North Dakota State University

Challey School of Music

Fargo, ND

March 4 — 6, 2025
Welcome! On behalf of NDSU’s Challey School of Music, I hope
your experience at the Raging Red Band Festival is a great one.

You can be proud of our region’s musical heritage—we produce

fine citizens and fine musicians. In fact, music is one of the
most engaging and useful experiences a high school student
can have—one that prepares students for an outstanding
career as well as a more wholesome college experience.

If your musical career includes NDSU, all the better. We have a

variety of instrumental and choral ensembles—all open (some
by audition) to all NDSU students, regardless of major.

Have a great time at the Raging Red, and enjoy some great
musical experiences.

John Miller
Director, NDSU Division of Performing Arts
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
8:00 AM Sacred Heart Middle School Band | Director, Donald Pochmara

Machines of Wrath — Adrian B. Sims

Be Still, My Soul — Arr. Robert W. Smith
Aline March — Harold Bennett, arr. Larry Clark

Donald Pochmara has been teaching for 25 years. He has a Bachelor of Music degree in
Music Education from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Music degree in Music
Education from North Dakota State University. The St. John Paul II Catholic School system
has five schools in the F/M metro area, including three elementary school campuses, one
middle school, and one high school. The Sacred Heart Middle School Band students are in
grades 7-8. The music department's goal is to cultivate leadership skills through musical
exploration and performance, facilitate self-expression, and enhance social interaction, all
based on the core values of our school community: faith, learning, and service. Sacred
Heart Middle School has approximately 200 students in grades 6-8.
___________________________________________________________________________
8:25 AM Central Cass High School Band | Director, Brandon Noffze

Fantasia On the Dargason — Gustav Holst, arr. Charles Booker

The Lost Temple — Jared Barnes

The Central Cass Concert Band is an opportunity for students in Grades 9 - 12 to perform a
wide variety of instrumental music. We place heavy focus on ensemble musicianship by
providing students opportunities to perform in many types of ensembles including
chamber groups, jazz band, pep band, and concert band. Students are encouraged to
think critically about their growth by establishing tangible goals and reflecting on their
performances. These goals are not always limited to musical performance. We believe that
we can use music as a tool to better understand ourselves and the world around us.
Organically, many students have set and achieved goals related to leadership, social skills,
personal growth, and critical thinking. We provide opportunities for our students to grow
with outside opportunities as well. We perform at multiple festivals throughout the year
including Raging Red and NDSU Jazz Fest. We also regularly bring in college band
directors and professional musicians to work with our students on their craft. We believe
that music is an important part of every child’s developmental puzzle and we are
committed to providing opportunities for our students to learn and grow as musicians and
as people.
___________________________________________________________________________
8:50 AM Lidgerwood High School Band | Director, Kenny Lindstrom

Fire Dance — David Shaffer, arr. Kenny Lindstrom

The Water is Wide — Arr. Scott Stanton
___________________________________________________________________________
9:15 AM Grand Forks Central High School Symphonic Band | Director,
Sarah Harlow

Unity Fanfare — Otto Schwarz

Our Cast Always — Julie Giroux
El Relicario (Paso Doble) — Jose Padillo, arr. Robert Longfield

Sarah Harlow earned a Bachelor's of Music in Instrumental Music Education from North
Dakota State University in 2012 and a Master's of Music Education from Central
Washington University via the American Band College. Grand Forks Central High School
has three concert bands, three jazz bands, and an extracurricular Drumline. The Symphonic
Band is the third concert band, consisting of mostly juniors and seniors.
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
9:40 AM Breckenridge Middle School Band | Director, Emily Christensen

Black Forest Overture — Michael Sweeney

Scarborough Fair — Anne McGinty
Jungle Dance — Brian Balmages
___________________________________________________________________________
10:05 AM Fargo South High School Band I | Director, Race Hoglund

Spero — Randall Standridge

Hymn to the Dawn — Kimberly K. Archer
The Country Club Stomp! — JaRod Hall
___________________________________________________________________________
10:30 AM Long Prairie Grey Eagle Concert Band | Director, Chuck Speer

