Duluth High School's Director of Bands and Instructor of Music Theory is Mr. Russ Thompson. Mr. Thompson is a native of Florence Alabama. He is currently finishing his Master's of Music Education Degree at Auburn University and is scheduled to graduate in August of this year. Mr. Thompson spent the 2007-2008 year as a Graduate Teaching Assistant with the Auburn University Bands. As a Graduate Assistant, Mr. Thompson worked in every aspect of the AU Band program. Under AU Marching Band Director Dr. Corey Spurlin, he assisted with teaching marching fundamentals, drill, as well as trumpet and mellophone sectionals through out the year. As a conducting student of Dr. Rick Good, Mr. Thompson rehearsed and conducted the AU Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Campus Band on several occasions. During basketball season, he worked with the AU Pep Bands and was the only GTA to accompany the pep band to the 2008 SEC Men's Tournament in Atlanta. Mr. Thompson was also a performing member of the AU Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble.
From 2005 – 2007 Mr. Thompson served as band director at Lauderdale County High School in Rogersville, Alabama. As director of LCHS, Mr. Thompson was in charge of elementary general music, beginning band, marching band and concert band. The LCHS Marching “Tiger” band received numerous superior ratings and “Best in Class” awards in all captions under his direction. The LCHS concert band returned to successful assessment at the district level after an extended absence.
In 2005, Mr. Thompson received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education Degree from the University of North Alabama. While attending UNA, Mr. Thompson was a member of the “Pride of Dixie” Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and the UNA Jazz Band. From 1999-2002 Mr. Thompson was a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps activity marching with Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps from Lexington Kentucky. Southwind, at the time, was a member of DCI's Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps.
Mr. Thompson has been active in high school band for several years. He has written drill, consulted, taught, and guest conducted with bands all over the state of Alabama. In November 2007, he served as a marching consultant and set designer on staff for the 2007 Macy's Great American All-Star Marching Band that performs each year during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Mr. Thompson's professional affiliations include; Music Educators National Conference, and the National Band Association. He is a newlywed to the former Ms. Brooke Ashley Hester, also from Florence, and a Local Store Marketer for Texas Roadhouse Inc. They have a 5-year old daughter, MaKayla Brooke-Ashton Thompson who will begin Kindergarten this fall.
You can reach Mr. Thompson by
email. |
