New Band Director and Assistant Band Director appointed!!!

In case you haven't been following the A-wing news at West, Mr. Griffith has resigned as assistant band director at West effective this past June and Dr. Nail will be leaving us as of the end of December. After an exhaustive search, we're very excited about the gentlemen we welcome to the A-wing: Todd Zimbleman - West band director as of January 4, 2010 - and Luke Warren - West assistant band director effective August 2009. Dr. Nail will co-conduct the symphony the months of November and December and Mr. Zimbleman will take over his responsibilities in January 2010 - I'm very excited to work with both Dr. Nail and Mr. Zimbleman this year!!!

The following is excerpted from the West Band newsletter:

August 2, 2009
Welcome to this season’s first Music Booster Newsleter!
New Band Director and Assistant Band Director Chosen

The West Salem High School Band Boosters is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Todd Zimbelman as our new Band Director. Mr. Zimbelman comes to us from Southridge High School in Beaverton where he has been Band Director for the last three years. Previously he was Band Director at Grants Pass High School and before that taught music at the University of Oregon. Not only did Mr. Zimbelman take Southridge to the number one position in the state in Marching Band, but he also took their Wind Ensemble to the number one position at the state finals this year. His ability to bring the most out in his students is one of the many reasons for his strong reputation as one of the premiere music educators in the state.

Dr. Nail, upon hearing this news, said that Mr. Zimbelman is an outstanding music educator and will continue to build upon our already strong reputation. He could not be more pleased with the choice as he holds Todd in very high regard. Ike welcomes Mr. Zimbelman and looks forward to working with him during the transition over the first half of the year.

Mr. Zimbelman will begin working with our Marching Band as soon as he can transition away from his duties at Southridge. Beginning with the start of the new school year, Mr. Zimbelman will be working as band director at Clagget Creek Middle School, filling in for their current band director who is going to be out on maternity leave. His official first day at West Salem High will be January 4, 2010. However, he will be working with our students during this transition period.

We are also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Luke Warren as our new Assistant Band Director. Mr. Warren comes to us by way of Portland State University where he just completed his Masters Degree program in Music Education. Luke received his Bachelors in Music Performance on the bass trombone from the University of Oregon in 2004. Luke was not only a student of Mr. Zimbleman at U of O, but he also worked with him at Southridge as an assistant working with their marching band. Mr. Warren will be joining us in time to start working with our students during marching band camp. He will also be performing similar duties to those of Mr. Griffiths during the school year.