Mini Suite — Morton Gould

Waves of the Revolution — Sean O’Loughlin

The Long Prairie Grey Eagle Concert band is comprised of students grades 9-12 and meets
every day. There is also a 7-8 Band, and various small groups/ensembles. All 7-12 band
students are given the opportunity to take lessons during the school day. Chuck Speer has
been teaching music for 27 years, and is in his 10th Year at Long Prairie Grey Eagle
Secondary. He graduated from Minnesota State University-Moorhead with a B. S. in Music
Education (instrumental) He currently serves as President of the Northwest Region of the
Minnesota Band Directors Association, and is also a member of the State MBDA Board.
The biggest mentors in his career include: John Tesch, Doug Neill, Paul Liversage, Wanda
Dagen, Keith Wander, and the late Paul Baumgarten.
___________________________________________________________________________
10:55 AM Liberty Middle School 7th Grade Band | Directors, Amy Johnson
and Nicole Rumppe

Radiance — Brian Balmages

Egyptique — William Owens

Liberty Middle School opened in the fall 2013 and is a part of the West Fargo School
District. LMS has a student population of approximately 1,200 students. Instrumental music
classes begin in 6th grade where Band, Choir, and Orchestra are all options. Band classes
meet every other day in like instrument sectional classes.
___________________________________________________________________________
11:20 AM West Fargo High School Wind Ensemble | Director, Sue Jordahl

Free World March — Karl L. King, arr. James Swearingen

Loch Lomond — Frank Ticheli
Kentucky 1800 — Clare Grundman

West Fargo High School Band program offers 3 curricular band ensembles for credit as
well as two extra-curricular jazz bands, drumline, and pep band.
___________________________________________________________________________
11:45 AM NDSU Wind Symphony | Director, Daniel Lee

An American Elegy — Frank Ticheli

Dancing Fire — Kevin Day
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
12:40 PM Davies High School Symphonic Band | Directors, Darcy
Brandenburg and Kristine Strege

Rolling Thunder — Henry Fillmore, arr. Foster

Rhosymedre — Ralph Vaughn Williams
Ruckus — Randall Standridge

Davies High School Band has three performing ensembles: the concert band, the
symphonic band, and the wind ensemble. The symphonic band is a non-auditioned band
comprised of 10-12 students. The Davies High School band also has three jazz bands. The
early bird jazz band that meets three days a week in the morning and two auditioned jazz
bands that meets during the school day. Davies students participate in festivals across the
state including the UND Honor Band, Northwest Honor Band, the Ployhar Honor Band, the
Concordia Honor Band, the University of Mary Jazz Festival, and the ND All-State Band
and orchestra.
___________________________________________________________________________
1:05 PM Roseau Wind Ensemble | Director, Chris Barnes

Second Suite in F — Gustav Holst, adp. Robert Longfield

Sleep — Eric Whitacre

The Roseau band program has a strong tradition of Excellence within the community and
state of Minnesota. The Roseau band program consists of the Wind Ensemble (9th - 12th
Grade), 8th Grade band, the beginning 7th grade band, and an auditioned Jazz Band. The
Jazz Band was selected to perform at the 2024 Minnesota School Boards Association
Leadership Conference. All bands meet during the school day and meet every day for 50
minutes. All Wind Ensemble and 8th grade band Members perform in the pep band and
marching band. Christopher is in his 11th year of teaching and 7th in Roseau. Before Roseau
he taught for four years in St. John ND. He conducts the Wind Ensemble, 8th grade band,
beginning 7th grade band, and Jazz Band. He holds a Master's in Music Education from
Northern State University and a Bachelors of Music in Music Education from the University
of North Dakota.
___________________________________________________________________________
1:30 PM Sheyenne High School Wind Ensemble | Director, James Landman

Kalos Eidos — Carol Brittin Chambers

What I Do Today... — Brian Balmages
Man of La Mancha — arr. Justin Williams

Mr. Landman is a graduate of NDSU with a B.S. and M.M. in Instrumental Music Education.
He has been teaching for 15 years. The Sheyenne Band program strives to develop
relationships with music and others that will last a lifetime. Mr. Landman is also the
Commander and Conductor of ND's 188th Army National Guard Band. The Sheyenne Wind
Ensemble will be performing at the NDMEA and ND All State Music Conference this year.
Mr. Landman has recognized Dr. Warren Olfert, Dr. Neil Mueller, and Brian Tessmann as
important mentors in his musical career.
___________________________________________________________________________
1:55 PM Davies High School Concert Band | Directors, Darcy Brandenburg
and Kristine Strege

