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Evan VanDoren is an in-demand music composer regularly commissioned to create engaging & award-winning music for marching bands and concert ensembles at all skill levels. Evan’s music is regularly performed around the country, including premiere performances at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. In 2025, Evan was recognized as a National Finalist for The American Prize in Composition for his works, Luminosities & Prophetic Dances.
Evan serves as the brass composer & arranger for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Santa Clara, California. Additionally, Evan is an active clinician and has presented for Drum Corps International, the Music Educators National Convention, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and Music for All. He regularly consults with music programs nationwide.
Before devoting his life to creating music, Evan was a band director at Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas. During that time, the band was awarded multiple marching state championships and national recognition. He received a Bachelor's in Music Education with Honors from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Currently, he lives in Cedar Park, Texas, with his wife, Katie, daughters Anna & Sara, and their dog, Cooper.
Making Space for Yourself: A Band Director’s Guide to Staying Energized
You arrived in this field because music matters and young people matter. You plan shows, rehearse long hours, troubleshoot logistics, and guide students through growth. But what if your own battery is running low—and you’re not even aware of it?Taking time to...
Marching Band: Sport or Art? Why Great Marching Band Shows Are Both
Is marching band a sport or an art? The answer most directors already feel in their bones is: yes. The best marching band shows demand the discipline of athletics and the nuance of performing arts—strength, stamina, precision, expression, storytelling, and teamwork,...
The Hidden Cost of Cutting Marching Band Programs
Marching band is one of the most visible programs in a school district. Instruments, uniforms, travel, and staff stipends appear clearly in the budget. When financial pressure hits, it's often seen as an easy place to cut. That visibility creates a misleading picture....
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