association, Music Educator's National Conference, Kansas Bandmaster's Association,
Missouri Band Master's Associatoin, Kansas Band Master's Association and Mu Phi
Epsilon.
many areas. Her high school bands have consistently provided quality performances
for private and community organizations at the national and local levels. Mrs. Knapp
also conducted a summer program for beginning instrumental students for fifteen years.
Mrs. Knapp received her Bachelor of Music Education from Kansas State University,
her Master of Arts from Webster University along with graduate work at the University of
Missouir-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. Her concert band experience includes
collaboration with many well know conductors and clinicians. She has worked with Dr.
Frank Tracz, KSU, Dr. Michael Golemo, Iowa State University, Dr. Patrick Casey,
Central Missouri State University, Dr. Craig Miller, Blue Valley West High School, Dr.
Melvin MiIes, Morgan State University; and Mr. Ken Green, Northwestern in LA.
Mrs. Knapp served as Secretary on the Kansas City Youth Wind Ensemble Board of
Directors for two years. Her professional memberships include: National Band
Association, Music Educator's National Conference, Kansas Bandmaster's Association,
Missouri Band Master's Associatoin, Kansas Band Master's Association and Mu Phi
Epsilon.
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Carolyn Knapp is Assistant Director of
Bands for Blue Valley West High School.
Prior to her appointment at Blue Valley
West, Mrs. Knapp was Director of Bands at
Center High School in the Center School
District. She has spent thirty-two years in
music education teaching general music,
vocal and instrumental music.
Bands for Blue Valley West High School.
Prior to her appointment at Blue Valley
West, Mrs. Knapp was Director of Bands at
Center High School in the Center School
District. She has spent thirty-two years in
music education teaching general music,
vocal and instrumental music.
Mr. Matt Arnet
Matt has been involved in marching percussion as a
performer, arranger and clinician for over 12 years.
Following his years as a performing member of the Hickman
HS drumline, in Columbia, Missouri, Matt began a 4-year
stint (1997-2000) with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle
corps, spending his final 3 years acting as section leader of
the drumline as well as the bass drum section.
Matt also spent the fall of 1997 performing with the “Big M of
the Midwest” and the Marching Mizzou drumline. Matt’s
teaching career began in the fall of 1998 when he returned to
his alma mater to instruct the drumline at Hickman.
performer, arranger and clinician for over 12 years.
Following his years as a performing member of the Hickman
HS drumline, in Columbia, Missouri, Matt began a 4-year
stint (1997-2000) with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle
corps, spending his final 3 years acting as section leader of
the drumline as well as the bass drum section.
Matt also spent the fall of 1997 performing with the “Big M of
the Midwest” and the Marching Mizzou drumline. Matt’s
teaching career began in the fall of 1998 when he returned to
his alma mater to instruct the drumline at Hickman.
Matt taught and arranged battery percussion for Columbia-Hickman until 2003. In
the fall of 2001, Matt began teaching and arranging for Blue Valley West HS, a
position he currently still holds. In addition to working with the Red and Silver
Brigade, Matt has also established a winter drumline during his time at West. Matt’
s percussion ensembles and private students have consistently achieved at a high
level, earning top ratings and rankings in BOA, MCCGA, WGI and Kansas state
level festivals and competitions.
the fall of 2001, Matt began teaching and arranging for Blue Valley West HS, a
position he currently still holds. In addition to working with the Red and Silver
Brigade, Matt has also established a winter drumline during his time at West. Matt’
s percussion ensembles and private students have consistently achieved at a high
level, earning top ratings and rankings in BOA, MCCGA, WGI and Kansas state
level festivals and competitions.
Paul Bessetti is currently in his second year as a visual consultant and brass
instructor at Blue Valley West High School. In addition to his responsibilities with
the marching program, Mr. Bessetti is in his first season as a program designer for
the school's indoor drumline and winterguard.
Before arriving at West in 2005, Mr. Bessetti worked with several music programs
in the Kansas City area. Paul has been a member of both the Lake Erie Regiment
and Crossmen Drum & Buble Corps. Of the four seasons that he marched, he had
the honor of being a world championship finalist twice; once with each corps.
Mr. Bessetti has a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of
Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, where he was a member
of the Conservatory Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble and Jazz
Ensemble as well as the Conservatory's Undergraduate Brass Quintet. While at
UMKC he studied trumpet with Dr. Keith Benjamin and performed in masterclasses
given by Jack Sutte, Keith Johnson and Charlie Geyer.