Terracotta Soldiers — Scott Watson

Me (reAffirmation) — Randall Standridge
Shaker Variants — Elliot del Borgo
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
2:20 PM Moorhead High School 9th Grade Band | Director, Pam Redlinger

Distant Thunder of the Sacred Forest — Michael Sweeney

Legend of Killarney — Roland Barrett
His Honor March — Henry Filmore, arr. Andrew Balent

The Moorhead High School curricular band program includes 3 concert bands placed by
grade level. Extra curricular band activities include a non competitive marching band, a
jazz band, and pep band. The high school program currently enrolls approximately 170
students grades 9-12. Pam Redlinger serves as band director at Moorhead High School in
Moorhead, MN. She directs three 9-12 concert bands and several extra-curricular bands
which include a non-competitive marching band, pep band, and jazz band. She lives in
Fargo with her husband and two young children.
___________________________________________________________________________
2:45 PM Fargo South High School Band II | Director, Tristan Byer

Tripwire — JaRod Hall

Our Kingsland Spring — Samuel Hazo
Hercules vs. the Hydra — Scott Watson
Hogan's Heroes March — Jerry Fielding arr. Johnnie Vinson

Fargo South High School's Band II is composed of primarily sophomore musicians, with a
few junior musicians. They are directed by Mr. Tristan Byer, who received his bachelor's in
music education from Concordia College Moorhead. This group meets daily for 45 minutes,
and primarily performs chamber-style wind band literature.
___________________________________________________________________________
3:10 PM Davies High School Wind Ensemble | Directors, Darcy
Brandenburg and Kristine Strege

Give Us This Day — David Maslanka

I. Moderately Slow
II. Fast
___________________________________________________________________________
3:35 PM Fargo North High School Symphonic Band | Director, Kelsey
Dragosavich

Celebration Fanfare — Pinkzebra

After the Storm — McBride
Fantasy on Yankee Doodle — Williams
___________________________________________________________________________
4:00 PM Fargo South High School Band III | Director, Race Hoglund

PJinx — Ryan George

Second Suite in F for Military Band (Movements 1, 2, and 4) — Gustav Holst
___________________________________________________________________________
5:00 PM Award Ceremony
Wednesday, March 5, 2025

8:00 AM Sheyenne High School Concert Band | Director, James Landman

Groovee! — Richard Saucedo

Alpine Meadow — Steve Hodges
The Legend of Tizona — Rick Kirkeby
___________________________________________________________________________

8:25 AM Maple Grove Senior High School Wind Ensemble | Director,

Wade Schroeder

Arsenal — Jan Van der Roost

Blue Bell — Yukiko Nishimura
El Camino Real — Alfred Reed/arr. Robert Longfield

Wade Schroeder holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of

Northwestern--St. Paul and a Master of Music from Boston University. He has taught band
at all levels from elementary school to the University level and is currently the music
department chair at Maple Grove Senior High. He has led multiple championship marching
bands, directed at conference music festivals and mentored young music educators in
their placements and student-teaching. Maple Grove Senior High is located in the
Northwest suburbs of the Minneapolis, MN. With a student body of over 2400 students,
Maple Grove is the home of the Crimson. Maple Grove Senior High serves students in
grades 9-12 and is one of three comprehensive high schools in Osseo Area Schools. Since
opening its doors in 1996, Maple Grove Senior High has established a reputation as a
school that holds all students to high standards, offering comprehensive curriculum with
over 200 courses.
___________________________________________________________________________

8:50 AM Fargo North High School Wind Ensemble | Director, Kelsey

Dragosavich

O Magnum Mysterium — arr. Reynolds

Singapura Suite — Jan Van Der Roost

The North High Band Department offers a diverse and dynamic musical experience with
three concert bands and two jazz ensembles: the Freshman Concert Band, Symphonic
Band, Auditioned Wind Ensemble, Jazz II, and Auditioned Broadway Jazz. Through daily
rehearsals, students are encouraged to hone their musical talents and grow personally as
they explore a variety of music genres, ensemble dynamics, and performance settings. The
program is lead by Kelsey Dragosavich, Band Director and Department Chair, and Jeff
Dasovick, Band Director.
___________________________________________________________________________

