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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.
The Fastest Way to Make Your Band Sound Better
It's that time of year. Your first football game is behind you. Your first contest is around the corner. You can perform a good two thirds of your show without anyone running into each other. Things are on track! There's just one problem. Now things have...
Let your students take risks!
I had the pleasure to chat with John Denis, Assistant Professor of Music Education at Texas State University. He has a real passion for helping young teachers be successful, and as such, not only does he mentor some of the brightest young students entering the teaching profession, but has taken to the podcasting community to reach a wider audience!
“Program Notes: The Beginning Band Director Podcast” isn’t just for directors of the beginning band (6th Grade), nor is it for purely new to the profession teachers. His podcast site is chock-full of awesome information and thoughtful interviews on a variety of subjects that might be the very thing you need to climb over whatever teaching “wall” is currently in front of you!
In Part 1 of this multi-part podcast, we cover a few topics, including the basics of how to learn drill, and creating an environment where your students are willing to take risks for the sake of their own improvement, among other side-topics and “rabbit trails”. I had a great time chatting with John, and I hope you’ll have a good time listening in!
7 Strategies to Upgrade Your Marching Band’s Performance
Introduction When it comes to marching band shows, there are several basic concepts that every band program should focus on. In this blog post, we will explore these fundamental concepts and how they contribute to the overall success of a marching band performance. So...
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