The Pride of the Yakima Valley
The A.C. Davis Band Boosters are excited to announce the opening of our online store where you can now purchase gear to show your support for the Davis Band!
All orders ship direct to customer in about 2-3 weeks and are fulfilled by Printful.
Either click the store link in the menu on the website or click this link! https://ac-davis-band-boosters.square.site/
Sam Howard is beginning his first year as Band Director at Davis High School overseeing the areas of Jazz and Percussion. He will also be assisting Mr. Beck in the areas of wind band and marching band.
Previously, Sam was Band Director for Morgan Middle School in Ellensburg, Washington, where he co-taught all concert bands grades 6-8.
Sam graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education from Central Washington University in 2019. While at CWU, he served for two seasons as Drum Major of the CWU Marching Band, and was a soloist for the band in 2016. As a trombonist, Sam performed with all three collegiate wind bands including the renowned CWU Wind Ensemble under Lewis Norfleet. Sam was also a frequent member of the CWU jazz bands and combos, spending three years as a member of the acclaimed CWU Jazz Band 1, where the band earned a featured performance at the 2019 International Jazz Educators Network Conference.
As a jazz musician, Sam has performed with various award-winning artists such as Terrell Stafford, Dafnis Prieto, Wayne Bergeron, Brian Lynch, Bob McChesney, Jeff Coffin, and others. Currently, Sam is a regular performer with the Ellensburg Big Band.
Sam’s previous teaching experience includes instructing the low brass for the AC Davis Marching and Concert Bands from 2016-2019, and assisted as an instructor for the Cle Elum-Roslyn High School Marching and Concert Bands in 2019. Sam is currently on the Brass Staff for the Columbians Drum and Bugle Corps out of Pasco, Washington. As a Jazz Teacher, Sam was Director of the CWU Jazz Band 4 from 2018 through 2019, and was the trombone/beginning jazz combo instructor for the Columbia Basin College Jazz Summit in 2019. In 2021, Sam was nominated for Teacher of the Year at Morgan Middle School.
Outside of music, Sam loves to spend his time wakeboarding, snowboarding, or spending quality time with friends and family.
Brian Beck is currently the Director of Bands at Davis High School in Yakima, Washington. Brian graduated summa cum laude with his degree in Broad Area Music Education and a Douglas Honors College Interdisciplinary Honors Minor at Central Washington University in 2014. Brian has performed with the Symphonic Winds, CWU Symphony Orchestra, and as principal tuba of the renown CWU Wind Ensemble under Larry Gookin. Brian also played bass trombone in CWU Jazz 2 and 3. Brian’s choir experience includes singing in the CWU Men’s Choir and the University Chorale.
Brian performed as a member of the Oregon Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps from 2008-2012. Brian held the position of tuba section leader from 2010-12 and was hornline captain for the 2012 season. While with OC, Brian received the prestigious Crusader of the Year award in 2009 and the Outstanding Brass Performer award in 2011. He also served as the tuba soloist for the corps in 2012.
Brian Beck served as the Program Co-Coordinator for the CWU Marching Band between 2010-2013 where he helped to pick show music, write drill, plan and teach rehearsals, and work in other administrative capacities. He was also the Assistant Director and Visual Designer for the Naches Valley Marching Band. Brian has been a Brass Instructor with the Oregon Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps since fall 2012 to present. In addition to the groups listed above, he has worked with various other high school groups from Oregon and Washington.
Outside of music, Brian is an avid skier who has been going up to White Pass Ski Area nearly every weekend since the age of four. Once the snow melts, you can find him hiking, camping, mountain biking, and rock climbing with his family and friends.
WSU Wind Festival Judges Comment have been added to the members section, and Reference Recordings for all 8 SWE pieces have been added as well.
Final rehearsal will take place March 24th at 2:00 PM. Luggage Check will take place on March 25th at 7:00 PM. Travel Day begins March 26th at 5:30 AM. Be on time!
Welcome to a brand new year. Please find below your syllabus and carefully read through it! To begin the year, the bands will rehearse in the Davis High School Lower Gym.
This Week in the Buccaneer Bands….
This Week in the Buccaneer Bands….
The Yakima School District Board of Directors invites you to a Public Forum regarding the Davis High School Performing Arts Facility on:
Tuesday, February 5
6:30 p.m.
YSD Resource Center
101 South 6th Avenue
This will be an opportunity for staff, parents and community members to hear about the current plans for the modernization of the Davis High School Performing Arts Facility, and to provide input regarding possible future options.
This Week in the Buccaneer Bands…