9:15 AM Underwood Public School Concert Band | Director, TJ Pelanek

Midway March — John Williams, arr. John Moss

Drums of the Saamis — Samuel R. Hazo

The Underwood High School Concert Band, based in Underwood, MN, is a vibrant
ensemble of dedicated young musicians from grades 9 through 12. Under the direction of
Mr. TJ Pelanek, the band explores a wide array of musical genres, showcasing their
versatility and passion for performance. Meeting daily for 40 minutes, these talented
students refine their skills for a variety of performances, including concerts, pep band
events and competitive contests. Known for their love of travel, the band has performed in
exciting locations such as Orlando and Hollywood, and they’re thrilled to be heading to
San Diego later this month. Whether on the road or at home, the Underwood High School
Concert Band brings energy and artistry to every note, making them a cherished part of
their school and community.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
9:40 AM Fergus Falls Middle School Chamber Winds | Director, Scott
Kummrow

Cluster, Fluster Bluster March — David Holsinger

Like the Wind — Erika Svanoe
___________________________________________________________________________

10:05 AM Carrington High School Concert Band | Director, Annette Hovey

Dreams in the Dusk — BJ Brooks

Proxima B — Steven J. Pyter

The Carrington Concert Band is a non-auditioned group with students in grades 9-12. Our
band is lucky to meet every day and along with performing 4 formal concerts a year, they
host and perform in large group contest each March. A majority of the students also
participate in regional solo and ensemble contest each year. The band, combined with our
junior high band students, also perform up to 20 pep bands at home sports events
throughout the school year. Annette Hovey currently lives in New Rockford and teaches 7-
12 choir and 5-12 band at Carrington High School in Carrington, ND. Along with those
duties, she also teaches a high school musicology elective. She is also a music minister at
St. John’s Catholic Church, an accompanist at First Lutheran Church, and is active in
Dakota Prairie Regional Center for the Arts of New Rockford as a Youth Camp Director,
actor and pianist.
___________________________________________________________________________

10:30 AM Grafton Concert Band | Director, Christopher Loeffler

Byzantine Dances — Carol Britton Chambers

Nightsong — Richard Saucedo
Heartland March — Randall Standridge

The Grafton Concert Band is currently a 40 piece ensemble consisting of students in the 8-
12th grade.
___________________________________________________________________________

10:55 AM Fargo North Freshman Concert Band | Director, Kelsey

Dragosavich

Arabian Dances — Roland Barrett

Psalm 42 — Samual R. Hazo
Adrenaline Engines — Randall D. Standridge
___________________________________________________________________________

11:20 AM Moorhead High School Symphonic Band | Director, Pam

Redlinger

The Drunken Sailor — Grant Hull

Beneath the Canopy — Cait Nishimura
___________________________________________________________________________

11:45 AM NDSU Wind Symphony | Director, Daniel Lee

An American Elegy — Frank Ticheli

Dancing Fire — Kevin Day
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
12:40 PM Legacy High School Wind Ensemble | Directors, Mark Herold
and Pierette Johnson

Snowflakes Dancing — Andrew Boysen

The Seal Lullaby — Eric Whitacre
Second Suite in F (Movements I and IV) — Gustav Holst
___________________________________________________________________________
1:05 PM Bemidji Middle School 8th Grade Band | Director, Christine
Freundschuh

Russian Festival — Jay Dawson

Celtic Echoes — Larry Clark

Bemidji Middle School is home to the Lumberjacks and is a 6 - 8 school. The 8th Grade
ensemble consists of 64 members and is lead by director Christine Freundschuh. This
ensemble is split into two different groups that rehearse every other day. This is the first
time this ensemble has seen the other class since their December concert.
___________________________________________________________________________
1:30 PM Park River High School Band | Director, Zach Fischer

Fanfare and Jubilee — James Swearingen

As Summer Was Just Beginning — Larry D. Daehn
Anomaly — Tyler Arcari

Park River Area School is a Class B district located in the North-Eastern part of North
Dakota. This High School Band is made up of students grades 9-12. The ensemble is
directed by Zach Fischer, a graduate of the University of North Dakota and member of the
188th North Dakota Army National Guard Band.
___________________________________________________________________________
1:55 PM Shanley High School Band | Director, Donald Pochmara

