2025 Concert Band Rehearsal Techniques for Students and Teachers
Kip Crowder has recently retired from the Barren County School system where he began work in 1999. Prior to his high school appointment, Kip was the general music teacher and assistant band director at Barren County Middle School. In addition to his classroom duties, Dr. Crowder conducts the BCHS Marching Band, Pep Band as well as the High School and Middle School Percussion Ensembles. Under his direction, the Barren County Ensembles have received consistent distinguished ratings at both the State and District level concert band and solo and ensemble festivals. The BCHS Percussion Ensemble performed at the KMEA Conference in February of 2014. The competitive marching band placed in finals at the Contest of Champions 10 times and has won the Kentucky Governor’s Cup 8 times. The BCHS Concert Band has placed first at 5 Music in the Parks Festivals and was named the 2010 Grand National Champion of the All-Star Music Festival in Florida for posting the highest score in 12 consecutive weekends of competition. In 2016, the BCHS Concert Band won the prestigious Revelli Award at the Festivals of Music held in Washington, D.C. as well as placed 3rd overall in the Kentucky State 4A Marching Band Championships.
Dr. Crowder holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Middle Tennessee State University, a Masters degree in Music Education and a Doctor of the Musical Arts degree from the University of Kentucky. During his undergraduate career, Kip studied applied percussion with Professor Lalo Davila and instrumental music with Professors Joseph T. Smith and Richard Murphy. While pursuing his graduate degrees at the University of Kentucky, Kip studied applied percussion with Professor James B. Campbell and was assistant director of the U.K. Steel Band and Percussion Ensemble. Kip has served as an adjudicator for the Kentucky All-State Bands, Kentucky Music Educators Association solo and ensemble festivals, as well as KMEA marching and concert band festivals. Kip is the former KMEA State Band Chair as well as the former KMEA 3rd District Band Chair. His bands have received consistent distinguished ratings at state and district level large ensemble assessments. The BCHS Concert Band performed in Carnegie Hall on April 15, 2012. The BCHS Concert Band also performed at the KMEA Conference in 2012 and 2016. Additionally, Kip was named High School Teacher of the Year for the KMEA 3rd District in 2012. Most recently, Dr. Crowder was named to the MTSU Band of Blue Hall Alumni Hall of Fame in April 2023. Dr. Crowder also holds several professional affiliations including Phi Beta Mu, Percussive Arts Society, NAfME, KMEA, Christian Educators Association and Phi Mu Alpha. In 2023, Kip was inducted into the MTSU Band of Blue Alumni Hall of Fame.