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I attended Wesleyan University where
I received a Bachelor of Music degree.
After two years of teaching I decided to return to school to work on
my Masters Degree at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. While there I acted as graduate
assistant to the choir, taught Koto, did research at the East West Library,
designed and taught the marching band halftime shows for games and the Hula
Bowl, and also acted as Director of Bands when the head director went on sabbatical
leave.
I returned to the mainland to teach
in Brandon, South Dakota, Keokuk, Iowa, and then at Warren Township High
School in Gurnee, IL, a Chicago suburb.
During that time I took additional
courses at Berklee School of Music, University of Illinois, University of
San Francisco, Vandercook School of Music, and several other
institutions. I attended a workshop
taught by Bill Moffit of the University of Houston, and after completing his
class, he extended an invitation for me to bring my band to perform at the
Bluebonnet Bowl halftime in the Astrodome in Houston. Our trip was a success so we finally
performed three different years at the Bowl, and also appeared in the
Cotton Bowl parade and game in Dallas two times. We competed regularly and were twice Illinois State U
champions, and also Chicagoland champions.
We were auctioned off on Public TV and raised $3500 for the station
by performing at a private dedication in Chicago.
Our band also performed for 14
Chicago Bear halftime Shows, 6 Green Bay Packer halftime shows, and also
the Detroit Lions. We performed
every week on the Wild World of Sports for one year, and consistently
placed in the top 10 in Illinois sweepstakes competition.
I have been at Fort Hancock for five
years. Each year the fifth grade
students attend the Youth Concert of the El Paso Symphony. The band plays for home and away
football games, and other community functions. The Music Appreciation classes will be attending the
presentation of the Magic Flute by the El Paso Opera. This spring the band is planning a major
trip to the west coast.
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Contact
Information
Mr. Braa
cbraa@forthancockisd.net
Fort Hancock High School
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