Coast Guards — Karl King Arr. Swearingen

Wondrous Love — Greg Danner
New Waters, Old Waves — Clif Walker

Donald Pochmara has been teaching for 25 years. He has a Bachelor of Music degree in
Music Education from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Music degree in Music
Education from North Dakota State University. The St. John Paul II Catholic School system
has five schools in the F/M metro area, including three elementary school campuses, one
middle school, and one high school. The Shanley High School Band comprises students in
grades 9-12. The music department's goal is to cultivate leadership skills through musical
exploration and performance, facilitate self-expression, and enhance social interaction, all
based on the core values of our school community: faith, learning, and service. Shanley
High School has approximately 300 students in grades 9-12.
___________________________________________________________________________
2:20 PM Bemidji High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble | Director, Derek
Wickum

Portraits of the North — Robert Buckley

I. Arctic Fire
II. Land of the Midnight Sun
III. Iditarod
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
2:45 PM Moorhead High School Wind Ensemble | Director, Pam Redlinger

Second Suite in F For Military Band — Gustav Holst

I. March
II. Song Without Words "I'll Love My Love"
IV. Fantasia on the "Dargason"
Country Club Stomp — JaRod Hall
___________________________________________________________________________
3:10 PM West Fargo High School Symphonic Band | Director, Sue Jordahl

Castle, Loch and Heath — A Suite of English Folk Songs, arr. James D. Ployhar
Balladair — Frank Erickson
Hungarian Dance No. 5 — Johannes Brahms, arr. Andrew Balent

The West Fargo High School Band Program offers 3 curricular band ensembles as well as
two extracurricular jazz bands, drumline, and pep band.
___________________________________________________________________________
3:35 PM Sheyenne High School Symphonic Band | Director, James
Landman

American Flourish — Robert W. Smith

The Red Covered Bridge — Robert Sheldon
Legend of the Honjo — Christina Huss
___________________________________________________________________________
4:00 PM Maple Grove Senior High Crimson Winds | Director, Peter Buller

Mother Earth (A Fanfare) — David Maslanka

O Magnum Mysterium — Morten Lauridsen/trans. Robert Reynolds
Impressions — Julie Giroux

Peter Buller directs bands at Maple Grove Senior High School. He graduated from North
Dakota State University with a degree in Instrumental Music Education. Maple Grove
Senior High is located in the Northwest suburbs of the Minneapolis, MN. With a student
body of over 2400 students, Maple Grove is the home of the Crimson. Maple Grove Senior
High serves students in grades 9-12 and is one of three comprehensive high schools in
Osseo Area Schools. Since opening its doors in 1996, Maple Grove Senior High has
established a reputation as a school that holds all students to high standards, offering
comprehensive curriculum with over 200 courses.
___________________________________________________________________________
5:00 PM Award Ceremony
Thursday, March 6, 2025
8:00 AM Hawley High School Grade 9 Band | Director, Noah Johnson

Castles in Europe — James Reese Europe

Endless Rainbows — Brian Balmages
Cumberland Cross — Carl Strommen
___________________________________________________________________________

8:25 AM Hillsboro Junior High Band | Director, Mandy Smallbeck

Ancient Echoes — Ed Huckeby

Waterdrops Come Spring — Richard L. Saucedo
Slava March — Randall D. Standridge
___________________________________________________________________________

8:50 AM Horace High School Symphonic Band | Director, Eric Pelletier

Fanfare Esprit — Carol Brittin Chambers

A Longford Legend — Robert Sheldon
El Capitan — John Philip Sousa

The Horace Symphonic Band is an upperclassmen concert band from Horace High School,
located in Horace, ND.
___________________________________________________________________________

9:15 AM Stephen-Argyle Central High School Concert Band | Director,

Brianna Meissner

Fanfare and Flourishes (flex version) —James Curnow

Maesong — William Owens
___________________________________________________________________________

9:40 AM Detroit Lakes High School Band | Director, Tim Siewart

Legends of the Galaxy — Chandler Wilson

Encanto — Robert W. Smith
Celebration — Randall Standridge

Detroit Lakes High School has an enrollment of approximately 800 students in grades 9-12.
The Detroit Lakes High School Laker Band is comprised of all 9th grade band students, as
well as most 10th grade band students. The Concert Band is comprised of all 11th and 12th
grade band students, as well as 10th graders on an as needed basis. Mr. Tim Siewert is in
his sixteenth year of directing high school bands, and tenth at Detroit Lakes High School.
Mr. Siewert directs two concert bands, jazz band, pep band, and drumline. He earned his
bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato and his master's degree from
Minnesota State University Moorhead.
___________________________________________________________________________

10:05 AM Hawley High School Concert Band | Director, Noah Johnson

Foshay Tower Washington Memorial — John Philip Sousa

Phoenix Rekindled — Grace Baugher Dunlap
Fantasy on a Theme By Sousa — Andrew Boysen Jr.

