Chris Quinn has been offered the position of band director/marching band director for Henderson. He is ready to get started and knows that there is so much to do for season prep that will need our immediate attention. First and foremost, he wants to meet the students as well as parents. This initial meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2 from 6:30-9pm in the band room.
Want to know more about his background? Read on -- and come to the meeting on Wednesday.
My name is Chris Quinn and I am the new band director at Henderson High School. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and help you to get to know my background and philosophy. In the coming weeks, I hope to meet and speak with each of you personally. I know that working together, we can have a successful marching band season.
I was born and raised in Coatesville. My mother teaches American History and Economics at Coatesville Area Senior High School and my father owns Jerry Quinn Classic Trains & Toys, a train shop in Caln Township. I graduated from CASH as valedictorian in 1996. In school, I was active in the marching band where I was the drum major for two years, Meistersingers where I was president and honor soloist, drama, swimming, tennis, and a lot more clubs than I can remember! I began my college experience at the University of Delaware and completed my undergraduate degree at West Chester University where I majored in trombone and voice. I also have my master’s degree from Neumann College. During my undergraduate, I was in the marching band, concert band, concert choir, and formed a pop a cappella choir of my own. Two of my first jobs out of college were directing the Delcastle High School Marching Band and being the assistant director of the Council Rock High School band.
For the past seven years, I have been band director at North Brandywine Middle School in Coatesville. Over the years, I have also taught choir and general music at North. During my first three years in Coatesville, I was assistant director of the high school band. In that capacity, I worked with the director on all aspects of the program, including a leadership training program which I developed and implemented. I also assisted with both indoor guard and indoor drum line.
Outside of school, I am a member of the Brandywine Singers, a choir in West Chester. I enjoy traveling and performing, and have had the pleasure to do so on several tours through Europe and the US, performing in places like Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Recently, I have gotten very involved in running. This year I have done a number of local 5Ks, the Caesar Rodney Half-Marathon, and the Broad Street Run. This summer I am busy teaching music lessons in PA and making donuts at my sister’s bakery, Kohler’s Bakery in Avalon, NJ, where my family has a home. Sweating in the bakery is a great job because it prepares me for band camp!
My philosophy about marching band, and teaching music in general, is simple. My goal is to help students reach their full potential as musicians and as people. I became a band director because of my marching band experience in high school. It taught me life lessons that I carry with me today. Yes, students in band learn notes and rhythms, but they also learn about leadership, responsibility, dedication, perseverance, and the level of work "excellence" requires. These are lessons which benefit all students, regardless of their chosen path in life. Being in a band is one of the greatest experiences a person can have. You may be "on a team" but you are "IN the band." There is no second-string. Every person is valued and respected, and all involved become a family. Our goal is to nurture the students' love of music and to help your children become the best musicians, and more importantly best people, they can be.
Thank you very much for your support of your child's participation in the music program. I look forward to meeting you soon!
Hope you're having a musical summer!
Catch you soon -
Mr. L
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