Director
Brian A. Damron

Brian Damron, a native of Topeka, Kansas, is Instrumental Music Director at James Hubert Blake High School. A graduate of the Armed Forces School of Music, Case Western Reserve University, and the Cleveland Institute of Music, he brings a wealth of knowledge in music performance to Blake. Brian has served as a professional musician, public relations director, and associate conductor with the US Marine Corps Bands for seven years. In addition, Mr. Damron has performed major saxophone concerti with the Cleveland Orchestra and the St. Louis Symphony. A lover of jazz, he has also performed with the 29th Street Jazz Quartet, the North Coast Sax Quartet and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. He has also served as the associate conductor for many professional ensembles, instructor for the International Association for Jazz Educators, and as a clinician and adjudicator for many national and regional music festivals.

Mr. Damron attributes his success in music to the wonderful education he received while growing up. Keeping with that tradition at Blake High School, Brian Damron has implemented many new programs that have brought great credit to the students and school. Understanding the need and motivation involved with quality public performances, Mr. Damron has increased the performance schedule of the award winning Eubie Blake Jazz Ensemble to over fifty performances a year; to include the East Coast Jazz Festival, the Cherry Blossom Festival, numerous community performances and a sold out benefit concert with Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band. Thanks to his energy and drive, the Roaring Bengals Marching Band has tripled in size and now performs fantastic field shows during the football season, numerous community parades, and has won the coveted “Best Band” Award at the 2004 Washington DC St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The band performed at the 71st Annual Nokia Sugar Bowl in New Orleans in January of 2005.

Mr. Damron would like to credit the success of the music program at Blake High School to the focus, desire, and dedication of his over 250 students.

Contact: director@olneyconcertband.org