Noah Johnson is in his fifth year of teaching, all at Hawley High School. The Hawley
Concert Band is a non-auditioned ensemble composed of 10th though 12th grade students.
We hope you enjoy our performance!
Thursday, March 6, 2025
10:30 AM Liberty Middle School 8th Grade Band | Directors, Amy Johnson
and Nicole Rumppe

Ulterior Motifs — Matthew Putnam

Spring — Randall Standridge

Liberty Middle School opened in the fall 2013 and is a part of the West Fargo School, ND
District. LMS has a student population of approximately 1,200 students. Instrumental music
classes begin in 6th grade where Band, Choir, and Orchestra are all options. Music classes
meet every other day through out the year.
___________________________________________________________________________

10:55 AM Detroit Lakes Middle School 8th Grade Band | Director, Nino
Tarara

Epic Venture — Tyler S. Grant

Operation Super-Sleuth — Christina Huss
Squirrel Chase — Carol Brittin Chambers

Detroit Lakes High School has an enrollment of approximately 800 students in grades 9-12.
The Detroit Lakes High School Laker Band is comprised of all 9th grade band students, as
well as most 10th grade band students. The Concert Band is comprised of all 11th and 12th
grade band students, as well as 10th graders on an as needed basis. Mr. Nino Tarara is in
his twenty-second year of teaching and sixth year as the Director of Bands at Detroit
Lakes Middle School. Mr. Tarara leads grade level bands, sectionals, small group lessons,
and the DLMS Rock Band. Mr. Tarara earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of
Wisconsin-Platteville and his master’s degree from Concordia College-Portland.
___________________________________________________________________________

11:20 AM Horace High School Concert Band | Eric Pelletier

Finn McCool — Robert Buckley

Three Ayres from Gloucester — Hugh M. Stuart arr. Robert Longfield

The Horace Concert Band is the freshmen band from Horace High School located in
Horace, ND.
___________________________________________________________________________

12:10 PM Award Ceremony

2025 Raging Red Band Festival Adjudicators

Elizabeth Jackson Kirchhoff

Band Director (Retired)
Eden Prairie High School
Dr. Elizabeth Jackson Kirchhoff has been active as an
instrumental music educator, conductor, and clinician in the
United States, Norway, and Canada for over 35 years. She
has enjoyed teaching and collaborating with music makers
from beginners at the elementary level to highly talented
instrumentalists at the university level.

Jackson completed a B.A. in Music Education at St. Olaf College, an M.M. in Conducting at
Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. in Music Education at The Ohio State University. She
began teaching at Eden Prairie High School in 1998 where she conducted the Wind
Ensemble and founded the EPHS Chamber Winds. She also started the Band Buddies
program, which encouraged high school band members to mentor younger musicians in
the district. After her retirement in the spring of 2022, Jackson taught 5th Grade Band as a
long term substitute in three of Eden Prairie’s elementary schools. In addition to her
experience at Eden Prairie, Jackson has taught music in Wrenshall, Spring Lake Park,
Hopkins, and the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Jackson has enjoyed working with a wide variety of honor bands, including the
Arkansas All-State Symphonic Band, the Alabama Middle School All-State Band, the
Colorado All-State Concert Band, and the North Dakota Junior High All-State Band. She
has served on the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) Board of Directors and
as the editor of Minnesota’s professional journal of music education. She is a past-
president of the Minnesota Band Directors Association and was named the 2010 MMEA
Educator of the Year.

Colonel Jim Keene

Commander (Retired)
United States Army Band
Jim Keene has led thousands of performances in 47 states
and 7 countries including for 6 U.S. Presidents. He led
multiple televised productions, most recently earning a New
York Emmy Award for a CBS production, “Songs of Service”
and a Grammy Award for “Best Immersive Album” in 2022
as conductor of the United States Army Field Band.

Col. Jim R. Keene was leader of the US Army Field Band, the US Military Academy Band;
Commandant of the Army School of Music, and served the United States Army Band
“Pershing’s Own,” as director of The Army Chorus, The Army Strings and the Army
Orchestra, the U.S. Army Europe Band and Chorus in Heidelberg, Germany, and the
Ground Forces Band in Atlanta. He led the Joint Forces Chorus at GHW Bush’s memorial
service, and music for the interments of Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald R. Ford.

