Profile
I am an eclectic educational leader with an uncompromising commitment to dynamic and state-of-the-art educational programs and events. I have been blessed in my training and experience to work with the iconic names of the educational profession, as an educator, administrator, non-profit executive director and wind conductor. My mentors include Dr. Tim, Lautzenheiser, Harry Wong, Madeline Hunter, H. Robert Reynolds, and Frederick Fennell. I am a dedicated, life-long learner with commensurate skills that encompass an educational presence unique in the industry today. I have developed educational programs in middle schools, high schools, universities, and international non-profit organizations. In addition, I have presented more than 100 workshops and clinics at educational gatherings in Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Indiana, Oklahoma, Florida, New York, California, Arizona, London, Singapore, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Maastricht, Amsterdam and Mexico City. Topics include: “Technology in the Classroom,” “Developing Grant-writing as a Means of Support,” and “Building Leaders Inside Your Team.” In 2011 I was honored by the US Army and the National Association for Music Education as the first recipient of the National Band Director of the Year Award. In 2012, I was the Indy Star’s “Most Influential Educator in Indiana.” In 2014, my first book, “The Ignition Point” is slated for publication. The first of three books, “The Ignition Point: Striking the Match,” chronicles my personal journey and experiences in the urban schools of Indianapolis, IN.
Experience
Author, Tate Publishing, Oklahoma City, OK––2014-present
Released “The Ignition Point-Striking the Match” in December of 2014. Readers discover the power of retaking control of their bodies, minds and spirits to lead they lives they were intended to live.
Sole Proprietor, Namastesia Publications, Indianapolis, IN––2008-present
Launched the business model for educational, inspirational and life-changing literature.
Director of bands, Arsenal Technical High School, Indianapolis, IN––2008-2012
Developed the band program in this urban to school that grew from 11 to 150 students in less than 5 years. Targeted improvement in graduation, attendance, and musical objectives that exceeded local and state expectations. First urban school ever to enter the Music for All Grand National Marching Band Championships. ISSMA Gold medal ratings in Concert, Marching and Sight Reading. Local, State and National Recognition for Musical Achievement while in this position
Executive Director of Education, Drum Corps International, Indianapolis, IN––2007-2008
Headed the “Think Tank” that created the educational program for Drum Corps International. Responsible for the development of programs, curriculum, funding, and implementation strategies for this international youth-music organization.
Director of Bands & Cluster Coordinator, Midland High School; Midland, TX––1997-2007
Administrative and Artistic oversight for more than 1000 students, 12 full-time teachers, 27 private instructors and more than 50 adjunct staff in the Midland High School Cluster of Schools. Attained International recognition for the artistic merit of these outstanding ensembles. State Honor Band Finalist 5 times, State Wind Ensemble Finalist 10 times, Area and State Marching Band Finalist 8 times. National Concert Band Festival Featured performer in 2003, President George W. Bush’s Invited High School Band for the Inaugural Parade in 2001, American Representative High School Band, London Millennium Parade, January 1, 2000.
Director of Bands and Instrumental Department Chair, Brenham High School; Brenham, TX 1988-2007
Artistic and Administrative oversight for the Brenham High School Band program. Developed the band program into the largest 4A program in the state of Texas, while advancing to the State Wind Ensemble Finals for 10 Consecutive Years.
Director of Bands and Department Chair, Wunderlich Intermediate School; Klein, TX––1985-1988
Responsible for the development and implementation for all facets of the band program at Wunderlich Intermediate School, Klein, TX (northern suburb of Houston, TX). State Honor Band Runner-Up, Six Flags Invitational Music Festival Champion, & Feature performer at the International Music Festival, Sydney, Australia 1987
Education
Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX––Master of Music, 1990, Summa cum Laude
West Texas State University, Canyon, TX––Bachelor of Music Education, 1979, Magna cum Laude
Vernon High School, Vernon, TX––Honors Diploma, 1975, Salutatorian
Skills
Articulate and inspirational conductor with commensurate gesture and communicative skills. Creative programing, composing and arranging skills, as well. Competent with most all music technology, Apple hardware and related musical interfaces.
Honors
Congratulations Gary!
Gary Doherty named Band Director of the Year!
Music Educator and GLASSMEN Board Member, Gary Doherty, was named the first recipient of the ‘2011 All American National Band Director of the Year’ by the National Association for Music Education (MENC), and the United States Army. The honor was presented in conjunction with the All American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, and was based on several items such as impact on students lives, professional impact at-large, and competitive success at the state and national levels.
Gary is the Director of Bands at Arsenal Technical High School in the Indianapolis Public Schools, where during his 2-year tenure the program has grown by more than 400% with the addition of a Jazz Band, Drum Line, Winter Guard, Winter Percussion and a Steel Band. Prior to coming to Indianapolis, Gary spent 30 years in the public school systems in Texas, and most recently as the Director of Bands and Cluster School Coordinator for Midland High School in Midland, Texas.
In addition to his teaching duties, Gary is an active performer with the Indiana Wind Symphony, and a sought after ensemble clinician for school corporations, MENC, the Indiana Music Educators Association, Music for All’s Summer Symposium, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, the University Interscholastic League of Texas, Phi Beta Mu International, Drum Corps International, and the American College of Sports Medicine. Currently, Gary is a member of the MENC Blue Ribbon Committee on National Standards for Marching Band, sits on the advisory board for the College of Sports Medicine Professionals’ Athletes in the Arts Initiative, and serves on the Board of Directors for the GLASSMEN Drum & Bugle Corps.
Congratulations on a well deserved honor!
B U T L E R U N I V E R S I T Y
15th Annual BASSOON DAY
featuring:
Gary Doherty
director of bands, Arsenal Technical High School (Indianapolis);
2011 All-American National Band Director of the Year
and
Doug Spaniol
professor of bassoon, Butler University; Yamaha Performing Artist
Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011
Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana
presented by Yamaha
Namastesia, The Art of Light and Enlightenment 