Shawnee Bands

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students playing percussion instruments

The mission of Shawnee Bands is to provide students the best possible education through a comprehensive musical experience aimed at promoting higher level thinking and comprehension as well as instilling integrity, discipline, and trust. Our Shawnee Bands staff consistently encourages students to give their personal and collective best. We set high standards of excellence, and we provide a supportive community of respect, responsibility, and creativity to help everyone reach that high standard.

Our goals are to provide students with a worthwhile musical experience. We want to teach students to appreciate music as an art while we also help them develop a sense of responsibility to a group, self-discipline, character, and control.

Shawnee Performing Ensembles

Directors and Staff

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Christopher Hall, director of bands, is an educator, conductor, clinician, and trombonist who is in his first year with Shawnee Public Schools and his 14th year in public education. Mr. Hall previously taught in the Lindsay, Washington, and Enid, Oklahoma, School Districts. List of successes include several OSSAA sweepstakes awards, numerous state marching, concert, and jazz band state superior ratings. Most importantly, many of Mr. Hall’s former students have gone on to become professional musicians and music educators.

Mr. Hall holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Master’s Degree in Conducting from Oklahoma City University where he studied conducting with Dr. Matthew Mailman and Jan McDaniel.

Mr. Hall currently teaches the Pride of the Pack Marching Band, the Shawnee High School Wind Ensemble, the Shawnee High School Jazz Band and assists at the middle school levels. Mr. Hall also oversees the entire 6th through 12th grade vertical band program.Mr. Hall enjoys watching movies and traveling with his wife, Katy and his two daughters, Evelyn and Elizabeth.

Contact Information:
chrhall@shawnee.k12.ok.us
(405)-275-5034

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Sierra Levine, assistant director of bands, Music has played an integral role Ms. Levine’s life. She grew up in Purcell, OK where she learned clarinet and quickly learned bass clarinet and also indulged in some low brass. Through participation in marching band, honor bands, and summer camps, her love for music continued to grow. This led her to pursue a degree in music education at the University of Oklahoma. Shawnee has an incredible history of excellence in many areas, including band, and she is so honored to be a part of that standard. She is very excited to begin her teaching journey with the incredible staff, students, and community at Shawnee. 

Contact Information:
sielevine@shawnee.k12.ok.us

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Madison Riesenberg, assistant director of bands, is in her fourth year teaching, with many more years of experience teaching private flute lessons, and is an accomplished Woodwind Specialist. Previously she taught at Drumright Public Schools and worked part time as an assistant at Oklahoma Christian School in Edmond, OK.

Ms. Riesenberg is graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma where she played in Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra and Flute Choir. She also marched in the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band for three years.

Ms. Riesenberg enjoys crafting, spending time with her dog, Muffin, and all things Disney. She strives to see the Shawnee Bands grow and reach for great heights and learn to relate experiences to every day life so as to become productive members of society.

Contact Information:
madriesenberg@shawnee.k12.ok.us

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William Weldon, percussion coordinator, is a music education major at East Central University where he studies percussion under Dr. Nicholous Meyers.  At ECU, Mr. Weldon plays in the drumline, percussion ensemble, jazz band, wind ensemble, and brass band.

Additionally, Mr. Weldon's experience in the marching arts includes three seasons of front ensemble experience with Resistance Indoor Percussion and one season of DCI experience with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corp.

Contact Information:
wilweldon@shawnee.k12.ok.us

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Lyndsie Avenius, colorguard coordinator, grew up in Henrietta, Texas, where she performed in the color guard all throughout high school. She is also currently in her second year as director of Oklahoma Baptist University's color guard. 

Contact Information:
lynavenius@shawnee.k12.ok.us