As a performer, Paul is in his third season with the Fountain City Brass Band where
he plays in the cornet section. In addition, he has recently accepted a position with
the Heritage Brass Quintet. Mr. Bessetti is also a freelance musician, performing in
various shows, religous services and ceremonies, as well as giving recitals,
clinics and lessons.
instructor at Blue Valley West High School. In addition to his responsibilities with
the marching program, Mr. Bessetti is in his first season as a program designer for
the school's indoor drumline and winterguard.
Before arriving at West in 2005, Mr. Bessetti worked with several music programs
in the Kansas City area. Paul has been a member of both the Lake Erie Regiment
and Crossmen Drum & Buble Corps. Of the four seasons that he marched, he had
the honor of being a world championship finalist twice; once with each corps.
Mr. Bessetti has a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of
Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, where he was a member
of the Conservatory Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble and Jazz
Ensemble as well as the Conservatory's Undergraduate Brass Quintet. While at
UMKC he studied trumpet with Dr. Keith Benjamin and performed in masterclasses
given by Jack Sutte, Keith Johnson and Charlie Geyer.
As a performer, Paul is in his third season with the Fountain City Brass Band where
he plays in the cornet section. In addition, he has recently accepted a position with
the Heritage Brass Quintet. Mr. Bessetti is also a freelance musician, performing in
various shows, religous services and ceremonies, as well as giving recitals,
clinics and lessons.
Mr. Paul Bessetti
Alexander Vallar is currently a percussion instructor for Blue Valley West (Overland
Park, KS) fall and winter programs. Aside from his involvement in Blue Valley West, he
has taught at Rockbridge High School (Columbia, MO), Marshall High School
(Marshall, MO) and clinician for numerous Missouri high schools.
Currently, Alex has over 7 years experience in the marching percussion activity. In
2003, Alex was a performer with the Missouri Rhythm Movement, silver medalist at
MCCGA Championships and honors in WGI Championships. After his marching term
with Hickman High School (Columbia, MO), Alex marched with Blue Stars Drum and
Bugle Corps (LaCrosse, WI) in 2004 and 2005 seasons. In 2005, Alex was a section
leader of the corps. Also during his time with Blue Stars, Alex was honored a bronze
metal and Division II Finalist in DCI Division II Championship completion. Alex has
also preformed with Marching Mizzou and the Missouri Drumline for both the 2004
and 2005 seasons.
In addition, Alex has received instruction from a few of the foremost leaders in
marching percussion such as Bret Kuhn and Mike McIntosh. Because of Alex’s music
experience, dreams of properly educate as many students possible in the Mid-West.
Along with teaching Blue Valley West; Alex is a student at the University of Missouri –
Columbia, where he is planning to earn a degree in Business and Education.
Park, KS) fall and winter programs. Aside from his involvement in Blue Valley West, he
has taught at Rockbridge High School (Columbia, MO), Marshall High School
(Marshall, MO) and clinician for numerous Missouri high schools.
Currently, Alex has over 7 years experience in the marching percussion activity. In
2003, Alex was a performer with the Missouri Rhythm Movement, silver medalist at
MCCGA Championships and honors in WGI Championships. After his marching term
with Hickman High School (Columbia, MO), Alex marched with Blue Stars Drum and
Bugle Corps (LaCrosse, WI) in 2004 and 2005 seasons. In 2005, Alex was a section
leader of the corps. Also during his time with Blue Stars, Alex was honored a bronze
metal and Division II Finalist in DCI Division II Championship completion. Alex has
also preformed with Marching Mizzou and the Missouri Drumline for both the 2004
and 2005 seasons.
In addition, Alex has received instruction from a few of the foremost leaders in
marching percussion such as Bret Kuhn and Mike McIntosh. Because of Alex’s music
experience, dreams of properly educate as many students possible in the Mid-West.
Along with teaching Blue Valley West; Alex is a student at the University of Missouri –
Columbia, where he is planning to earn a degree in Business and Education.
Mr. Alex Vallar
Mr. Nichols comes to BVWHS from Blue Valley High School where
he has been the Assistant Director of Bands. Previously, he was
from Dallas, Texas. He has Masters Degrees in Music Education
and Conducting from Baylor University. He taught in the
Richardson School District for 5 years, at Oak Park Middle School
and J.J. Pearce High School. Mark’s expertise is in low brass and
he spent last summer as a low brass tech for the Bluecoats Drum
& Bugle Corps. We are very happy to have him on our band staff.