DIRECTOR:  Derek Ellinger has served as the Director of Bands at Mt. Vernon High School and the 8th Grade Academy since 2014. Prior to his appointment at Mt. Vernon High School, Derek was the Director of Bands at Waldron Jr./Sr. High School in Waldron, IN (2012-14). He holds a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Ball State University. While at Ball State University, Derek studied euphonium with Dr. Mark Mordue and conducting with Dr. Thomas Caneva. Derek also performed in several ensembles at Ball State, including the Symphony Band, Concert Band, Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, "Pride of Mid-America" Marching Band, and the pep band. He was also a member of several small ensembles.

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Derek has a proud history of teaching music in the state of Indiana. From 2011-2013, Derek was a visual instructor for the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps. In 2011, he was a visual instructor for the "Marching Band Track" at the Music for All 'Summer Symposium'. He has also taught several other groups around the state of Indiana, helping them to achieve many accolades at the state and national level. A brief list includes: Carmel High School, Lawrence Central High School, Homestead High School, Lewis Cass Jr./Sr. High School, Muncie Southside High School (now Muncie Central High School), and Decatur Central High School. In 2008, Derek was a performing member of the Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps.

 

Derek is a member of the Indiana Music Education Association, Indiana Bandmasters Association, National Association for Music Education, and Phi Mu Alpha 'Sinfonia'.

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BOOSTERS:  The Mt. Vernon High School Music Boosters works to raise money to support the band and choir programs and to volunteer with band and choir events, activities, and performances. The Music Boosters is governed by an Executive Board of parent volunteers. Various committees are also in place to support the bands and choirs. The Executive Board and Committees hold monthly meetings in the Mt. Vernon High School Music Classroom to plan and organize support efforts, with the Motorcycles for Marauders being one of many events that will take place annually.

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The Mt. Vernon Music Boosters is an official 501(c)(3)-sponsored organization.
 

To learn more about us, please visit mvhsmusic.org