Lakota West High School Bands Chris Brandenburg

Christopher L. Brandenburg

(Retired, January 2007)

Mr. Brandenburg -- our director, our colleague, and our friend -- retired at the end of the first semester in January, 2007. "Mr. B" was the Freshman School director of bands since 1994. He served as the associate conductor for three of the four Lakota West High School concert bands and directed all woodwind ensembles at Lakota West. His final performance as associate conductor was at the Midwest Clinic in December, 2006. While Mr. B is retiring, we're not going to let him get away -- he'll continue helping our bands at times and was the featured performer at the 2006 Spring Jazz Concert. Mr. and Mrs. B, you're always in our hearts and we can never thank you enough!

We Love You, Mr. B

Experience. Chris Brandenburg has taught instrumental music for 36 years, 23 of those as a band director in the Lakota Schools. He was the Lakota High School director for three years, Hopewell Junior School director for six years, and was the Freshman School director of bands since 1994. He served as the associate conductor for three of the four Lakota West High School concert bands and directed all woodwind ensembles at Lakota West. He has also been the Lakota District Instrumental Music Coordinator.

Performances. The students Mr. Brandenburg has directed or assisted have consistently received superior ratings and other awards at the district and state level in small ensemble, concert band and marching band competition. For the last 6 years, both Lakota West freshman bands have received superior ratings in class C at the OMEA District XIII contest. Over 90% of the freshman band members perform at OMEA solo & ensemble contest each year.

Education. A John Phillip Sousa Award winner and graduate of Princeton High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Brandenburg attended Ohio University and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a major in music education. He was awarded a Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with a performance major in orchestral instruments.

Professional Activity. Mr. Brandenburg is in demand as an adjudicator for concert band, marching band, solo and ensemble, and scholarship competitions. He has been a clinician, guest conductor, and chaired several OMEA events. His professional associations include the Ohio Music Association as past District XIII president, an OMEA adjudicator, the Music Educator’s National Conference, the American School Band Directors Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Honorary, Phi Beta Mu Fraternity, and the Central State Judges Association.

Mr. Brandenburg has performed as a soloist with the Ohio University Orchestra and Symphonic Band, the Middletown Symphony Orchestra, the Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band, the Hopewell Junior School OMEA Convention Band, the District XIII Honor Jazz Band, and with the Lakota West Symphonic Winds at the 54th Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.

He is also in his 22nd year of directing of the Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band, a Miami University band comprised of amateur, professional and semi-professional musicians, college music students, and advanced high school players that want to perform advanced band literature. The band is a true “community band” with members from the Cincinnati, Hamilton, Middletown, and Dayton areas. The band’s mission is to give these adult players a musical outlet and perform literature of a high level.

Mr. Brandenburg lives in West Chester with his wife, Dawn, who retired in 2004 as the senior counselor at Lakota East High School. Their daughter, Erica, is an art educator in the Columbus City School District. Their son, Matt, an Iraqi war veteran and Purple Heart recipient, is the Assistant Manager of PNC Bank in Fairfield, Ohio.