BAND STAFF

DR. JAMIE VANVALKENBURG, DIRECTOR

Dr. Jamie VanValkenburg has taught band at all levels from elementary through college. At Oakton High School, he directs the Cougar Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band 1, Concert Band 2, and Jazz Bands.

Education

He received his bachelor's degree in music education and master's degree in music performance from George Mason University. His teaching career began in Fairfax County Public Schools in 1997. During his tenure, his middle school bands were invited to perform at the Midwest Clinic, in 1999 and 2000. In 2003 he moved to pursue his doctorate at Arizona State University, concurrently teaching elementary and middle school band. He later taught at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) and Maricopa County Community Colleges. In 2007, he accepted the position of Director of Bands at Adams State University in Colorado. He returned to FCPS in 2012, as Director of Bands at Oakton High School.

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Oakton Accolades

Under Dr. VanValkenburg’s direction, the Oakton Symphonic Band was selected by audition recording to perform at the 2017 Music for All National Concert Band Festival and the 2017 Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Conference. The Oakton band program has earned Virginia Honor Band status five times (achieved by both the marching band and top concert band earning a “superior” rating at their respective State Assessments), for a school total of 25 times.

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Influences

Dr. VanValkenburg studied conducting with Anthony Maiello, Allan McMurray, H. Robert Reynolds, and Steve Peterson. His major euphonium teachers were Sam Pilafian, Roger Behrend, Patrick Sheridan, and Fred Boyd. He studied tuba with Sam Pilafian and Patrick Sheridan and trombone with Dr. Paul Schultz. He also studied applied composition with Dr. Glenn Smith at George Mason University.

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Leadership in the field

Clinician at:

• The 2010 International Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Tucson, AZ

• The 2010 and 2012 Colorado Music Educators Association clinic/conference, and

• The 2006 Nevada All- State convention.

Guest artist for the 2005 and 2007 Southwest Regional Euphonium and Tuba Conferences.

Contributions

A proponent of new music, Dr. VanValkenburg has committed both institutional and personal money for multiple commission consortia, including Libbly Larsen's "Concerto for Euphonium and Wind Ensemble,” Michael Kallstrom’s “Starry Night” for solo flute, vibraphone, and wind ensemble, and Dan Bukvich's “Inferno" for chamber winds.

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Accomplishments

Dr. VanValkenburg won the 1999 Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Competition at the Artist level. He is the first and only euphonium soloist ever to win Arizona State University's Concerto Competition. He also was a finalist for euphonium positions with the United States Army Band in Washington, DC, and the United States Coast Guard Band. in New London, Connecticut. He placed fourth in the 2004 Potomac Festivals Euphonium Competition at the Artist level and was a finalist for the 1998 Colonial Euphonium-Tuba Institute Artist level Euphonium Competition. He twice was a featured performer with the Phoenix Symphony.