Mr. Austin R. Chalmers
Director of Bands
Mr. Austin Chalmers has been Director of Bands at Westover High School since 2009, his ensembles have recieved numerous recognitions with their performances on the marching field and concert stage. The Westover symphonic band was rated superior by the NC Bandmasters Association at the SEDBA District Band Festival-Contest in their first appearance under Mr. Chalmers direction in March 2011, this was the bands first superior rating in many years. Mr. Chalmers students also place in the All-County and All District Honor Bands. The marching band, "Mid-South Powerhouse" have won numerous first place awards, named grand champion in competition and performed at college homecomings and community parades in and outside of NC.
Mr. Chalmers graduated from E.E.Smith High School in Fayetteville NC, where was a student of Director of Bands Roosevelt Pratt Jr. Mr. Chalmers played the trumpet, baritone and was drum major of the“Magnificent Marching Machine”, he also participated in the jazz band, and symphonic band He then graduated from North Carolina Central University earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education with euphonium as his major instrument. There he privately studied conducting, arranging and instrumental methods with Director of Bands Jorim Reid. Mr. Chalmers served the band program playing euphonium in the wind ensemble, symphonic band, head drum major and student arranger of the “Marching Sound Machine”, he also served as the principal conductor of the NCCU Concert Band and guest conductor of the NCCU Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble.
In 2006-2007 Mr. Chalmers gained extensive experience teaching 6-8 grade instrumental at Health Start Academy Charter School in Durham, NC and was Assistant Band Director at Southern High School from 2008-2009. In 2009 he received a conducting mentorship for the World Association of Symphonic Band and Ensembles.(WASBE) for their annunal conference in Cincinnati, OH where he was mentored by Concordia University Chicago Wind Symphony Conductor Dr. Richard Fischer. Mr. Chalmers has participatipated in music education and conducting workshops with John Loke, Donald Hunsberger, H. Robert Reynolds, Gary Green, Rodney Dorsey, Eric Wilson and Frank Ticheli. His professional memberships include the National Association for Music Educators, North Carolina Music Educators Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Honorary Music Fraternity, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
Cynthia Johnson- Assistant Director, Westover Middle School
