Success in music education is no stranger to the Farmington School District, which has been named this year as “Best Community for Music Education” by the NAMM Foundation for a consecutive 10 years.
It is a title Connor Dennis is acknowledging as he steps into the position of Piedra Vista High School band director this school year as a new face to the program.
“Just building on that tradition, we have a great program – let’s show that off,” Dennis said. “Let’s take our students to do more things.”
Dennis has an undergraduate degree from the University of Montana in Music Education, specializing in Music Instrumental Education, and music performance, specializing in vocal music performance. He earned his master’s degree in music technology from Southern Utah University.
From out of state competitions to homogeneous ensembles, Dennis said he hopes to build skills with the students in the program.
“I want students to play in small groups – for my saxophones to play just with the saxophones and low brass to play with just their group,” he said. “It will build their independence. It will build some leadership from our older kids.”
Dennis said he was excited about the willingness of the students to try new things since being with them at band camp. He was impressed with the enthusiasm from the students when he introduced new music and a different approach to physical activity in the morning.
For Dennis, his philosophy is simple: every student should be in music education.
Unlike athletics, Dennis said, there is no limit in his roster.
“Every kid gets to be on that field,” he said. “We’re gonna take every kid at the level they can play and we’re gonna build them to the level that they need to be at, and as far as they want to go, and that’s an awesome thing.”
Jordan Kitch, assistant band director, is also stepping into the program for her first year. She said the sense of community with the students is what makes the group unique.
“They’re musicians but also they are students and they get to know one another,” she said. “The bonding between them – you can see they’re growing stronger.”
With a new band director and school year ahead, students are expecting Dennis to bring a different approach to the program.
“He’s really fun and exciting and trying to make it enjoyable,” said Kino Keeswood, senior and drum major. “He’s really drilling in fundamentals.”
With Dennis as director, there is a balance between engagement among the students and holding expectations. Keeswood, who has been in band since freshman year, said that was not present in former years.
Change will always be hard, however Collin Smouse, junior and percussion section leader, said Dennis is a great addition to the band.
Audrey Schlosser, freshman, said she is looking forward to working with Dennis in building her range as she also enters into the program.
Since being with the trumpet section at band camp, Schlosser said she is learning from her peers. Marching, memorizing music and playing sixteenth notes have been part of the learning curve for Schlosser.
As a student leader, Smouse stepped into the role knowing that he wanted to bring the section together. He found inspiration to pursue percussion after seeing the drum line perform at parades.
“I’ve just always liked the sound of everybody being happy together and not separate,” he said. “It’s not just one person playing out on the field, it’s a whole entire team out there.”
The work being done at band camp is exciting to see how it will be successful in the school year, said Smouse.
“Especially because it’s our biggest group we’ve had so far in drum line,” he said. “It’s just cool that we’re able to go into the community and do the Connie Mack Parade and show thousands of people what we truly are and how much we can still grow.”
For Keeswood, the role of drum major was of interest because of the skills gained while leading an ensemble.
“I want to become a firefighter,” said Keeswood. “If I get into a higher position there, I’m able to know how to lead people.”
Confidence, communication, being out of their comfort zone are all parts of being a drum major, Keeswood said.
The group is already showing Keeswood that they are just as energetic and excited for the season.
“I feel like it’s really important because if you don’t have that energy you won’t have that much motivation to put into it,” said Keeswood. “You just have to keep that positive energy to push forward.”
A typical day at band camp starts early at 8 a.m. with physical activity being first on the schedule, Keeswood said. After a run around the school to build endurance, students then get to work on marching fundamentals at the field. In the afternoon, sections focus on music rehearsal. The day ends with a team building exercise.
Keeswood said they would like attendees at the Connie Mack parade or sports fans at Friday night games to take away the discipline and focus the band has.
For Dennis, success for the program for this year’s ensemble is to achieve a goal. Looking closer at the students, their decision to continue in music is what Dennis hopes to inspire at PVHS.
“If they want to go play in a community band, great. If they want to practice on their own and just have the enjoyment of their music for just themselves, great,” he said. “I want to empower them and give them the skills they need to any of those things. That’s my philosophy.”
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