He conducted the New York Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic Brass, the
Dallas Wind Symphony, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Boston Pops Orchestra.
He led the Japan Central Band and has performed with numerous artists including Ray
Charles.
2025 Raging Red Band Festival Adjudicators

Tim Oliver
Director of Bands and Professor of Music
University of Mississippi
Dr. Tim Oliver is the Director of Bands and Professor of
Music at the University of Mississippi. A strong proponent of
promoting connections among performance, education, and
community, Dr. Oliver conducts the Wind Ensemble, teaches
courses in graduate and undergraduate conducting and
music education, and administers The Ole Miss Band
Program alongside his colleagues.

A native of Centralia, MO, he earned his bachelor's and two master's degrees from Truman
State University and his doctoral degree from Florida State University. Before his
appointment in Oxford, Dr. Oliver was the Director of Bands and Coordinator of Wind and
Percussion Studies at Arkansas State University for 16 years. Previously, he served as a
faculty member at Temple University and the University of Kansas, as well as a junior and
senior high school band director in Missouri and Florida.

As an active guest conductor, performance clinician, and adjudicator, ensembles led by Dr.
Oliver have been recognized locally, regionally, and nationally for their balanced approach
in performing established and contemporary repertoire. During the last 15 years, he has
premiered or helped commission, either individually or as a consortium member, over 50
new works for winds. His ensembles accepted invitations through juried selections to
perform at the 2010, 2014, and 2020 Southwestern CBDNA Conferences. Composers,
including David Maslanka, John Mackey, Andrea Reinkemeyer, and Michael Markowski,
have praised Dr. Oliver's interpretation of their compositions.

He is also an active researcher with projects on conducting pedagogy, wind band

repertoire, and aesthetic distance. He has been invited to present at numerous
professional venues, including the Midwest Clinic, National and Divisional CBDNA
Conferences, and multiple NAfME and state music education association proceedings.
Publications featuring his work include the Journal of Band Research, NBA Journal,
WASBE Newsletter, The Instrumentalist, and several state music education journals.

Dr. Oliver also strongly believes in servant leadership. In addition to regular university
service and collaborations with music educators, he was the Vice President and then
President-elect of the CBDNA Southwestern Division and a state chair for the National
Band Association. He is also very proud of the students and colleagues he mentored
during his more than 20 years of service as a college professor, as noted in 2013 when he
received a university award as the Outstanding Faculty Advisor of the Year for his work
mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

Vigorously cheering the Kansas City Chiefs for over 30 years, completing home
improvement projects, watching various sci-fi television shows and movies, and his latest
hobby, disc golf, are activities he enjoys outside of music. He also loves spending family
time with his wife of nearly 26 years, Rebecca, and his now adult children, Benjamin and
Gwendolyn. He is very excited, humbled, and honored to be selected to lead the next
chapter in the storied history of The Ole Miss Band Program.
2025 Raging Red Band Festival Adjudicators

Mike Watts
Director of Bands (Retired)
Permian High School

Michael Watts graduated from Arizona State University in

Tempe, Arizona, with a Bachelor of Music Education degree
in 1980. As an undergraduate he studied saxophone with Dr.
Joseph Wytko and conducting with Dr. Richard E. Strange
and Dr. Robert C. Fleming.

While in high school, he studied saxophone with Dr. Larry Teal at the University of
Michigan. Mr. Watts has also completed graduate course work at Arizona State University
and West Texas A&M University with Dr. Gary Garner.

Mr. Watts has taught for the Ector County Independent School District in Odessa, TX,
since 1982. He was previously Director of Bands at Camelback High School in Phoenix, AZ,
from 1980-82. He was hired by Mr. JR McEntyre in the fall of 1982 as the Director of Bands
at Bonham JR High in Odessa, TX. He later became the Associate Director at Permian High
School in 1986 and the Director of Bands at Permian High School from 1996 to 2013 upon
retiring.

Under his direction the band has received continuous Sweepstakes Awards in the Texas
University Interscholastic League contests, qualified for the Texas State Marching Contest
several times, been named outstanding band and performing group at several music
contests across the country, performed in the 2004 “Tournament of Roses Parade”, The
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland, and the Midwest Band and Orchestra
Clinic/Convention in Chicago in December of 2006. The Marching Band was nominated for
the “Sudler Shield” in 1997 and 2002 for its traditional marching excellence and the
Symphonic Band was awarded the “Sudler Flag of Honor” in 2008 from the John Phillip
Sousa Foundation.

Mr. Watts was honored with the “Odessa Community Builder Award” in 2005, “Teacher of
the Year” at Permian High School for the 2007 school year, and was named “Texas
Sponsor of the Year” by the University Interscholastic League of Texas in 2008 and
nominated for the American Bandmasters Association.

Mr. Watts has held several offices for the Texas Music Educators Association including:
Region President, Region Vice President, Region Band Chair, Area Auditions Chair and All-
State Auditions Chair. Mr. Watts is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association,
Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and the Texas
Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, an International School Bandmasters Fraternity. Mr. Watts has
served as an adjudicator and clinician in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico,
Colorado, Utah, Texas, Illinois, and Michigan.

Mr. Watts has been married to his wife Sally for 45 years. He has two sons, Jameson and
Colin; two daughters-in-law, Alanna and Sarah; and has four grandchildren, Emery, Henry,
Lucy, and Aria.
The NDSU Challey School of Music

Daniel Lee
Director of the NDSU Wind Symphony
North Dakota State University
Dr. Daniel Lee joined the faculty at North Dakota State
University to serve as the Director of the Wind Symphony in
August 2024. Prior to joining the NDSU, Dr. Lee served as
the Assistant Director of Bands at Kennesaw State
University, conducting the KSU Wind Symphony and
teaching music education courses.

In addition to his duties at KSU, Dr. Lee also served as a conductor with the Georgia Youth
Symphony Orchestras for the 2023-2024 season. During his doctoral program, Dr. Lee was
a Graduate Part-Time Instructor at Texas Tech University, teaching and assisting with all
aspects of the concert and athletic band programs as well as the undergraduate
conducting courses. While at TTU, he was awarded the Student Academic Leadership
Award for the College of Visual and Performing Arts, and was a recipient of the James D.
and Mary Hazlewood Memorial Graduate Fellowship.

His recent publications and presentations include presenting a session on wind repertoire
at the 2024 GMEA conference (“Repertoire Roundtable: Where We’ve Been, Where We
Are, and Where We’re Going”), presenting at the 2022 TMEA Poster Session
(“Relationships Between Conducting Course Experiences and Attitudes Toward Other
Academic Courses”), an article in the Instrumentalist (April 2020, “The Ensemble Pianist”),
and a lesson plan published on the Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy resources page
(“Introduction to Modes”).

Dr. Lee has over a decade of experience teaching band and orchestra at the middle and
high school levels, and has conducted both opera and musical theatre (including two shows
in collaboration with the TTU School of Theatre and Dance) throughout his career.
Originally from the Denver area, Dr. Lee has taught in Colorado, Washington, Oregon,
Texas, and Georgia. He holds memberships in Kappa Kappa Psi, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi
Kappa Phi, and is an Honorary Member of Phi Mu Alpha, Tau Beta Sigma, and Kappa Kappa
Psi. Dr. Lee earned his D.M.A. in Wind Conducting at Texas Tech University with Dr. Sarah
McKoin, his M.M. (in music education and conducting) at Colorado State University with J.
Steven Moore and Wes Kenney, and his B.M.E. from the University of Colorado at Boulder
with Prof. Allan McMurray.

About the NDSU Challey School of Music

The NDSU Challey School of Music promotes high-quality teaching, artistic performance,
outreach and scholarly excellence through its performance and degree programs. We offer
bachelor’s degrees in music education, performance, composition and liberal studies,
master’s degrees in music education, performance, conducting and collaborative piano,
and doctoral programs in performance, conducting and collaborative piano. The Challey
School of Music is part of the Division of Performing Arts, which also includes the
Department of Theatre Arts. For more information about our music programs or
scholarship opportunities, visit ndsu.edu/music.
2025 Raging Red Band Festival Sponsors

Thank you to the following organizations and businesses

for supporting the 2025 Raging Red Band Festival!

To learn more about the festival, contact:

John Warren, Manager of Raging Red Band Festival
john.warren.ndwoodturner@gmail.com

Daniel Lee, Director of the NDSU Wind Symphony

daniel.lee.3@ndsu.edu